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IB Diploma Programme (DP) Physics help — done properly
IB Physics has 8 core topics + 4 HL extensions + 1 option (A: Relativity, B: Engineering, C: Imaging, D: Astrophysics). The Data Booklet provides nearly every formula — your job is knowing which one to use, not memorising.
Exam format you'll actually sit
SL: 3 papers (45 min MCQ, 1.25h short + extended, 1h options, 95 marks). HL: 3 papers (1h MCQ, 2.25h structured, 1.25h options, 145 marks).
Highest-yield topics (the ones that show up year after year)
- Measurement and uncertainties (always in Paper 1)
- Mechanics (Newton's laws, momentum, energy)
- Thermal physics (specific heat, latent heat, ideal gases)
- Waves (interference, diffraction, Doppler)
- Electricity + magnetism (DC circuits, fields)
- Atomic, nuclear, particle physics
- HL: wave phenomena (single slit, polarisation)
- HL: fields (gravitational, electric, combined)
Drill these first. If you can't do every one of these cold, work through them with /explain or /problem-variants.
Common mistakes that quietly cost marks
- Uncertainties: not propagating them through calculations
- Mechanics: forgetting to include the system's net force direction
- Circuits: confusing series and parallel formulas for resistance
- Atomic: confusing decay equations (alpha, beta, gamma differ in what's emitted)
- Significant figures: data given to 2 sf, answer given to 5 sf
When you mark your past papers, tag each lost mark to one of these. The pattern reveals where to focus.
Where to get real past papers
- School Resource Hub
- Andrew Dotson + Physics Online for IB Physics walkthroughs
- ibphysics.org notes by topic
Realistic study plan
Master uncertainties early (Topic 1) — it's in every paper. IA in Year 2. Past papers from January Year 2.
How Help in Study fits into your prep
Step-by-step working
Snap any textbook problem — the AI works through every step in IB Diploma Programme (DP) style with full justification.
Try math solver →Board-style practice quizzes
MCQs, short-answer, and true/false generated from any topic above — auto-graded with explanations.
Generate a quiz →Have your answer marked
Paste an answer to a past-paper question — get feedback like a IB Diploma Programme (DP) examiner would give.
Mark my answer →Personalised study plan
10-question diagnostic → AI builds a 7-day plan focused on your weakest topics from the list above.
Take diagnostic →Ready to start?
Set up your profile once — every reply from then on is tuned to your IB Diploma Programme (DP) Physics syllabus.
Get started — it's free