Desperately need suggestions for my IB physics extended essay

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around suggestions for topics for an International Baccalaureate (IB) physics extended essay. Participants explore the challenges of selecting a suitable topic that is both manageable and specific enough for high school students to research and complete within a limited timeframe.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in finding a simple yet specific topic for their physics extended essay, indicating that previous ideas were either too complex or not specific enough.
  • Another participant advises against choosing a science-related topic, suggesting that science correctors have high expectations and that topics related to current events or history may score better.
  • A participant questions the meaning of "physics EE," indicating a misunderstanding of the term "extended essay."
  • Some participants suggest that the extended essay should be descriptive rather than experimental, with one proposing string theory as a feasible topic due to its accessibility in popular science literature.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the best approach for the extended essay. Some participants advocate for avoiding science topics altogether, while others suggest specific physics-related ideas. The discussion reflects differing opinions on the feasibility and expectations of science essays compared to other subjects.

Contextual Notes

Participants express concerns about the complexity of scientific topics and the expectations of evaluators, indicating a potential limitation in the scope of topics that can be realistically addressed within the constraints of the IB program.

Charonic
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Basically the extended essay is a piece of independent research done during the course of IB. I'm planning to do a physics EE, but now it's mid April and I still failed to find a simple yet specific topic to do reasearch on. My last few ideas were too complex or not specific enough.

My imagination's failing me at this point, and I'm starting to fall behind for my EE. Can anyone suggest a topic which I can complete with a simple experiment, yet is not too hard for a high school student to complete in 5 months?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Do no do it in anything related to science! This is my personal recommendation as I know that the science correctors tend to have a very high opinion of themselves and will expect a rigorous work which a High School student cannot hope to achieve. I'd say go with something that touches actuality or maybe an interesting event in history. Those always seem to score well. 5 months? The extended essay is only 4000 words, it's perfectly writable within a week!
 
I've already chosen so it's too late, can someone please provide a direct answer to this question?
 
What do you mean by physics EE? Electrical engineering?
 
Extended essay, and beg your coordinator to change. Science ones get low marks and are next to impossible to do when compared to the other subjects, do it in philosophy about science if you must but avoid experiments.
 
Ok just realized you meant extended essay by EE. Well, are you looking for something descriptive or experimental? There's obviously not allot of place for theoretical discussion since the mathematics the IB allows are very limited. I could give you an idea of something descriptive: What is string theory? You could focus on string theory, a field that tries to come up with the theory of everything by avoiding the conflicts between quantum theory and relativity. There allot of pop science book about this out there, so that's definitely feasible.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
4K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K