Vasy Kafidoff
November 9th, 2023Table of contents
What’s up, IB scholars? You’re about to start writing your IB Physics Extended Essay, and I know you’re searching for that killer topic that’s going to stand out. Well, guess what? I’ve got over 100 extended essay topics and research questions ready for you.
You do not need to thank me; you better say thank you to our IB writers at Writing Metier, who have invented and forwarded this awesome list to me for submission.
This isn’t just about getting it done; it’s about crushing it with something you’re passionate about. So let’s get straight to the point and find you Physics EE ideas that will make some noise and show what you’ve got!
I’m breaking the list into ten categories for IB Physics extended essay topics, each with three subcategories for easier navigation:
Each of these categories and subcategories can be explored through experiments, data analysis, or theoretical investigation, offering a wide range of possibilities for IB students to develop their IB Physics EE topics.
Projectile Motion
Topic: The effect of launch angle on the range of a projectile.
Research Question: How does changing the launch angle affect the horizontal distance traveled by a projectile?
Topic: The impact of air resistance on the trajectory of a projectile.
Research Question: To what extent does air resistance alter the trajectory of a projectile compared to the idealized motion?
Topic: The accuracy of range equations in predicting projectile motion.
Research Question: How accurately do standard range equations predict the motion of a projectile in a controlled environment?
Circular Motion
Topic: Measuring centripetal force in a rotating system.
Research Question: How does the centripetal force required for circular motion change with the radius and speed of the rotating object?
Topic: The physics of banking angles in road design.
Research Question: What is the optimal banking angle for a curve on a road to maximize friction and safety at a given speed?
Topic: Investigating the period of a conical pendulum.
Research Question: How does the length of the string affect the period of oscillation of a conical pendulum?
Dynamics of Rigid Bodies
Topic: The relationship between rotational inertia and angular acceleration.
Research Question: How does changing the distribution of mass affect the rotational inertia and angular acceleration of a rigid body?
Topic: The conservation of angular momentum in a closed system.
Research Question: How does the angular momentum of a system change when the moment of inertia is altered?
Topic: The effect of torque on rotational motion.
Research Question: How does the application of torque affect the rotational motion of a rigid body with a fixed axis?
Mechanics shows us how things move and what affects them, but when we start talking about thermodynamics, we’re dealing with heat and energy.
It’s like going from watching a ball roll down a hill to understanding why it feels warm to the touch on a sunny day.
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Heat Transfer
Topic: Comparing the thermal insulation properties of various materials.
Research Question: Which material provides the best thermal insulation for a given application, and why?
Topic: The rate of cooling of a liquid in different environments.
Research Question: How does the rate of cooling of a hot liquid differ between various environmental conditions?
Topic: Investigating Newton’s law of cooling.
Research Question: How closely does the cooling of a warm object follow Newton’s law of cooling in a real-world setting?
Gas Laws
Topic: The pressure-volume relationship of a gas at constant temperature.
Research Question: How does the volume of a gas change with pressure at a constant temperature, and does it align with Boyle’s law?
Topic: Temperature effects on the pressure of an enclosed gas.
Research Question: How does the pressure of a fixed amount of gas change with temperature in a sealed container?
Topic: Real vs. ideal gases under different conditions.
Research Question: How do the behaviors of real gases deviate from the predictions of the ideal gas law under high-pressure conditions?
Phase Changes
Topic: Measuring specific heat capacities of different substances.
Research Question: How do the specific heat capacities of different substances compare, and what implications does this have for their use in heat storage?
Topic: The energy involved in the phase change of materials.
Research Question: How much energy is absorbed or released during the phase change of a substance, and how does this relate to its latent heat?
Topic: Analyzing cooling curves of substances.
Research Question: What can the cooling curve of a substance tell us about its phase change properties and purity?
After getting a grip on how heat works, it’s pretty cool to see how that energy gets around. Waves are all about energy transfer, whether it’s the sound from your speakers or the ripples on a pond when you toss a stone.
Harmonic Motion
Topic: The period of a simple pendulum.
Research Question: How does the length of a pendulum affect its period, and does this confirm the theoretical model?
Topic: The behavior of mass-spring systems.
Research Question: How do different spring constants affect the oscillation of a mass-spring system?
Topic: Resonance frequencies in mechanical systems.
Research Question: At what frequencies do various mechanical systems resonate, and what factors influence this?
Wave Properties
Topic: Measuring the speed of sound in different media.
Research Question: How does the speed of sound compare in various gases, and what does this tell us about the properties of those gases?
Topic: Investigating diffraction patterns through different apertures.
Research Question: How do diffraction patterns change with the shape and size of apertures?
Topic: Polarization of light by various materials.
Research Question: How effectively can different materials polarize light, and what does this indicate about their structure?
Sound and Acoustics
Topic: The Doppler effect and moving sources.
Research Question: How does the frequency of a sound wave change as the source moves relative to an observer?
Topic: Sound intensity levels at different distances.
Research Question: How does the intensity of sound change with distance from the source, and is it consistent with the inverse square law?
Topic: Acoustic properties of materials in soundproofing.
Research Question: Which materials are most effective at soundproofing a room, and how do their acoustic properties contribute to this effectiveness?
Each of these topics can be tailored to fit the requirements of an IB Physics extended essay, with the research question guiding the experimental design, data collection, and analysis.
If you are interested, we also have a list of potential Physics IA topic ideas for you. Make sure to check them out as well.
Once you’ve got a handle on waves, you’re ready to see how they relate to electricity and magnetism. It’s like connecting the dots between the vibrations in the air and the current in the wires of your headphones.
Circuit Analysis
Topic: The resistance of series and parallel circuits.
Research Question: How does the total resistance in a circuit vary with the arrangement of resistors in series and parallel configurations?
Topic: Verification of Kirchhoff’s laws in complex circuits.
Research Question: How accurately do Kirchhoff’s laws predict the current and voltage distribution in a multi-loop circuit?
Topic: The temperature dependence of resistivity in conductors.
Research Question: How does the resistivity of a metallic conductor change with temperature, and what does this imply about electron scattering?
Electromagnetism
Topic: Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction.
Research Question: How does the rate of change of magnetic flux influence the induced EMF in a coil?
Topic: The magnetic field patterns around different conductor configurations.
Research Question: How do the configurations of conductors affect the shape and strength of the magnetic fields they produce?
Topic: The efficiency of electromagnets.
Research Question: What factors determine the lifting power of an electromagnet, and how can its efficiency be maximized?
Capacitance and Inductance
Topic: Time constants in RC circuits.
Research Question: How does the capacitance and resistance in an RC circuit affect its charging and discharging time constants?
Topic: Resonance in LC circuits.
Research Question: At what conditions does resonance occur in an LC circuit, and how does this affect the circuit’s impedance?
Topic: Energy storage in capacitors and inductors.
Research Question: How do capacitors and inductors store energy, and what factors affect their energy storage capacity?
Electricity and magnetism are pretty easy to see in action, but modern physics? That’s where things get wild. You’re not just looking at what’s in front of you anymore; you’re considering what’s happening on a scale so small or so huge that it bends your mind a bit.
Quantum Phenomena
Topic: The photoelectric effect and Planck’s constant.
Research Question: How can the photoelectric effect be used to determine Planck’s constant, and what does this reveal about the nature of light?
Topic: Electron diffraction and crystal structure.
Research Question: How does electron diffraction provide evidence for the wave nature of electrons and the structure of crystals?
Topic: Energy levels in hydrogen atoms.
Research Question: How do the observed spectral lines of hydrogen correspond to the theoretical energy levels predicted by quantum mechanics?
Nuclear Physics
Topic: Radioactive decay series.
Research Question: How does the decay series of a radioactive isotope correspond to theoretical predictions of half-life and decay pathways?
Topic: The effect of shielding on radiation intensity.
Research Question: How effective are different materials at shielding against various types of radioactive emissions?
Topic: Nuclear reaction energy calculations.
Research Question: How does the measured energy released in a nuclear reaction compare to the values predicted by the mass-energy equivalence principle?
Special Relativity
Topic: Time dilation observed in cosmic muons.
Research Question: How does the observed decay rate of cosmic muons provide evidence for time dilation effects predicted by special relativity?
Topic: Length contraction and high-speed particles.
Research Question: How can length contraction be demonstrated or inferred from high-speed particle interactions?
Topic: Mass-energy equivalence in particle physics.
Research Question: How does the increase in mass of particles at high velocities provide evidence for the mass-energy equivalence principle?
But even with all that mind-bending stuff, physics isn’t just about theory. It’s also about practical stuff, like how we use energy. From solar panels on your roof to the battery in your phone, it’s all about getting the power we need to do what we want.
Renewable Energy Sources
Topic: The efficiency of photovoltaic cells under different conditions.
Research Question: How do factors such as light intensity, wavelength, and temperature affect the efficiency of solar panels?
Topic: Performance analysis of wind turbines.
Research Question: How does blade design affect the efficiency and power output of a wind turbine?
Topic: The viability of biofuels compared to fossil fuels.
Research Question: How do the energy outputs and carbon footprints of biofuels compare to those of traditional fossil fuels?
Energy Conversion
Topic: The efficiency of internal combustion engines.
Research Question: How do variables such as fuel type and engine temperature affect the efficiency of an internal combustion engine?
Topic: Thermal efficiency of power plants.
Research Question: What are the main factors that limit the thermal efficiency of modern thermal power plants?
Topic: The effectiveness of regenerative braking systems.
Research Question: How much energy can regenerative braking systems realistically recover during vehicle deceleration?
Power Transmission
Topic: Electrical grid efficiency and power loss.
Research Question: How does the distance and cross-sectional area of transmission lines affect power loss in an electrical grid?
Topic: The potential of superconductors in power transmission.
Research Question: What are the challenges and potential benefits of using superconductors for power transmission?
Topic: The impact of load balancing on power grid stability.
Research Question: How does load balancing affect the stability and efficiency of a power grid?
These topics and research questions are designed to inspire a range of investigations for the Physics Extended Essay, allowing students to delve into both experimental and theoretical aspects of physics.
And speaking of practical, fluid dynamics is all about understanding how liquids and gases move. It’s like figuring out why blowing over a hot soup cools it down or how an airplane stays up in the sky.
Aerodynamics
Topic: The effect of airfoil shape on lift generation.
Research Question: How does altering the curvature and angle of an airfoil affect its lift and drag forces?
Topic: Application of Bernoulli’s principle to various wing designs.
Research Question: How do different wing designs in aircraft utilize Bernoulli’s principle to achieve lift?
Topic: Drag force comparison on streamlined vs. bluff bodies.
Research Question: How does the shape of an object affect the drag force experienced at different flow velocities?
Hydrodynamics
Topic: The relationship between flow rate and pipe diameter in fluid dynamics.
Research Question: How does changing the diameter of a pipe affect the flow rate of a fluid within it, given a constant pressure difference?
Topic: Viscosity effects on fluid flow in channels.
Research Question: How does the viscosity of a fluid influence its flow characteristics in narrow channels?
Topic: Analysis of Reynolds number in predicting fluid flow regimes.
Research Question: How does the Reynolds number determine the transition from laminar to turbulent flow in a pipe?
Buoyancy and Density
Topic: Investigating Archimedes’ principle for irregularly shaped objects.
Research Question: How accurately does Archimedes’ principle predict the buoyant force on objects with complex shapes?
Topic: The stability of floating bodies and the concept of metacentric height.
Research Question: How does the distribution of mass affect the stability of a floating vessel?
Topic: Density stratification in fluids and its impact on layered flow.
Research Question: How does density stratification affect the movement and mixing of different fluid layers?
From there, it’s a big leap to astrophysics and cosmology—literally. You go from studying the flow of air around a plane to the flow of galaxies in space. It’s about seeing the bigger picture and our place in it.
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Stellar Physics
Topic: Analyzing the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram for star clusters.
Research Question: What can the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram reveal about the age and composition of a star cluster?
Topic: Classification and analysis of star spectra.
Research Question: How does the classification of stellar spectra correlate with a star’s temperature, luminosity, and lifecycle stage?
Topic: Investigating blackbody radiation in stars.
Research Question: How well does the blackbody radiation model fit the observed spectral energy distribution of stars?
Cosmological Models
Topic: Evidence for the Big Bang theory from cosmic microwave background radiation.
Research Question: What does the cosmic microwave background radiation tell us about the origins and evolution of the universe?
Topic: The role of dark matter in galaxy formation and rotation.
Research Question: How does the presence of dark matter influence the rotational speeds of galaxies?
Topic: Verifying Kepler’s laws through observation of planetary motion.
Research Question: How accurately do Kepler’s laws describe the motion of bodies in the solar system?
Orbital Mechanics
Topic: The energy requirements for satellite launch and achieving escape velocity.
Research Question: What are the energy considerations and optimal conditions for a satellite to achieve escape velocity from Earth?
Topic: The effects of orbital perturbations on satellite stability.
Research Question: How do factors such as atmospheric drag and gravitational influences affect the stability of satellite orbits?
Topic: Analysis of gravitational slingshot maneuvers in space missions.
Research Question: How can gravitational assist maneuvers be optimized to increase spacecraft velocity?
But even with our heads in the stars, we can’t forget about light. Optics brings it back down to earth, showing us how light works, whether it’s bending through a lens or bouncing off a mirror.
Reflection and Refraction
Topic: The efficiency of optical fibers in transmitting light.
Research Question: How do imperfections in optical fibers affect the total internal reflection and efficiency of light transmission?
Topic: Investigating Snell’s law at various interfaces.
Research Question: How accurately does Snell’s law predict the angle of refraction for different transparent materials?
Topic: The critical angle for total internal reflection in various media.
Research Question: How does the critical angle for total internal reflection change with the refractive index of different materials?
Lens and Mirror Optics
Topic: The formation of images by converging lenses under various conditions.
Research Question: How does the focal length of a lens affect the properties of the image it forms?
Topic: The magnification power of compound microscope systems.
Research Question: How do the focal lengths of the objective and eyepiece lenses in a microscope affect its overall magnification?
Topic: The aberrations in images formed by lenses and mirrors.
Research Question: What types of optical aberrations are most prevalent in simple lens systems, and how can they be minimized?
Interference and Diffraction
Topic: The double-slit experiment and wave-particle duality.
Research Question: How does the double-slit experiment provide evidence for the wave-particle duality of light?
Topic: Measuring the wavelength of light using diffraction gratings.
Research Question: How can diffraction gratings be used to accurately measure the wavelength of light?
Topic: The application of holography in image storage and retrieval.
Research Question: How does holography utilize the principles of interference and diffraction to store and reconstruct images?
And light’s just one piece of the whole world of Physics. Electromagnetic waves are everywhere, from the microwave that heats your lunch to the X-rays at the dentist. It’s all part of the same big family that keeps our world connected and our lives running.
Radio and Microwave Radiation
Topic: The design and optimization of antennas for radio communication.
Research Question: How does the geometry of an antenna affect its radiation pattern and signal reception?
Topic: Signal propagation in different atmospheric conditions.
Research Question: How do atmospheric conditions affect the propagation of radio and microwave signals?
Topic: The effectiveness of microwave radiation in communication systems.
Research Question: What are the advantages and limitations of using microwave radiation in satellite communications?
Infrared and Ultraviolet Light
Topic: Thermal imaging and the emissivity of different materials.
Research Question: How does the emissivity of a material affect its detection in thermal imaging?
Topic: The effects of UV radiation on various substances.
Research Question: How does exposure to ultraviolet light affect the chemical structure and properties of different materials?
Topic: Spectroscopy and the identification of chemical compounds.
Research Question: How can infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy be used to identify and analyze different chemical compounds?
X-rays and Gamma Rays
Topic: The application of X-ray imaging in medical diagnostics.
Research Question: How do different tissues and materials affect the absorption and transmission of X-rays in medical imaging?
Topic: Radiation therapy and the optimization of gamma ray dosage.
Research Question: How can the dosage and targeting of gamma rays in radiation therapy be optimized for cancer treatment?
Topic: Nuclear gamma spectroscopy and nuclear structure.
Research Question: What can gamma-ray spectra reveal about the structure and energy states of atomic nuclei?
These topics and research questions are designed to guide students in their exploration of advanced concepts in physics, providing a foundation for a thorough and insightful Extended Essay.
Creating an engaging and contemporary Physics Extended Essay can be particularly rewarding when the topic is relevant to modern situations and challenges.
Here are 12 topics that connect to current events or recent advancements in technology, along with a brief explanation of their relevance:
The Physics of Electric Vehicles
Investigate the efficiency of regenerative braking systems in electric cars and how they contribute to the overall energy efficiency of the vehicle.
Renewable Energy Harvesting
Analyze the potential of piezoelectric materials in converting mechanical stress from human activities into electrical energy, contributing to sustainable power generation.
Smartphone Sensors
Explore the use of gyroscopes and accelerometers in smartphones for navigation and gaming, and how these sensors rely on principles of mechanics and material science.
Wireless Charging Technologies
Examine the electromagnetic principles behind wireless charging pads and the efficiency of energy transfer at various distances and alignments.
Solar Panel Coatings
Research the effectiveness of anti-reflective coatings on solar panels and their role in enhancing the absorption of light and overall energy conversion efficiency.
Aerodynamics of Drones
Study the impact of drone design on flight stability and energy consumption, which is critical for extending their use in delivery systems and aerial photography.
Physics in Sports Equipment
Investigate the materials and design features that contribute to the performance and safety of modern sports helmets, from bicycles to football.
Thermal Imaging and Disease Detection
Explore the use of thermal imaging in detecting fevers and its potential application in managing pandemics by early identification of symptomatic individuals.
Nanomaterials in Electronics
Analyze the electrical conductivity and properties of graphene and other nanomaterials that are revolutionizing the electronics industry.
Physics of Modern Building Design
Investigate how principles of thermodynamics are applied in the design of eco-friendly and energy-efficient buildings.
Quantum Computing
Study the basic principles of quantum computing and the challenges in maintaining quantum coherence in qubits, which are the fundamental building blocks of quantum computers.
SpaceX and Reusable Rockets
Research the physics behind the reusability of rockets, focusing on the landing mechanisms employed by companies like SpaceX and how they conserve momentum and energy.
Each of these topics is not only grounded in physics principles but also has a wealth of information available due to their current relevance and the ongoing research in these areas.
They offer a chance to combine theoretical physics with practical application in the modern world, which can be particularly engaging for an Extended Essay.
Hey there, IB students! If you’re stuck on coming up with a topic or diving into writing your Physics IB Extended Essay, don’t sweat it. Our team of IB experts at Writing Metier is here to help you write a custom IB EE on this exciting subject.
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So, that’s the rundown. Physics isn’t just about equations and lab coats; it’s the stuff all around us, from the smallest particles to the vastness of space. It’s about getting to the heart of how things work, from the every day to the extraordinary.
And the more you learn, the more you see how everything’s linked together in one big, amazing picture.
