Theme B Study Hub

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Read the guides, master flashcards, and finish practice quizzes to boost your mastery level.

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The Particulate Nature of Matter

An interactive learning environment for mastering Theme B (B.1 - B.3) of the new 2025 IB Physics syllabus. Review molecular physics, radiative energy balances, and ideal gas models.

B.1

Thermal Energy Transfers

Core

Learn about the molecular model of phases, temperature, internal energy, specific heat capacity, latent heat, and conduction/convection/radiation.

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B.2

Greenhouse Effect

Core

Understand black-body radiation, Wien's displacement law, albedo, emissivity, and the resonance vibration of greenhouse gases.

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B.3

Gas Laws

Core

Explore the ideal gas equation (PV = nRT), kinetic theory assumptions, pressure derivation, and root-mean-square speed of gas molecules.

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Concept Flashcards

Test your knowledge of key definitions and equations. Flip the card to check your understanding.

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Interactive Simulators

Run models to visualize particulate motion, thermodynamic cycles, and energy balance systems.

Molecular Phase States

Fallback: Visual representation of molecular phase states.

Live Data & Heating Curve

Temperature: 253 K (-20 °C)
State: Solid (Ice)
Energy Added: 0 J
Fallback: Heating curve graph plotting temperature versus energy.

How to use: Click "Apply Heat" to see thermal energy break bonds. Notice that temperature stops rising during phase transitions (melting at 273K, boiling at 373K) as energy increases potential energy rather than kinetic energy.

Radiative Energy Flows

Fallback: Radiative energy flows visualizer.

Planet Equilibrium Temperature

288 K
15.0 °C
Incoming Solar Power: 238 W/m²
Absorbed by Surface: 238 W/m²
Atmospheric Re-radiation: 150 W/m²

Science Context: Increase GHG concentrations to cause infrared resonance absorption, trapping more long-wave outgoing radiation and driving up temperature. Toggle Albedo to model ice-caps melting (lowers albedo, increasing temperature further in a positive feedback loop).

Gas Particle Collision Chamber

Fallback: Gas particle collision chamber.

Macroscopic Readouts & P-V Diagram

Calculated Pressure: 1.00 atm
Root-Mean-Square Speed (v_rms): 480 m/s
Wall Collision Rate (Rate of Δp): Medium
Fallback: P-V diagram graph.

Observations: Notice how compressing the gas (decreasing Volume) increases collision frequency on container walls, raising Pressure (Boyle's Law). Heating the gas increases molecular speeds and kinetic energy (Charles's/Gay-Lussac's Laws).

Quiz Master

Test your mastery of Theme B concepts with official-style multiple choice and numerical calculations.

Start a Practice Quiz

Customize your quiz topic selection below:

Equation Solver & Calculator

Select a formula, input the known values, and solve for the unknown variable with correct physical units.

Choose Equation

Q = mcΔT

Find energy, mass, specific heat, or temperature changes.

Calculation Results

Result Value:
--
Select inputs and calculate.

Variable Reference Key