IB Physics II 2018 Summer Assignment
Greetings!
I am very excited for you to be taking IB Physics II next year, for the 2018-2019 school year! In IB physics II, we will continue to learn about the nature of the universe as we explore new concepts (which are listed below), and prepare to take the IB physics exam next May.
Topics covered in IB Physics II (2018-2019):
- Waves
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Atomic and Nuclear Physics (remainder of unit)
- Energy production
- Astrophysics
It is an expectation of this class that all students taking it should be prepared to take the IB physics exam at the end of the school year. While students are not required to take the IB physics exam (unless it is needed for their full IB diploma), all instruction and assignments will be geared towards preparing you for this final test. Therefore, if you choose not to take the IB physics exam, please understand that you will still be expected to complete all course work in this class and will be held to the same high standard as all other students. Furthermore, as we begin reviewing for the IB exam in March and April, the entire class will take a full length IB physics exam for a test grade. Therefore, do not assume that just because you are not taking the IB physics exam that you don’t need to pay full attention to everything you see in class. This class will be just as challenging as IB physics I, if not more so, and everything that we do in class is vital to your success. You will need to be able to be self-motivated and willing to learn on your own. At the end of the year, it is your responsibility to prepare yourself for the IB physics exam. This is, in part, to better prepare you for your next few years in college, when you will have to be able to succeed on your own.
To better prepare for next year, this summer you will be completing assignments related to the content learned in IB Physics I. This assignment is meant to benefit you and several multiple purposes:
- To keep your critical thinking and problem-solving skills sharp over the summer.
- To reintroduce you to some of the IB Physics I concepts that you may not have seen in a while.
- To give you an additional opportunity to practice the skills you have previously acquired, as they will be needed for the IB exam in May.
- To prepare you for our first few formative assignments at the beginning of the school year, which will be related to topics from IB Physics I.
- Complete the assigned review questions (will be taken for a formative grade) This will be due the 1 st day of school
You will receive a minimum of 1 formative grade for completing these assignments. In addition, this material will be critical to you having success on the IB physics exam in May.
Next year will be a challenging year for you, as you prepare to graduate high school and move out into the real world. I hope to not only teach you physics (which is awesome by itself); I will also do my best to prepare you to succeed in your life after high school. Although I want (and expect) you to work very hard this summer, I also want you to enjoy it while you can. Prepare yourself mentally and begin your senior year with the mindset that you must give 100% effort, every time, on everything you do. If you keep this mindset, there is no doubt that you will excel in whatever you attempt.
Thank you for taking IB Physics II. I look forward to being your teacher for another year.
Sincerely,
Mr. Walker
Physics Teacher
Ranchview High School
Email: walkerse@cfbisd.edu