IB Physics HL · 2025 to 2026
Unit 5: Nuclear and quantum physics
118 past paper questions from 12 papers across 3 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
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HL archive · 2025 to 2026
Unit 5: Nuclear and quantum physics
Latest exam session: May 2026
- questions
- 118
- questions
- papers
- 12
- papers
- exam sessions
- 3
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 17
Topics in Unit 5: Nuclear and quantum physics
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
5.1
Structure of the atom
17% of marks31 of the 179 marks across the 12 Physics HL papers analysed (17%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 21 questions
5.2
Quantum physics (HL)
15% of marks26 of the 179 marks across the 12 Physics HL papers analysed (15%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 19 questions
5.3
Radioactive decay
22% of marks39 of the 179 marks across the 12 Physics HL papers analysed (22%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 26 questions
5.4
Fission
13% of marks23 of the 179 marks across the 12 Physics HL papers analysed (13%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 14 questions
5.5
Fusion and stars
34% of marks60 of the 179 marks across the 12 Physics HL papers analysed (34%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 38 questions
Exam pattern
How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.
Does it repeat?
Top 4 of 17 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 14Nuclear fusion and stellar equilibrium, 2025: 14 questions | 8Nuclear fusion and stellar equilibrium, 2026: 8 questions | |
| 8Half-life, activity and background radiation, 2025: 8 questions | 4Half-life, activity and background radiation, 2026: 4 questions | |
| 16Wave–particle duality, 2025: 16 questions | 1Wave–particle duality, 2026: 1 question | |
| 6Nuclear model and atomic structure, 2025: 6 questions | 5Nuclear model and atomic structure, 2026: 5 questions |
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Questions on Unit 5: Nuclear and quantum physics, by exam session
Which papers asked about Unit 5: Nuclear and quantum physics, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
May 2026
21 questions across 4 papers
May 2025
35 questions across 6 papers
Specimen 2025
13 questions across 2 papers
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Physics HL exam sessions are covered for Unit 5: Nuclear and quantum physics?
3 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 12 papers in this archive.
Which Unit 5: Nuclear and quantum physics topic comes up most?
Nuclear fusion and stellar equilibrium (5.5.1): in 67% of papers, last seen May 26 P2 TZ3. Usually "find / solve", worth about 4.8 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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