IGCSE & IB Physics

Overview

IB Physics covers an extraordinary breadth of topics, from classical mechanics and thermodynamics to waves, electromagnetism, nuclear physics and, at Higher Level, further optics, quantum physics and engineering physics. The course develops both theoretical understanding and practical scientific skills, with a strong emphasis on data analysis, error propagation and experimental design. Physics is widely regarded as one of the most demanding IB subjects, but also one of the most rewarding — it opens doors to engineering, medicine, computer science and virtually every STEM pathway at university.

What Makes It Challenging

IB Physics is challenging because it requires students to integrate mathematical skills with physical intuition. Many students can recall formulas but struggle to set up problems correctly, identify which principles apply and carry out multi-step reasoning under exam pressure. At Higher Level, the additional topics demand significant mathematical confidence, particularly in calculus-based approaches. The Internal Assessment — a hands-on experimental investigation — requires careful planning, rigorous data collection, proper uncertainty analysis and a well-structured scientific report that meets all IB criteria.

How Pietro Helps

As a PhD candidate in Physics with research experience in the United States, I bring a depth of subject knowledge that goes far beyond the IB syllabus. This allows me to explain concepts with real-world context and scientific rigour while keeping lessons accessible and engaging. I help students develop physical intuition — the ability to visualise what is happening in a problem before reaching for equations. We work extensively with past papers, learning how to decode mark schemes and structure answers for maximum marks. For the Internal Assessment, I provide step-by-step guidance on experimental design, data processing and scientific writing.

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