50+ IB Physics IA Ideas

1.) How does the diameter of the pendulum wire affect the damping constant of the pendulum?

Experimental Setup:

A pendulum setup is made in accordance with the constant variables. The light gate is placed in a way where the pendulum passes between the edges of it without disturbance. A data logger collects the data as the pendulum passes between the light gate for 90 seconds. Using this data, you will be able to calculate the damping constant.

Independent Variables:

Diameter of the pendulum wire

Constant Variables:

Mass of mass hanger, Length of wire, Initial place from which the pendulum was released (angle at which it was released from) and person letting go of the mass hanger.

Dependent Variables:

The velocity of the pendulum for 90 seconds

2.) Experimental Investigation of Torricelli’s Law?

Experimental Setup:

There is a cylindrical container, a funnel, a ruler placed horizontally at a specific height under the orifice and a ruler to measure the height of the water in the cylindrical container. The setup is set in a way to allow simultaneous measurements of both the speed of the existing water and the change of the height of the level of water in the container. The speed of the water is obtained implicitly since by measuring the distance the water exiting travels over a period of time yields the speed of the water.

Independent Variables:

Height of the empty space in the bottle

Controlled Variables:

Distance from orifice to the ground, Temperature of water, Medium of liquid, Size of orifice

Dependent Variables:

Horizontal distance from the Orifice

3.) Investigating the relationship between the pressure of a soccer ball and its rebound height

Experimental Setup:

Using a meter scale, the drop height for the soccer ball on the wall is marked. One person will drop the soccer ball from this constant height as the pressure of the ball varies. Once it drops, you will have to record a video to see how far up the ball bounces back. This is your dependent variable. Many trials can be taken to obtain an average value.

Independent Variables:

Pressure of the ball

Constant Variables:

The drop height of the soccer ball, the surface the ball is dropped on to, environmental conditions like wind, temperature and air pressure

Dependent Variables:

Bounce height of the soccer ball

4.) Relationship between Brewster’s Angle and Refractive Index

Experimental Setup:

The purpose of this exploration is to observe how the Brewster’s angle changes in accordance to different refractive indices. The indices were varied using different masses of white sugar dissolved in tap water. A constant wavelength of light was also used to see how the Brewster’s angle varied proportionally to the changing refractive index. The set-up is inspired by a non-invasive form of medical testing for the concentration of glucose in blood by measuring the refractive index in the aqueous humor of the eye.

Independent Variables:

Different masses of white sugar

Constant Variables:

Wavelength of the light, Amount of tap water

Dependent Variables:

Brewster’s Angle, Refractive Index

5.) Investigating power in a human motion using the double pendulum mechanism

Experimental Setup:

In this experiment, you will be able to find the optimum angle and lengths in which the hand should be for maximum power delivery. However, this would be more of an investigation. A double pendulum is constructed using wood to represent the hand. By changing the angle of pendulum 1 the final power produced by that motion changes. Additionally, the length of both pendulums will also change because not everyone’s hand measurements are the same. Furthermore, a simulation software will also be used to compare the results.

Independent Variables:

The initial angle of Pendulum 1, Length ratio of both pendulums (L1/L2)

Dependent Variables:

Time period (s) in the first cycle, Maximum Kinetic Energy (Joules) in the first cycle, Maximum Power (J s-1) delivered in the first cycle

6.) To stimulate the kinetic theory of gasses to study the distribution of velocities and its variation with temperature

Experimental Setup:

Write a code to simulate motion of gas molecules in a box by using the Maxwell Boltzmann distribution function to find velocity distribution at various temperatures.

Independent Variables:

Temperature, number of particles/molecules

Constant Variables:

Dimension of the box, number of iterations

Dependent Variables:

Velocity distribution

7.) To calculate the coefficient of friction by sliding a box down a ramp

Experimental Setup:

A long wooden plank with a uniformly smooth surface(like glass) is placed slanted on a vertical Support with a box sliding down. The distance traveled by the box and and the time taken is measured to calculate the coefficient of friction of the smooth surface

Independent Variables:

Length of the plank, surface

Controlled Variables:

Angle of tilt of the ramp, air resistance

Dependent Variables:

Time taken

8.) To calculate acceleration due to gravity by dropping a magnet through a pipe

Experimental Setup:

Take a pipe and coil a wire around it at a distance apart. Now connect a microammeter to both ends of the wire to measure the current in the coil when the magnet passes through it. Measure the time between the current induced in both the coils which can be utilized to find the acceleration due to gravity.

Independent Variables:

Distance between the coil

Constant Variables:

Number of turns in the coil, strength of the magnet

Dependent Variables:

Time taken for the magnet to pass through both the coils.

9.) To identify the refractive index of a liquid by measuring the apparent shift in the image

Experimental Setup:

A transparent beaker with the desired liquid filled up. Now immerse a metal rod in the liquid and you will observe an apparent shift in the image of the rod which can be measured to calculate refractive index of the fluid

Independent Variables:

Type of fluid

Constant Variables:

Temperature, material of the beaker, thickness of the rod

Dependent Variables:

Shift of the image

10.) Effect on the double slit interference pattern on introducing a thin film

Experimental Setup:

After setting up a young’s double slit experiment when we observe an interference pattern on the screen we can manipulate the pattern by introducing thin films of varying widths in front of one of the slits which will in turn move the interference pattern on the screen because of the change in path difference of the interfering waves

Independent Variables:

Thickness of the film, refractive index of the thin film

Constant Variables:

Distance between slits and screen, separation of the slits, wavelength of the light source

Dependent Variables:

Shift of the interfering pattern

11.) To calculate tension on a string using melde’s apparatus

Experimental Setup:

Using Melde’s apparatus we can set up a standing wave in a string of different materials which can be used to measure the wavelength of the interfering wave.The wavelength can then be used to deduce speed of the wave in the string which in turn helps us to measure tension in the string.

Independent Variables:

Frequency of the wave, material of the string

Constant Variables:

Length of the string

Dependent Variables:

Wavelength of the standing wave

12.) To study efficiency of a electric motor with varying temperature

Experimental Setup:

Set up an electric motor to convert electric current into mechanical work in a chamber and then study efficiency of the motor by lifting weights at varying temperatures. Note down the time taken to lift a fixed distance and use it to measure the performance efficiency of the motor

Independent Variables:

Temperature at which the experiment is done

Controlled Variables:

Type of motor, distance lifted

Dependent Variables:

Time taken to lift the weights through the same distance at different temperature

13.) Temperature dependence of resistance made up of metal and semiconductor

Experimental Setup:

Connect the sample with a voltage supply with ammeter and voltage connected across the sample to measure the current flowing through the sample and potential difference across the sample. After waterproofing the sample, immerse the sample in a beaker containing water. Start heating the water and measure the variation of voltage and current at different temperatures. Repeat the same for the other samples as well

Independent Variables:

Voltage applied, Temperature of the water

Constant Variables:

Thickness of the insulation

Dependent Variables:

Current measured

14.) To verify the Stefan Boltzmann law and further calculating the Stefan’s constant

Experimental Setup:

We use an Incandescent Bulb with Tungsten filament and pass current through it and as the amount of current increases, the filament heats up and temperature of the bulb increases as well

Independent Variables:

Current, voltage

Constant Variables:

Dependent Variables:

Resistance of the filament

15.) Effect of density on the refractive index of a colloidal solution

Experimental Setup:

Creating colloidal solutions of two immiscible substances such as oil and water and altering the density with different types of oil and measuring the refractive index caused by the solution when light of a certain intensity is incident upon the solution

Independent Variables:

• Density of oil
• Different types of oil

Dependent Variables:

Refractive index

16.) To what extent does temperature affect a rubber band’s propulsion

Experimental Setup:

Heating rubber bands of the same kind and measuring the distance travelled by an object such as paper once propelled from the rubber band

Independent Variables:

Temperature

Dependent Variables:

Propulsion due to rubber band

17.) Effect of smoothness of a surface on the momentum of a object and resulting impulse due to collision with a stationary object

Experimental Setup:

Rolling a ball or spherical object across various surfaces of different textures and calculating the impulse occurring when colliding with a stationary object of the same kind

Independent Variables:

Smoothness of a surface

Dependent Variables:

Momentum of an object Impulse

18.) How does the velocity of air affect its pressure according to the Bernoulli principle?

Experimental Setup:

A wind tunnel will be constructed to control the air velocity. A pressure gauge will be placed at the entrance and exit of the wind tunnel to measure the air pressure. The air velocity will be increased in increments and the corresponding air pressure will be recorded. The data will be plotted on a graph to show the relationship between air velocity and air pressure according to the Bernoulli principle.

Independent Variables:

Air velocity

Dependent Variables:

Air pressure

19.) How does the size of the racket head affect the location of the dead spot and sweet spot on a tennis racket?

Experimental Setup:

The experiment will consist of hitting a ball at different points on the racket head and measuring the vibration that is produced. The location of the dead spot and sweet spot will be determined by the point on the racket head that produces the least and most vibration respectively. A graph will be plotted to show the relationship between racket head size and the location of the dead spot and sweet spot.

Independent Variables:

Racket head size

Dependent Variables:

Location of dead spot and sweet spot

20.) How does the rate of change of magnetic flux affect the induced electromotive force in a coil?

Experimental Setup:

 A coil of wire will be placed inside a magnetic field, and the induced electromotive force will be measured as the magnetic field strength is varied. A graph will be plotted of the induced electromotive force versus the rate of change of magnetic flux. This will help verify Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction, which states that the induced electromotive force in a coil is proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux.

Independent Variables:

Rate of change of magnetic flux

Dependent Variables:

Induced electromotive force

21.) Investigating the Ideal Gas Law

Experimental Setup:

This is a simulation based experiment. The simulation will consist of a fixed container of an ideal gas confined into space. To investigate the Gas Law for the gas in this fixed container, a simulation can be created that varies two variables out of pressure, volume and temperature and see how the third one is affected. This can be repeated thrice for each of the variables. There will be three graphs (one for each): Pressure vs temperature, Volume vs temperature and Pressure vs volume. The formula that is used is PV = nRT

Independent Variables:

Pressure, temperature and volume of a gas

Dependent Variables:

Pressure, temperature and volume of a gas

22.) How does the Young’s modulus of different materials affect their ability to withstand stress and strain?

Experimental Setup:

The experiment will involve testing the Young’s modulus of various materials, such as steel, aluminum, and rubber, by suspending a weight from a material and measuring the deformation it experiences. The cross-sectional area, length, and temperature of the material will be controlled and kept constant. The results will be compared and analyzed to determine the Young’s modulus of each material and how it affects their ability to withstand stress and strain.

Independent Variables:

Type of material (Steel, Aluminium and Rubber)

Dependent Variables:

 Stress and strain of the material

23.) How do different types of guitar strings affect the harmonics produced by the strings?

Experimental Setup:

The experiment will consist of recording the sound produced by different types of guitar strings when they are plucked. The harmonics produced by the strings will be analyzed using a spectrograph and compared between the different types of strings. A graph will be plotted to show the relationship between the type of strings and the harmonics produced.

Independent Variables:

Type of guitar strings

Dependent Variables:

Harmonics produced by the strings

24.) How does the mass of dust accumulation on a solar panel affect its efficiency in converting solar energy into electrical energy?

Experimental Setup:

A solar panel will be placed in an open environment where it will be exposed to dust. The solar panel will be cleaned at regular intervals, and the efficiency of the solar panel will be measured using a photovoltaic cell. The efficiency will be measured by calculating the ratio of the output power to the input power. A graph will be plotted to show the relationship between the mass of dust accumulation and the efficiency of the solar panel.

Independent Variables:

Mass of dust accumulation on the solar panel

Dependent Variables:

Efficiency of the solar panel in converting solar energy into electrical energy

25.) How does the mass added to an inflated balloon affect its terminal velocity when dropped from a certain height?

Experimental Setup:

The experiment will consist of inflating balloons of the same size and dropping them from the same height, but with different added masses. The terminal velocity of each balloon will be measured using a high-speed camera and time-of-flight analysis. A graph will be plotted to show the relationship between the mass added to the balloon and the terminal velocity.

Independent Variables:

Mass added to the balloon

Dependent Variables:

Terminal velocity of the balloon