IB Physics Cram Sheets
Download our IB Physics cram sheets to get a quick overview of the core content. Use these during revision to identify gaps in your IB Physics knowledge quickly.
Topic 1 - Space, Time & Motion
Master IB Physics Topic 1: Space, Time & Motion. Explore classical mechanics with detailed study notes on kinematics, Newton's laws of motion, forces, momentum, work, and mechanical energy. Elevate your HL physics knowledge by mastering rigid body mechanics, torque, and Galilean and special relativity.
1: All sub-topics combined
View the cram sheets for all 5 of the IB physics topic 1 subtopics combined.
A1: Kinematics & motion
Grasp the essence of movement. Study displacement, velocity, acceleration, understanding kinematics and equations of motion.
A2: Forces & momentum
Navigate the realm of forces and momentum. Explore Newton’s laws, impulse and conservation laws, revealing the principle of interactions.
A3: Work, energy sources & power
Decode the transfer of energy. Study work, energy, and power, understanding the concepts of mechanical energy and its transformations.
A4: Rigid body mechanics (HL)
Apply your understanding kinematics and motion to rotational motion. Master moments, torque, and their impact on rigid bodies.
A5: Galilean & special relativity (HL)
Shift your perspective to understand reference frames. Relate this to Galilean and special relativity, time dilation and space-time.
Topic 2 - The Particulate Nature of Matter
Excel in IB Physics Topic 2: The Particulate Nature of Matter. Discover the thermal properties of matter with comprehensive guides on thermal energy transfers, the kinetic theory of gases, and the global greenhouse effect. Master advanced thermodynamics and explore the fundamentals of electric fields, currents, and circuits.
2: All sub-topics combined
View the cram sheets for all 5 of the IB physics topic 2 subtopics combined.
B1: Thermal energy transfers
Master the world of heat. Study temperature, kinetic theory, and basic thermodynamics, exploring how matter interacts with energy transfers.
B2: The greenhouse effect
Explore Earth’s energy balance. Study the factors that influence this and how the greenhouse effect impacts the globe.
B3: Gas laws
Unveil the microscopic world of gases. Explore moles, pressure, and ideal gas laws, understanding the properties of gases.
B4: Thermodynamics (HL)
Advance your knowledge of energy with the laws of thermodynamics. Apply them in cyclic gas processes and determine their efficiencies.
B5: Current & circuits
Grasp the concepts of electrical fields and currents. Apply this to circuits and electrical cells.
Topic 3 - Wave Behaviour
Ace IB Physics Topic 3: Wave Behaviour. Dive into the mechanics of waves with in-depth notes on simple harmonic motion, transverse and longitudinal wave models, and standing waves. Master essential wave phenomena including reflection, refraction, single-slit diffraction, resonance, and the Doppler effect for both moving observers and sources.
3: All sub-topics combined
View the cram sheets for all 8 of the IB physics topic 3 subtopics combined.
C1: Simple harmonics
Conceptualise simple harmonic motion. Explore the components of oscillations, understanding their key relationships.
C1: Further simple harmonics (HL)
Deepen your understanding of simple harmonic motion with calculations of displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
C2: Wave models
Discover the energy transfer through waves. Learn about the factors that modulate this behavior in transverse and longitudinal waves.
C3: Wave phenomena
Unveil the dance of waves. Explore wave properties, including reflection, refraction, and diffraction, understanding their behavior.
C3: Further wave phenomena (HL)
Delve into additional wave phenomena. Learn about single-slit diffraction and diffraction gratings to add to your toolbox.
C4: Standing waves & resonance
Decode standing waves. Study their nodes, antinodes and harmonics, revealing the patterns formed by wave interference.
C5: Doppler effect
Navigate sound’s changing tune. Explore the Doppler effect and understand frequency shifts in sound and light waves.
C5: Further Doppler effects (HL)
Apply your knowledge of the Doppler effect to calculations involving frequency shifts with moving observers and sources.
Topic 4 - Fields
Unlock IB Physics Topic 4: Fields. Understand the invisible forces of the universe with comprehensive study materials on gravitational and electromagnetic fields. Learn to calculate orbital motion, escape speeds, and electric potentials, and master the concepts of electromagnetic motion, moving charges, and electromagnetic induction for your IB exams.
4: All sub-topics combined
View the cram sheets for all 6 of the IB physics topic 4 subtopics combined.
D1: Gravitational fields
Discover the laws of gravitation. Determine gravitational forces and fields, and how these cause bodies to exhibit orbital motion.
D1: Further gravitational fields (HL)
Unveil the gravitational potentials of objects. Learn how these states impact the escape speed and orbital speed of objects.
D2: Electromagnetic fields
Conceptualise the creation of electric and magnetic fields by charges. Master electric forces and fields between plates and charges.
D2: Further electromagnetic fields (HL)
Advance your understanding of electric fields. Explore electric potential and field strength in relation to different fields.
D3: Electromagnetic motion
Uncover the eccentricities of moving charges. Watch their motion in different fields as particles and in wires.
D4: Induction (HL)
Explore the dance of fields and motion. Study electromagnetic induction and the generation of induced currents.
Topic 5 - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Conquer IB Physics Topic 5: Nuclear & Quantum Physics. Explore the subatomic world with detailed notes on atomic structure, nuclear energy levels, and wave-particle duality. Master the mathematical processes of radioactive decay and half-life calculations, alongside the mechanisms of nuclear fission and the role of fusion in stellar evolution.
5: All sub-topics combined
View the cram sheets for all 7 of the IB physics topic 5 subtopics combined.
E1: Atomic structure
Journey through the discoveries of atomic structure. Learn about the evidence for nuclei and electrons.
E1: Further atomic structure (HL)
Adventure into advanced atomic structure. Explore nuclear energy levels and electron orbitals to complete your understanding.
E2: Quantum physics (HL)
Confuse yourself with wave-particle duality. Understand the experiments that led to the formation of this concept.
E3: Radioactive decay
Enhance your understanding of atoms with nuclides. Delve into isotopic behavior and energy release during radioactive decay.
E3: Further radioactive decay (HL)
Decode radioactive decay. Perform calculations of half-life and decay rate, and understand how radiation is formed.
E4: Fission
Blow your mind with the process of fission. Master how nuclear power plants function and manage fission and its products.
E5: Fusion & stars
Shine a light on nuclear processes in stars. Find out how fusion determines stellar evolution and the properties of stars.