What is IB Physics HL vs SL?

IB Physics HL (240 hours) covers significantly more content than SL (150 hours). Both cover the same core themes but HL goes deeper in mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum physics. HL also includes Paper 3 (deeper analytical questions on one of three optional themes). HL is required for Engineering, Physics, and many Computer Science programmes at top universities.

What is the IB Physics Internal Assessment?

The IB Physics IA is an individual scientific investigation (~10 pages) worth 20% of the final grade. Students investigate a physics question of their choosing, collect data, process it, and evaluate their methodology. Marked on Exploration, Analysis, Evaluation, and Communication. Our examiners guide the full process from research question to final write-up.

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🔭 IB Group 4 — Sciences

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Expert 1-on-1 online tutoring for IB Physics HL and SL. Full coverage of the new theme-based syllabus — Space, Motion, Electric & Magnetic Fields, Wave & Particle Nature. IA lab guidance and Paper 1/2/3 coaching by IB Examiners who mark the real papers.

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✓ IB Physics HL & SL — all 5 themes

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✓ Paper 1A, 1B, 2 & 3 (HL) coaching

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✓ Sessions recorded on Sev7n LMS

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About IB Physics

What is IB Physics HL & SL?

IB Physics is a Group 4 science that develops students' understanding of the physical world through five interconnected themes — Space, Motion & Gravitation; The Electromagnetic Spectrum; Wave & Particle Nature of Matter; Fields; and Nuclear & Energy. The new 2023 syllabus integrates these themes with real-world applications and experimental investigation.

IB Physics HL (240 hours) goes significantly deeper in fields, quantum mechanics, and nuclear physics. HL is required for Physics, Engineering, Aerospace, and Computer Science at most top universities. SL (150 hours) covers core content and is appropriate for students who need solid physics for their programme but aren't pursuing STEM at the highest level.

The Internal Assessment is an individual scientific investigation worth 20% of the final grade. Our IB Physics Examiner tutors guide students through experimental design, data collection, uncertainty analysis, and evaluation — the components where most marks are lost.

🔭 New 2023 theme-based syllabus

The revised IB Physics syllabus replaced the old topic-based structure with five integrated themes. All Sev7n Physics tutors teach the new syllabus exclusively.

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Required for Engineering & Physics

IB Physics HL is required by most universities for Physics, Engineering, Aerospace, and Computer Science. It's the most demanding science subject alongside Chemistry HL.

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Physics requires strong mathematics

IB Physics and IB Math AA HL are closely linked. Many Physics HL topics require calculus-level mathematical reasoning. Our tutors bridge physics and mathematics effectively.

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Uncertainty analysis — key IA skill

Systematic and random errors, percentage uncertainty, error propagation — these are heavily marked in the Physics IA and Paper 1B. Our examiners coach this specifically.

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Fields — the hardest HL section

Gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields (and electromagnetic induction) are consistently the most dropped marks for HL students. Our examiners target this section systematically.

IB Physics Syllabus

All 5 Themes — HL & SL fully covered

The new theme-based IB Physics syllabus integrates concepts across five core themes. HL additions clearly marked.

Theme A

Space, Time & Motion

KinematicsForces & Newton's LawsMomentum & ImpulseWork, Energy & PowerCircular MotionGravitational FieldsHL: Special RelativityHL: Orbital Mechanics

Kinematics (uniform and non-uniform motion), Newton's laws, linear momentum, work-energy theorem, circular motion, gravitational fields and planetary orbits. HL adds special relativity (time dilation, length contraction, mass-energy equivalence) — often the most conceptually challenging HL topic.

Theme B

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Wave propertiesSound wavesLight & opticsDiffraction & interferenceDoppler effectHL: Thin film interferenceHL: Resolvance

Wave characteristics, superposition and interference, diffraction, standing waves, sound, light, geometric optics (reflection, refraction, lenses), electromagnetic spectrum. HL adds thin film interference, the Rayleigh criterion, and more detailed wave optics analysis.

Theme C

Wave & Particle Nature of Matter

Photoelectric effectWave-particle dualityde Broglie wavelengthAtomic spectraHL: Heisenberg uncertaintyHL: Electron in a box

Quantum physics fundamentals — photoelectric effect, photons, de Broglie wavelength, electron diffraction, atomic emission spectra, and the Bohr model. HL adds the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, wave functions, and quantisation models.

Theme D — Hardest HL section

Fields

Electric fieldsElectric potentialMagnetic fieldsElectromagnetic inductionCapacitorsHL: EM induction depthHL: Transformers

Electric field lines, Coulomb's law, electric potential and potential energy, magnetic force on moving charges and current-carrying conductors, electromagnetic induction (Faraday's and Lenz's laws), capacitors. HL adds electromagnetic induction in depth, transformers, AC circuits, and LC oscillations. This theme generates the most HL exam questions.

Theme E

Nuclear & Quantum Physics

Nuclear structureRadioactive decayHalf-life calculationsNuclear reactionsFission & fusionEnergy sourcesHL: Nuclear binding energyHL: Tunneling

Nuclear structure, radioactive decay types, half-life, activity, nuclear reactions (fission, fusion), mass-energy equivalence (E=mc²), energy sources including nuclear power. HL adds detailed binding energy per nucleon calculations, nuclear tunneling, and more quantitative nuclear physics. E=mc² applications and binding energy curve questions are highly frequent in exams.

Assessment

How IB Physics is assessed

The new syllabus changed the assessment structure. Our examiners coach every paper specifically.

Paper 1A — MCQ

20%

SL: 45 min · HL: 1h — Multiple choice

30 questions (SL) / 40 questions (HL)
Tests breadth of physics knowledge across all themes
No calculator — conceptual and numerical reasoning
Common traps: unit analysis, sign conventions, direction of forces

SL & HL

Paper 1B — Data-Based

20%

SL: 45 min · HL: 1h — Data interpretation

Questions based on provided experimental data and graphs
Tests data analysis, graphing, and uncertainty skills
Students interpret unfamiliar experimental scenarios
Graph gradient and intercept calculations frequently tested

SL & HL

Paper 2 — Extended Response

SL 40% / HL 36%

SL: 1h15m · HL: 2h15m — Long answer

Multi-part questions covering all five themes
Calculations, derivations, explanations and evaluations
Marks available for method shown even with wrong answer
HL questions require deeper analysis and synthesis

SL & HL

Internal Assessment (IA)

20%

SL & HL · ~10 pages · Individual investigation

Individual physics experiment design and investigation
Marked on: Exploration, Analysis, Evaluation, Communication
Uncertainty analysis is the most heavily marked component
Our examiners guide from research question through final report

SL & HL

Why Sev7n

Why Sev7n for IB Physics tutoring

Examiners who mark the actual papers

Our IB Physics tutors are active IB Examiners. They know exactly which topics generate the most exam marks, which command terms require what depth of answer, and how uncertainty analysis is marked in the IA.

Fields & EM induction — dedicated coaching

Theme D (Fields) is consistently the most dropped marks in IB Physics HL. Electromagnetic induction, transformers, and field calculations require dedicated sessions — not just textbook reading. Our tutors target this systematically.

Uncertainty analysis in IA

Physics IA marks are often lost on uncertainty calculations. Our examiners teach systematic and random error analysis, error propagation, and the specific presentation format that earns full marks in the Exploration and Analysis sections.

Mathematics-Physics bridge

Physics HL requires significant mathematical ability — vectors, calculus (HL), and algebraic manipulation under time pressure. Our tutors bridge Physics and Mathematics, ensuring students can apply the right maths to each physics scenario.

New 2023 syllabus fully covered

The theme-based structure changed content organisation significantly. All Sev7n Physics tutors teach the new 2023 syllabus — not outdated materials from the old topic-based syllabus.

Sessions recorded on Sev7n LMS

Every IB Physics session is automatically saved to your dashboard. Replay derivations, calculation walkthroughs, and worked examples from the toughest HL topics before every exam.

Student Stories

What IB Physics students say about Sev7n

★★★★★

"IB Physics HL Fields was genuinely beyond what my school teacher could explain. My Sev7n tutor — an actual IB Physics Examiner — broke down electromagnetic induction in a way that finally made sense. My grade went from 4 to 7 in that section alone."

★★★★★

"My Physics IA uncertainty analysis was completely wrong — I hadn't accounted for systematic errors at all. My tutor rewrote my entire analysis section with me. The IA improved from 14/24 to 21/24. That 7-mark improvement made a huge difference to my final grade."

★★★★★

"Special relativity in the new IB Physics syllabus was my biggest fear. My Sev7n tutor not only explained it conceptually but drilled the actual calculations — time dilation, length contraction — in the exact format examiners expect. Scored a 7 in that section."

★★★★★

"The LMS recording feature was invaluable for IB Physics revision. My son rewatched the quantum physics sessions multiple times before the exam. An examiner who actually marks the papers teaching your child is a completely different experience from a regular tutor."

FAQs

IB Physics — frequently asked questions

What are the hardest topics in IB Physics? +

Most students find these hardest: Theme D Fields (gravitational, electric, magnetic fields and electromagnetic induction), Theme A Special Relativity (HL), Theme C Quantum Physics (wave functions, uncertainty principle), and Theme E Nuclear Physics (binding energy, decay calculations). Our examiner tutors target these systematically in every IB Physics programme.

Is IB Physics HL required for Engineering? +

Yes — IB Physics HL is required by most universities for Engineering, Aerospace, and Physics programmes. Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, ETH Zurich, MIT, IITs (via JEE), and NUS all require or strongly prefer Physics HL for engineering programmes. Many also require or prefer Math AA HL alongside it. Always verify specific requirements for your target programmes.

How is the new IB Physics syllabus different from the old one? +

The 2023 revised IB Physics syllabus replaced the old topic-based structure (Topics 1-12) with five integrated themes (Space, EM Spectrum, Wave & Particle, Fields, Nuclear). The content is largely similar but organised around conceptual connections rather than discrete topics. All Sev7n tutors teach the new 2023 syllabus.

What makes a good IB Physics IA topic? +

A good Physics IA topic has a clear independent variable (what you change), dependent variable (what you measure), and controlled variables. The investigation should produce sufficient quantitative data for analysis, and the relationship between variables should be testable with available equipment. Common successful topics include: investigating variables affecting period of a pendulum, resistance vs temperature, projectile motion analysis, or optics experiments. Our examiners guide topic selection to avoid the most common pitfalls.

IB Physics Tutoring by Active IB Examiners

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What is IB Physics HL & SL?

All 5 Themes — HL & SL fully covered

How IB Physics is assessed

Why Sev7n for IB Physics tutoring

What IB Physics students say about Sev7n

IB Physics — frequently asked questions

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