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Introduction
As a result of the IBDP syllabus updates, students are prepared to meet the challenges of the future, reflecting the changing needs of global education. Thus, it is crucial that students, parents, and educators are aware of these updates and their potential impact on IB education.
The curriculum will undergo significant changes starting with the May 2025 examination session. The goal of this blog is to examine these updates, compare the old and new syllabuses, and offer practical advice on how to prepare effectively.
The IB Physics syllabus is divided into five components: Space, time and motion; The particulate nature of matter; Wave behavior; Fields; and Nuclear and quantum physics. Below is a breakdown of the content covered under each component and the recommended IB teaching hours for each component.
IB Physics Curriculum Model Overview
| Syllabus Component | Recommended Teaching Hours | |
| Syllabus Content | SL | HL |
| 110 | 180 | |
| Space, time and motion | 27 | 42 |
| The particulate nature of matter | 24 | 32 |
| Wave behavior | 17 | 29 |
| Fields | 19 | 38 |
| Nuclear and quantum physics | 23 | 39 |
Space, time and motion consists of:
- Kinematics
- Forces and momentum
- Work, energy and power
- Rigid body mechanics ***
- Galilean and special relativity ***
The particulate nature of matter includes:
- Thermal energy transfers
- Greenhouse effect
- Gas laws
- Thermodynamics ***
- Current and circuits
Wave behaviour involves:
- Simple harmonic motion **
- Wave model
- Wave phenomena **
- Standing waves and resonance
- Doppler effect **
Fields covers:
- Gravitational fields **
- Electric and magnetic fields **
- Motion in electromagnetic fields
- Induction ***
Nuclear and quantum physics includes:
- Structure of the atom **
- Quantum physics ***
- Radioactive decay **
- Fission
- Fusion and stars
Key:
- ** Topics with content that should be taught to all students plus additional HL content
- *** Topics with content that should only be taught to HL students
The experimental programme involves practical work in the laboratory such as experiments on determining the speed of sound using standing waves or measuring the internal resistance of a circuit as well as the Internal Assessment (IA) and group 4 collaborative sciences project.
In my experience, the best way to understand how to score well on Physics exams is to understand the assessment model and objectives, which help identify key marking points and explain what is expected of the student. Hence, you are more likely to score maximum points on each question, making your answers more accurate and appropriate.
IB Physics Assessment Model Overview
There are four assessment objectives for the DP Physics course. Having followed the Physics course, students are expected to demonstrate the following assessment objectives.
Assessment objective 1
Demonstrate knowledge of definitions, concepts, and techniques.
Example Question: Electromagnetic waves are emitted in a microwave oven, creating a standing wave pattern inside. When a flat piece of chocolate is placed in the oven and the microwaves are turned on, the chocolate remains stationary. Melted spots appear on the chocolate’s surface. The diagram indicates that each square measures 1 cm in length.
Describe how this standing wave pattern of melted spots is formed (2)
such questions are commonly seen in Paper 2 for both SL and HL students.
Assessment objective 2
Understand and apply knowledge of terminologies and techniques to broader questions.
Example Question: A fuel is utilized to heat water, creating steam at a pressure of 15 MPa and a temperature of 600°C. This steam powers the blades of a turbine generator system and eventually cools and condenses at atmospheric pressure and a temperature of 35°C.
- Describe, using the second law of thermodynamics, why a steam turbine functioning between these temperatures cannot achieve an efficiency greater than about 65%.
These questions are seen in paper 2 and require your knowledge on the topic as well as the data provided in the question.
Assessment objective 3
Analyze, evaluate, and synthesize experiments, trends, data, and patterns using evidence.
Such questions require you to highlight key trends and the effect of those trends on the results of the experiment. It also requires your critical thinking skills to identify weaknesses and improvements in the experiment. If you love research, you are sure to love these questions!
- Outline why it is likely that the relationship between T and V is non-linear. [1]
- Calculate the largest percentage uncertainty in T for these data. [2]
Assessment objective 4
Demonstrate the application of skills necessary to carry out insightful and ethical investigations. These questions test your ability to find flaws in the given experiment.
Example Question: The theoretical relationship assumes that the pendulum bob is only influenced by the gravitational force. Propose why, to verify this relationship, the length of the string should be much greater than the amplitude of the swing. (4 marks)
Key changes in the IB Physics syllabus 2025
External Assessments
Prior to the current assessment pattern, assessments consisted of three written papers that included multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and extended response questions. Although the core structure of written papers remains the same, they now include more data analysis and interpretation, reflecting the skills needed in modern science.
| Paper | SL time | HL time |
| Paper 1A | 1.5 Hours | 2 Hours |
| Paper 1B | ||
| Paper 2 | 1.5 Hours | 2.5 Hours |
Now, all students will now only sit two external examinations: Paper 1A includes multiple-choice questions on the syllabus and paper 1B includes data-based questions that are syllabus related, addressing all themes. SL students have 1.5 hours while HL students have 2 hours for this paper and is worth 36% of the total grade for both SL and HL.
In Paper 2, you will be asked questions based on data from unfamiliar contexts as well as short-answer questions. In addition, it includes extended-response questions that assess holistic knowledge and understanding of numerous syllabus contents, skills, concepts, and understandings. Once again, SL students have 1.5 hours for this exam while HL students have 2.5 hours for the same. The weightage of the final grade is 44% for this paper.
Other changes include the removal of the four option topics (relativity, engineering physics, imaging and astrophysics). This was initially Paper 3 attempted by all candidates under the old assessment pattern. Now, content from all four options has been incorporated into the core content of the course at the standard and higher level.
Curriculum content and syllabus
The previous syllabus was divided into 8 core topics and additional options that students could choose from. The core topics included:
- Measurements and uncertainties
- Mechanics
- Thermal physics
- Waves
- Electricity and magnetism
- Circular motion and gravitation
- Atomic, nuclear and particle physics
- Energy production
- Wave phenomena (AHL)
- Fields (AHL)
- Electromagnetic induction (AHL)
- Quantum and nuclear physics (AHL)
while the additional options included Relativity, Engineering physics, Imaging, and Astrophysics.
There is now an increased emphasis on systems thinking, the interconnections between topics, and real-world applications.
Internal Assessments
The ‘scientific investigation’ (internal assessment) will also see a change, with the opportunity for students to collaborate and support each other within small groups. Where appropriate, students will be able to share similar methodologies, provided that the independent or dependent variables differ, and the data collected is unique to each student.
Students will continue to submit an individual report, with the outcome of the scientific investigation assessed through the form of a written report. The maximum overall word count for the report is 3,000 words rather than a page limit of 20 pages under the old syllabus. The revised criteria will place a greater emphasis on higher-order thinking skills with 50% of the marks allocated for Conclusion and Evaluation.
Group 4 collaborative project
The collaborative sciences project is an interdisciplinary sciences project that addresses real-world problems that can be explored through the range of subjects in the sciences group. This is a great way to involve all disciplines of science in solving problems that we face every day.
Skills development
Rather than emphasizing traditional laboratory skills and theoretical understanding, the new syllabus emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills. A greater emphasis is placed on collaboration and communication, preparing students for modern science’s collaborative nature.
How to prepare for these change
Skills development
My Journey: During my first term I scored a 4 in Physics solely because I was practicing incorrectly. I focused on practicing the various question types rather than understanding the process of finding the solution. However, I managed to achieve a score of 7 in my final exams after changing my approach.
The Process
- Identify Given Information:
- Extract both explicit and implicit information from the problem statement. For instance, keywords like “at rest” indicate that forces are balanced.
- Determine the Required Calculation:
- Clearly identify what needs to be calculated.
- Utilize the Formula Booklet:
- Refer to the formula booklet extensively to identify relevant formulas.
- Apply these formulas to solve the problem.
- Internalize the Process:
- Repeat this methodical approach until it becomes second nature.
By following this structured process, I was able to significantly improve my understanding and performance in Physics.
Practice Past Papers with Updated Assessment Formats:
Specimen Papers: IBO has provided 2 sets of specimen papers for the May 2025 examination and you should attempt these close to your final exam in order to get the hang of the assessment format. For practice, you can refer to past papers as the content hasn’t changed drastically and you can also refer to websites like iitian academy for questionbanks.
Numericals: Practice answering numericals as much as possible. Numericals help not only in developing your ability to connect multiple concepts but also help boost your confidence once you start getting questions right.
Extended Response Questions: Develop your ability to write clear and concise extended responses. Practice organizing your thoughts and structuring your answers logically.
Understand the New Topics and Themes Early:
Galilean and Special Relativity: Begin by studying the basics of relativity, including time dilation and length contraction. Online courses from platforms like Khan Academy and Coursera can help you grasp these concepts.
Thermodynamics: Read textbooks and online resources on the laws of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and thermal properties of matter. Experiment with simulations available on websites like PhET to visualize these principles.
Quantum Physics: Explore the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics, including wave-particle duality and the uncertainty principle. Introductory books like “Quantum Physics for Beginners” and educational videos can provide a solid foundation.
Utilize Digital Tools and Resources:
Virtual Labs: Use virtual lab simulations to practice experiments and reinforce your understanding of biological concepts. Websites like PHeT by UC Boulder, oPhysics, myPhysicsLab, and more to learn by doing which helps when dealing with complex scenarios.
Data Analysis Software: Learn to use software like Excel for analyzing collected data as it is essential for interpreting experimental results and data analysis in the Physics IA.You should also learn how to use loggerPro as it is required to maintain a high quality of data and ensure low uncertainties.
Final thoughts
The changes to the IB Physics course starting in 2025 represent an exciting evolution, aimed at making the curriculum more relevant and engaging for students. By comprehending these changes and preparing effectively, you can maximize your IB Physics experience and lay a strong foundation for success in your future studies and career.
With the strategies outlined by Tychr in this blog, you’ll be ready to navigate the new IB Physics curriculum confidently. If you’re seeking additional support, Tychr’s experienced IB Physics SL tutors & IB Physics HL tutors are here to help. From simplifying complex concepts to offering exam-focused guidance, they ensure you’re well-prepared to achieve your academic goals. Stay focused, curious, and committed to your learning journey.
Happy studying, and best of luck on your IB journey!
