Physics HL

Revision Summary

Thermal Physics

Where does it appear? How much does it count?

(Calculations for the tables below were made based on past exams from May 2016 until May 2022)

 

Approximate number of marks

Approximate percentage of your final IBDP Physics grade

Paper 1

3 marks 

(out of 40)

1.5 %

Paper 2

6-8 marks

(out of 90)

2.8 %

Overall percentage of your IB Physics grade based on Topic 3

4.3 %

What to study?

Sub-topic 3.1 – Thermal concepts

  • Molecular theory of solids, liquids and gases
  • Internal energy
  • Phase change and phase change graphs
  • Kelvin and Celsius temperature scales
  • Specific heat capacity + related equation (see Data Booklet)
  • Specific latent heat + related equation (see Data Booklet

 

Sub-topic 3.2 – Modelling a gas

  • Kinetic model of an ideal gas
  • Ideal gas equation (see Data Booklet)
  • Pressure
  • Mole, molar mass, Avogadro’s constant

Topic Specific PaperPlainz Resources

Video Concept Explanations

Thermal Physics

Thermal Concepts
Modelling a Gas
HL Questionbank

Thermal Physics

HL Past Exam Video Solutions by Topic

Thermal Physics

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