IB Chemistry SL & HL Notes and Practice Questions, Topic by Topic
Find free IB Chemistry topic wise questions, notes, and mark schemes for Standard Level and Higher Level students, organised by syllabus topic. Each resource is written to match the current IB Chemistry guide (first assessed 2025) and is completely free to download, no sign-up required. Start with Uncertainties and Errors below, an essential topic for every Chemistry Internal Assessment.
This page brings together IB Chemistry Standard Level and Higher Level resources organised by topic, so you can revise exactly the syllabus area you need. Every topic includes free downloadable notes, a set of practice questions ranging from easy to hard, and a full mark scheme so you can check your own working. New topics are added regularly, covering all six strands of the current syllabus: Structure 1–3 and Reactivity 1–3 plus dedicated IA guidance on treating uncertainties and errors correctly in your write-up.
Uncertainties and Errors
More notes and practice questions are being added topic by topic — check back soon, or bookmark this page.
Structure 1.1.1 – Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
Complete IB Chemistry SL & HL revision notes on elements, compounds and mixtures, including particle-level representations, homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures, solutions and alloys, and the physical separation of mixtures. The booklet includes clear original diagrams, worked examples, exam-style practice questions and full mark-scheme guidance, with particular emphasis on choosing separation methods from physical properties such as solubility, particle size, boiling point and affinity.
Structure 1.1.2 – The Kinetic Molecular Theory
Complete IB Chemistry SL & HL revision notes covering the kinetic molecular theory, the arrangement and movement of particles in solids, liquids and gases, and all six changes of state. Also covers heating curves, the difference between kinetic and potential energy during melting and boiling, evaporation versus boiling, and the kelvin temperature scale. Includes labelled particle diagrams, worked examples, practice questions and full mark-scheme answers.
Structure 1.1.3 – Kinetic Energy and Temperature
Complete IB Chemistry SL & HL revision notes on kinetic energy and temperature, including the relationship between temperature and the average kinetic energy of particles, the Kelvin temperature scale, changes of state, and the interpretation of heating and cooling curves. The booklet includes clear particle-level diagrams, worked examples, exam-style practice questions and full mark-scheme guidance, with emphasis on explaining what happens to particle motion and energy as substances are heated, cooled, melted, boiled or condensed.
Structure 1.2.1 – The Atomic Model Notes
Revise IB Chemistry Structure 1.2.1 – The Atomic Model with clear, student-friendly notes covering the structure of atoms, protons, neutrons and electrons, nuclear notation, atomic number and mass number, and the formation of positive and negative ions. The PDF also includes labelled diagrams, worked examples, IB-style practice questions and a full mark scheme, making it suitable for both independent revision and lesson support.
Structure 1.2.2 – Isotopes
This revision guide covers the key ideas you need for IB Chemistry Structure 1.2.2: Isotopes, including isotope notation, proton, neutron and electron counts, the difference between isotopes and ions, and why isotopes have similar chemical properties but may differ in physical properties. It also explains how to calculate relative atomic mass, from isotopic abundance data and how to determine unknown isotope abundances. The PDF includes clear worked examples, exam-focused tips, practice questions and full mark-scheme guidance to support both independent revision and lesson use.
Structure 1.2.3 — Mass Spectra (HL)
Mass spectra is one of the few HL-only points in Structure 1.2, and it rewards students who can do three things fast: read the number of isotopes from the peaks, read relative abundance from the peak heights, and turn both into a relative atomic mass without dropping marks on significant figures or units. These free notes cover the whole sub-topic in one place — the definitions examiners want word-perfect, annotated spectra for magnesium, zirconium and chlorine, seven fully worked examples, a 67-mark practice paper, and a complete mark scheme with the marks allocated line by line. Written by Waseem, who has taught IB Chemistry for close to thirty years, and free to download.
Structure 1.3.1 – Emission Spectra & the Hydrogen Atom
Complete IB Chemistry SL & HL revision notes covering electromagnetic radiation, continuous and line spectra, the hydrogen emission spectrum, Lyman, Balmer and Paschen series, energy levels and the 2n² rule. HL students will also find coverage of convergence limits and the ionization energy of hydrogen. Includes worked examples, practice questions and full mark-scheme answers.
Structure 1.3.2 – Electron Configurations
Complete IB Chemistry SL & HL revision notes covering sublevels, atomic orbitals, the Aufbau principle, Hund’s rule, the Pauli exclusion principle, electron configurations of atoms and ions, and the chromium and copper exceptions. Includes HL ionization-energy content, worked examples, practice questions and full mark-scheme answers
Structure 1.4.1 to 1.4.4 – Mole Concept, Molar Mass & Empirical Formula
Build confidence with the core quantitative skills in IB Chemistry Structure 1.4.1–1.4.4, from understanding the mole and Avogadro constant to calculating relative atomic mass, relative formula mass and molar mass, and determining empirical and molecular formulae. This free 32-page iBLaurel resource includes clear revision notes, step-by-step solved examples, IB-style Paper 1A and Paper 1B practice questions, and detailed mark-scheme guidance to help you strengthen both your chemical understanding and calculation technique.
Structure 1.4.5 to 1.4.6 – Solutions & Gases
Develop the essential calculation skills required for IB Chemistry Structure 1.4.5–1.4.6, covering solutions, concentration and gas calculations. This free iBLaurel resource explains the key relationships and equations clearly, with step-by-step worked examples followed by IB-style Paper 1A and Paper 1B practice questions and detailed mark-scheme guidance. It is designed to help students become more confident with molar concentration, solution calculations, gas volumes and the ideal gas equation, while improving the accuracy and structure of their exam working.
Structure 1.5.1 to 1.5.2 – Ideal Gases and Real Gases
Free IB Chemistry notes and practice questions on the ideal gas model and real gases, covering Structure 1.5.1 and 1.5.2 for SL and HL (first assessment 2025). This 38-page booklet explains the four assumptions of the kinetic model, how to use them to explain changes in gas pressure, and why real gases deviate from ideal behaviour at high pressure and low temperature — including which gases deviate most and how to read PV/nRT deviation graphs. It includes a formula and definitions sheet, exam technique and command term guidance, 14 fully solved examples, 20 multiple-choice questions, and Paper 1B and Paper 2 style practice questions with complete mark schemes. All content is clearly labelled SL + HL or HL Stretch.
Structure 1.5.3 to 1.5.4 – Molar Volume and Idea Gas Equation
Free IB Chemistry notes and practice questions on molar volume, the gas laws and the ideal gas equation, covering Structure 1.5.3 and 1.5.4 for SL and HL (first assessment 2025). This 35-page booklet explains how to use the molar volume at STP, how to analyse pressure–volume–temperature graphs, and how to solve problems with PV = nRT and the combined gas law, including finding molar mass from experimental gas data. It includes a formula and data sheet, a six-step calculation method, 16 fully worked examples, 20 multiple-choice questions, and Paper 1B and Paper 2 style practice with complete mark schemes.
IB Chemistry Structure 1.2 & 1.3 – Paper 1A Practice Questions
Practise IB Chemistry Paper 1A-style multiple-choice questions on Structure 1.2: The Nuclear Atom and Structure 1.3: Electron Configurations. This free practice pack contains 30 MCQs, with questions for both SL and HL students, including dedicated Higher Level material. A full mark scheme with explanations and examiner-style notes is included so you can identify weak areas and understand why each answer is correct.
IB Chemistry Structure 1 – Full Paper 1A Practice
Test your understanding of the whole of IB Chemistry Structure 1: Models of the Particulate Nature of Matter, covering Structure 1.1 to 1.5. This free Paper 1A practice pack contains 40 multiple-choice questions, including a complete 30-question SL Paper 1A-style section plus 10 additional HL questions. It also includes a full worked mark scheme with reasoning and examiner notes, making it useful for timed revision and final exam preparation.