IB Physics SL Extended Essay Example

The student states a clear and specific investigation into how angle of attack affects the lift coefficient of a NACA 0012 airfoil.

The student's topic is communicated with purpose, and the link between the experiment and the research question is easy to follow.

The method shows some thoughtful planning, including repeated trials, variable identification, and uncertainty awareness.

The measured force is not handled with enough precision in the method, so the conversion to lift is not clearly justified.

Some methodological controls are missing or only implied, especially around airflow consistency, blockage, calibration, and zero/tare correction.

The tested angle range and flow conditions would be clearer if stated more explicitly and consistently.

The student uses a strong range of aerodynamics terms appropriately, including lift coefficient, Reynolds number, angle of attack, stall, and flow separation.

The student shows genuine subject knowledge by connecting the airfoil geometry and the experiment to expected aerodynamic behaviour.

The student's writing generally demonstrates understanding of the core physics ideas behind the investigation.

Some explanations are oversimplified, especially where lift is treated too narrowly and flow behaviour is discussed too generally.

There are important accuracy issues in the force and flow discussion, including the handling of laminar/turbulent flow and the lift conversion.

A few terms and notations are used inconsistently, which weakens the precision of the student's scientific language.