In IB Physics First Assessment 2016, the structure of matter is a subtopic of Topic 7, atomic, nuclear, and particle physics. This subtopic has the following understandings associated with it.

  1. Quarks, leptons and their antiparticles
  2. Hadrons, baryons and mesons
  3. The conservation laws of charge, baryon number, lepton number, and strangeness
  4. The nature and range of the strong nuclear force, weak nuclear force, and electromagnetic force
  5. Exchange particles
  6. Feynman diagrams
  7. Confinement
  8. The Higgs boson

In this part of the analysis, I am particularly interested in “What is the frequency distribution of the questions concerning the structure of matter understandings?”

Frequency distribution of questions by the structure of matter understandings for HL

Between 1999-2023

For the entire dataset for HL, almost half of the questions came from the conservation laws and Hadrons, baryons, and mesons. Quarks, leptons and their antiparticles and Feynman diagrams accounted for about one-third of the questions.

frequency_distribution_questions_IB_Physics_subtopic_23_The_structure_of_matter_HL_1999_2023

Figure 1

Between 2016-2023

Between these years, Feynman diagrams and the conservation laws were emphasized; accounting for about two-thirds of the questions.

frequency_distribution_questions_IB_Physics_subtopic_23_The_structure_of_matter_HL_2016_2023

Figure 2

Frequency distribution of questions by the structure of matter understandings for SL

Between 1999-2023

For the entire dataset for SL, hadrons, baryons, and mesons accounted for about two-fifths of the questions. The conservation laws and Feynman diagrams were also emphasized.

frequency_distribution_questions_IB_Physics_subtopic_23_The_structure_of_matter_SL_1999_2023

Figure 3

Between 2016-2023

Between these years, the conservation laws and Feynman diagrams accounted for more than half of the questions.

frequency_distribution_questions_IB_Physics_subtopic_23_The_structure_of_matter_SL_2016_2023

Figure 4

Where to go from here?

You may want to check out the other related subtopics:

  1. Discrete energy and radioactivity
  2. Nuclear reactions
  3. The structure of matter

If you are interested in more detailed analyses of the topics:

  1. Measurement and uncertainties
  2. Mechanics
  3. Thermal physics
  4. Waves
  5. Electricity and magnetism
  6. Circular motion and gravitation
  7. Atomic, nuclear and particle physics
  8. Energy production
  9. Wave phenomena
  10. Fields
  11. Electromagnetic induction
  12. Quantum and nuclear physics

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