Course hub · Physics HL (course first examined in 2025)
IB Physics HL: free cheatsheets, paper analysis and study guides
Everything for IB Physics HL in one place: a free cheatsheet for each of the 24 topics, the marks-weighted analysis of every recent paper, the guidebook, IA help and predicted papers.
- 24 topics
- 2 exam papers
- IA worth 20%
- Free to read
Start here
All 24 IB Physics HL topics
Grouped by theme. Each one opens its free cheatsheet.
Space, Time & Motion (Mechanics)
The opening theme covering all of classical mechanics: kinematics, dynamics (forces & momentum), energy & power, and the HL-only extensions of rigid-body rotation and special relativity. Heavily examined on Papers 1 and 2; A1–A3 form the backbone of Paper 3 problem-solving.
The Particulate Nature of Matter (Thermal & Electricity)
From thermal energy transfers and the greenhouse effect through gas laws, the laws of thermodynamics, and electric circuits. A favourite source of conceptual exam questions on Papers 1 and 2.
Wave Behaviour
From simple harmonic motion through the wave model, wave phenomena (reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference), standing waves on strings and pipes, and the Doppler effect for sound and light. Ideal Paper 1 territory.
Fields
Gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields, motion of charged particles in EM fields, and the AHL-only induction topic. The single most heavily examined theme on Paper 3 extended-response questions.
Nuclear & Quantum Physics
From the structure of the atom and quantum physics through radioactive decay, fission, fusion and stellar evolution. Conceptually rich and historically tested heavily on Paper 1 multiple-choice plus extended Paper 3 problems.
The exam
How IB Physics HL is assessed
- Paper 1 Paper 1A is multiple choice; Paper 1B is data-based questions.
- Paper 2 Short and extended responses across the five themes.
- Internal assessment 20% of the grade. Read the IA guide.
See how the marks are spread across topics in recent papers.
The guidebook
Study Guide for the IB Diploma (SL & HL)
One volume covering all 24 topics for SL and HL, plus Tools and inquiry and a chapter on the exam.
Where marks are lost
The most-dropped marks across the IB Physics HL syllabus
Across thousands of marked mock papers, these five errors account for more lost marks than every other mistake combined. Read them once before you start revising — they alone can lift you a grade.
- Using SUVAT when acceleration is NOT constant. SUVAT only applies under constant acceleration. The classic trap is free fall WITH air resistance — drag changes the acceleration, so SUVAT no longer applies. Use motion graphs (area under v–t for displacement) or qualitative description instead.
- Speed at projectile apex set to zero. Only the vertical component v_y is zero at the apex. The horizontal v_x = u cos θ is unchanged, so the speed at the apex equals u cos θ — never zero. The acceleration at the apex is also still g downward, not zero.
- Wrong angle in Φ = BA cos θ. The angle θ is between B and the NORMAL to the surface, not between B and the surface itself. If a question says "the field makes an angle α with the surface", then θ = 90° − α and Φ = BA sin α. This single misread costs the question.
- Magnetic force claimed to change kinetic energy. The magnetic force is always perpendicular to v, so it does no work. Speed and KE remain constant; only direction changes. Any answer that shows speed changing in a B-field is automatically wrong.
- Lenz's law direction stated without justification. Just writing "the current flows clockwise" earns zero marks. You must explain WHY: identify which way the flux is changing, then state that the induced current opposes that change, then apply the right-hand rule. The IB always wants the chain of reasoning, not just the answer.
How to revise
How top IB Physics HL students revise
From students who scored 7s, here is the exact revision sequence we coach. Follow it topic by topic for the 4–8 weeks before mock or final exams.
1. Open the data booklet
Always have the official IB Physics data booklet open while you revise. Cross-reference every formula and constant in each cheatsheet — the booklet contains a lot, but a few results (Wien's constant value, certain projectile derivations, the empirical 68/95/99.7 rule) are NOT included and must be memorised.
2. Read the TRAPS first
Skim the red "TRAP" boxes in every section before reading anything else. These are the marks examiners report being lost on year after year — getting the angle wrong in Φ = BA cos θ, mislabelling proper time, etc. Knowing them up front stops you making the same errors in your next mock.
3. Drill past papers by syllabus reference
Find one past-paper question per topic on the same syllabus reference (e.g. A.1 for kinematics, D.4 for induction). For Paper 3 prep, focus drilling on Theme A (mechanics-energy fusion problems), Theme D (gravitational and induction extended problems), and Theme E (binding energy & stellar physics).
Compare SL and HL
IB Physics HL vs SL vs A-Level Physics vs AP Physics
Singapore IB students often weigh IB Physics HL against A-Level H2 Physics or AP Physics, but the syllabus is set by the IBO. Here is the difference at a glance — pick the row that matches your maths background, university plans, and tolerance for conceptual write-ups.
| Course | Best For | Papers | Hardest Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB Physics HL | Engineering, Physics, Astrophysics, Medicine, Computer Science. Loves derivations & conceptual write-ups. | P1, P2, P3 (HL extended) | Rigid Body (A4), Relativity (A5), Induction (D4), Quantum Physics (E2) |
| IB Physics SL | Strong general physics foundation without the AHL extension topics. | P1, P2 only | Wave phenomena, Thermodynamics, Atomic spectra |
| A-Level H2 Physics | Singapore JC pathway. Less astrophysics, less relativity, more circuit calculations. | 3–4 papers (depends on board) | Quantum, Capacitance, EM induction |
| AP Physics C | US-bound students wanting calculus-based mechanics + electromagnetism. | 2 papers (Mech & E&M separately) | Rotational dynamics, Maxwell's equations, RC circuits |
IB Physics HL questions
How many topics are in IB Physics HL?
This hub covers 24 topics, grouped into the course's five themes. Each has its own free cheatsheet.
Which papers do IB Physics HL students sit?
Paper 1: Paper 1A is multiple choice; Paper 1B is data-based questions. Paper 2: Short and extended responses across the five themes. The internal assessment makes up the rest of the grade.
Are the cheatsheets free?
Yes, every cheatsheet and the paper analysis are free to read without signing in.
Who writes these pages?
Ejaz Ahmad and the Photon Academy team, IB teachers since 2015. Every example and question is original.
In Singapore?
Learn IB Physics HL live
The same teachers run small classes in Singapore. See live classes at Photon Academy in Singapore.