Master IBDP Physics by Theme

Review each topic with clarity and purpose. Our structured syllabus breakdown supports your understanding and helps you prepare confidently for assessments.

A. Space, time and motion

This theme explores motion, forces, energy, and relativity, helping you understand how objects move and interact in the universe.

A.1 Kinematics

Study of motion without considering its causes. Core content for all students.

A.2 Forces and momentum

Covers Newton’s laws, impulse, and conservation of momentum. Core content.

A.3 Work, energy and power

Explores energy transformations and power output. Core content.

A.4 Rigid body mechanics

Focuses on torque, rotational dynamics, and equilibrium. HL only.

A.5 Galilean and special relativity

Introduces relativity concepts including time dilation. HL only.

B. The particulate nature of matter

Dive into thermal physics, gas laws, and electricity to uncover the behavior of matter and energy at the microscopic level.

B.1 Thermal energy transfers

Includes conduction, convection, and radiation. Core content.

B.2 Greenhouse effect

Explores mechanisms and impact of greenhouse gases. Core content.

B.3 Gas laws

Covers pressure, volume, and temperature relationships. Core content.

B.4 Thermodynamics

Discusses laws of thermodynamics and energy conversions. HL only.

B.5 Current and circuits

Examines electric current, resistance, and simple circuits. Core content.

C. Wave behaviour

Learn about the fascinating world of oscillations, wave properties, and the phenomena that reveal the wave nature of light and sound.

C.1 Simple harmonic motion

Study of oscillatory motion such as springs and pendulums. Core content.

C.2 Wave model

Focuses on properties and behaviors of waves. Core content.

C.3 Wave phenomena

Explores interference, diffraction, and polarization. HL only.

C.4 Standing waves and resonance

Describes resonance effects and standing waves in systems. HL only.

C.5 Doppler effect

Studies frequency changes due to relative motion. HL only.

D. Fields

Explore gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields, and how they govern the interactions of particles in space.

D.1 Gravitational fields

Covers Newton's law of gravitation and field concepts. HL only.

D.2 Electric and magnetic fields

Explores electric fields, magnetic forces, and applications. HL only.

D.3 Motion in electromagnetic fields

Focuses on particle behavior in combined fields. HL only.

D.4 Induction

Covers electromagnetic induction and applications like transformers. HL only.

E. Nuclear and quantum physics

Delve into the structure of atoms, radioactive decay, and quantum mechanics — unlocking the secrets of the universe's smallest scales.

E.1 Structure of the atom

Discusses atomic models and internal structure. Core content.

E.2 Quantum physics

Introduces quantization of energy and photoelectric effect. HL only.

E.3 Radioactive decay

Explains nuclear decay processes and half-life. Core content.

E.4 Fission

Covers nuclear fission and power generation. HL only.

E.5 Fusion and stars

Explores stellar formation, fusion reactions, and life cycles of stars. HL only.