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Topics
IB Group 4 — Sciences
IB Physics 2026
IB Physics (2023 syllabus, first exams May 2025) is organised into five themes: Space Time and Motion, The Particulate Nature of Matter, Wave Behaviour, Fields, and Nuclear and Quantum Physics. Five subtopics are HL-only: Rigid Body Mechanics (A.4), Special Relativity (A.5), Thermodynamics (B.4), Electromagnetic Induction (D.4), and Quantum Physics (E.2). Paper 3 options have been removed.
HL · 240hSL · 150h
HL & SL
Levels
20%
IA Weight
240h
HL Hours
Past Papers Archive
Browse IB Physics past papers
View the normalized archive for Physics, organized by session and file type.
Syllabus Topics
Official topic breakdown with approximate teaching hours.
| Topic | SL Hours | HL Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theme A: Space, Time and Motion | 27h | 42h |
| A.1 Kinematics | 7h | 10h |
| A.2 Forces and Momentum | 9h | 12h |
| A.3 Work, Energy and Power | 7h | 10h |
| A.4 Rigid Body Mechanics — HL onlyHL only | — | 10h |
| A.5 Galilean and Special Relativity — HL onlyHL only | — | 10h |
| Theme B: The Particulate Nature of Matter | 24h | 32h |
| B.1 Thermal Energy Transfers | 7h | 8h |
| B.2 Greenhouse Effect | 4h | 5h |
| B.3 Gas Laws | 6h | 7h |
| B.4 Thermodynamics — HL onlyHL only | — | 8h |
| B.5 Current and Circuits | 7h | 4h |
| Theme C: Wave Behaviour | 17h | 29h |
| C.1 Simple Harmonic Motion | 4h | 6h |
| C.2 Wave Model | 4h | 5h |
| C.3 Wave Phenomena (diffraction, interference, polarisation) | 4h | 8h |
| C.4 Standing Waves and Resonance | 3h | 5h |
| C.5 Doppler Effect | 2h | 5h |
| Theme D: Fields | 19h | 38h |
| D.1 Gravitational Fields | 7h | 10h |
| D.2 Electric and Magnetic Fields | 8h | 12h |
| D.3 Motion in Electromagnetic Fields | 4h | 8h |
| D.4 Induction — HL onlyHL only | — | 8h |
| Theme E: Nuclear and Quantum Physics | 23h | 39h |
| E.1 Structure of the Atom | 6h | 8h |
| E.2 Quantum Physics — HL onlyHL only | — | 10h |
| E.3 Radioactive Decay | 8h | 9h |
| E.4 Fission | 5h | 6h |
| E.5 Fusion and Stars | 4h | 6h |
| Total | 150h | 240h |
Assessment Structure
External Assessment
Paper 1A (MCQs: 25 SL / 40 HL) + Paper 1B (data-based questions, 20 marks) = 36% combined. Paper 2 (structured and extended-response, 44%). Scientific Investigation / IA (20%). No options paper — old Paper 3 removed. HL Paper 1A has 40 questions (vs 25 SL); Paper 2 is 90 marks HL vs 55 marks SL.
Internal Assessment — Scientific Investigation
HL: 20%SL: 20%
A student-designed physics experiment (max 3,000 words). Assessed on Research Design, Data Analysis, Conclusion, and Evaluation. Includes a Collaborative Sciences Project (group work, not assessed externally) alongside the independent investigation.
Exam Tips for IB Physics
1
Understand physics conceptually — the IB data booklet has all formulas; what examiners test is application
2
Draw free-body diagrams for every mechanics question — they earn marks and prevent sign errors
3
A.5 Special Relativity (HL): master time dilation, length contraction, and spacetime diagrams separately
4
E.2 Quantum Physics (HL): connect photoelectric effect, de Broglie wavelength, and Heisenberg principle as one chapter
5
Check units at every step — a unit error on Paper 2 costs the follow-through mark too
Grade Boundaries
View all subjects →| Session | Level | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 3 | Grade 2 | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | HL | 73 | 61 | 50 | 38 | 24 | 13 | 100 |
| May 2024 | SL | 73 | 61 | 49 | 38 | 24 | 13 | 100 |
Grade boundaries shown are percentages. Actual boundaries vary by session and are set after grading. Use the score calculator →
Predict your IB Physics grade
Enter your component marks and see your predicted final grade based on grade boundaries.
Related IB Subjects
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Engineering, medicine, pharmacy, and applied sciences university applications.
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Computer science, software engineering, and data science university applications.
Environmental Systems & Societies
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Students wanting a science credit with a humanities or sustainability focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What topics are in IB Physics?
IB Physics covers Theme A: Space, Time and Motion, A.1 Kinematics, A.2 Forces and Momentum, A.3 Work, Energy and Power, A.4 Rigid Body Mechanics — HL only, A.5 Galilean and Special Relativity — HL only, Theme B: The Particulate Nature of Matter, B.1 Thermal Energy Transfers, B.2 Greenhouse Effect, B.3 Gas Laws, B.4 Thermodynamics — HL only, B.5 Current and Circuits, Theme C: Wave Behaviour, C.1 Simple Harmonic Motion, C.2 Wave Model, C.3 Wave Phenomena (diffraction, interference, polarisation), C.4 Standing Waves and Resonance, C.5 Doppler Effect, Theme D: Fields, D.1 Gravitational Fields, D.2 Electric and Magnetic Fields, D.3 Motion in Electromagnetic Fields, D.4 Induction — HL only, Theme E: Nuclear and Quantum Physics, E.1 Structure of the Atom, E.2 Quantum Physics — HL only, E.3 Radioactive Decay, E.4 Fission, E.5 Fusion and Stars. HL students study additional depth and some HL-only extensions. Total teaching hours: HL 240, SL 150.
How is IB Physics assessed?
Paper 1A (MCQs: 25 SL / 40 HL) + Paper 1B (data-based questions, 20 marks) = 36% combined. Paper 2 (structured and extended-response, 44%). Scientific Investigation / IA (20%). No options paper — old Paper 3 removed. HL Paper 1A has 40 questions (vs 25 SL); Paper 2 is 90 marks HL vs 55 marks SL. The Internal Assessment (Scientific Investigation) counts for 20% of the final grade at SL and 20% at HL.
What is the IB Physics IA?
The IB Physics IA is the Scientific Investigation. A student-designed physics experiment (max 3,000 words). Assessed on Research Design, Data Analysis, Conclusion, and Evaluation. Includes a Collaborative Sciences Project (group work, not assessed externally) alongside the independent investigation. It accounts for 20% of the final grade at SL and 20% at HL.
Should I take IB Physics HL or SL?
Take HL if Physics is relevant to your university course (Engineering, physics, aerospace, and computer science university applications.), or if you are genuinely strong in the subject. HL adds 90 extra hours of content and deeper examination requirements. SL is suitable if you need the subject for the diploma but it is not your primary focus.