IBDP Physics SL&HL: New Syllabus and Study Notes -First assessment 2025

  • IB DP Physics SL- IB Style Practice Questions with Answer-Topic Wise-Paper 1
  • IB DP Physics HL- IB Style Practice Questions with Answer-Topic Wise-Paper 1
  • IB DP Physics SL- IB Style Practice Questions with Answer-Topic Wise-Paper 2
  • IB DP Physics HL- IB Style Practice Questions with Answer-Topic Wise-Paper 2

A.4 Rigid body mechanics

  • Torque τ of a force about an axis
  • Rotational equilibrium
  • Rotational Kinematics
  • moment of inertia
  • Angular acceleration
  • Angular momentum
  • Angular impulse
  • Kinetic energy of rotational motion

A.5 Galilean and special relativity

  • reference frames
  • Galilean relativity
  • Velocity addition equation
  • the two postulates of special relativity
  • Lorentz transformation equations
  • Space–time interval
  • Proper time interval and proper length
  • Time dilation
  • Length contraction
  • The relativity of simultaneity
  • Space–time diagrams
  • Muon decay experiments

B.1 Thermal energy transfers

  • Molecular theory in solids, liquids and gases
  • Density ρ
  • Temperature
  • Average kinetic energy of particles
  • Internal energy of a system
  • Thermal energy transfer (
  • conduction, convection and thermal radiation)
  • Phase change
  • Specific heat capacity  and specific latent heat of fusion and vaporization of substances
  • Stefan-Boltzmann law
  • Apparent brightness
  • Emission spectrum of a black body & Wien’s displacement law

B.2 Greenhouse effect

  • Conservation of energy
  • Emissivity
  • Albedo
  • Solar constant
  • Greenhouse gases

B.4 Thermodynamics

  • first law of thermodynamics
  • work done by or on a closed system
  • change in internal energy
  • entropy 
  • second law of thermodynamics
  • isovolumetric, isobaric, isothermal and adiabatic processes
  • Adiabatic processes
  • heat engines
  • Carnot cycle

C.2 Wave model

  • transverse and longitudinal travelling waves
  • Relation between wavelength , frequency & time period
  • sound waves
  • electromagnetic waves
  • mechanical waves

C.3 Wave phenomena

  • wavefronts and rays
  • reflection, refraction and transmission
  • wavefront-ray diagrams
  • Snell’s law, critical angle and total internal reflection
  • superposition of waves and wave pulses
  • Interference

C.4 Standing waves and resonance

  • standing waves
  • resonance
  • damping

D.2 Electric and magnetic fields

  • direction of forces
  • Coulomb’s law
  • quantization of electric charge
  • electric charge
  • electric field strength
  • electric field lines
  • electric field line density and field strength
  • electric field strength between parallel plates 
  • magnetic field lines

D.3 Motion in electromagnetic fields

  • motion of a charged particle in a uniform electric field
  • motion of a charged particle in a uniform magnetic field
  • the motion of a charged particle in perpendicularly orientated uniform electric and magnetic fields
  • force on a moving charge 
  • current-carrying conductor
  • force per unit length between parallel wires 

E.1 Structure of the atom

  • Geiger–Marsden–Rutherford experiment and the discovery of the nucleus
  • chemical symbol of elements
  • atomic energy levels
  • frequency of the photon

E.2 Quantum physics

  • photoelectric effect
  • kinetic energy & work function
  • Diffraction
  • wave–particle duality
  • de Broglie wavelength
  • Compton scattering of light
  • shift in photon wavelength

E.3 Radioactive decay

  • isotopes
  • nuclear binding energy and mass defect
  •  binding energy
  • mass-energy equivalence
  • radioactive decay
  • type of decay
  • activity, count rate and half-life in radioactive decay
  • count rate

E.4 Fission

  •  neutron-induced fission
  • nuclear fission reactions
  • nuclear fission and their management

E.5 Fusion and stars

  • stability of stars
  • fusion
  • stellar mass on the evolution of a star
  • Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram
  • stellar parallax
  • stellar radii

Here are some steps you can follow to prepare effectively:

  1. Study the syllabus: Make sure you understand the topics that are covered in the IB DP physics syllabus. This will give you a clear idea of what to expect on the exams.

  2. Review class notes and textbooks: Regularly review your class notes and textbooks to reinforce your understanding of the material.

  3. Practice, practice, practice: Practice solving physics problems as much as possible. Try to work through as many practice questions and Mock tests as you can find here at iitianacademy.com . This will help you get a feel for the types of questions you can expect on the exams and build your problem-solving skills.

  4. Seek help when needed: If you’re struggling with a particular concept, don’t hesitate to ask your teacher or a tutor for help.

  5. Stay organized: Make sure to keep track of important formulas, equations, and concepts so you can easily reference them when you need to.

  6. Stay up-to-date on current events in physics: Being knowledgeable about current developments in physics can help you better understand the applications of the concepts you are learning.

Scroll to Top