What is IPhO?

In recognition of the growing significance of physics in all fields of science and technology as well as  in general education of young people, and with the aim of enhancing the development of international contacts in the field of school education in physics, an annual physics competition is organized for secondary school students. The competition is called the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) and is a competition between individuals.

Short history of the Olympiad

The success of the International Mathematics Olympiads (which are organised since 1959), and the positive experience gained from its organisation, greatly stimulated physicists involved in physics education to organise Physics Olympiad. For the first time the International Physics Olympiad was held in Warsaw, Poland in 1967 with only 5 countries participating. Competition was organised by Prof. Czesław Ścisłowski. The Olympiad expanded during the years peaking 92 participating delegations during IPhO 2018 in Portugal. During these years many changes in delegation size, number of theoretical and experimental problems and their difficulty were introduced.  Organisational and academical aspects of the Olympiad are now represented in the Olympiad’s statutes and syllabus which can be changed only during International Board meetings. 

Lithuania was invited to join IPhO in 1989 as a guest team. Lithuanian Delegations participate in IPhO since 1992. Since then Lithuanian students won 2 gold, 13 silver, 38 bronze medals and 44 honorable mentions in the Olympiad.

Who can participate in the Olympiad?

Each participating country can send a delegation, normally consisting of five students and two accompanying persons. 

The contestants shall be students of general or technical secondary schools i.e. schools which cannot be considered technical colleges. Students who have finished their school examinations in the year of the competition can be members of the team as long as they have not commenced their university studies. The age of the contestants should not exceed twenty years on the 30th of June of the year of the competition. 

 

The delegation leaders must be specialists in Physics or Physics teachers, capable of solving the problems of the competition competently. Each of them should speak English.

What type of exams are presented?

The competition has two parts - theoretical and practical exams, each five hours long, and is scheduled with one day of rest between the examinations. Theoretical exam consists of three problems while experimental exam can consist of one or two problems from various fields of physics. Theoretical exam is worth 30 points while experimental exam gives maximum of 20 points. Problems usually require creative thinking and the scope of knowledge specified in the Syllabus of the Olympiad. Exam problems are translated by the team leaders into the contestants` languages one day before examinations.  

How many contestants are awarded?

1. Gold Medals should be awarded to 8% of the contestants (rounded up the nearest integer).

2. Gold or Silver Medals should be awarded to 25% of the contestants (rounded up the nearest integer).

3. Gold, Silver or Bronze Medals should be awarded to 50% of the contestants (rounded up the nearest integer).

4. An Olympic Medal or Honorable Mention should be awarded to 67% of the contestants (rounded up the nearest integer).

     

IPhO 2021 in Lithuania

Lithuania was granted a huge honor to organise the International Physics Olympiad in 2021. The Olympiad will be organised in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, on the 17th–24th of July. We hope to welcome participants from more than 90 countries all around the globe with around 450 students and 300 leaders and observers. Approximately 220 Lithuanian physics, organisers and volunteers will do their best to welcome participants to this biggest celebration of physics. This Olympiad will be encouragement to learn physics not only for participant of the Olympiad, but also for Lithuanian students. It is planned that many different physics events will take place in Lithuania before IPhO.