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Syllabus

The OISPhO is designed to assess conceptual understanding, scientific reasoning, and logical problem-solving, not rote memorization. Each category is aligned with the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) Physics curriculum, scaled to the appropriate grade level.

 

The written test comprises approximately 90% conceptual multiple-choice questions and 10% short-response problems. Finalists additionally participate in a Viva Voce oral examination.

Topics Covered

Junior

Grades 6 - 7 | MYP 1 - 2

  • Mechanics
    • Units and measurement
    • Speed
    • Distance-time graphs
    • Forces as 'pushes' or 'pulls'

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  • Energy
    • Energy stores and transfers
    • Conservation of energy
    • Basic non-renewable vs renewable resources

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  • Waves & Sound
    • Properties of sound
    • Vibration
    • Pitch
    • Basic light reflection

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  • Electricity & Magnetism
    • Simple circuits (series and parallel)
    • Basic magnetic poles
    • Magnetic attraction and repulsion

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  • Earth & Space
    • The solar system
    • Day-Night cycles
    • Phases of the moon
Intermediate

Grades 8 - 9 | MYP 3 - 4

  • Mechanics
    • Scalars and vectors
    • Velocity-time graphs
    • Newton’s Laws
    • Density
    • Pressure

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  • Thermal Physics
    • Particle model
    • States of matter
    • Conduction
    • Convection
    • Fadiation

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  • Waves & Optics
    • Wave equation (v = f λ)
    • Electromagnetic spectrum
    • Law of reflection
    • Refraction and Snell's Law introduction

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  • Electricity
    • Voltage, current,
    • Resistance and Ohm’s Law
    • Combinations of series and parallel circuits

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  • Atomic & Nuclear
    • Atomic structure
    • Isotopes
    • Introduction to radioactive decay (α, β, and γ).
Senior

Grades 10 - 11 | MYP 5 & DP 1

  • Advanced Mechanics

    • Kinematic equations (SUVAT)

    • Projectile motion

    • Momentum and impulse

    • Work-energy-power

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  • Thermodynamics

    • Gas laws and Ideal Gas

    • Specific heat capacity

    • Latent heat

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  • Fields & Forces

    • Gravitational fields and Universal Law,

    • Electrostatic fields and Coulomb’s Law)

    • Magnetic fields on moving charges

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  • Wave Phenomena

    • Simple Harmonic Motion

    • Resonance

    • Diffraction

    • Interference

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  • Energy Production

    • Power

    • Efficiency

    • Fundamental particles of the Standard Model

Junior Sample Questions

Question 1:

A ball is thrown straight upward. At the highest point of its path, which of the following is true?

     A.  The ball has zero velocity and zero acceleration.

     B.  The ball has zero velocity but its acceleration is still directed downward.

     C.  The ball has maximum velocity and maximum acceleration.

     D.  The ball's weight becomes zero at the highest point.

Question 2:

Two identical light bulbs are connected one at a time to the same battery. In a series circuit with both bulbs, compared to a single bulb, each bulb will be:

     A.  Brighter, because more bulbs produce more light.

     B.  The same brightness, because the battery provides constant voltage.

     C.  Dimmer, because the total resistance increases and current decreases.

     D.  Off, because current cannot flow through two bulbs.

Question 3:

A wooden block floats on water with half its volume submerged. Which statement best explains this?

     A.  The block is lighter than air.

     B.  The upward buoyant force equals the downward weight of the block.

     C.  Wood repels water molecules.

     D.  The block's density is greater than water.

Question 4:

A student places a thermometer in hot water and in cold water. In which case do the particles of water have greater average kinetic energy, and why?

     A.  Cold water, because particles move closer together and collide more.

     B.  Hot water, because temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles.

     C.  Both are the same because the thermometer cannot distinguish between them.

     D.  Hot water, because the water molecules are larger at higher temperatures.

Intermediate Sample Questions

Question 1:

A 2 kg object is pushed along a frictionless surface by a net force of 6 N for 3 seconds, starting from rest. What is the object's final speed?

     A.  3 m/s

     B.  6 m/s

     C.  9 m/s

     D.  18 m/s

Question 2:

A wave has a frequency of 500 Hz and travels at 340 m/s. What is its wavelength?

     A.  0.68 m

     B.  1.47 m

     C.  170,000 m

     D.  0.15 m

Question 3:

A 500 W heater is used for 2 hours. How much electrical energy does it consume?

     A.  250 J

     B.  1000 J

     C.  3,600,000 J

     D.  1000 W

Question 4:

An object is submerged in water. The buoyant force acting on it is 30 N, but its weight is 50 N. What happens to the object when released?

     A.  It floats to the surface immediately.

     B.  It sinks to the bottom.

     C.  It remains stationary at any depth.

     D.  It oscillates up and down.

Senior Sample Questions

Question 1:

A ball is launched horizontally from a height of 20 m with a speed of 15 m/s. Ignoring air resistance (g = 10 m/s²), what is the ball's speed just before it hits the ground?

     A.  15 m/s

     B.  20 m/s

     C.  25 m/s

     D.  35 m/s

Question 2:

Two resistors of 6 Ω and 3 Ω are connected in parallel across a 12 V battery. What is the total current drawn from the battery?

     A.  1 A

     B.  2 A

     C.  4 A

     D.  6 A

Question 3:

A sound source moves toward a stationary observer. Compared to the emitted frequency, the observed frequency is:

     A.  Lower, because the source is moving away from its own waves.

     B.  Higher, because the wavefronts ahead of the source are compressed, reducing the effective wavelength.

     C.  The same, because sound speed does not depend on source motion.

     D.  Lower, because the observer is not moving and cannot detect the change.

Question 4:

A satellite orbits Earth at radius r. If it moves to an orbit at radius 4r, by what factor does its orbital speed change?

     A.  Increases by a factor of 2

     B.  Decreases by a factor of 2

     C.  Decreases by a factor of 4

     D.  Increases by a factor of 4

Download Answer Key

Viva Voce Examiner Guidance

  • What Examiners Look For: Clarity of physical reasoning, ability to articulate conceptual models, and responsiveness to follow-up prompts.
  • Sample Follow-up Prompts: 'How would your result change if we doubled the mass?', 'Can you identify the primary energy dissipation in this system?'
  • Audience Participation: Finalists present in an open forum where peer and examiner questions are part of the evaluative process.

Academic Integrity & Exam Notes

All participants must adhere to the OISPhO Code of Conduct. Calculators are not permitted. Use of AI tools or external assistance during the written exam is strictly prohibited and results in immediate disqualification.

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