IB Chemistry Topics: Full List

If you're studying for the IB Chemistry course, you're in the right place. This article will help you understand the key topics in the syllabus and how they connect to each other. Whether you're taking Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL), mastering these concepts is essential for success. By following this breakdown, you'll be able to organise your revision effectively and prepare thoroughly for your exams.

IB Chemistry Topics

Structure 1: Models of the Particulate Nature of Matter

Structure 2: Models of Bonding and Structure

Structure 3: Classification of Matter

Reactivity 1: What Drives Chemical Reactions?

Reactivity 2: How Much, How Fast, and How Far?

Reactivity 3: What Are the Mechanisms of Chemical Change?

1. Structure 1: Models of the Particulate Nature of Matter

This topic explores how we model the smallest components of matter and how they interact. You will learn about the different states of matter, the nuclear model of the atom, and the significance of electron configurations in determining chemical properties. You will also study the mole concept and how it allows chemists to count particles efficiently. Finally, you will investigate the behaviour of gases and how the ideal gas law helps predict their properties.

• Structure 1.1 – Introduction to the particulate nature of matter

• Structure 1.2 – The nuclear atom

• Structure 1.3 – Electron configurations

• Structure 1.4 – Counting particles by mass: The mole

• Structure 1.5 – Ideal gases

2. Structure 2: Models of Bonding and Structure

In this section, you will study how atoms bond to form different substances and how these interactions determine physical and chemical properties. You will explore the ionic, covalent, and metallic bonding models, examining how they contribute to different material structures. Additionally, you will learn how molecular geometry and intermolecular forces influence boiling points, solubility, and reactivity. This topic also covers how chemists move from theoretical bonding models to practical material applications.

• Structure 2.1 – The ionic model

• Structure 2.2 – The covalent model

• Structure 2.3 – The metallic model

• Structure 2.4 – From models to materials

3. Structure 3: Classification of Matter

This topic helps you understand how elements and compounds are organised and classified based on their chemical and physical properties. You will explore how the periodic table is structured and how periodic trends help predict element behaviour. Additionally, you will study organic chemistry’s functional groups and how these structures influence chemical reactivity and practical applications in medicine, industry, and everyday life.

• Structure 3.1 – The periodic table: Classification of elements

• Structure 3.2 – Organic structures and functional groups

4. Reactivity 1: What Drives Chemical Reactions?

Here, you will investigate why and how chemical reactions occur, focusing on energy changes and spontaneity. You will learn how to measure enthalpy changes, apply Hess’s Law, and use energy cycles to understand reaction pathways. Additionally, you will explore the role of entropy in determining whether a reaction is spontaneous, considering both enthalpy and entropy in the Gibbs free energy equation.

• Reactivity 1.1 – Measuring enthalpy changes

• Reactivity 1.2 – Energy cycles in reactions

• Reactivity 1.3 – Bonding and enthalpy

• Reactivity 1.4 – Entropy and spontaneity (HL)*

*Higher Level only subtopic

5. Reactivity 2: How Much, How Fast, and How Far?

This topic focuses on three key questions: how much product is formed, how fast the reaction occurs, and how far it proceeds before reaching equilibrium. You will explore stoichiometry and the mole concept to quantify chemical changes, rate equations to determine reaction speed, and the equilibrium constant to understand reversible reactions. This knowledge is crucial for industries that rely on chemical reactions, such as pharmaceuticals and energy production.

• Reactivity 2.1 – How much? The amount of chemical change

• Reactivity 2.2 – How fast? The rate of chemical change

• Reactivity 2.3 – How far? The extent of chemical change

6. Reactivity 3: What Are the Mechanisms of Chemical Change?

In this topic, you will explore the step-by-step processes behind different types of chemical reactions. You will study acid-base reactions, redox reactions, and organic reaction mechanisms, understanding how electrons move during these processes. These insights help explain reaction pathways and influence research in biochemistry, materials science, and environmental chemistry.

• Reactivity 3.1 – Proton transfer reactions

• Reactivity 3.2 – Electron transfer reactions

• Reactivity 3.3 – Electron sharing reactions

• Reactivity 3.4 – Electron-pair sharing reactions

What is Covered in IB Chemistry papers?

Paper 1: Multiple-Choice and Data-Based Questions

• SL: 1 hour 30 minutes, 36% of final grade, 55 marks

  • 30 multiple-choice questions (Paper 1A)

  • 25 marks of data-based and experimental work questions (Paper 1B)

  • Calculator allowed, Data Booklet provided

• HL: 2 hours, 36% of final grade, 75 marks

  • 40 multiple-choice questions (Paper 1A)

  • 35 marks of data-based and experimental work questions (Paper 1B)

  • Calculator allowed, Data Booklet provided

Paper 2: Short-Answer and Extended-Response Questions

• SL: 1 hour 30 minutes, 44% of final grade, 50 marks

  • Short-answer and extended-response questions covering SL content

  • Calculator allowed, Data Booklet provided

• HL: 2 hours 30 minutes, 44% of final grade, 90 marks

  • Short-answer and extended-response questions covering SL and additional HL material

  • Calculator allowed, Data Booklet provided

Internal Assessment: The Scientific Investigation

• Duration: ~10 hours

• Weighting: 20% of final grade

• Task: One individual investigation with research, data collection, and analysis

• Assessment: Internally assessed by teachers, externally moderated by IB

• Marks: 24 total

Revision Resources for IB Chemistry

To help you prepare for your IB Chemistry exams, Save My Exams provides a range of high-quality revision resources:

• Revision Notes: Concise, syllabus-aligned summaries breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand explanations. These notes are ideal for reinforcing key concepts. Try our IB Chemistry revision notes.

• Exam-Style Topic Questions: A collection of past paper and exam-style questions organised by topic, with detailed, step-by-step solutions from expert teachers. Try our IB Chemistry exam questions.

• Flashcards: Interactive digital flashcards covering key definitions, formulas, and concepts, perfect for quick recall and on-the-go revision. Try our IB Chemistry flashcards

• Practice Papers: IB Chemistry HL & SL practice papers that simulate real exam conditions, helping you refine your problem-solving skills and boost confidence.Try our IB Chemistry practice papers

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