IB Physics HL Syllabus

Course Structure

The syllabus is structured into three parts. The Core curriculum (Topics 1-8) is shared with Standard Level (SL) students. The Additional Higher Level (AHL) topics (Topics 9-12) provide greater depth and breadth. Finally, you will study one Option topic (such as Astrophysics or Relativity) in detail. A significant portion of your grade also comes from the Internal Assessment, a hands-on scientific investigation you conduct yourself.

Core Topics (Topics 1-8)

• 1. Measurements and Uncertainties Covers fundamental concepts of physical measurement, error analysis, and vector quantities.
• 2. Mechanics Explores kinematics, forces, Newton's laws, work, energy, power, and momentum.
• 3. Thermal Physics Focuses on temperature, heat, kinetic theory of gases, and thermodynamics.
• 4. Waves Includes wave characteristics, travelling waves, standing waves, and the Doppler effect.
• 5. Electricity and Magnetism Covers electric fields, circuits, magnetic effects of currents, and basic induction.
• 6. Circular Motion and Gravitation Examines uniform circular motion, centripetal force, and Newton's law of gravitation.
• 7. Atomic, Nuclear, and Particle Physics Introduces the structure of the atom, radioactivity, and fundamental particles.
• 8. Energy Production Discusses energy sources, energy transfer, and the physics of climate change.

Additional Higher Level (AHL) Topics (Topics 9-12)

• 9. Wave Phenomena Extends wave concepts to include simple harmonic motion (SHM), interference, and diffraction.
• 10. Fields Provides a deeper, comparative study of gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields.
• 11. Electromagnetic Induction Explores Faraday's law, Lenz's law, alternating current (AC), and capacitance in detail.
• 12. Quantum and Nuclear Physics Delves into the photoelectric effect, wave-particle duality, and quantum mechanics.