At a glance
- First assessed
- May 2025 (taught from August 2023)
- Themes
- A to E
- HL-only topics
- A.4, A.5, B.4, D.4, E.2
- Paper 1
- SL 1 h 30 min, 45 marks; HL 2 h, 60 marks
- Paper 2
- SL 1 h 30 min, 55 marks; HL 2 h 30 min, 90 marks
The five themes and their topics
| Theme | Topics for SL and HL | HL only |
|---|---|---|
| A: Space, time and motion | A.1 Kinematics; A.2 Forces and momentum; A.3 Work, energy and power | A.4 Rigid body mechanics; A.5 Galilean and special relativity |
| B: The particulate nature of matter | B.1 Thermal energy transfers; B.2 Greenhouse effect; B.3 Gas laws; B.5 Current and circuits | B.4 Thermodynamics |
| C: Wave behaviour | C.1 Simple harmonic motion; C.2 Wave model; C.3 Wave phenomena; C.4 Standing waves and resonance; C.5 Doppler effect | Extra depth within the core topics |
| D: Fields | D.1 Gravitational fields; D.2 Electric and magnetic fields; D.3 Motion in electromagnetic fields | D.4 Induction |
| E: Nuclear and quantum physics | E.1 Structure of the atom; E.3 Radioactive decay; E.4 Fission; E.5 Fusion and stars | E.2 Quantum physics |
Several SL topics also contain additional HL content. A physics data booklet is provided in the exams.
How it is examined
| Component | SL | HL | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: 1A multiple choice, 1B data-based questions | 1 h 30 min, 45 marks | 2 h, 60 marks | 36% |
| Paper 2: short answer and extended response | 1 h 30 min, 55 marks | 2 h 30 min, 90 marks | 44% |
| Scientific investigation | About 10 hours, 24 marks | About 10 hours, 24 marks | 20% |
The investigation is marked by the teacher against research design, data analysis, conclusion and evaluation, and moderated by the IB.
What actually changed, and why it matters
The old course had numbered core topics, additional HL topics and one option (such as astrophysics or engineering physics) examined in Paper 3. The new guide drops the options and Paper 3 and regroups content into five themes. Some former option material now sits in the main course, for example rigid body mechanics and relativity as HL topics, and parts of stellar physics within fusion and stars, so every student meets them rather than only those who chose that option.
The papers lean further towards data. Paper 1B is data-based questions, and Paper 2 questions often begin from an experimental context. Graph skills, linearising relationships, uncertainties and significant figures appear throughout, not just in practical work.
The internal assessment changed too. The old five-criterion rubric, which included personal engagement and communication, has been replaced by four criteria of 6 marks each: research design, data analysis, conclusion and evaluation. The guide also includes a collaborative sciences project; ask the school how it runs.
How to revise for the new papers
- Start every topic from the concept and a diagram, then the equations. Students who hunt for an equation in the data booklet before understanding the physics substitute into the wrong one.
- Practise graph work every week: gradients, areas under graphs, and turning a curve into a straight line, such as plotting T^2 against L for a pendulum.
- Keep a list of units and checks. If an answer for a speed comes out in joules, the algebra went wrong.
- At HL, start the five HL-only topics early. Relativity, rigid bodies and quantum physics are abstract and need time to settle.
- Use pre-2025 past papers for core questions that still match the guide, and specimen and post-2025 papers for full timed practice.
Common mistakes with the new course
- Revising old option content that is not in the new guide, or skipping former option content that is now compulsory.
- Explanations without physics vocabulary: "it goes faster" instead of a statement about force, momentum or energy.
- Dropping units and significant figures, which are examined across both papers.
- Weak algebra and trigonometry, which turn physics problems into maths problems the student cannot finish.
How one-to-one lessons help with the new course
A tutor who teaches the current IB Physics guide starts with the concept, often sketched on the shared whiteboard, before any equation. The student then solves graded problems aloud so the tutor can see where reasoning breaks down, and each lesson ends with exam-style questions from the current format marked against the markscheme.
Physics depends on mathematics, so a tutor also watches for algebra, trigonometry and graph gaps and fixes them inside physics problems. For HL students, lessons give the five HL-only topics the extra time they need, well before mocks.
Check your maths pairing
Universities that ask for HL Physics often ask for HL Maths too. Check engineering and physics course requirements before subject choices are fixed.
Common questions
Does IB Physics still have options?
No. Since May 2025 the options and Paper 3 have been removed. Assessment is Paper 1, Paper 2 and the scientific investigation.
Which topics are HL only?
A.4 Rigid body mechanics, A.5 Galilean and special relativity, B.4 Thermodynamics, D.4 Induction and E.2 Quantum physics, plus additional HL content inside some core topics.
How long are the IB Physics papers?
At SL, Paper 1 and Paper 2 are 1 hour 30 minutes each. At HL, Paper 1 is 2 hours and Paper 2 is 2 hours 30 minutes.
Does IB Physics need calculus?
Calculus is not required to answer the papers, but confident algebra, trigonometry and graph work are essential, and HL needs comfort with exponentials and logarithms.
How much do IB Physics lessons cost with LiveTutor?
$15 a lesson, the same flat rate for every subject and level, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons billed monthly. Lessons are 60 minutes, one to one and online, and the first lesson is a free trial.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.