Question 1
The graph shows how the pressure p of a fixed mass of gas at constant volume varies with its absolute temperature T, from 0 K to 300 K. The gas is heated further at the same volume. What is its pressure at 450 K?
The physics data booklet: how to use it in the exam
The booklet gives you equations and constants, not the physics: you still choose the relation, rearrange it and check the units. Use your school's copy of the current booklet whenever you practise, so you find each line in seconds on the day.
| The course | Five themes, A to E, first assessed in 2025 |
|---|---|
| Your copy | From your school: use the booklet for the current course, first assessed in 2025 |
| Calculator | Allowed. The IB lists approved calculators for schools |
What the booklet does not do
- It does not tell you which relation a question needs. Read the question for what is constant and what changes, then pick the equation.
- It does not define the symbols in context. Know what each symbol stands for, its unit and when the relation applies (uniform acceleration, ideal gas, small angles).
- It does not give the reasoning a Paper 2 explanation needs. A formula alone rarely earns an explanation.
Practise with it, not from memory
- Work every practice question with the booklet open, and learn where each theme's relations sit.
- Check units on every line: a wrong power of ten (kJ for J, cm for m, mA for A) is the commonest lost answer.
- Rearrange in symbols before you substitute; it is quicker to check and easier to mark.
- Keep significant figures to those of the data, usually two or three.
Where it matters most
Paper 1A gives you about two minutes a question, so finding the right line quickly is worth practising. Paper 1B and Paper 2 reward clear working: the relation, the substitution with units, then the answer.
Try 2 questions
Question 2
| Nuclide | Z | A |
|---|---|---|
| P | 6 | 12 |
| Q | 6 | 14 |
| R | 7 | 14 |
| S | 8 | 16 |
The table gives the proton number Z and the nucleon number A of four nuclides. Which two are isotopes of the same element?
Next step
The IB's Diploma Programme physics page, with the subject brief
Questions people ask
Which data booklet should I practise with?
The one for the current course, first assessed in 2025. Ask your teacher for your school's copy and keep it open whenever you practise, so you know where everything is.
Can I use an older data booklet?
Use the booklet for the current course. The course first assessed in 2025 is organised in themes A to E, so an older booklet may not match it.
Do I still need to learn equations?
You need to know what each relation means, when it applies and how to rearrange it. Recognising the right line quickly comes from practising with the booklet open.