Free topical revision checklist for IB DP Physics SL & HL. Track confidence (1–5), last reviewed and next review. Built to cover the full 2026 syllabus-style topic expectations. Rate your confidence (1–5), track review dates, then export as CSV or print.
| Topic | Sub-topic | Resources | Confidence (1–5) | Last reviewed | Next review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Measurement, uncertainty & skills | SI base and derived units; prefixes; unit conversions | Topic resources | |||
| A. Measurement, uncertainty & skills | Dimensional analysis; checking equations | Topic resources | |||
| A. Measurement, uncertainty & skills | Significant figures and rounding rules | Topic resources | |||
| A. Measurement, uncertainty & skills | Random vs systematic error; reducing error | Topic resources | |||
| A. Measurement, uncertainty & skills | Uncertainty in readings; absolute vs percentage uncertainty | Topic resources | |||
| A. Measurement, uncertainty & skills | Propagation of uncertainties (add/subtract/multiply/divide/powers) | Topic resources | |||
| A. Measurement, uncertainty & skills | Graphing: best-fit lines/curves; gradients; intercepts; log plots | Topic resources | |||
| A. Measurement, uncertainty & skills | Experimental design: controls, repeats, range, data quality | Topic resources | |||
| A. Measurement, uncertainty & skills | Evaluating methods; improvements; safety considerations | Topic resources | |||
| B. Space, time & motion (mechanics) | Displacement, velocity, acceleration; SUVAT-style relationships (as taught) | Topic resources | |||
| B. Space, time & motion (mechanics) | Motion graphs: (s)-(t), (v)-(t), (a)-(t) and areas/gradients | Topic resources | |||
| B. Space, time & motion (mechanics) | Projectile motion; components; range/time (as taught) | Topic resources | |||
| B. Space, time & motion (mechanics) | Newton’s laws; free-body diagrams; friction/drag | Topic resources | |||
| B. Space, time & motion (mechanics) | Momentum, impulse and collisions (elastic/inelastic) | Topic resources | |||
| B. Space, time & motion (mechanics) | Work done; kinetic/potential energy; conservation of energy | Topic resources | |||
| B. Space, time & motion (mechanics) | Power and efficiency; energy transfers | Topic resources | |||
| B. Space, time & motion (mechanics) | Circular motion: centripetal acceleration/force | Topic resources | |||
| B. Space, time & motion (mechanics) | Gravitational field strength; orbital motion; escape speed (HL emphasis) | Topic resources | |||
| B. Space, time & motion (mechanics) | Torque, angular momentum and rotational dynamics — (HL) | Topic resources | |||
| C. Thermal, waves & fields | Thermal energy, internal energy and temperature | Topic resources | |||
| C. Thermal, waves & fields | Specific heat capacity; latent heat; phase changes | Topic resources | |||
| C. Thermal, waves & fields | Kinetic theory model; ideal gas behaviour (as taught) | Topic resources | |||
| C. Thermal, waves & fields | First law of thermodynamics (HL emphasis) | Topic resources | |||
| C. Thermal, waves & fields | Wave fundamentals: frequency, wavelength, speed; intensity | Topic resources | |||
| C. Thermal, waves & fields | Superposition; standing waves; resonance | Topic resources | |||
| C. Thermal, waves & fields | Diffraction and interference patterns (HL emphasis) | Topic resources | |||
| C. Thermal, waves & fields | Polarisation and Malus’ law (HL where applicable) | Topic resources | |||
| C. Thermal, waves & fields | Fields: gravitational field; electric field; magnetic field (concepts and lines) | Topic resources | |||
| D. Electricity, circuits & electromagnetism | Charge, current, potential difference; energy per unit charge | Topic resources | |||
| D. Electricity, circuits & electromagnetism | Resistance and resistivity; I–V characteristics | Topic resources | |||
| D. Electricity, circuits & electromagnetism | Power in circuits; internal resistance (HL emphasis) | Topic resources | |||
| D. Electricity, circuits & electromagnetism | Series/parallel circuits; potential dividers | Topic resources | |||
| D. Electricity, circuits & electromagnetism | Kirchhoff’s laws and circuit analysis — (HL) | Topic resources | |||
| D. Electricity, circuits & electromagnetism | Capacitance; energy stored; capacitors in circuits — (HL) | Topic resources | |||
| D. Electricity, circuits & electromagnetism | RC time constant; exponential charging/discharging — (HL) | Topic resources | |||
| D. Electricity, circuits & electromagnetism | Magnetic forces on charges/currents; motor effect | Topic resources | |||
| D. Electricity, circuits & electromagnetism | Electromagnetic induction; Faraday/Lenz; generators and transformers | Topic resources | |||
| E. Atomic, nuclear & quantum | Atomic structure; spectra and energy levels | Topic resources | |||
| E. Atomic, nuclear & quantum | Nuclear structure; binding energy; mass defect — (HL emphasis) | Topic resources | |||
| E. Atomic, nuclear & quantum | Radioactive decay; half-life; activity calculations | Topic resources | |||
| E. Atomic, nuclear & quantum | Nuclear reactions: fission/fusion; applications and safety | Topic resources | |||
| E. Atomic, nuclear & quantum | Photons and quantisation; photoelectric effect — (HL emphasis) | Topic resources | |||
| E. Atomic, nuclear & quantum | Wave-particle duality; de Broglie wavelength — (HL) | Topic resources | |||
| E. Atomic, nuclear & quantum | Quantum models (qualitative) and uncertainty ideas — (HL where applicable) | Topic resources | |||
| E. Atomic, nuclear & quantum | Particle physics: standard model overview; interactions — (HL where applicable) | Topic resources | |||
| F. Internal Assessment (IA) readiness | Define a focused research question with measurable variables | Topic resources | |||
| F. Internal Assessment (IA) readiness | Plan method: controls, repeats, apparatus precision and safety | Topic resources | |||
| F. Internal Assessment (IA) readiness | Analyse with appropriate physics + uncertainty treatment | Topic resources | |||
| F. Internal Assessment (IA) readiness | Evaluate limitations, improvements and extensions | Topic resources | |||
| F. Internal Assessment (IA) readiness | Communicate clearly with citations and academic honesty | Topic resources |
Tip: Pair this checklist with past paper practice and spaced repetition. Always confirm exact assessment components (SL/HL, options) with your school’s IB DP route for the 2026 exam session.