Study Plan
Based on the IPhO syllabus and the specific needs of Hussein, here’s a refined
teaching and study plan. This excludes 3. experimental skills and 4. mathematics in
syllabus, focusing solely on theoretical topics for the entrance exam preparation.
Week 1: Review of Known Concepts
1. Goal: Strengthen understanding of topics the student has already been
introduced to.
2. Topics:
o Mechanics (Statics, Dynamics, Celestial Mechanics): Focus on
more advanced problems involving forces, energy, momentum, and
celestial mechanics (e.g., orbits, gravitational potential).
o Thermodynamics: Delve deeper into the laws of thermodynamics,
work, heat, and entropy.
o Optics: Review geometrical optics and optical devices like
microscopes and telescopes.
o Special Relativity: Focus on energy-momentum relationships, time
dilation, and Lorentz transformations.
3. IPhO Problems: Problems from previous years to reinforce these areas.
Week 2: Introduction to New Concepts (Part 1)
1. Goal: Introduce fundamental concepts of unfamiliar topics.
2. Topics:
o Hydrodynamics: Cover Bernoulli's equation, continuity law,
buoyancy, and pressure.
o Electromagnetic Fields: Begin with Coulomb's law, electrostatics,
and introduce magnetic fields (Biot-Savart law, Ampère’s law).
o Circuits: Cover basic circuit elements (resistors, capacitors,
inductors) and the fundamental laws (Ohm's law, Kirchhoff’s laws).
3. Assignments: Provide conceptual exercises and easy problem sets for these
topics.
4. IPhO Problems: Introduce basic electromagnetic questions from past
exams.
Week 3: Introduction to New Concepts (Part 2)
1. Goal: Continue building foundational knowledge in new topics.
2. Topics:
o Maxwell’s Equations: Introduce integral forms (Gauss's law,
Faraday's law, Ampère's law), and boundary conditions for electric
fields.
o Oscillations and Waves: Cover harmonic oscillations, damped
oscillations, resonance, and introduce the wave equation.
o Quantum Physics: Start with fundamental ideas like wave-particle
duality, quantization, and basic quantum mechanics.
o Interference and Diffraction: Explain wave superposition,
interference in thin films, and diffraction patterns.
3. Assignments: Problem sets focused on waves, oscillations, and quantum
mechanics.
4. IPhO Problems: Attempt mid-level problems from past exams on
oscillations, circuits, and electromagnetism.
Week 4: Consolidation and Exam Simulation
1. Goal: Focus on review and complex problem-solving.
2. Topics:
o Review: Go over all topics covered in the previous weeks.
o Complex Topics: Focus on problem-solving in quantum physics,
interference/diffraction, and Maxwell’s equations.
3. IPhO Exam Questions: Daily practice with past exam papers, timed
exercises, and simulations of exam conditions.
o Simulate full-length past exams to develop exam strategies.
Weekly Schedule:
• Theory and Concepts: 3-4 sessions per week, 2 hours each.
• Problem Solving: 2 sessions per week, 2-3 hours each, focusing on IPhO
questions.
• Review: Weekly review sessions to revisit challenging areas
