Course Map

IB Physics syllabus map.

This map follows the IB Physics Guide 2025 A-E structure. It is a curriculum map, not the classroom teaching sequence.

Unit A / SL 27 h / HL 42 h

Space, time and motion

Mechanics foundations, energy, rigid body mechanics, and relativity.

A.1 Kinematics9 h / Tsokos Chapter 1, sections 1.1-1.4

SL+HL

A.2 Forces and momentum10 h

SL+HL

A.3 Work, energy and power8 h

SL+HL

A.4 Rigid body mechanics7 h

HL only

A.5 Galilean and special relativity8 h

HL only

Unit B / SL 24 h / HL 32 h

The particulate nature of matter

Thermal energy, greenhouse effect, gases, thermodynamics, and circuits.

B.1 Thermal energy transfers6 h

SL+HL

B.2 Greenhouse effect6 h

SL+HL

B.3 Gas laws6 h

SL+HL

B.4 Thermodynamics8 h

HL only

B.5 Current and circuits6 h

SL+HL

Unit C / SL 17 h / HL 29 h

Wave behaviour

SHM, wave model, wave phenomena, standing waves, resonance, and Doppler effect.

C.1 Simple harmonic motionSL 3 h + AHL 4 h

SL+HL + AHL

C.2 Wave model3 h

SL+HL

C.3 Wave phenomenaSL 5 h + AHL 6 h

SL+HL + AHL

C.4 Standing waves and resonance4 h

SL+HL

C.5 Doppler effectSL 2 h + AHL 2 h

SL+HL + AHL

Unit D / SL 19 h / HL 38 h

Fields

Gravitational, electric, magnetic, electromagnetic motion, and induction.

D.1 Gravitational fieldsSL 5 h + AHL 7 h

SL+HL + AHL

D.2 Electric and magnetic fieldsSL 8 h + AHL 6 h

SL+HL + AHL

D.3 Motion in electromagnetic fields6 h

SL+HL

D.4 Induction6 h

HL only

Unit E / SL 23 h / HL 39 h

Nuclear and quantum physics

Atomic structure, quantum physics, radioactive decay, fission, fusion, and stars.

E.1 Structure of the atomSL 6 h + AHL 3 h

SL+HL + AHL

E.2 Quantum physics8 h

HL only

E.3 Radioactive decaySL 7 h + AHL 5 h

SL+HL + AHL

E.4 Fission4 h

SL+HL

E.5 Fusion and stars6 h

SL+HL

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