IB Physics SL Internal Assessment Example

The student presents a focused and experimentally workable question with clearly defined independent and dependent variables.

The student's method includes helpful practical detail such as the temperature range, repeated readings, and the use of an ultrasonic time-of-flight setup.

The student shows awareness of relevant controls, especially the need to keep the reflector distance fixed and limit outside air interference.

Some procedural details are not specific enough for full reproduction, especially calibration and how temperature stability is confirmed.

There is an internal inconsistency in the stated distance used for the sound path, which affects the method’s clarity.

A few methodological choices are described, but the rationale for why they are sufficient is not always fully explained.

The student's raw data are organised clearly, which makes the recording process easy to follow.

The student identifies the temperature uncertainty and includes a worked example that shows how the raw readings are processed into speed values.

The student uses graphs, error bars, and a fitted line to present the relationship in a readable way.

The treatment of time uncertainty is not fully justified, especially for the ultrasonic sensor system the student used.

Some processed values and uncertainty notation are not presented consistently, which reduces precision.

The analysis does not fully account for all significant sources of uncertainty, especially instrument behaviour and temperature fluctuation during runs.