IB Physics

This website provides content for IB Physics SL, HL, and all students who study physics. The arrangement of content for different curricula might vary, but the content itself is similar for all classes.

• Link for IB physics textbook: https://scienceknowledge.webador.com/ib-textbooks
• For more IB Textbooks: https://scienceknowledge.webador.com/ib-textbooks

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IB Physics Examination

Paper 1 for IB Physics SL/HL

• The Standard Level (SL) paper is 45 minutes long and has 30 multiple choice questions. It makes up 20% of your final IB Physics mark.
• No calculator is allowed but you can use the IB Physics data booklet
• Grade boundaries are usually quite low for Paper 1 (Averaging around 72% for a 7 in HL and 63% for a 7 in SL)

Paper 2 for IB Physics SL/HL

• The Standard Level Paper takes 1.25 hours and is worth 50 marks. It makes up 40% of your final IB Physics mark.
• The Higher Level Papers takes 2.25 hours and is worth 95 marks. It makes up 36% of your final IB Physics mark.
• It consists of short-answer and extended response questions; calculators are allowed and the data booklet can be used
• Paper 2 is probably the hardest paper in the examination. The grade boundaries are usually very low (Averaging around 59% for a 7 in HL and around 63% for a 7 in SL)

Paper 3 for IB Physics SL/HL

• The Standard Level paper will be 1 hour long and is worth 35 marks. The whole paper makes up 20% of your final IB Physics mark.
• The Higher Level paper will be 1.25 hours long and is worth 45 marks. The whole paper makes up 20% of your final IB Physics mark.
• The paper is made up of short-answer and extended response questions
• You are allowed a calculator and data booklet
• It is split up into sections:
  • One data-based question and several short-answer questions on experimental work.
  • Short-answer and extended-response questions from one option.
  • Answer all of the questions for your 2 options: 4-6 short response questions that each can have between 2-5 parts

Examination Tips

Paper 1 Tips in General

Since paper 1 is all multiple choices, complicated calculations are not involved but are mostly tested on students' conceptual understanding. They are frequently tested in a few ways

• Basic definition
• Basic calculation by directly using formula
• Proportionality  
• Graphical relationship

Paper 2 Tips in General

Label out all conditions in the problems, and think about keys work for problem solving. For example, when you see the word "collision," you should be thinking about conservation of momentum

• After solving each problem, find the corresponding content/knowledge for revision and summary, especially for problems you struggle with. Do past questions using IB questionBank!!!