The International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) is an annual physics competition for high school students. Each national delegation is made up of at most five student competitors plus two leaders, selected on a national level. The students compete as individuals, and must sit for intensive theoretical and laboratory examinations. For their efforts the students can be awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals or an honourable mention.
The theoretical examination lasts 5 hours and consists of three questions. Usually these questions involve more than one part. The practical examination may consist of one laboratory examination of five hours, or two, which together take up the full five hours. The syllabus can be downloaded here. The theoretical skills include the ability to make appropriate approximations, while modelling real life problems, and the recognition and ability to exploit symmetry in problems:
- Mechanics
- Electromagnetic fields
- Oscillations and waves
- Relativity
- Quantum Physics
- Thermodynamics and statistical physics
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