Shiing-Shen Global Olympiad: Physics Syllabus

This syllabus outlines the complete physics content assessed in the Shiing-Shen Global Olympiad. Emphasis is placed on conceptual depth, mathematical rigor, and Olympiad-level problem-solving.

1

Kinematics and Dynamics of Particles

  • Motion in one and two dimensions (projectile & circular motion)
  • Newton’s laws of motion and applications
  • Static and kinetic friction models
  • Centripetal force and non-uniform circular motion
  • Inertial and non-inertial frames of reference
2

Work, Energy, and Power

  • Work-energy theorem and conservative forces
  • Potential energy functions and conservation laws
  • Power and efficiency in mechanical systems
  • Elastic and inelastic collisions
  • Center of mass and impulse-momentum theorem
3

Rotational Mechanics

  • Torque and rotational equilibrium
  • Moments of inertia for standard bodies
  • Rotational kinematics and energy
  • Angular momentum and conservation
  • Rolling without slipping
4

Gravitation and Orbital Mechanics

  • Newton’s law of universal gravitation
  • Gravitational field and potential
  • Kepler’s laws of planetary motion
  • Satellite orbits and escape velocity
  • Binary star systems and reduced mass
5

Oscillations and Mechanical Waves

  • Simple harmonic motion systems
  • Damped oscillations and energy in SHM
  • Transverse and longitudinal waves
  • Interference, superposition, and standing waves
  • Doppler effect for sound and light
6

Thermal Physics and Kinetic Theory

  • Temperature scales and thermal expansion
  • Calorimetry and phase transitions
  • Ideal gas laws and equations of state
  • Kinetic theory of gases
  • Heat transfer mechanisms
7

Electrostatics and Capacitance

  • Coulomb’s law and electric fields
  • Electric potential and equipotential surfaces
  • Gauss’s law and symmetry applications
  • Capacitance and dielectrics
  • Energy stored in electric fields
8

Current Electricity and DC Circuits

  • Ohm’s law and resistivity
  • Kirchhoff’s laws
  • Series, parallel, and bridge circuits
  • EMF and internal resistance
  • Electrical power and Joule heating
9

Ray Optics and Optical Instruments

  • Reflection and refraction laws
  • Total internal reflection and fiber optics
  • Lenses and spherical mirrors
  • Microscopes and telescopes
  • Prism dispersion and aberrations
10

Advanced Electromagnetism

  • Biot–Savart and Ampère’s laws
  • Lorentz force and charged particle motion
  • Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws
  • Inductance and AC circuit dynamics
  • Maxwell’s equations (integral form)
11

Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics

  • First law of thermodynamics
  • Thermodynamic processes
  • Heat engines and Carnot cycle
  • Entropy and the second law
  • Boltzmann distribution
12

Relativity and Modern Physics

  • Time dilation and length contraction
  • Lorentz transformations
  • Mass-energy equivalence
  • Photoelectric and Compton effects
  • Bohr model of the hydrogen atom
13

Wave Optics & Quantum Foundations

  • Huygens’ principle and wave fronts
  • Interference and diffraction
  • Diffraction gratings
  • Polarization of light
  • Uncertainty principle and wave-particle duality

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