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IB Physics SL Study Guide & Review

Build accurate physical models, select and check equations, interpret experimental evidence and prepare deliberately for each current IB Physics SL assessment demand across the five connected themes.

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  1. 01Learn concepts
  2. 02Practise questions
  3. 03Review mistakes

Syllabus knowledge tree

Explore the IB Physics SL syllabus

The current IB Physics SL syllabus uses five themes explored through forces, energy and particles. Use the Unit and Topic map to connect motion, matter, waves, fields, nuclear physics and practical skills while keeping revision inside the assessed SL scope.

6
syllabus groups
25
mapped topics

Preview the course map

Explore the course units and topics. Sign in to open the full mastery workspace and see your progress.

A. Space, time and motion
A.1 Kinematics
A.2 Forces and momentum
A.3 Work, energy and power
B. The particulate nature of matter
B.1 Thermal energy transfers
B.2 Greenhouse effect
B.3 Gas laws
B.5 Current and circuits
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
D. Fields
D.1 Gravitational fields
D.2 Electric and magnetic fields
D.3 Motion in electromagnetic fields
E. Nuclear and quantum physics
E.1 Structure of the atom
E.3 Radioactive decay
E.4 Fission
E.5 Fusion and stars
S Skills in Physics
S1.1 Experimental techniques
S1.2 Technology
S1.3 Mathematics
S2.1 Exploring and designing
S2.2 Collecting and processing data
S2.3 Concluding and evaluating

How to study IB Physics SL

IB Physics SL becomes easier when each Topic is treated as a model rather than a formula list. Use the syllabus map to name the system, draw the relevant objects or fields, state assumptions and predict the direction or scale of the result before calculating. Then select a data-booklet relationship, show the rearrangement, keep units visible and interpret whether the answer is physically reasonable. This keeps revision inside the SL scope while building the reasoning required across the five themes.

Use Concept to rebuild the model, Mastery to retrieve definitions and relationships, and the Question Bank to apply them to multiple-choice, data-based and structured questions. After marking, label each loss as model selection, algebra, units, graph interpretation, uncertainty or explanation. Repair that category and retry one matched question before moving to a mixed set.

Practise each Physics demand differently

Choose the representation and checking routine that match the physical reasoning required by each Topic and paper component.

Motion, forces and energy

Kinematics, momentum, work, power and gravitational motion

Sketch the situation and choose a system before writing equations. Track vector direction and energy transfers, then test the sign, unit and limiting behaviour of every numerical answer.

Practise mechanics

Thermal physics and circuits

Energy transfer, greenhouse effect, gas laws and electric circuits

Translate between the particle or charge model, the measurable variables and the equation. Change one condition at a time and explain the resulting direction of change before calculating.

Practise matter and circuits

Waves and fields

Oscillations, interference, standing waves, Doppler effect and field motion

Draw the wave, force or field representation first. Mark phase, direction and boundary conditions, then connect the diagram to the chosen relationship and explain the physical meaning clearly.

Practise waves and fields

Data and investigation

Graphs, gradients, uncertainty, method design and evidence evaluation

Identify axes, units and uncertainties before describing a pattern. Calculate gradients or intercepts with visible working, compare evidence quantitatively, and make each proposed improvement address one named limitation directly.

Practise data questions

Where to start

Start from one known Topic or use a mixed question set to expose the first repeatable Physics error pattern.

Choose your starting point

  1. I know the Topic

    Open its exact syllabus position, identify the required model and review only the relationships within SL scope.

    Browse the syllabus

  2. I do not know what is weak

    Attempt a short mixed set and begin with the first repeated conceptual, mathematical or data-handling error.

    Open mixed questions

Choose the right starting point

  1. Build the model

    Draw the system, define the variables and explain the governing physical principle before selecting an equation.

    Review a Concept

  2. Retrieve and check

    Reconstruct relationships from the data booklet, then check rearrangement, dimensions, units, sign and direction.

    Check Mastery

  3. Apply, classify and retry

    Answer a matched question, classify the lost mark precisely and repeat after repairing that failure category.

    Practise questions

IB Physics SL assessment format

External assessment contributes 80% and the scientific investigation contributes 20%. Prepare separately for conceptual discrimination, data analysis and structured physical reasoning at SL.

Paper / componentQuestionsTime% of grade
Paper 145 marksPaper 1A contains 25 multiple-choice marks and Paper 1B contains 20 data-based marks.How to prepare: Practise 1A by comparing models and eliminating physically inconsistent options; practise 1B through gradients, uncertainty, experimental evidence and concise conclusions.1 hour 30 minutes36%
Paper 255 marksStructured and extended-response questions covering the SL syllabus.How to prepare: Show the model, equation choice, rearrangement, units and physical interpretation clearly in each structured response.1 hour 30 minutes44%
Scientific investigation24 marksOne individual open-ended scientific investigation, internally assessed and externally moderated.How to prepare: Develop a focused question, controlled method, defensible uncertainty treatment, evidence-based conclusion and evaluation linked to specific limitations.10 recommended course hours20%

SourceInternational Baccalaureate Organization · IB Physics subject brief — first assessment 2025IB Physics · First assessment 2025

IB Physics SL questions

Choose one syllabus Topic if the weakness is known; otherwise attempt a short mixed set. Rebuild the physical model, retrieve the relevant relationship, answer a matched question and classify the first lost mark before deciding what to review next.

Learn where relationships and constants are located, but focus on choosing and using them. During practice, name the model first, select the relationship, rearrange visibly, check dimensions and units, then interpret whether the numerical result is physically reasonable.

Identify variables, units and uncertainties before describing the evidence. Practise gradients, intercepts and proportional relationships with visible working, then separate the measured pattern from its physical explanation and tie each evaluation point to a specific limitation.

Move to mixed sections after you can set up unfamiliar questions from several Topics without notes. Use full timed papers later, once errors are mostly pace or decision-making problems rather than repeated gaps in models, algebra, units or data handling.