IB Physics HL Syllabus & Study Guide
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IB Physics HL in brief
IB Physics HL is often required for Engineering, Computer Science (computational track), Physics and Astronomy at many universities, and is recognised by NUS and NTU as the IB equivalent of H2 Physics. The syllabus covers measurement and uncertainties, mechanics, thermal physics, waves, electricity and magnetism, circular motion and gravitation, atomic and nuclear physics, energy production. The current syllabus, first examined in 2025, has five themes (space, time and motion, the particulate nature of matter, wave behaviour, fields, nuclear and quantum physics), with extra HL content and no options. Assessment is Paper 1 (1A multiple choice and 1B data-based questions), Paper 2 (short-answer and extended-response) and the Internal Assessment, a scientific investigation worth 20 percent of the final grade.
Read the full guide
Our IB Physics HL tutors run a structured DP1 to DP2 programme. The DP1 syllabus covers mechanics, thermal physics, waves and oscillations, and the introduction to electricity. The DP2 syllabus then layers electricity and magnetism, circular motion and gravitation, atomic and nuclear physics, energy production and the HL-only extensions. Each tutor's own qualifications and teaching experience are shown on the shortlist.
The IB Physics IA, the scientific investigation, is marked on four criteria: research design, data analysis, conclusion and evaluation. The most common student mistake is picking an investigation with too few independent variable values to establish a meaningful relationship. A sound design usually uses at least five values with repeat trials, and the analysis must include uncertainty propagation and a comparison against a theoretical model.
Our tutors coach an IA topic-selection session in DP1 to lock in an investigation that meets these methodological constraints, then use IA-feedback lessons through DP2 to refine the analysis and evaluation sections. For the HL-only content, we match tutors who teach the current syllabus, with attention to the higher-level extensions that are often undertaught in the home-school classroom.
Official syllabus: IB, Diploma Programme
IB Physics HL tuition rates
Real ranges by level and tutor tier. We re-match free if the fit is wrong.
| Level | Part-time / undergrad | Full-time | Ex-MOE or NIE-trained |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB Diploma (DP1-DP2) / IGCSE | S$60-80/hr | S$75-110/hr | S$95-150/hr |
Final rate is set on tutor match and depends on tutor tier, level and lesson frequency. See full pricing page.
Common IB Physics HL Struggles We Fix
IB Physics HL marks at the 6 and 7 grade levels are decided on Paper 2 extended-response and the Internal Assessment. The patterns we see most often:
Cannot identify which physical principle applies to an unfamiliar problem because principles were memorised without conceptual grounding.
Multi-step Paper 2 extended-response questions are skipped because the student cannot break the problem into stages.
Electromagnetic induction questions confuse Lenz law direction and Faraday equation application.
Modern physics conceptual questions (photoelectric effect, wave-particle duality, special relativity) lose marks for vague vocabulary.
2 more
Internal Assessment investigation lacks a clear research question or sufficient data analysis.
HL-only extension content is undertaught at the home school.
These are the gaps our IB Physics HL tutors fix with structured DP1 to DP2 sequencing and dedicated IA coaching.
IB Physics HL Programme Structure
A full-syllabus programme spanning DP1 and DP2:
Mechanics and Thermal Physics (DP1 foundation)
The largest topic block.
Topics covered
- Measurement and uncertainties
- Mechanics (kinematics, dynamics, energy)
- Momentum and impulse
- Thermal physics (kinetic theory, ideal gas, thermodynamics)
- Heat transfer and specific heat capacity
Waves and Oscillations
Bridging topics with calculus application.
Topics covered
- Simple harmonic motion (HL calculus depth)
- Waves (transverse, longitudinal, properties)
- Wave behaviour (reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference)
- Standing waves and resonance
- Doppler effect (HL extension)
Electricity, Magnetism, Circular Motion (DP2)
High-mark Paper 2 area.
Topics covered
- Electric fields and potential
- Current of electricity and DC circuits
- Magnetic fields and forces on charged particles
- Electromagnetic induction (Faraday, Lenz)
- AC circuits and transformers
- Circular motion and gravitation
- Orbital mechanics
Modern Physics, HL Extensions, IA
The DP2 capstone components.
Topics covered
- Atomic structure and quantum physics
- Nuclear physics and radioactivity
- Energy production (nuclear, renewable)
- Paper 1B data-based questions
- IA research question and methodology
- IA data analysis and uncertainty propagation
Why parents pick us
IB DP-Specialist Tutors
Our IB Physics HL tutors teach to the IB curriculum, marking criteria and IA expectations.
Concept-First Teaching
Many IB students memorise principles without knowing when they apply. We teach from first principles so students can work out which principle a Paper 2 extended-response question needs.
IA Investigation Coaching
The IA is 20 percent of the final grade. We coach research question design, methodology, data analysis and uncertainty propagation across DP1 and DP2.
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IB Physics HL: frequently asked questions
What does IB Physics HL cover?
Five themes: space, time and motion, the particulate nature of matter, wave behaviour, fields, and nuclear and quantum physics. HL adds extra content.
How is IB Physics HL assessed?
Written examination papers plus the internally-assessed investigation (IA), a student-designed experiment that forms a meaningful part of the grade.
Is strong mathematics needed for IB Physics HL?
Yes, IB Physics HL uses algebra, trigonometry and graphical analysis throughout, so comfort with mathematics is important.
IB Physics HL is Often Required for Engineering and Physics University Courses
IB Physics HL is commonly expected for Engineering, Computer Science, Physics and Astronomy courses.