In IB Physics First Assessment 2016, the interaction of matter with radiation is a subtopic of Topic 12, quantum and nuclear physics. This subtopic has the following understandings associated with it.
- Photons
- The photoelectric effect
- Matter waves
- Pair production and pair annihilation
- Quantization of angular momentum in the Bohr model for hydrogen
- The wave function
- The uncertainty principle for energy and time and position and momentum
- Tunnelling, potential barrier, and factors affecting tunnelling probability
In this part of the analysis, I am particularly interested in “What is the frequency distribution of the questions concerning the interaction of matter with radiation understandings?”
Frequency distribution of questions by the interaction of matter with radiation for HL
Between 1999-2023
For the entire dataset for HL, the photoelectric effect and matter waves were the most frequently assessed understandings, accounting for about two-thirds of the questions in this subtopic.
Figure 1
Between 2016-2023
Between these years, the emphasis on matter waves and the photoelectric effect decreased, and the remaining understandings increased.
Figure 2
Where to go from here?
You may want to check out the other related subtopics:
- The interaction of matter with radiation
- Nuclear physics
If you are interested in more detailed analyses of the topics:
- Measurement and uncertainties
- Mechanics
- Thermal physics
- Waves
- Electricity and magnetism
- Circular motion and gravitation
- Atomic, nuclear and particle physics
- Energy production
- Wave phenomena
- Fields
- Electromagnetic induction
- Quantum and nuclear physics
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