International Baccalaureate (IB) Physics Syllabus - 2025/26 Evergreen Guide

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13 Jul 2025, 00:00 Z

TL;DR
The new IB Physics guide (first teaching 2023, first exams May 2025) collapses the old options, merges the HL & SL routes into a single Paper 1 + Paper 2 + Internal Assessment (IA) model, and shifts all practical skills into one 10-hour investigation worth 20 % of the grade. Parents of Integrated-Programme students: early mastery of data analysis, spreadsheet LINEST and multi-topic synthesis now outweighs memorising niche option facts.

1 What Exactly Changed?

Old (2016-22)	New (first exams 2025)
Paper 1 (MCQ) 30 % + Paper 2 (Extended) 36 % + Paper 3 (Options) 24 % + IA 20 %	Paper 1 (MCQ + data) 30 % + Paper 2 (Extended) 50 % + Options removed - every student sits identical content
HL had 60 h "additional higher level" topics	HL keeps same themes but dives deeper; no separate options

2 Assessment Weights & Format

Component	HL weight	SL weight	Exam focus
Paper 1 - 30 MCQ + data section	30 %	30 %	Fast retrieval, graph literacy
Paper 2 - short + long response	50 %	50 %	Multi-topic synthesis; algebra & units
Internal Assessment - 10 h investigation, ≤ 2 500 words	20 %	20 %	Design -> data -> LINEST gradient ± SE

Grade boundaries in May 2024 sat at 65 % ≈ grade 7 for HL and 58 % for SL.

3 Five Concept Cliffs (with Fix-Its)

Cliff	Symptom	One-line remedy
Fields ↔ energy landscape	Treats equipotential as path; sign flip in \(E = -\nabla V\)	Sketch equipotential and field lines on the same grid to grasp gradient direction.
Thermal ↔ molecular link	Quotes \(pV = nRT\) but can't explain microscopic KE	Use Boltzmann story: \(\tfrac32 kT\) per degree freedom; map to macroscopic work.
Spreadsheet uncertainty	Writes "half-range" for every spread; forgets SE	Run `=LINEST(y,x,TRUE,TRUE)` once; record gradient ± SE and convert to % uncertainty.
IA scope-creep	Picks double-slit diffraction -> 20 h data crunch	Apply 3-question feasibility filter: measurable? controllable? 10 h cap?
Timed-paper stamina	Leaves last 20 % of Paper 2 blank	Drill 90 min mixed sets at 1.5 min·mark⁻¹ pacing.

4 Theme-by-Theme Snapshot

4.1 Space, Time & Motion

Core SUVAT, circular dynamics, gravitation; HL adds relative motion & simple cosmology.

\[ s = ut + \tfrac12 at^2 \quad \Longrightarrow \quad v^2 = u^2 + 2as \]

4.2 Particulate Nature of Matter

Ideal gas law, kinetic theory, thermodynamics; HL treats entropy in qualitative terms.

4.3 Wave Behaviour

Single-slit, Doppler, standing waves; HL incorporates thin-film interference.

4.4 Fields

Electrostatics, magnetostatics, gravitational fields, field potential maps; HL deepens to electromagnetic induction.

4.5 Nuclear & Quantum

Radioactive decay, interaction models, simple Schrödinger; HL adds de Broglie and photoelectric equation.

5 Internal Assessment (IA) Essentials

10 timed hours: planning, data -> analysis -> write-up.
Criteria A-E (24 marks): Personal engagement, Exploration, Analysis, Evaluation, Communication.
Data depth beats exotic topic choice - e.g., pendulum \(g\) with high-speed video scoring ± 0.05 m s^-2 uncertainty often outranks an over-ambitious cloud chamber.

6 Comparison with A-Level & IP Tracks

IB Physics	H2 Physics (SEAB)	IP Year 3/4
One 20 % IA, no practical paper	20 % Paper 4 practical	WA practical posters (10-15 %)
Options removed, no external choice	Mandatory core + planning/data Qs	Concept taster (e.g., fields) two years early
Global 7-point scale (HL mean ≈ 4.9)	Alphabetic (≈ 41 % distinctions)	GPA or MSG

7 Year-by-Year Prep Timeline (HL route)

Academic window	Priority moves
DP Y1 Term 1	Print guide; catalogue unknown terms; run vector-units sprint.
Term 2	First data-handling MCQ drill (Paper 1 B).
Jun break	Mini-IA feasibility test; pilot 3 runs of chosen experiment.
Y1 T3-T4	Full Paper 1 (50 min) + Paper 2 Section A under timing; error journal.
DP Y2 Term 1	Locked IA draft -> teacher feedback; LINEST + % uncertainty table.
Term 2	Past-paper loop every fortnight (1 x P1 + 1 x P2).
Pre-exam	Two 2.5 h sittings back-to-back (simulate real timetable).