The personal development during the adventure that is an IB Internal Assessment is challenging for many. But universities and employers say it is one of the most powerful experiences of the IB. However difficult the route, students are more confident and capable at the end of the journey. When you finally cast the One Ring into the fires of Mordor hand in your assessment, you will be a different person.
Some students get stuck at the beginning. Choosing a topic.
The key thing is you should be able to explain it in one clear sentence.
“I will investigate how the refractive index of a sugar solution changes with concentration” is great.
“I will look at how the the potentials and currents through a resistor change with the material, and how long it it, and the temperature” is not so hot. The sentence is trying to do too much, and so is the student.
The other think to realise is that your IA will evolve. So choosing a topic of your investigation is not final. You will probably tweak it a little as you start researching. Choose an area of Physics you understand (Mechanics, for example, rather than Astrophysics) and that interests you. Make sure the necessary equipment is available. And talk to someone about it.
Your teacher is not always readily available, certainly not to sit down and discuss your IA for an hour. So a tutor is a real plus for help with your IA.
Here are some ideas to get your imagination fired up – 300 ideas in fact.
300 stimulating ideas for IB Physics Practical Investigations & EE s