IB Physics HL · 2025 to 2026

3.2 Wave model

16 past paper questions from 13 papers across 4 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.

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HL archive · 2025 to 2026

3.2 Wave model

Latest exam session: May 2026

questions
questions
papers
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exam sessions
exam sessions
By year3micro-topics

Micro-topics in 3.2 Wave model

In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in. 1 of them has no matching questions in this archive.

  • 33

    3.2.1

    The travelling wave and the wave equation

    7 questions · in 33% of papers

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P2 TZ3

  • 22

    3.2.2

    Transverse and longitudinal waves and particle motion

    4 questions · in 22% of papers

    Regular

    last May 26 P1 TZ1

  • 28

    3.2.3

    Electromagnetic waves and the EM spectrum

    5 questions · in 28% of papers

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P2 TZ2

  • 0

    3.2.4

    Wavefronts and rays

    No question tagged to this topic in the 18 Physics HL papers analysed

    No matches in this archiveRevise it

Exam pattern

How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.

Does it repeat?

Questions per year for each micro-topic, including those with no matches in this archive.

fewermore

Micro-topic20252026
3.2.1The travelling wave and the wave equationFrequently tested
5The travelling wave and the wave equation, 2025: 5 questions2The travelling wave and the wave equation, 2026: 2 questions
3.2.3Electromagnetic waves and the EM spectrumFrequently tested
3Electromagnetic waves and the EM spectrum, 2025: 3 questions2Electromagnetic waves and the EM spectrum, 2026: 2 questions
3.2.2Transverse and longitudinal waves and particle motionRegular
3Transverse and longitudinal waves and particle motion, 2025: 3 questions1Transverse and longitudinal waves and particle motion, 2026: 1 question
3.2.4Wavefronts and raysNo matches in this archive
·Wavefronts and rays, 2025: 0 questions·Wavefronts and rays, 2026: 0 questions
  • Frequently testedin at least a quarter of all papers, and still appearing in the last two years
  • Regularin roughly one paper in six or more
  • No matches in this archiveon the syllabus, but has no question tagged to it in this archive. This does not mean it has never been examined

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Questions on 3.2 Wave model, by exam session

Which papers asked about 3.2 Wave model, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.

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Frequently asked questions

Short answers about this page.

Which Physics HL exam sessions are covered for 3.2 Wave model?

4 exam sessions from 2025 to 2026, the latest May 2026. Every Paper 1 and 2 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 13 papers in this archive.

Which 3.2 Wave model topic comes up most?

The travelling wave and the wave equation (3.2.1): in 33% of papers, last seen May 26 P2 TZ3. Usually "Calculate / Determine", worth about 1.5 marks in a paper that includes it.

Can I see the original question and mark scheme?

No. The wording belongs to the IB. You get the citation, the marks, the command term and the skill tested, plus our own matched practice questions with worked answers and AI marking.

What do "banker", "due" and "rising" mean?

Banker: examined in at least one sitting in four and still appearing. Due: regular before, but absent for the last two exam sessions. Rising: clearly more common in the last two years. Our classification of real papers, not an IB statistic.

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