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IB Chemistry

IB Chemistry, structure to reactivity.

The course is built on one idea: structure determines reactivity. Your tutor helps you link the two, practise data-based questions and plan your investigation.

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Explain why water has a much higher boiling point than hydrogen sulfide.[3 marks]

This is worth 3 marks. They go for:

  • Water molecules form hydrogen bonds with each other (1 mark)
  • Hydrogen sulfide molecules have only weaker dipole–dipole and London (dispersion) forces (1 mark)
  • More energy is needed to overcome the stronger intermolecular forces in water (1 mark)

Examiner tip: Say “between molecules”. Answers about breaking covalent bonds when water boils lose the marks.

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Say what you're studying, choose a tutor, then work through your homework step by step, take a quick quiz or call your tutor. This one is IGCSE Maths, and every subject works the same way.

Assessment

How IB Chemistry is assessed

SL and HL take the same kinds of papers, worth the same percentages. HL papers are longer and HL covers more content: 240 teaching hours against 150 at SL.

The course first assessed in 2025.

Standard Level (SL)

  • Paper 1 (1A and 1B)

    Paper 1A multiple choice and Paper 1B data-based questions

    Time
    1 h 30 min
    Weight
    36%

  • Paper 2

    Short-answer and extended-response questions

    Time
    1 h 30 min
    Weight
    44%

  • Internal assessment: scientific investigation

    A written report of up to 3,000 words on your own research question

    Time
    10 h in class
    Weight
    20%

Higher Level (HL)

  • Paper 1 (1A and 1B)

    Paper 1A multiple choice and Paper 1B data-based questions

    Time
    2 h
    Weight
    36%

  • Paper 2

    Short-answer and extended-response questions

    Time
    2 h 30 min
    Weight
    44%

  • Internal assessment: scientific investigation

    A written report of up to 3,000 words on your own research question

    Time
    10 h in class
    Weight
    20%

The scientific investigation is 20% of your grade at SL and HL: an open-ended task where you gather and analyse data to answer your own research question.

From the official International Baccalaureate syllabus, checked October 2026. Read the syllabus

Syllabus content

What’s on the IB Diploma Chemistry syllabus

Structure

  • Structure 1. Models of the particulate nature of matter
  • Structure 2. Models of bonding and structure
  • Structure 3. Classification of matter

Reactivity

  • Reactivity 1. What drives chemical reactions?
  • Reactivity 2. How much, how fast and how far?
  • Reactivity 3. What are the mechanisms of chemical change?

Where marks are lost

Common IB Diploma Chemistry mistakes

  • Leaving state symbols out of thermochemical equations.

    Enthalpy changes depend on state, so include (s), (l), (g) or (aq) in every thermochemical equation.

  • Too many significant figures in processed data.

    Give a calculated result to the same number of significant figures as the least precise piece of data you used.

  • Mixing up oxidation and reduction.

    Oxidation is loss of electrons, and the oxidation state goes up. Reduction is gain of electrons, and the oxidation state goes down.

Six chemistry tutors, six ways to learn

Practise past-paper style questions with the exam coach, drill facts before a test with quick revision, or slow down with a step-by-step tutor. Switch any time.

See how each one teaches How the AI tutor works
  • TheoConcept explainer
  • PriyaStep by step
  • DanielExam coach
  • YukiQuick revision
  • OmarChallenger
  • LuciaConfidence builder

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FAQ

IB Diploma Chemistry questions, answered.

It can help you narrow a research question, choose variables and plan your data processing. The investigation must be your own work.

Yes. Tell your tutor you’re taking HL and it includes the extra HL topics, such as entropy and spontaneity.

Yes, step by step, with the curly arrows explained in words. Sketch a mechanism on the whiteboard and ask your tutor to check it.

Yes. The free plan includes 5 tutor messages and 15 minutes of calls a day. Pro and Max give you more when exams get close.

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More IB Diploma subjects

Chemistry in other curricula