IB Physics Topics: Full List
Written by: Katie M
Reviewed by: Ann Howell
Published
Last updated
As a student preparing for your IB Physics exams, knowing where to find the relevant information can be overwhelming. This article provides a clear and comprehensive list of all the IB Physics topics covered in both the Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) courses to ensure you have all the information you need to stay organised in your studies. By the end of this guide, you’ll also know where to find the best revision resources so you can delve deeper into each topic.
IB Physics SL Topics
The IB Physics SL course is divided into:
Space, time, and motion
The particulate nature of matter
Wave behaviour
Fields
Nuclear and quantum physics
1. Space, time, and motion
In Space, time, and motion, you will first study the physics of movement, including how to describe an object's displacement, velocity, and acceleration using algebraic and graphical methods. You will then review Newton’s laws of motion, including their applications in different scenarios, and explore specific forces such as gravity, friction, and spring forces. Next, you’ll learn about the fundamental concepts of work, energy, and power, including energy transfers and the principle of conservation of energy.
Standard level topics include:
Kinematics
Forces and momentum
Work, energy and power
2. The particulate nature of matter
In this section, you will explore how the behaviour of particles at the microscopic level influences the macroscopic properties of materials, including states of matter, thermal properties, and gas laws. You will gain an in-depth understanding of the greenhouse effect and how human activity enhances it. At the end of the section, you will study electrical circuits by looking at microscopic interactions between electrons and lattice atoms and how this relates to the macroscopic quantities of current, resistance, and potential difference.
Standard level topics include:
Thermal energy transfers
Greenhouse effect
Gas laws
Current and circuits
3. Wave behaviour
In Wave behaviour, you will begin by investigating the dynamics of systems that exhibit simple harmonic motion. You’ll go on to explore wave models, such as transverse and longitudinal waves, as well as wave phenomena, such as diffraction and interference. You will also learn how to analyse waves mathematically, particularly when looking at standing waves and the Doppler effect.
Standard level topics include:
Simple harmonic motion
Wave model
Wave phenomena
Standing waves and resonance
Doppler effect
4. Fields
In this section, you will study gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields, and develop an understanding of the fundamental forces that govern interactions between matter. For standard level, the focus is on gravitational, electric, and magnetic forces, as well as the influence of electromagnetic fields on charged particles.
Standard level topics include:
Gravitational fields
Electric and magnetic fields
Motion in electromagnetic fields
5. Nuclear and quantum physics
In Nuclear and quantum physics, you will learn about the behaviour of atoms and nuclear processes. You will explore the structure of the atom, including Rutherford’s scattering experiment and the use of spectral lines. You’ll develop a deep understanding of nuclear processes such as radioactive decay, as well as the principles of nuclear fission and fusion. Toward the end of the section, you’ll delve into the physical processes in stars, and learn about key concepts in astrophysics, such as Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagrams, measuring astronomical distances, and the analysis of stellar light spectra.
Standard level topics include:
Structure of the atom
Radioactive decay
Fission
Fusion and stars
What is Covered in IB Physics SL Paper 1?
Paper 1 consists of two sections
Section A: multiple-choice questions
Section B: data-based questions
Both sections are to be completed together and test standard level content only. A calculator is allowed for all questions, and a data booklet is provided.
Paper 1 |
|
Section A
|
Section B
|
What is Covered in IB Physics SL Paper 2?
Paper 2 consists of short-answer and extended-response questions on standard level content only. A calculator is allowed for all questions, and a data booklet is provided.
Paper 2 |
|
|
Revision Resources for IB Physics SL
Prepare for your IB Physics SL exams using our high-quality revision resources, including:
IB Physics HL Topics
As with the SL course, the IB Physics HL course is divided into:
Space, time, and motion
The particulate nature of matter
Wave behaviour
Fields
Nuclear and quantum physics
1. Space, time, and motion
In Space, time, and motion, you will study the physics of movement, including kinematics, motion, forces, momentum, work, energy sources, and power.
On top of the SL content as an HL student, you will also explore rigid body mechanics where you’ll be introduced to concepts such as torque, rotational kinematics, and angular momentum. Finally, you’ll delve into Galilean and special relativity, including Lorentz transformations, and the concepts of time dilation and length contraction.
Standard and higher level topics include:
Kinematics
Forces and momentum
Work, energy, and power
Higher level topics include:
Rigid body mechanics
Galilean and special relativity
2. The particulate nature of matter
In this section, you will explore the behaviour of particles, including thermal energy transfers, the greenhouse effect, gas laws, and electrical circuits.
As an HL student, you’ll delve further into thermal concepts, including the laws of thermodynamics, and entropy, and how to apply these ideas to real processes such as heat engines.
Standard and higher level topics include:
Thermal energy transfers
Greenhouse effect
Gas laws
Current and circuits
Higher level topics include:
Thermodynamics
3. Wave behaviour
In Wave behaviour, you will study the features of waves, including simple harmonic motion, wave models, wave phenomena, standing waves, resonance, and the Doppler effect.
While this section does not have any HL only topics, some of the topics contain HL only content. In simple harmonic motion, you will be required to undergo a more rigorous mathematical analysis of oscillating bodies. In wave phenomena, you will learn about single-slit diffraction and diffraction gratings. In Doppler effect, you will delve deeper into the equations involving the Doppler effect of sound waves.
Standard and higher level topics include:
Simple harmonic motion
Wave model
Wave phenomena
Standing waves and resonance
Doppler effect
Topics with higher level content include:
Simple harmonic motion
Wave phenomena
Doppler effect
4. Fields
In this section, you will explore gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields and the motion of charged particles in electromagnetic fields.
As an HL student, you will develop a deeper understanding of fields by exploring potentials, work done, and equipotential surfaces. You’ll also study the fundamental concepts of electromagnetic induction, including the laws of Faraday and Lenz.
Standard and higher level topics include:
Gravitational fields
Electric and magnetic fields
Motion in electromagnetic fields
Topics with higher level content include:
Gravitational fields
Electric and magnetic fields
Higher level topics include:
Induction
5. Nuclear and quantum physics
In Nuclear and quantum physics, you will learn about the behaviour of atoms, including atomic structure, radioactive decay, quantum physics, nuclear fission and fusion, and key concepts in astrophysics.
As an HL student, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of models such as the Bohr model, the photoelectric effect, and Compton scattering. You’ll also learn how to use mathematics to explore the exponential nature of radioactive decay.
Standard and higher level topics include:
Structure of the atom
Radioactive decay
Fission
Fusion and stars
Topics with higher level content include:
Structure of the atom
Radioactive decay
Higher level topics include:
Quantum physics
What is Covered in IB Physics HL Paper 1?
Paper 1 consists of two sections
Section A: multiple-choice questions
Section B: data-based questions
Both sections are to be completed together and test standard and higher level content. A calculator is allowed for all questions, and a data booklet is provided.
Paper 1 |
|
Section A
|
Section B
|
What is Covered in IB Physics HL Paper 2?
Paper 2 consists of short-answer and extended-response questions on standard and higher level content. A calculator is allowed for all questions, and a data booklet is provided.
Paper 2 |
|
|
Revision Resources for IB Physics HL
Prepare for your IB Physics HL exams using our high-quality revision resources, including:
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References
International Baccalaureate (2023), Diploma Programme, Physics guide, International Baccalaureate Organization.
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