International Young Physicists Tournament (IYPT)

The theoretical exam tests participants' deep understanding of physics concepts and their creative problem-solving abilities across a broad range of topics. There are typically 3 problems on the theoretical exam that is worth a maximum of 30 points. Additionally. please keep in mind that math is not a focus here.

• Mechanics: Kinematics, statics (equilibrium, torque), dynamics (Newton's laws, energy, momentum), celestial mechanics (gravity, Kepler's laws), and hydrodynamics (pressure, Bernoulli's equation).

• Electromagnetic Fields: Coulomb's law, electric and magnetic fields, Gauss's, Ampère's, and Faraday's laws, circuits (resistors, capacitors, inductors, AC), and the interaction of matter with fields.

• Oscillations and Waves: Harmonic oscillators, resonance, wave propagation, Doppler effect, interference, diffraction, and geometrical optics (lenses, optical devices).

• Relativity: Lorentz transformations, time dilation, length contraction, mass-energy equivalence, and relativistic Doppler effect.

• Quantum Physics: Wave-particle duality, energy levels of hydrogen-like atoms, uncertainty principle, structure of matter (nuclei, decay), and the photoelectric effect.

• Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics: Laws of thermodynamics, ideal gases, kinetic theory, heat transfer, phase transitions, and the Stefan-Boltzmann law.

The experimental exam tests participants' practical laboratory skills, their ability to design experiments, and their data analysis capabilities. The exam typically contains 1-2 experimental problems conducted in a laboratory, which is worth a maximum 20 points with an emphasis is on creativity and understanding.

• Measurement Techniques: Using common laboratory instruments (calipers, multimeters, oscilloscopes, thermometers) and knowing standard safety rules.

• Accuracy and Error Analysis: Identifying dominant error sources, distinguishing between random and systematic errors, estimating uncertainties, and expressing final results with correct significant digits.

• Data Analysis: Transforming data to linear forms, fitting straight lines graphically or with calculators, plotting graphs with error bars, and extracting meaningful parameters.

• Experimental Design: The problems often do not describe the full procedure, requiring you to devise your own approach. This tests your ability to think on your feet and design a valid experiment.

Although it is not the focus of IPhO, both exams require a solid foundation in mathematics, including:

• Algebra: Factoring, solving linear and quadratic systems, and summing series.

• Functions: Trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions and their properties.

• Geometry: Areas, volumes, properties of triangles and conic sections.

• Vectors: Dot and cross products, and geometric interpretations.

• Calculus: Differentiation and integration of elementary functions, and using substitution rules.

• Statistics: Calculating mean values and standard deviations.

• Approximate Methods: Linear approximations using Taylor series and numerical integration.