35 IB Physics IA Ideas That Can Help You Score a 7 (Updated 2026 Guide)

Last revised June 2026 by Sandra Steiger, TutorsPlus Education Advisor

Getting started with your IB Physics IA can feel complicated, especially when you’re trying to choose a motivating and achievable topic. The good news is that a strong IA does not start with a groundbreaking scientific discovery. It starts with a focused research question, a practical experiment, and a clear connection to physics theory.

The best physics IA ideas are manageable, interesting, and capable of producing reliable data. In this guide, you’ll find 35 IB Physics IA ideas to help inspire your investigation, along with advice on developing strong research questions, avoiding common mistakes, and understanding what examiners look for in a high-scoring IA.

How IB Physics IA Topics Inspire Engaging Research

One of the biggest misconceptions about the Physics Internal Assessment is that the topic itself determines the final score. In reality, examiners care far more about the quality of your investigation than whether the idea sounds impressive.

A topic connected to your interests can make the entire process much more enjoyable. Sports, music, engineering, renewable energy, photography, and even everyday activities can all provide excellent starting points for an investigation.

However, it is important to remember that topic lists are meant to inspire rather than provide ready-made research questions. The strongest investigations often begin with a simple idea and then develop through personalisation, refinement, and thoughtful experimental design.

For example, instead of analysing how ramp angle affects rolling distance, you could examine how varying surface materials affect rolling distance at a range of ramp angles. Small changes like this help create a more focused and interesting investigation.

How to Turn an Idea into a Research Question

Many students begin with a broad topic but struggle to convert it into a focused investigation. A strong research question should clearly identify:

• The independent variable
• The dependent variable
• The system being investigated

A useful structure is: How does [independent variable] affect [dependent variable] in [specific context]?

For example:

• How does the temperature of a tennis ball affect its coefficient of restitution?
• How does the length of a nichrome wire affect its electrical resistance?
• How does the angle of a solar panel affect its power output?

When developing research questions, aim for variables that can be measured accurately and repeated consistently. Before committing to a question, ask yourself:

1. Can I collect enough data?
2. Is the equipment available?
3. Can I explain the underlying physics?
4. Can I evaluate uncertainties and limitations?

If the answer to all four is yes, you’re likely on the right track.

What Makes a High Scoring IB Physics IA Topic

Many students spend weeks searching for the perfect topic when they should be focusing on finding a practical one. According to current IB assessment guidance, high scoring IB Physics IA topics usually share several characteristics.

• They have clear variables. Your independent and dependent variables should be easy to identify and record.
• They are feasible. A straightforward experiment completed carefully is far more effective than an ambitious investigation that becomes difficult to control.
• They connect to Physics theory. Your project should allow you to discuss concepts from the IB Physics syllabus and compare your findings to theoretical expectations.
• They produce sufficient data. You need enough data to identify trends, calculate uncertainties, and evaluate limitations.
• They allow strong evaluation. Good topics create opportunities to discuss sources of error, limitations, improvements, and extensions.

Many successful IB Physics IA examples involve accessible experiments such as pendulums, solar panels, resistance measurements, projectile motion, and thermal investigations.

IB Physics IA Ideas: Mechanics

1. Determining g by measuring a ball’s kinetic energy as it falls

This experiment involves dropping a ball from varying heights and measuring its speed just before it hits the ground. Using the conservation of energy, where gravitational potential energy (mgh) transforms into kinetic energy (½mv²), you can calculate the acceleration due to gravity, g. You might use a motion sensor or a light gate to track the ball’s speed, as well as vary the drop height to test your results.

2. Calculating the static friction between two materials

In this IA, you can analyse the force that stops two surfaces from sliding past each other. Set up a flat surface with one material on it, place another material on top, and slowly tilt the surface until the top object starts to slide. You can try several pairs (wood on metal, rubber on sandpaper, etc.) to compare their frictional properties.

3. Looking at the effect of the opening angle on projectile range

This study examines how the launch angle affects a projectile’s range – the horizontal distance it travels. You need to fire a small object at multiple angles using a launcher or slingshot and record how far it goes. Your data should show a peak range around 45°. While it is easy to do this setup at school or home, you may also tie it to real-life applications such as sports or rocket launches.

4. How does the angle of a ramp affect the distance a ball rolls?

This investigation could examine how the ramp’s angle affects the distance a ball rolls after reaching a flat surface. A steeper angle increases the ball’s speed at the bottom (thanks to more gravitational energy converting to kinetic energy), which could mean a longer roll before friction stops it. Besides adjusting the ramp angle, you can tweak its surface, test alternative balls, or even analyse rotational motion.

5. Exploring the efficiency of various materials in absorbing impact

This study tests how several materials – such as foam, rubber, or bubble wrap – absorb impact energy. You could drop a weight onto each material and record the impact force with a sensor, or observe how high the weight bounces back. Alternatively, you may use a pendulum to swing an object into the material and track the energy loss. You can connect this topic to real-world uses, for example, helmet design or packaging.

IB Physics IA Ideas: Thermal Physics

6. How does the specific heat capacity of a liquid change with temperature

Specific heat capacity describes how much energy a substance needs to heat up by 1°C. But does this value stay the same as the liquid gets hotter? This question makes for a compelling IB Physics IA. Choose a liquid (water, saline solution, oil, etc.) and heat it to several starting temperatures. Then add a known amount of energy with a heater and record the temperature rise with a thermometer. By calculating the specific heat capacity at each starting point, you can determine whether it changes.

7. Investigating the effect of surface area on the rate of evaporation

Here, you need to set up containers with the same volume of water but alternative shapes. Your task is to track how much water evaporates over time by weighing the containers or marking the water levels. You will find that a larger surface area speeds up evaporation.

8. Using the ideal gas law to determine the number of particles in a gas

The ideal gas law lets you figure out how many particles are floating around in a sample of air. In this study, trap a gas in a container (such as a syringe or sealed flask) and record its pressure (P), volume (V), and temperature (T). Then, using the ideal gas equation (PV = nRT), you can calculate n (the number of moles). By multiplying the outcome by Avogadro’s number, you can obtain the total particle count.

9. Exploring how the thermal conductivity of various metals affects their efficiency in heat exchangers

This IA tests the thermal conductivity of several metals by setting up a mini heat exchanger. Heat one end of each metal rod while cooling the other, then record the temperature difference along the rod. The data will show which metal conducts heat best. You can tie your study to real-world uses in radiators, cooking pans, electronics, etc.

10. Studying the effect of pressure on the melting point of ice in different environments

To conduct this experiment, you can take a block of ice and press down on it with different weights. Measure the temperature at which it starts melting and watch for the pattern – did more pressure lower the melting point? Alternatively, you can compare melting at different altitudes.

IB Physics IA Ideas: Waves and Oscillations

11. Exploring the influence of string material on the resonance frequency of a vibrating string

This study examines how the material of a string affects its resonance frequency. Set up a string between two fixed points, attach a vibrator (or pluck it by hand), and adjust the frequency until you find the one that produces resonance. Test strings made of several materials (nylon, steel, cotton, etc.), but keep the length and tension constant. For a personal twist, try comparing natural materials to synthetic ones, or examine whether adding a coating (like wax) changes the frequency.

12. What connection exists between a diffraction grating’s slits and interference?

The idea behind this topic is that more slits in a grating might sharpen or spread the light differently. To examine this, shine a laser through diffraction gratings with a range of slit densities and observe the interference patterns. Determine the angles or distances between the bright spots to identify trends. To add a personal dimension, you can craft a homemade grating or observe how alternative laser colours change the pattern.

13. Examining the interference patterns of sound waves in a closed tube and how it affects pitch

In this study, you can examine how sound waves reflect in a tube with one end closed, forming standing waves at specific frequencies (harmonics). You will need a bottle or tube and a straw to blow across the top, or a speaker to send sound in. Change the tube’s length (by cutting it or adjusting the water level) and listen for when the pitch jumps to a new note.

14. Analysing interference patterns of sound waves

This IA lets you observe constructive and destructive interference. You need to set up two speakers playing the same frequency and walk around to find areas where the sound gets louder or softer. Measure the distances between these spots and see if they match the sound’s wavelength. To mix it up, try different frequencies, add obstacles to see how they disrupt the pattern, or test in different spaces, such as indoors vs. outdoors.

15. Exploring the effect of different medium densities on the speed of sound waves

To examine how a medium’s density affects the speed of sound, record the time it takes for a sound to travel a set distance through a range of media – air, liquids with varying thicknesses, metal, etc. With a microphone or sensor, capture the sound and calculate its speed. You can also examine how heating or cooling a medium affects the outcome.

IB Physics IA Ideas: Electricity and Magnetism

16. Studying the effect of varying light intensity on the output of a photovoltaic cell

This project examines how changing light intensity influences the voltage or current produced by a photovoltaic cell. Connect a photovoltaic cell to a multimeter, shine a light source at it, and repeat the procedure with multiple light intensities. You will notice that brighter light increases the electricity generated – but is it a linear relationship or something more complex? For a personal spin, you could examine how light colour or the angle of light affects the data, or compare alternative types of solar cells.

17. Exploring the efficiency of different materials in creating electromagnetic fields in a motor

To test how different core materials affect a motor’s ability to generate electromagnetic fields, you will need to build a simple motor consisting of a coil of wire, a battery, and a spinning rotor. Then place different materials (iron, copper, magnet, etc.) inside the coil as the core and measure the motor’s performance (either its speed or the magnetic field strength). Additionally, you can test how the core’s shape affects the results.

18. How does the number of coils in a solenoid affect the induced current

Here, create a solenoid by wrapping wire around a tube, connect it to a power source, and pass a current through it. Use a magnet and move it in and out of the solenoid to induce a current in a separate loop or sensor nearby, then record the values with a multimeter. While testing multiple coil numbers, you may also examine how the solenoid’s length or the magnet’s speed changes the findings.

19. Investigating the relationship between resistance and temperature in a wire

For this study, set up a circuit with a wire, a power supply, an ammeter, and a voltmeter. Run a current through the wire and calculate its resistance. Then heat the wire to multiple temperatures and track how this affects the resistance. You can make the project more original by comparing alternative wire materials (copper vs. nichrome) or examining whether wire thickness plays a role.

20. Examining the effect of temperature on a diode rectifier’s efficiency

Your setup will include a manageable circuit with a diode, a resistor, and a power supply. Using a multimeter, record the current or voltage of the diode while changing its temperature for each trial. You can also compare alternative types of diodes (silicon vs. germanium).

21. Investigating the Effect of Magnet Strength on Induced EMF in a Coil

This study examines how the strength of a magnet influences the electromotive force (EMF) induced in a coil as the magnet moves through it. Create a manageable coil and connect it to a voltmeter. Then gather magnets of varying strengths and drop them one by one through the coil while recording the peak EMF on the voltmeter.

22. Efficiency of solar panels at different angles – Measuring how the tilt angle affects the power output of a solar panel

For this project, you will need a small solar panel, a multimeter to record its power output, and a light source (e.g., a lamp). Place the light source at a fixed distance, adjust the panel’s angles, and note the output at each. You can also examine how light of alternative colours or panel temperature affects the data.

23. Determining a battery’s internal resistance

To understand how internal resistance affects battery performance, build a circuit featuring a battery, a variable resistor, an ammeter, and a voltmeter. After adjusting the resistor to vary the current, record the battery’s voltage and current pairs, then use the formula V = E – Ir to calculate internal resistance. For a personal touch, compare battery types (e.g., alkaline vs. rechargeable) or analyse temperature effects.

24. How is the EMF generated by rotating coils related to coil speed

To test this IB Physics IA idea, you can use a hand-crank generator or a simple setup with a coil, magnets, and a voltmeter. Rotate the coil at different speeds (slow, medium, fast) and measure the EMF at each. You can also complete your investigation by testing different coil sizes and magnet strengths.

25. Impact of wind turbine blade length on power generation

To explore the relationship between the blade length and a wind turbine’s output, you need to build a simple model with a fan and blades. At a constant fan speed, test different blade lengths and measure how much power they produce via a multimeter. Your experiment may also feature tests with different blade shapes or wind conditions.

IB Physics IA Ideas: Astrophysics and Quantum Physics

26. Investigating the double-slit experiment and wave-particle duality

The double-slit experiment is your chance to observe the behaviour of light, which acts like a wave and a particle at the same time. What you need to do is shine a light (laser) through two tiny slits to create an interference pattern of bright and dark bands and measure the spacing between bright spots. To see how the patterns shift, you can change the slit width or try different light colours.

27. Studying the relationship between a star’s luminosity and its surface temperature

According to the Stefan-Boltzmann law, stars shine brighter when they’re hotter. This is a rewarding IB Physics IA idea to put to the test. Use online star data (such as the SIMBAD database or the Stellarium app) and collect luminosity and temperature values for multiple stars. Then plot them on a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and analyse the trends you observe.

IB Physics IA Ideas: Optics

28. Analysing diffraction patterns and their relationship to the wavelength of light

To obtain the diffraction pattern, shine a laser pointer through a single slit and observe the outcome on a screen. Each time you use light of a different colour, record the pattern’s width and analyse your observations – did longer wavelengths spread more than shorter ones?

29. Examining the behaviour of light through polarising filters

This experiment shows how polarising filters work. You will need two polarising filters (old sunglasses will do) and a flashlight. Shine light through one filter, then rotate the second to see the brightness change. To gather data on the intensity of light, you can use a phone light meter.

IB Physics IA Ideas: Biophysics

30. Analysing the relationship between muscle force and speed of movement

Lifting heavy weights is slower than lifting light ones. You can examine this biomechanical principle in a study involving the lifting of various weights. Use a stopwatch to time how fast you can lift each weight over a set distance (like 50 cm) and analyse the force vs. speed relationship.

31. Effect of muscle fatigue on reaction time

A simple reaction time test can help you explore how muscle fatigue impacts reaction time. You may either drop an object and measure how quickly you catch it, or use a computer-based test with a button press when a light flashes. First, record your baseline reaction time when rested. Then, perform a fatiguing exercise, immediately test your reaction time again, and repeat at intervals as you recover.

32. Investigating the Effect of Limb Angle on Blood Pressure

This study ties the physics of fluid dynamics and gravity to human physiology. You will need to use a digital blood pressure monitor and record your blood pressure in multiple positions (such as horizontal, raised, and lowered arm). You can also repeat this procedure after light exercise to observe how it affects the data.

33. Investigating the efficiency of energy transfer in biological systems

In this experiment, you can compare the efficiency of muscles with an energy transfer in other objects, such as a bouncing ball. Drop the ball from a measured height and calculate its input energy as mgh, where m is mass, g is gravity, and h is height. Then measure how high it rebounds (i.e. its output energy) and calculate its efficiency (output energy ÷ input energy) × 100%. Use statistical data to compare your results to typical muscle efficiency. You can test different balls or surfaces to mimic varying “muscle” conditions.

34. Studying the electrical properties of nerve conduction

Your nerves use electrical signals to communicate, and this project models how those signals travel. In a manageable circuit model, use a wire as the “nerve,” resistors as ion channels, and a capacitor as the cell membrane. Apply a small voltage and use a multimeter to record how the current changes over time, especially with varying resistance and capacitance.

35. Exploring the impact of different material types on biological heat exchange

This study examines how several materials affect the ability of animals to regulate heat. Fill a few containers with warm water (around 40 °C) to represent an organism, then wrap them in multiple materials – both natural (wool, fur) and artificial (bubble wrap). Use a thermometer to record how quickly the water cools over 15 minutes for each material.

Common Mistakes When Choosing IA Topics

Many students lose marks before they even begin collecting data because of weaknesses in topic selection. Here are some of the most common mistakes.

Choosing Overly Complex Topics

Students often assume complex investigations will impress examiners. In reality, complicated setups usually create more variables, larger uncertainties, and weaker conclusions.

Ignoring Equipment Availability

Before finalising your topic, confirm that all required equipment is available. Many promising ideas become difficult when essential apparatus cannot be accessed.

No Clear Dependent Variable

Every investigation must measure something specific. If you cannot clearly define the dependent variable, your research question probably needs refining.

Copying Existing Experiments Without Modification

Looking at IB Physics IA examples can provide inspiration, but copying an investigation directly rarely leads to strong personal engagement. Try adding your own context, variables, or real-world application to make the project more meaningful. A well executed investigation with a personal twist will usually perform better than a copied experiment.

A carefully chosen topic gives you a much stronger foundation for collecting reliable data, conducting meaningful analysis, and achieving a high score in your IB Physics IA.

Need Help Choosing Your Physics IA Topic?

Choosing among hundreds of possible physics IA ideas can take time. The strongest investigations are usually practical, focused, and connected to something that interests you. A well-chosen topic makes it much easier to collect reliable data, apply physics theory, and produce meaningful analysis.

If you need extra guidance, experienced IB Physics teachers and examiners at TutorsPlus can help you refine your research question, improve your experimental design, strengthen your data analysis, understand uncertainty calculations, develop stronger evaluations, and prepare a high-quality final report. The aim is always to help you build stronger scientific thinking while ensuring the work remains entirely your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good IB Physics IA topic?

A good topic has clear measurable variables, connects to physics theory, and can be investigated with available equipment. Topics involving motion, electricity, waves, optics, and thermal physics are often popular choices.

How do I choose a high scoring Physics IA experiment?

Choose a topic that is practical, focused, and capable of generating enough data for analysis and evaluation. Simpler investigations often score higher than complex ones.

Can I use the same IA topic as another student?

Yes. The IB does not require completely unique topics. However, your research question, data, analysis, and report must be your own.

How many variables should my IB Physics IA have?

Most successful investigations focus on one independent variable and one dependent variable while controlling all other factors.

What makes an IB Physics IA get a top score?

High scoring IAs demonstrate strong experimental design, accurate data analysis, thoughtful conclusions, and detailed evaluation of uncertainties and limitations.

Are simple experiments acceptable for IB Physics IA?

Absolutely. Many top scoring investigations involve straightforward experiments such as pendulums, resistance measurements, projectile motion, and thermal conductivity.

How do I turn an idea into a research question?

Use the structure: “How does X affect Y in a specific system?” Then ensure both variables are measurable and linked to physics theory.

What are the most common mistakes in IB Physics IA?

Common mistakes include choosing topics that are too complex, lacking measurable variables, failing to control variables, and neglecting uncertainty analysis.

Do I need original data for my Physics IA?

Yes. Your investigation should involve your own data collection and analysis, even if the topic itself has been investigated before.

How important is uncertainty analysis in IB Physics IA?

Very important. Uncertainty treatment forms a key part of Data Analysis and Evaluation. Strong discussions of uncertainty often separate average reports from top scoring ones.

By Sara Lloyd

Sara has been an education consultant for TutorsPlus for 15 years, and is an expert on international IB education.  She is also a parent of two lively children.