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Middle Years Programme · Ages 11–16

IB MYP Physics

Explore. Investigate. Make connections.

Clear explanations, engaging examples and hands-on ideas for MYP sciences. Build knowledge, develop skills, and become a confident, curious learner.

  • Conceptual understandingClear and visual explanations
  • Inquiry and skillsPractical, real-world learning
  • Global connectionsSee the bigger picture
  • Assessment supportTasks, criteria and practice

About IB MYP Physics

Explore how the physical world works through inquiry, real-life contexts and global perspectives. Build conceptual understanding, practical skills and the confidence to use evidence in your everyday decisions.

A suggested GioPhysics pathway for MYP sciences—not a fixed IB syllabus. Adapt the sequence and depth with your teacher.

UnderstandBuild physics concepts step by step
InvestigateHands-on experiments and real-world examples
ConnectLink ideas across sciences and global issues
GrowDevelop skills for the next stage of your learning

MYP Physics topics (Years 1–5)

Choose a group for lessons, models, questions and classroom activities.

8 groups · 105 topics in years 1–5

Eight visual groups connect the original 20 chapters and 105 topics. Year ranges are suggestions, not requirements.

Resources for curious minds

Find lesson guides, practice tasks and teaching ideas for your next discovery.

What you’ll develop

Knowledge

Key physics concepts and ideas

Skills

Inquiry, practical work, analysis and evaluation

Attitudes

Curiosity, open-mindedness and a global outlook

Action

Apply your learning to make a positive difference

Teaching & practice library Presentations, questions and original papers →
Complete MYP topic directory 20 chapters · 105 mapped topics →

01. Scientific inquiry and measurement

  1. MYP-01.01SI units, prefixes, and measurementYears 1–2 · Suggested
  2. MYP-01.02Accuracy, precision, and uncertaintyYears 2–3 · Suggested
  3. MYP-01.03Variables and fair-test motion designYears 1–2 · Suggested
  4. MYP-01.04Tables, graphs, and pattern findingYears 2–4 · Suggested
  5. MYP-01.05Evaluation and evidence-based improvementYears 4–5 · Suggested

02. Motion

  1. MYP-02.01Scalar and vector descriptionsYears 1–2 · Suggested
  2. MYP-02.02Distance, displacement, speed, and velocityYears 1–2 · Suggested
  3. MYP-02.03Acceleration and motion graphsYears 2–3 · Suggested
  4. MYP-02.04Two-dimensional and projectile motionYears 3–5 · Suggested
  5. MYP-02.05Motion problem studioYears 4–5 · Suggested

03. Forces

  1. MYP-03.01Force, mass, and weightYears 1–2 · Suggested
  2. MYP-03.02Free-body diagrams and resultantsYears 1–3 · Suggested
  3. MYP-03.03Newton's laws of motionYears 2–4 · Suggested
  4. MYP-03.04Friction, drag, and terminal behaviourYears 2–4 · Suggested
  5. MYP-03.05Equilibrium and balanced forcesYears 2–4 · Suggested

04. Momentum

  1. MYP-04.01Linear momentum as a system quantityYears 3–4 · Suggested
  2. MYP-04.02Impulse and force–time evidenceYears 3–5 · Suggested
  3. MYP-04.03Conservation of momentumYears 3–5 · Suggested
  4. MYP-04.04Collisions and safety designYears 4–5 · Suggested
  5. MYP-04.05Momentum problem studioYear 5 · Suggested

05. Work, energy and power

  1. MYP-05.01Work and energy transferYears 1–3 · Suggested
  2. MYP-05.02Kinetic energy patternsYears 1–3 · Suggested
  3. MYP-05.03Gravitational potential energyYears 1–3 · Suggested
  4. MYP-05.04Conservation and dissipationYears 1–4 · Suggested
  5. MYP-05.05Power and efficiencyYears 2–5 · Suggested

06. Matter, density, and materials

  1. MYP-06.01Mass, volume, and material samplesYears 1–2 · Suggested
  2. MYP-06.02Density as a material propertyYears 1–3 · Suggested
  3. MYP-06.03Particle model and states of matterYears 1–3 · Suggested
  4. MYP-06.04Hooke's law and elastic responseYears 2–4 · Suggested
  5. MYP-06.05Stress, strain, and material choiceYears 4–5 · Suggested

07. Thermal physics

  1. MYP-07.01Temperature and internal energyYears 1–3 · Suggested
  2. MYP-07.02Specific heat and latent heatYears 2–4 · Suggested
  3. MYP-07.03Conduction, convection, and radiationYears 1–4 · Suggested
  4. MYP-07.04Gas laws and absolute temperatureYears 3–5 · Suggested
  5. MYP-07.05Thermal-data problem studioYears 4–5 · Suggested

08. Pressure and fluids

  1. MYP-08.01Pressure in solid contactYears 1–3 · Suggested
  2. MYP-08.02Pressure with depth in fluidsYears 2–4 · Suggested
  3. MYP-08.03Atmospheric pressure and manometersYears 3–5 · Suggested
  4. MYP-08.04Buoyancy and Archimedes' principleYears 3–5 · Suggested
  5. MYP-08.05Fluid-pressure problem studioYears 4–5 · Suggested

09. Waves

  1. MYP-09.01Wave quantities and representationsYears 1–3 · Suggested
  2. MYP-09.02Superposition and interferenceYears 2–4 · Suggested
  3. MYP-09.03Stationary waves, nodes, and antinodesYears 3–5 · Suggested
  4. MYP-09.04Diffraction and grating evidenceYears 4–5 · Suggested
  5. MYP-09.05Two-source interference investigationYears 3–5 · Suggested

10. Sound and oscillation

  1. MYP-10.01Sound production, pitch, and loudnessYears 1–3 · Suggested
  2. MYP-10.02Echo and sound problem studioYears 2–4 · Suggested
  3. MYP-10.03Simple harmonic motionYears 3–5 · Suggested
  4. MYP-10.04Resonance, benefit, and riskYears 3–5 · Suggested
  5. MYP-10.05Standing sound wavesYears 3–5 · Suggested

11. Light and optics

  1. MYP-11.01Reflection and ray evidenceYears 1–3 · Suggested
  2. MYP-11.02Refraction and changing wave speedYears 2–4 · Suggested
  3. MYP-11.03Total internal reflectionYears 3–5 · Suggested
  4. MYP-11.04Thin lenses and image formationYears 2–5 · Suggested
  5. MYP-11.05Optical instruments and designYears 3–5 · Suggested

12. Electromagnetic spectrum

  1. MYP-12.01Electromagnetic spectrum and shared speedYears 2–4 · Suggested
  2. MYP-12.02Wave and photon models of lightYears 3–5 · Suggested
  3. MYP-12.03Colour, spectra, and dispersionYears 2–4 · Suggested
  4. MYP-12.04Polarisation as transverse-wave evidenceYears 4–5 · Suggested
  5. MYP-12.05X-ray imaging: benefit and exposureYears 4–5 · Suggested

13. Electricity

  1. MYP-13.01Static charge, conductors, and insulatorsYears 1–3 · Suggested
  2. MYP-13.02Current as rate of charge flowYears 2–4 · Suggested
  3. MYP-13.03Voltage as energy per chargeYears 2–4 · Suggested
  4. MYP-13.04Circuit diagrams, symbols, and metersYears 2–4 · Suggested
  5. MYP-13.05Resistance and Ohm's lawYears 2–5 · Suggested
  6. MYP-13.06Non-ohmic components and sensorsYears 4–5 · Suggested
  7. MYP-13.07Series and parallel circuitsYears 2–5 · Suggested
  8. MYP-13.08Electrical power and energyYears 3–5 · Suggested

14. Magnetism and electromagnetism

  1. MYP-14.01Magnets and magnetic-field mapsYears 1–3 · Suggested
  2. MYP-14.02Current-produced magnetic fieldsYears 2–4 · Suggested
  3. MYP-14.03Force on a current-carrying conductorYears 3–5 · Suggested
  4. MYP-14.04Electromagnetic inductionYears 4–5 · Suggested
  5. MYP-14.05Generators, transformers, and gridsYears 4–5 · Suggested

15. Fields and gravity

  1. MYP-15.01Universal gravitationYears 3–5 · Suggested
  2. MYP-15.02Electric field lines and directionYears 3–5 · Suggested
  3. MYP-15.03Electric field strength and forceYears 4–5 · Suggested
  4. MYP-15.04Point-charge field patternsYears 4–5 · Suggested
  5. MYP-15.05Circular motion and orbital systemsYears 3–5 · Suggested

16. Space physics

  1. MYP-16.01Solar-system scale and structureYears 1–3 · Suggested
  2. MYP-16.02Cosmic distance measurementYears 3–5 · Suggested
  3. MYP-16.03Hertzsprung–Russell evidenceYears 3–5 · Suggested
  4. MYP-16.04Stellar life cyclesYears 2–5 · Suggested
  5. MYP-16.05Redshift and an expanding universeYears 4–5 · Suggested

17. Atomic and nuclear physics

  1. MYP-17.01Atomic energy levels and spectraYears 3–5 · Suggested
  2. MYP-17.02Radioactive decay and detectionYears 3–5 · Suggested
  3. MYP-17.03Half-life from tables and graphsYears 3–5 · Suggested
  4. MYP-17.04Nuclear reactions and conservationYears 4–5 · Suggested
  5. MYP-17.05Fission, chain reactions, and reactorsYears 4–5 · Suggested
  6. MYP-17.06Nuclear safety and wasteYears 4–5 · Suggested

18. Climate and energy systems

  1. MYP-18.01Planetary energy balance and the greenhouse effectYears 3–5 · Suggested
  2. MYP-18.02Energy resources and trade-offsYears 2–5 · Suggested
  3. MYP-18.03Energy-resource decision studioYears 4–5 · Suggested
  4. MYP-18.04First law and gas processesYears 4–5 · Suggested
  5. MYP-18.05Heat engines and efficiency limitsYears 4–5 · Suggested
  6. MYP-18.06Entropy and direction of changeYear 5 · Suggested extension

19. Physics in society

  1. MYP-19.01Electrostatic applications and riskYears 3–5 · Suggested
  2. MYP-19.02Electrical safety in homesYears 2–5 · Suggested
  3. MYP-19.03The motor effect in technologyYears 2–5 · Suggested
  4. MYP-19.04Nuclear medicine and patient benefitYears 4–5 · Suggested
  5. MYP-19.05Ultrasound imaging and accessYears 3–5 · Suggested

20. Independent assessment practice

  1. MYP-20.01Force-model unfamiliar-context practiceYears 4–5 · Independent practice
  2. MYP-20.02Energy extended-response practiceYears 4–5 · Independent practice
  3. MYP-20.03Wave data-rich practiceYears 4–5 · Independent practice
  4. MYP-20.04Circuit evidence practiceYears 4–5 · Independent practice
  5. MYP-20.05Radioactivity evaluation practiceYears 4–5 · Independent practice
Framework & official guidance Suggested pathway, not a fixed syllabus →

A flexible route through MYP sciences

A suggested GioPhysics pathway, not a prescribed IB Physics syllabus. Schools may reorder, combine or extend topics. Year filters use the existing suggested ranges and do not limit what a school may teach.

The eight visual groups help you browse; the original 20-chapter sequence remains available above and in the school planning pathway. Inquiry, measurement and evidence run through every group. Teachers choose suitable depth and use the applicable year-specific assessment descriptors.

GioPhysics is independently developed and is not endorsed by the International Baccalaureate Organization. Our questions, practice papers and project prompts are original teaching resources, not official IB papers or assessed student exemplars.