Electron diffraction
Electrons hit a thin layer of graphite and form rings on the screen, just like waves do.
PhysicsBavaria curriculum · Gymnasium
Physics – grade 13
Several syllabuses: no letter = basic level; “A” = astrophysics alternative; “E” = advanced level. The syllabus alternative replaces the standard syllabus.
Unit 1Basic ideas of quantum physics
1.1Properties of quantum objects
Electron diffraction and de Broglie wavelength, the double-slit experiment with electrons and photons in simulation, and energy and momentum of photons.
Double slit and grating
Laser light passes through a double slit or a grating. A pattern of bright and dark stripes appears on the screen.
Photoelectric effect
Red light can be as bright as you like, it frees not a single electron. Short-wave light does it at once. A puzzle for waves, not for photons.
1.2Insight into the world view of quantum physics
Wave function and detection probability, superposition, complementarity and the quantum measurement process.
No separate simulation is planned for this.
Unit 2An atomic model of quantum physics
The potential well with discrete energy levels, orbitals and energy values of the hydrogen atom, emission and absorption of light, and the Franck–Hertz experiment.
Atomic models and line spectra
Every element glows in its own colours. When an electron drops one level, exactly one line appears in the spectrum.
Planetary orbits and Kepler’s laws
Too fast and the planet flies off, never to return. A little slower and it traces an ellipse around the Sun, exactly as Kepler's laws say.
Unit 3Investigating the structure of matter
Methods such as scattering and collision experiments and the basic statements of the Standard Model, researched and presented independently.
Atomic models and line spectra
Every element glows in its own colours. When an electron drops one level, exactly one line appears in the spectrum.
Unit 4Nuclear physics
4.1A simple nuclear model of quantum physics
Binding energy per nucleon, the potential-well model of the nucleus, the origin of the types of radiation, and energy balances in decays and nuclear reactions.
No separate simulation is planned for this.
4.2Radioactivity and nuclear technology
Geiger–Müller counter, decay law and half-life, carbon-14 dating, radiation protection, and nuclear fission and reactors.
Radioactive decay and half-life
Many nuclei decay at random and a Geiger counter clicks. Even so, after each half-life almost exactly half are left.
Unit A1Orientation in the sky (astrophysics only)
Finding constellations and objects in the night sky with a star chart or software, judging visibility and explaining the retrograde loops of planets.
No separate simulation is planned for this.
Unit A2The solar system (astrophysics only)
The astronomical unit, the law of gravitation and elliptical orbits for determining masses, classifying celestial bodies, and satellites and escape velocity.
Planetary orbits and Kepler’s laws
Too fast and the planet flies off, never to return. A little slower and it traces an ellipse around the Sun, exactly as Kepler's laws say.
Unit A3The Sun (astrophysics only)
State quantities of the Sun, nuclear fusion and energy transport, sunspots, the solar spectrum with absorption lines, and radiation laws for estimating temperatures.
Atomic models and line spectra
Every element glows in its own colours. When an electron drops one level, exactly one line appears in the spectrum.
Unit A4Stars (astrophysics only)
Parallax, brightness and luminosity, spectral classes, the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram and stellar evolution, binary stars, gravitational waves and exoplanets.
No separate simulation is planned for this.
Unit A5Large-scale structures in the universe (astrophysics only)
Structure and mass of the Milky Way, dark matter, distances of galaxies, the Hubble relation and the Big Bang model.
No separate simulation is planned for this.
Unit E1Basic ideas of quantum physics (advanced level)
E1.1Properties of quantum objects
Electron diffraction with Bragg reflection and the de Broglie relation, double slit and Mach–Zehnder interferometer with single quanta, and the photoelectric effect with the retarding-field method.
Electron diffraction
Electrons hit a thin layer of graphite and form rings on the screen, just like waves do.
Double slit and grating
Laser light passes through a double slit or a grating. A pattern of bright and dark stripes appears on the screen.
Photoelectric effect
Red light can be as bright as you like, it frees not a single electron. Short-wave light does it at once. A puzzle for waves, not for photons.
E1.2Insight into the world view of quantum physics
Wave function, uncertainty principle, measurement, the quantum eraser, non-locality and decoherence, and quantum technology and its misuse in texts.
No separate simulation is planned for this.
Unit E2An atomic model of quantum physics (advanced level)
The Schrödinger equation in a potential well, orbitals and energy values of hydrogen and hydrogen-like systems, the Pauli principle, X-ray spectra and the Franck–Hertz experiment.
Atomic models and line spectra
Every element glows in its own colours. When an electron drops one level, exactly one line appears in the spectrum.
Unit E3Investigating the structure of matter (advanced level)
Methods of structural investigation and the Standard Model, plus X-ray structure analysis and synchrotron radiation.
No separate simulation is planned for this.
Unit E4Nuclear physics (advanced level)
E4.1A simple nuclear model
Binding energy, potential-well model, origin of the types of radiation, energy and momentum balances, decay chains and the chart of nuclides.
No separate simulation is planned for this.
E4.2Radioactivity and nuclear technology
Decay law from a differential equation, half-life and mean lifetime, dating, radiation protection and nuclear reactors.
Radioactive decay and half-life
Many nuclei decay at random and a Geiger counter clicks. Even so, after each half-life almost exactly half are left.
Unit E5Experimental work (advanced level only)
Compulsory experiments with uncertainty analysis, e.g. polarisation, electron diffraction, the retarding-field method for the photoelectric effect, building a spectrometer and absorption of radiation.
Electron diffraction
Electrons hit a thin layer of graphite and form rings on the screen, just like waves do.
Photoelectric effect
Red light can be as bright as you like, it frees not a single electron. Short-wave light does it at once. A puzzle for waves, not for photons.
Atomic models and line spectra
Every element glows in its own colours. When an electron drops one level, exactly one line appears in the spectrum.
The summaries describe the curriculum in our own words. The original text is authoritative. Original text (German): LehrplanPLUS, Gymnasium, Physics, grade 13