IB Diploma Programme Physics · Higher Level · First assessment 2025

IB Physics HL question bank

Exam-style practice for IB Diploma Physics at Higher Level, first assessment 2025. All 24 sub-topics, from A.1 Kinematics to E.5 Fusion and stars, have their own page of original questions, including the five HL-only topics: rigid body mechanics, relativity, thermodynamics, induction and quantum physics. Questions follow the current paper formats: Paper 1A multiple choice, Paper 1B data-based questions and Paper 2 short-answer and extended-response questions.

Every question has a full, original mark scheme in exam style: one mark per point, error carried forward, accepted ranges and the alternative methods that also earn credit. Multiple-choice questions explain every option, so you can see which mistake leads to each wrong answer. Tick questions on any page to build and print your own practice test.

1185 questions
6032 marks
24 HL topics
Paper 1A, 1B and 2
Full mark schemes

Theme A: Space, time and motion

A.1 KinematicsThe suvat equations, motion graphs, projectiles, relative velocity and non-uniform acceleration.41 questions · 182 marks A.2 Forces and momentumNewton's laws, friction, drag and buoyancy, momentum and impulse, collisions and circular motion.57 questions · 350 marks A.3 Work, energy and powerWork done, the work–energy principle, elastic energy, power, efficiency and energy density.43 questions · 214 marks A.4 Rigid body mechanicsHL onlyTorque, moment of inertia, rotational equilibrium and kinematics, angular momentum and rolling.54 questions · 316 marks A.5 Galilean and special relativityHL onlyReference frames, the postulates, Lorentz transformations, time dilation and spacetime diagrams.50 questions · 238 marks

Theme B: The particulate nature of matter

B.1 Thermal energy transfersSpecific and latent heat, conduction, black-body radiation, luminosity and apparent brightness.52 questions · 256 marks B.2 Greenhouse effectThe solar constant, albedo and emissivity, energy balance models and greenhouse gases.39 questions · 185 marks B.3 Gas lawsThe empirical gas laws, pV = nRT, the kinetic model, molecular speeds and real gases.42 questions · 195 marks B.4 ThermodynamicsHL onlyThe first law, p–V cycles, adiabatic processes, entropy, heat engines and the Carnot cycle.52 questions · 283 marks B.5 Current and circuitsCharge and current, resistivity, I–V characteristics, emf and internal resistance, potential dividers.58 questions · 299 marks

Theme C: Wave behaviour

C.1 Simple harmonic motionThe condition for SHM, periods of springs and pendulums, phase angle and the energy of SHM.52 questions · 265 marks C.2 Wave modelTransverse and longitudinal waves, v = fλ, wave graphs, sound and electromagnetic waves.38 questions · 173 marks C.3 Wave phenomenaRefraction and total internal reflection, interference, single-slit diffraction and gratings.66 questions · 322 marks C.4 Standing waves and resonanceStanding waves on strings and in pipes, harmonics, phase, forced oscillations and resonance.47 questions · 233 marks C.5 Doppler effectWavefronts from a moving source, Doppler equations for sound, and the Doppler shift of light.40 questions · 221 marks

Theme D: Fields

D.1 Gravitational fieldsGravitation, field strength and potential, equipotentials, escape speed, orbits and orbital energy.58 questions · 296 marks D.2 Electric and magnetic fieldsCharge, Coulomb's law, electric field and potential, equipotentials and magnetic field patterns.58 questions · 304 marks D.3 Motion in electromagnetic fieldsCharged particles in electric and magnetic fields, forces on conductors and between parallel wires.52 questions · 259 marks D.4 InductionHL onlyMagnetic flux and flux linkage, Faraday's and Lenz's laws, motional emf and the a.c. generator.48 questions · 274 marks

Theme E: Nuclear and quantum physics

E.1 Structure of the atomRutherford scattering, nuclear radius and density, atomic energy levels, spectra and the Bohr model.46 questions · 199 marks E.2 Quantum physicsHL onlyThe photoelectric effect, stopping potential, matter waves, electron diffraction and Compton scattering.45 questions · 210 marks E.3 Radioactive decayBinding energy, alpha, beta and gamma decay, the decay constant, activity and half-life.57 questions · 298 marks E.4 FissionEnergy from fission, chain reactions, moderation and control, reactors and spent fuel.35 questions · 182 marks E.5 Fusion and starsFusion, stellar equilibrium, the HR diagram, stellar evolution, parallax and stellar radii.55 questions · 278 marks

Taking Standard Level? The IB Physics SL question bank has 506 questions pitched at SL, on the 19 topics SL students study.

Marks are lost on method, not on knowledge

One-to-one tuition with a teacher who knows how IB physics marks are awarded, where they are withheld, and why.

Book a free consultation