Skip to content
Dabour HubLEARN · PRACTICE · EXPLORESign inStudent
IB · IB Diploma

IB Physics SL study guide

Every syllabus unit in order, with its lessons, topic quizzes and past paper questions.

Open the course
1

Theme A — Space, Time and Motion

41 lessons · 39 quizzes

Lessons

  1. Theme A — Space, Time and Motion
  2. A.1 Kinematics
  3. A.1.1 Distance and Displacement
  4. A.1.2 Speed and Velocity
  5. A.1.3 Acceleration
  6. A.1.4 Kinematic Equations
  7. A.1.5 Motion Graphs
  8. A.1.6 Projectile Motion
  9. A.1.7 Fluid Resistance
  10. A.1.8 Terminal Speed
  11. A.2 Forces and Momentum
  12. A.2.1 Free-Body Diagrams
  13. A.2.2 Newton’s First Law
  14. A.2.3 Newton’s Second Law
  15. A.2.4 Newton’s Third Law
  16. A.2.5 Contact Forces
  17. A.2.6 Non-Contact Forces
  18. A.2.7 Frictional Forces
  19. A.2.8 Hooke's Law
  20. A.2.9 Stoke's Law
  21. A.2.10 Buoyancy
  22. A.2.11 Conservation of Linear Momentum
  23. A.2.12 Impulse and Momentum
  24. A.2.13 Force and Momentum
  25. A.2.14 Collisions and Explosions in One-Dimension
  26. A.2.16 Angular Velocity
  27. A.2.17 Centripetal Force
  28. A.2.18 Centripetal Acceleration
  29. A.2.19 Non-Uniform Circular Motion
  30. A.3 Work, Energy and Power
  31. A.3.1 Principle of Conservation of Energy
  32. A.3.2 Sankey Diagrams
  33. A.3.3 Work Done
  34. A.3.4 Kinetic Energy
  35. A.3.5 Gravitational Potential Energy
  36. A.3.6 Elastic Potential Energy
  37. A.3.7 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
  38. A.3.8 Energy and Power
  39. A.3.9 Efficiency Formula
  40. A.3.10 Energy Density
  41. 4.1.4 Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion

Practice

  1. IB Physics SL A.1 Kinematics — Past-paper MCQ images (16 questions)
  2. A.1.1 Distance and Displacement - Check yourself
  3. A.1.2 Speed and Velocity - Check yourself
  4. A.1.3 Acceleration - Check yourself
  5. A.1.4 Kinematic Equations - Check yourself
  6. A.1.5 Motion Graphs - Check yourself
  7. A.1.6 Projectile Motion - Check yourself
  8. A.1.7 Fluid Resistance - Check yourself
  9. A.1.8 Terminal Speed - Check yourself
  10. IB Physics SL A.2 Forces and Momentum — IB SL - Past paper MCQ
  11. A.2.1 Free-Body Diagrams - Check yourself
  12. A.2.2 Newton’s First Law - Check yourself
  13. A.2.3 Newton’s Second Law - Check yourself
  14. A.2.4 Newton’s Third Law - Check yourself
  15. A.2.5 Contact Forces - Check yourself
  16. A.2.6 Non-Contact Forces - Check yourself
  17. A.2.7 Frictional Forces - Check yourself
  18. A.2.8 Hooke's Law - Check yourself
  19. A.2.9 Stoke's Law - Check yourself
  20. A.2.10 Buoyancy - Check yourself
  21. A.2.11 Conservation of Linear Momentum - Check yourself
  22. A.2.12 Impulse and Momentum - Check yourself
  23. A.2.13 Force and Momentum - Check yourself
  24. A.2.14 Collisions and Explosions in One-Dimension - Check yourself
  25. A.2.16 Angular Velocity - Check yourself
  26. A.2.17 Centripetal Force - Check yourself
  27. A.2.18 Centripetal Acceleration - Check yourself
  28. A.2.19 Non-Uniform Circular Motion - Check yourself
  29. IB Physics SL A.3 Work, Energy and Power — IB SL - Past paper MCQ
  30. A.3.1 Principle of Conservation of Energy - Check yourself
  31. A.3.2 Sankey Diagrams - Check yourself
  32. A.3.3 Work Done - Check yourself
  33. A.3.4 Kinetic Energy - Check yourself
  34. A.3.5 Gravitational Potential Energy - Check yourself
  35. A.3.6 Elastic Potential Energy - Check yourself
  36. A.3.7 Conservation of Mechanical Energy - Check yourself
  37. A.3.8 Energy and Power - Check yourself
  38. A.3.9 Efficiency Formula - Check yourself
  39. A.3.10 Energy Density - Check yourself
2

Theme B — The Particulate Nature of Matter

44 lessons · 43 quizzes

Lessons

  1. Theme B — The Particulate Nature of Matter
  2. B.1 Thermal Energy Transfers
  3. B.1.1 Solids, Liquids and Gases
  4. B.1.2 Density
  5. B.1.3 Temperature Scales
  6. B.1.4 Temperature and Kinetic Energy
  7. B.1.5 Internal Energy
  8. B.1.6 Thermal Equilibrium
  9. B.1.7 Changes of State
  10. B.1.8 Specific Heat Capacity
  11. B.1.9 Specific Latent Heat
  12. B.1.10 Thermal Conduction
  13. B.1.11 Thermal Convection
  14. B.1.12 Thermal Radiation
  15. B.1.13 Apparent Brightness and Luminosity
  16. B.1.14 Stefan-Boltzmann Law
  17. B.1.15 Wien’s Displacement Law
  18. B.2 Greenhouse Effect
  19. B.2.1 Albedo and Emissivity
  20. B.2.2 The Solar Constant
  21. B.2.3 Greenhouse Gases
  22. B.2.4 The Greenhouse Effect
  23. B.2.5 Energy Balance Problems
  24. B.3 Gas Laws
  25. B.3.1 Gas Pressure
  26. B.3.2 Amount of Substance
  27. B.3.3 Gas Laws
  28. B.3.4 Ideal Gas Equation
  29. B.3.5 Kinetic Theory of Gases
  30. B.3.6 Derivation of the Kinetic Theory of Gases Equation
  31. B.3.7 Average Kinetic Energy of a Molecule
  32. B.5 Current and Circuits
  33. B.5.1 Circuit Diagrams
  34. B.5.2 Electric Current
  35. B.5.3 Electric Potential Difference
  36. B.5.4 Electrical Conductors and Insulators
  37. B.5.5 Electric Resistance
  38. B.5.6 Electrical Resistivity
  39. B.5.7 I-V Characteristics
  40. B.5.8 Series and Parallel Circuits
  41. B.5.9 Electrical Power
  42. B.5.10 Sources of Electrical Energy
  43. B.5.11 Electromotive Force and Internal Resistance
  44. B.5.12 Variable Resistance

Practice

  1. IB Physics SL B.1 Thermal Energy Transfers — IB SL - Past paper MCQ
  2. B.1.1 Solids, Liquids and Gases - Check yourself
  3. B.1.2 Density - Check yourself
  4. B.1.3 Temperature Scales - Check yourself
  5. B.1.4 Temperature and Kinetic Energy - Check yourself
  6. B.1.5 Internal Energy - Check yourself
  7. B.1.6 Thermal Equilibrium - Check yourself
  8. B.1.7 Changes of State - Check yourself
  9. B.1.8 Specific Heat Capacity - Check yourself
  10. B.1.9 Specific Latent Heat - Check yourself
  11. B.1.10 Thermal Conduction - Check yourself
  12. B.1.11 Thermal Convection - Check yourself
  13. B.1.12 Thermal Radiation - Check yourself
  14. B.1.13 Apparent Brightness and Luminosity - Check yourself
  15. B.1.14 Stefan-Boltzmann Law - Check yourself
  16. B.1.15 Wien’s Displacement Law - Check yourself
  17. IB Physics SL B.2 Greenhouse Effect — IB SL - Past paper MCQ
  18. B.2.1 Albedo and Emissivity - Check yourself
  19. B.2.2 The Solar Constant - Check yourself
  20. B.2.3 Greenhouse Gases - Check yourself
  21. B.2.4 The Greenhouse Effect - Check yourself
  22. B.2.5 Energy Balance Problems - Check yourself
  23. IB Physics SL B.3 Gas Laws — IB SL - Past paper MCQ
  24. B.3.1 Gas Pressure - Check yourself
  25. B.3.2 Amount of Substance - Check yourself
  26. B.3.3 Gas Laws - Check yourself
  27. B.3.4 Ideal Gas Equation - Check yourself
  28. B.3.5 Kinetic Theory of Gases - Check yourself
  29. B.3.6 Derivation of the Kinetic Theory of Gases Equation - Check yourself
  30. B.3.7 Average Kinetic Energy of a Molecule - Check yourself
  31. IB Physics SL B.5 Current and Circuits — IB SL - Past paper MCQ
  32. B.5.1 Circuit Diagrams - Check yourself
  33. B.5.2 Electric Current - Check yourself
  34. B.5.3 Electric Potential Difference - Check yourself
  35. B.5.4 Electrical Conductors and Insulators - Check yourself
  36. B.5.5 Electric Resistance - Check yourself
  37. B.5.6 Electrical Resistivity - Check yourself
  38. B.5.7 I-V Characteristics - Check yourself
  39. B.5.8 Series and Parallel Circuits - Check yourself
  40. B.5.9 Electrical Power - Check yourself
  41. B.5.10 Sources of Electrical Energy - Check yourself
  42. B.5.11 Electromotive Force and Internal Resistance - Check yourself
  43. B.5.12 Variable Resistance - Check yourself
3

Theme C — Wave Behaviour

31 lessons · 29 quizzes

Lessons

  1. Theme C — Wave Behaviour
  2. C.1 Simple Harmonic Motion
  3. C.1.1 Describing Oscillations
  4. C.1.2 Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
  5. C.1.3 Time Period of a Mass–Spring System
  6. C.1.4 Time Period of a Simple Pendulum
  7. C.1.5 Energy Changes in Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
  8. C.2 Wave Model
  9. C.2.1 Properties of Waves
  10. C.2.2 Transverse and Longitudinal Waves
  11. C.2.3 Sound Waves
  12. C.2.4 Electromagnetic Waves
  13. C.3 Wave Phenomena
  14. C.3.1 Wavefronts and Rays
  15. C.3.2 Reflection, Refraction and Transmission
  16. C.3.3 Diffraction of Waves
  17. C.3.4 Refraction of Waves
  18. C.3.5 Superposition of Waves
  19. C.3.6 Interference of Waves
  20. C.3.7 Young’s Double-Slit Experiment
  21. C.4 Standing Waves and Resonance
  22. C.4.1 Standing Waves
  23. C.4.2 Nodes and Antinodes
  24. C.4.3 Boundary Conditions for Standing Waves
  25. C.4.4 Harmonics in Strings and Pipes
  26. C.4.5 The Nature of Resonance
  27. C.4.6 The Effect of Damping
  28. C.5 Doppler Effect
  29. C.5.1 The Doppler Effect
  30. C.5.2 The Doppler Effect of Light
  31. C.5.3 Galactic Redshift

Practice

  1. IB Physics SL C.1 Simple Harmonic Motion — IB SL - Past paper MCQ
  2. C.1.1 Describing Oscillations - Check yourself
  3. C.1.2 Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) - Check yourself
  4. C.1.3 Time Period of a Mass–Spring System - Check yourself
  5. C.1.4 Time Period of a Simple Pendulum - Check yourself
  6. C.1.5 Energy Changes in Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) - Check yourself
  7. IB Physics SL C.2 Wave Model — IB SL - Past paper MCQ
  8. C.2.1 Properties of Waves - Check yourself
  9. C.2.2 Transverse and Longitudinal Waves - Check yourself
  10. C.2.3 Sound Waves - Check yourself
  11. C.2.4 Electromagnetic Waves - Check yourself
  12. IB Physics SL C.3 Wave Phenomena — IB SL - Past paper MCQ
  13. C.3.1 Wavefronts and Rays - Check yourself
  14. C.3.2 Reflection, Refraction and Transmission - Check yourself
  15. C.3.3 Diffraction of Waves - Check yourself
  16. C.3.4 Refraction of Waves - Check yourself
  17. C.3.5 Superposition of Waves - Check yourself
  18. C.3.6 Interference of Waves - Check yourself
  19. C.3.7 Young’s Double-Slit Experiment - Check yourself
  20. IB Physics SL C.4 Standing Waves and Resonance — IB SL - Past paper MCQ
  21. C.4.1 Standing Waves - Check yourself
  22. C.4.2 Nodes and Antinodes - Check yourself
  23. C.4.3 Boundary Conditions for Standing Waves - Check yourself
  24. C.4.4 Harmonics in Strings and Pipes - Check yourself
  25. C.4.5 The Nature of Resonance - Check yourself
  26. C.4.6 The Effect of Damping - Check yourself
  27. C.5.1 The Doppler Effect - Check yourself
  28. C.5.2 The Doppler Effect of Light - Check yourself
  29. C.5.3 Galactic Redshift - Check yourself
4

Theme D — Fields

21 lessons · 20 quizzes

Practice

  1. IB Physics SL D.1 Gravitational Fields — IB SL - Past paper MCQ
  2. D.1.1 Newton's Law of Gravitation - Check yourself
  3. D.1.2 Gravitational Field Strength - Check yourself
  4. D.1.3 Gravitational Field Lines - Check yourself
  5. D.1.9 Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion - Check yourself
  6. IB Physics SL D.2 Electric and Magnetic Fields — IB SL - Past paper MCQ
  7. D.2.1 Electric Charge - Check yourself
  8. D.2.2 Millikan's Oil Drop Experiment - Check yourself
  9. D.2.3 Static Electricity - Check yourself
  10. D.2.4 Coulomb's Law - Check yourself
  11. D.2.5 Electric Field Strength - Check yourself
  12. D.2.6 Electric Field Lines - Check yourself
  13. D.2.11 Magnetic Fields - Check yourself
  14. D.3 Motion in Electromagnetic Fields – Exam questions
  15. D.3.1 Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor - Check yourself
  16. D.3.2 Magnetic Force between Two Parallel Conductors - Check yourself
  17. D.3.3 Magnetic Force on a Charge - Check yourself
  18. D.3.4 Charged Particles in Magnetic Fields - Check yourself
  19. D.3.5 Charged Particles in Electric Fields - Check yourself
  20. D.3.6 Charged Particles in Electric and Magnetic Fields - Check yourself
5

Theme E — Nuclear and Quantum Physics

30 lessons · 29 quizzes

Lessons

  1. Theme E — Nuclear and Quantum Physics
  2. E.1 Structure of the Atom
  3. E.1.1 Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment
  4. E.1.2 Nuclear Notation
  5. E.1.3 Emission and Absorption Spectrum
  6. E.1.4 Photon Energy
  7. E.3 Radioactive Decay
  8. E.3.1 Isotopes and Radioactive Decay
  9. E.3.2 Background Radiation
  10. E.3.3 Alpha, Beta and Gamma Particles
  11. E.3.4 Radioactive Decay Equations
  12. E.3.5 Activity and Half-Life
  13. E.3.8 Applications of Radioactivity
  14. E.3.9 Mass Defect and Nuclear Binding Energy
  15. E.3.10 Binding Energy per Nucleon Curve
  16. E.4 Fission
  17. E.4.1 Spontaneous and Induced Fission
  18. E.4.2 Energy Released in Fission Reactions
  19. E.4.3 Chain Reactions from Fission
  20. E.4.4 Operation of a Nuclear Reactor
  21. E.4.5 Radioactive Waste Management
  22. E.5 Fusion and Stars
  23. E.5.1 Fusion Reactions in Stars
  24. E.5.2 Energy Released in Fusion Reactions
  25. E.5.3 Star Formation
  26. E.5.4 Life Cycle of a Star
  27. E.5.5 The Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) Diagram
  28. E.5.6 Emission and Absorption Spectra in Stars
  29. E.5.7 Stellar Parallax
  30. E.5.8 Determination of Stellar Radii

Practice

  1. IB Physics SL E.1 Structure of the Atom — IB SL - Past paper MCQ
  2. E.1.1 Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment - Check yourself
  3. E.1.2 Nuclear Notation - Check yourself
  4. E.1.3 Emission and Absorption Spectrum - Check yourself
  5. E.1.4 Photon Energy - Check yourself
  6. IB Physics SL E.3 Radioactive Decay — IB SL - Past paper MCQ
  7. E.3.1 Isotopes and Radioactive Decay - Check yourself
  8. E.3.2 Background Radiation - Check yourself
  9. E.3.3 Alpha, Beta and Gamma Particles - Check yourself
  10. E.3.4 Radioactive Decay Equations - Check yourself
  11. E.3.5 Activity and Half-Life - Check yourself
  12. E.3.8 Applications of Radioactivity - Check yourself
  13. E.3.9 Mass Defect and Nuclear Binding Energy - Check yourself
  14. E.3.10 Binding Energy per Nucleon Curve - Check yourself
  15. IB Physics SL E.4 Fission — IB SL - Past paper MCQ
  16. E.4.1 Spontaneous and Induced Fission - Check yourself
  17. E.4.2 Energy Released in Fission Reactions - Check yourself
  18. E.4.3 Chain Reactions from Fission - Check yourself
  19. E.4.4 Operation of a Nuclear Reactor - Check yourself
  20. E.4.5 Radioactive Waste Management - Check yourself
  21. IB Physics SL E.5 Fusion and Stars — IB SL - Past paper MCQ
  22. E.5.1 Fusion Reactions in Stars - Check yourself
  23. E.5.2 Energy Released in Fusion Reactions - Check yourself
  24. E.5.3 Star Formation - Check yourself
  25. E.5.4 Life Cycle of a Star - Check yourself
  26. E.5.5 The Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) Diagram - Check yourself
  27. E.5.6 Emission and Absorption Spectra in Stars - Check yourself
  28. E.5.7 Stellar Parallax - Check yourself
  29. E.5.8 Determination of Stellar Radii - Check yourself
6

Tools and Inquiry — IB Physics skills

33 lessons · 21 quizzes

Lessons

  1. Tools and Inquiry — IB Physics skills
  2. T.1.1 Safety, Ethical and Environmental Issues in Physics
  3. T.1.2 Measuring Variables in Physics
  4. T.2.1 Applying Technology to Collect Data in Physics
  5. T.2.2 Applying Technology to Process Data in Physics
  6. T.3.1 Applying General Mathematics in Physics
  7. T.3.2 Scalar and Vector Quantities
  8. T.3.3 Combining and Resolving Vectors
  9. T.3.4 Scale Diagrams
  10. T.3.5 Fundamental and Derived Units in Physics
  11. T.3.6 Using Dimensional Analysis
  12. T.3.7 Processing Uncertainties
  13. T.3.8 Graphing in Physics
  14. T.3.9 Determining Uncertainties from Graphs
  15. I.1.1 Exploring in Physics
  16. I.1.2 Designing in Physics
  17. I.1.3 Controlling Variables in Physics
  18. I.2.1 Collecting data in Physics
  19. I.2.2 Processing data in Physics
  20. I.2.3 Interpreting results in Physics
  21. I.3.1 Concluding in Physics
  22. I.3.2 Evaluating in Physics
  23. 1.2.2 Newton's First Law
  24. 1.2.3 Newton's Second Law
  25. 1.2.4 Newton's Third Law
  26. 1.2.8 Hooke's Law
  27. 1.2.9 Stoke's Law
  28. 2.1.15 Wien's Displacement Law
  29. 3.3.7 Young's Double-Slit Experiment
  30. 4.1.1 Newton's Law of Gravitation
  31. 4.2.2 Millikan's Oil Drop Experiment
  32. 4.2.4 Coulomb's Law
  33. 5.1.1 Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment

Practice

  1. T.1.1 Safety, Ethical and Environmental Issues in Physics - Check yourself
  2. T.1.2 Measuring Variables in Physics - Check yourself
  3. T.2.1 Applying Technology to Collect Data in Physics - Check yourself
  4. T.2.2 Applying Technology to Process Data in Physics - Check yourself
  5. T.3.1 Applying General Mathematics in Physics - Check yourself
  6. T.3.2 Scalar and Vector Quantities - Check yourself
  7. T.3.3 Combining and Resolving Vectors - Check yourself
  8. T.3.4 Scale Diagrams - Check yourself
  9. T.3.5 Fundamental and Derived Units in Physics - Check yourself
  10. T.3.6 Using Dimensional Analysis - Check yourself
  11. T.3.7 Processing Uncertainties - Check yourself
  12. T.3.8 Graphing in Physics - Check yourself
  13. T.3.9 Determining Uncertainties from Graphs - Check yourself
  14. I.1.1 Exploring in Physics - Check yourself
  15. I.1.2 Designing in Physics - Check yourself
  16. I.1.3 Controlling Variables in Physics - Check yourself
  17. I.2.1 Collecting data in Physics - Check yourself
  18. I.2.2 Processing data in Physics - Check yourself
  19. I.2.3 Interpreting results in Physics - Check yourself
  20. I.3.1 Concluding in Physics - Check yourself
  21. I.3.2 Evaluating in Physics - Check yourself