Physics IA Format and Structure [2025 updated]

Are you looking to start writing your Physics IA but are unsure how to begin the writing process? Do not worry, as Clastify is here to help guide you step-by-step on how to do that. In this post, we will give you the main points on what to include in each section of your IA, based on our experience with IB. Although we recommend this structure based on our successful history of helping students receive top-rated IAs, feel free to personalize the guide below in a way that suits you! This post covers the new Science IA syllabus starting from the May 2025 exam session.

A top-scoring IA should be easy to read, have a good flow between topics, and be well-focused. The guide below is just an example of how a good IA should be structured, however, keep in mind that many high-scoring IAs may also use other structures. For examples of some well-structured IAs, head to the Clastify website where you can read through multiple exemplar IAs!

Physics IA Format and Structure

The guide will be broken up by section to help you better understand what is required in each part of the IA and will have examples linked (in green), as follows: 

Introduction:

1. Include a brief overview of the topic and its importance - what is the concept being studied (eg: refractive index, resonant frequency, resistance). Where/how is it used? 

2. State the personal or global significance of the topic - what made you choose this and why is it an important topic to investigate? 

3. Briefly introduce the main device used in the experiment and state why this is the most appropriate method to use for the experiment (for example, inclined plane, parachute, copper wire, etc).

4. The introduction should be around 0.5 - 1 page.

5. Example: This IA has a good introduction since it briefly introduces the main concept being studied (damping), as well as the global significance of the uses of damping such as swinging doors and amusement park rides, and the introduction is around 0.5 pages long. 

Research question:

1. State the main research question of the experiment including the independent and dependent variables. 

2. Make sure to include units for the independent and dependent variables. 

3. Include how the dependent variable will be quantified and measured (instrument name). Explain why this instrument is best for the respective dependent variable. 

4. An example research question should look like this: "To what extent does the salt concentration of water (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 mol/L) affect its specific heat capacity (in J/g°C), as measured by a calorimeter?"

5. Example: This IA has a good research question as it clearly states the research question and the units of the independent and dependent variables.

Background information:

1. Describe the physics behind the main concept being analyzed. Talk about what physical properties are involved in the process (eg: why does salt affect specific heat capacity, why does the diameter of a parachute affect terminal velocity, etc).

2. Discuss the main method used to measure the concept of interest (eg: calorimetry to measure specific heat capacity). What aspects of this method make it suitable to measure the concept being studied?

3. Include any equations that are relevant to the reactions that will occur during the experiment (if applicable).

4. You should justify why the respective method of analysis was chosen for this experiment, for example, why calorimetry? What makes it suitable to answer the research question?

5. If the research is based on secondary data, you should explain the selection of the database used and the method of data sampling used in the secondary data. Explain why this particular database interests you and why it is relevant to answering the posed research question.  

6. All the background information included should be directly focused on the research question. For example for specific heat capacity analysis, you can briefly talk about the structure and polarity of NaCl and how this affects its solubility, but don't spend more than 3-4 sentences talking about salt rather than the physics behind the experiment, which would be discussing specific heat capacity and calorimetry.

7. Include relevant diagrams if applicable. Don't forget to provide a figure caption and cite the source of the diagram.

8. Include in-text citations throughout the background information section.

9. Example: This IA has good background information since it describes the main concept being studied (pendulum damping), and provides the relevant equations for the mechanism occurring. It includes relevant diagrams such as the forces on a pendulum and the angular displacement over time. The background information section is directly focused on the research question and contains in-text citations where applicable. 

Check out our free Physics IA exemplars

View all exemplars on Clastify

Grade received: 7

How does the pressure of a volleyball affect the height of the rebound?

Grade received: 7

How does the concentration (in g/ml) of fine salt (NaCl) in water affect the specific heat capacity (in J/g°C) of the solution?

Grade received: 7

How does a temperature change affect the resistance of copper coils connected in series, measured by calculating their resistance when submerged in various water temperatures?

View hundreds of other Physics IA exemplars on Clastify

Click to view exemplars

Grade received: 7

How does the mass of a marble (0.0050, 0.0100, 0.0150, 0.0200, 0.0250 kg) affect its vertical terminal velocity in a water container when dropped from a constant height measured using video analysis software?

Grade received: 7

How does the diameter of a wire affect the damping constant of the pendulum?

Grade received: 7

What is the effect of increasing graphite content (50%, 55%, 60%, 63%, 71%, 74%, and 79%) on the electrical conductivity of the core of a pencil as measured by the resistance across the pencil’s ends?

Grade received: 7

How does varying the temperature of a copper wire (25.0, 100.0, 125.0, 150.0, 175.0, 200.0 °C) impact its resistance (Ω) measured by a multimeter (200 Ω) and an infrared thermometer?

View hundreds of other Physics IA exemplars on Clastify

Click to view exemplars

Grade received: 7

Examining the Refractive Index of Sugar Solutions

Grade received: 7

An Investigation Into The Effect Of A Change In Temperature Of A Spring On The Spring Constant Of A Metal Spring

Grade received: 6

How does a steel spring’s temperature (20.0, 40.0, 60.0, 80.0, 100.0°C) affect its spring constant as measured by the length of the spring’s extension from the position of equilibrium under applied uniform load?

Grade received: 7

How does the pressure of a volleyball affect the height of the rebound?

Grade received: 7

How does the concentration (in g/ml) of fine salt (NaCl) in water affect the specific heat capacity (in J/g°C) of the solution?

Grade received: 7

How does a temperature change affect the resistance of copper coils connected in series, measured by calculating their resistance when submerged in various water temperatures?

View hundreds of other Physics IA exemplars on Clastify

Click to view exemplars

Grade received: 7

How does the mass of a marble (0.0050, 0.0100, 0.0150, 0.0200, 0.0250 kg) affect its vertical terminal velocity in a water container when dropped from a constant height measured using video analysis software?

Grade received: 7

How does the diameter of a wire affect the damping constant of the pendulum?

Grade received: 7

What is the effect of increasing graphite content (50%, 55%, 60%, 63%, 71%, 74%, and 79%) on the electrical conductivity of the core of a pencil as measured by the resistance across the pencil’s ends?

Grade received: 7

How does varying the temperature of a copper wire (25.0, 100.0, 125.0, 150.0, 175.0, 200.0 °C) impact its resistance (Ω) measured by a multimeter (200 Ω) and an infrared thermometer?

View hundreds of other Physics IA exemplars on Clastify

Click to view exemplars

Grade received: 7

Examining the Refractive Index of Sugar Solutions

Grade received: 7

An Investigation Into The Effect Of A Change In Temperature Of A Spring On The Spring Constant Of A Metal Spring

Grade received: 6

How does a steel spring’s temperature (20.0, 40.0, 60.0, 80.0, 100.0°C) affect its spring constant as measured by the length of the spring’s extension from the position of equilibrium under applied uniform load?

Grade received: 7

How does the pressure of a volleyball affect the height of the rebound?

Grade received: 7

How does the concentration (in g/ml) of fine salt (NaCl) in water affect the specific heat capacity (in J/g°C) of the solution?

Grade received: 7

How does a temperature change affect the resistance of copper coils connected in series, measured by calculating their resistance when submerged in various water temperatures?

Variables:

1. Include the independent variable and units. Describe why the range of independent variables was chosen. For example, why was the height that a parachute is dropped chosen as 10-50cm instead of 50-100cm? You should justify why you have chosen specific values over others. 

2. Include the dependent variable, units, instrument with which it will be measured, and the uncertainty. For example in calorimetry, you could write "Dependent variable: specific heat capacity, measured using a calorimeter (±0.1 J/g°C)".

3. Add a table of control variables, including how each variable is controlled and why it is controlled. 

4. Example: This IA has a good variables section since the independent variable is clearly stated with its units, the dependent variable is stated with its units and how it will be measured, and a section of control variables is present that states why and how each variable will be controlled. 

Equipment:

1. Create a list of all the apparatus and equipment used in the experiment.

2. Ensure to include uncertainties for all relevant instruments (eg: thermometer, ammeter, voltmeter, weighing balances, etc).

3. Include the concentrations of all standard solutions used. 

4. Include a labelled image of the experimental setup (however you could also include an image in the method section).

5. Example: All glassware and equipment are stated with their respective uncertainties.

Method:

1. Write down each step of the method exactly as it was performed in the lab. 

2. Use a narrative tone when writing the method and not a first-person tone. For example, you should write "Prepare a solution of ....." rather than writing "I prepared a solution of......".

3. Include a risk assessment table at the end of the method, outlining the safety, ethical and environmental concerns of the experiment. 

4. Example: All steps of the method are accurately noted down in the narrative tone and no first-person voice has been used. A risk assessment section has been included at the end which accounts for safety, ethical and environmental concerns. 

Results:

1. Include a table of the processed data from the experiment. Include a number and caption for the table and ensure the data is centred in the cells. 

2. Add a section for qualitative data if applicable (eg: colour changes, temperature changes).

3. Ensure all data in tables has the appropriate number of significant figures and decimal places. 

4. Include a sample equation and calculation showing how the data is processed. Do this for each type of calculation used (eg: calculating averages, calculating resistance, etc).

5. Place the rest of the processed data in a new processed data table. Include a number and caption for the table and ensure the data is centred in the cells. 

6. Include a sample calculation for the propagation of uncertainties, and place the rest of the uncertainties for the other values in a table with a caption. After calculating the uncertainties, include a description of what they mean concerning the data. Is the uncertainty small or large? What does this mean about the error and validity of the results? 

7. Include a graph of the processed data versus the independent variable. Include a graph title, axis titles and units, and provide a figure caption for the graph. Include a paragraph below the graph describing the trends in the data such as the correlation if linear (positive or negative) and the R^2 value.

8. Example: A table of qualitative data, raw data and processed data has been included. All tables have a number and figure caption. Sample calculations are shown for each type of equation used. An appropriate graph has been included.

Conclusion:

1. State the aim of the experiment to refresh the reader's memory.

2. Discuss the trends in the graph and how they correspond to the research question. 

3. Use experimental values from the analysis section in the conclusion. For example, instead of just saying that specific heat capacity decreases as salt concentration increases, you could say that the specific heat capacity decreases from 4.5 J/g°C to 2.5 J/g°C as the salt concentration increases from 1 M to 5 M.

4. Discuss the extent to which the research question was answered - was it answered fully or only partially? 

5. Discuss the R^2 value of the graph (if the data is linear) and how it describes the strength of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. 

6. Describe if there are any anomalies in the data, and give reasons as to why these may have occurred.

7. Compare your experimental values to literature values to strengthen your conclusion. Include in-text citations for the literature source. 

8. Discuss the impact of uncertainties - were they a significant amount of the experimental values? (For example, 10g ± 0.01g is more acceptable than 10g ± 1g)

9. Example: The conclusion clearly re-states the aim of the essay, as well as a statement to which the research question has been answered (results support the hypothesis). Graphical trends and uncertainties are discussed in relation to the research question, such as the relationship between the variables. The reliability of the data was also discussed.

Evaluation:

1. Critically evaluate the results of the experiment and how they could be improved.

2. Include a list of the strengths of the experiment and the significance of each strength.

3. Include a table of the weaknesses of the experiment, as well as how they impacted the results and how to improve this in future. 

4. Make sure to account for random, systematic and human errors in the experiment, how they affected the data, and how this can be corrected in future. 

5. Finally, provide some extensions for the experiment. These should be some topics that relate to or build off the main topic. For example, for the analysis of parachute diameter on terminal velocity, you could say how in future you could keep the diameter the same and change the weight of the object tied to the parachute. You could also discuss what would happen if some of the control variables of the experiment were used as the dependent variables instead. 

6. Example: A table of strengths and weaknesses is included, along with considerations for random and systematic error. Extensions have also been provided for the experiment.

References:

1. Include a full list of all the references used in the IA. 

2. Ensure the bibliography is in the same citation style used in the introduction and background information section. 

3. Example: A full reference list has been included and is in the same citation style as used in the introduction and background information sections. 

We hope this guide helps guide you in properly formatting and structuring your Physics IA! If you want to read some exemplary IAs before you start writing, we've got you covered too! Simply head to the Clastify website, where you will be able to find numerous Physics IA ideas and examples, so you can look for the ones that are the most relevant to your topic. Good luck!