# The Physics Championship: Syllabus, Rules & Guidelines **Organized by the Physics Research Council** *Contact: physicsresearchcouncil@gmail.com* *Web: https://github.com/physicsresearchcouncil/physicsresearchcouncil* --- ## 1. Introduction & Mission The Physics Championship is a global, zero-budget, student-led academic competition designed to identify and celebrate exceptional physics talent. Our mission is to provide an open, accessible, and intellectually challenging platform for students of all backgrounds, free of financial barriers. The competition is hosted and administered entirely digitally by the Physics Research Council. Submissions are reviewed by our international Advisory Board of professors, teachers, and postgraduate researchers. --- ## 2. Eligibility & Divisions The competition is divided into three distinct divisions to ensure fair grading relative to academic experience. Students in any major or course of study are welcome to participate. * **Division A (Junior High School):** Classes 9 and 10 (or equivalent). * **Division B (Senior High School):** Classes 11 and 12 (or equivalent) and Pre-College/Gap Year students. * **Division C (College Undergraduates):** 1st and 2nd Year College/University students pursuing any degree (Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Arts, etc.). --- ## 3. Structure of the Competition The Championship consists of three distinct phases. Round 1 and Round 3 are core evaluative phases, while Round 2 is a creative, optional opportunity for bonus marks. ``` +-------------------------------------------------------+ | Round 1: Conceptual Quiz | | (20 Questions | 60 Minutes) | +---------------------------+---------------------------+ | v +-------------------------------------------------------+ | Round 2: Portfolio Showcase (Optional) | | (Past Research, Coding Models, Project, or CV) | +---------------------------+---------------------------+ | v +-------------------------------------------------------+ | Round 3: Olympiad Theory | | (5-8 Problems | 180 Minutes) | +-------------------------------------------------------+ ``` ### Round 1: Conceptual Quiz Challenge (Core) * **Format:** Online timed quiz (Multiple-choice and numerical entry). * **Duration:** 60 minutes. * **Contents:** 20 questions testing logic, qualitative intuition, dimensional analysis, and basic calculations. * **Scoring:** 100 points maximum (5 points per question). No negative marking. * **Platform:** Automated portal (e.g., Google Forms or ClassMarker). ### Round 2: Innovation & Research Portfolio (Optional - Bonus) * **Format:** Digital submission (PDF upload, GitHub Link, or webpage). * **Target:** Open submission of any relevant STEM work. This includes high school science fair projects, coding scripts (e.g., VPython models, physics engines, data analysis), literature reviews, experimental builds, or an academic CV outlining past science engagements. * **Bonus Score:** Up to +25 bonus points added directly to the final cumulative score. * **Grading Rubric (25 Points Max):** 1. *Innovation & Originality (10 Points):* Novelty of the idea, creative problem-solving, or unique project focus. 2. *Scientific Rigor & Physics Application (10 Points):* Correct application of physical principles, mathematical modeling, and experimental or computational accuracy. 3. *Clarity & Structure (5 Points):* Readability of the paper, organization of code comments, or visual layout of the project file/CV. ### Round 3: Olympiad Theory Challenge (Core) * **Format:** Hand-written theoretical exam (Students download the paper, write out proofs/derivations, and upload a scanned PDF). * **Duration:** 180 minutes (3 hours). * **Contents:** 5 to 8 challenging multi-part derivation problems testing deep physical intuition. Similar in difficulty to national physics olympiads (e.g., USAPhO, IPhO). * **Scoring:** 100 points maximum. Graded by the Advisory Board. Focuses on logical flow, mathematical proofs, and physical principles rather than just the final answer. --- ## 4. Subject Syllabus The syllabus scales according to Division, with Division A focusing on fundamental principles, Division B incorporating calculus-based models, and Division C introducing higher-level mechanics and electromagnetism. | Topic Area | Division A (Grades 9-10) | Division B (Grades 11-12 & Gap Year) | Division C (College 1st & 2nd Year) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Mechanics** | Kinematics, Newton's Laws of Motion, Work, Energy, Power, Linear Momentum, Circular Motion. | Rotational Dynamics, Torque, Angular Momentum, Gravitation (Kepler's Laws), Simple Harmonic Motion, Fluid Statics. | Lagrangian Formulation (Intro), Central Force Fields, Rigid Body Rotations, Inertia Tensors, Relativistic Kinematics. | | **Electromagnetism** | Basic Electrostatics, Ohm's Law, Series & Parallel Circuits, Magnetic Fields of Currents, Lorentz Force. | Coulomb's Law, Gauss's Law, Electric Potential, Capacitance, Ampere's Law, Faraday's Law, Lenz's Law, AC Circuits. | Maxwell's Equations (differential form), Poynting Vector, Electromagnetic Waves, Waveguides, Electro-dynamics in Matter. | | **Thermodynamics** | Heat Transfer (Conduction, Convection, Radiation), Temperature Scales, Ideal Gas Law concepts. | Kinetic Theory of Gases, First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, Heat Engines, Carnot Cycle, Entropy. | Statistical Mechanics foundations, Partition Functions, Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution, Thermodynamic Potentials. | | **Waves & Optics** | Properties of Waves, Reflection, Refraction, Lenses, Mirrors, Sound Waves, Doppler Effect. | Wave Optics, Double-slit Interference, Single-slit Diffraction, Polarization, Wave-particle Duality. | Maxwell's Wave Equation, Interference in Thin Films, Interferometry, Fourier Optics, Quantum Mechanical Wavefunctions. | | **Modern Physics** | Atoms and Nuclei, Radioactivity, Basic Einstein Mass-Energy Equivalence. | Photoelectric Effect, Bohr Model of the Atom, de Broglie Wavelength, Nuclear Fission & Fusion, Special Relativity. | Schrodinger Equation (1D box), Hydrogen Atom model, Spin and Zeeman Effect, Quantum Mechanics operators. | --- ## 5. Rules & Code of Conduct 1. **Academic Integrity:** All work must be the student's own. During the timed exams (Round 1 & 3), use of AI assistants, chat portals, or discussion forums is strictly prohibited. 2. **References allowed:** * *Round 1:* No reference sheets allowed. * *Round 3:* One double-sided A4 cheat sheet (handwritten or typed formulas only, no worked out solutions). Non-programmable calculators are allowed. 3. **Submission Deadlines:** Late submissions for Round 2 and Round 3 will face a penalty of 10% per hour, up to 5 hours, after which submissions are rejected. 4. **Language:** All submissions must be in English. --- ## 6. Awards & Recognition Because the Physics Research Council operates on a zero-budget model, all prizes are non-monetary, focusing instead on digital credentials, academic prestige, and career-building markers. * **Gold Medallist Certificate:** Top 5% of cumulative scorers in each division. * **Silver Medallist Certificate:** Next 10% of scorers in each division. * **Bronze Medallist Certificate:** Next 15% of scorers in each division. * **Honorable Mention Certificate:** Top 50% of cumulative scorers. * **Global Hall of Fame:** Medallists will have their names, schools, and winning Round 2 projects featured on the Council's official repository landing page contributor board. * **Advisory Letters of Recommendation:** The top 3 scorers in each division will be eligible for a formal letter of recommendation signed by senior academic members of our Advisory Board, suitable for university and scholarship applications.