IB Physics HL · 2025 to 2026

1.2 Forces and momentum

44 past paper questions from 11 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

1.2 Forces and momentum

Latest exam session: May 2026

questions
44
questions
papers
11
papers
exam sessions
3
exam sessions
micro-topics
8

Micro-topics in 1.2 Forces and momentum

In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in.

  • 25

    1.2.1

    Free-body diagrams, equilibrium & resolving forces

    4 questions · in 25% of papersAppears in 3 of the 12 Physics HL papers analysed (25%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P2 TZ3

  • 58

    1.2.2

    Newton's laws of motion (F = ma)

    11 questions · in 58% of papersAppears in 7 of the 12 Physics HL papers analysed (58%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P2 TZ3

  • 50

    1.2.3

    Friction (static & dynamic)

    7 questions · in 50% of papersAppears in 6 of the 12 Physics HL papers analysed (50%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P2 TZ2

  • 25

    1.2.4

    Buoyancy & Archimedes' principle

    5 questions · in 25% of papersAppears in 3 of the 12 Physics HL papers analysed (25%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last May 25 P2 TZ3

  • 33

    1.2.5

    Drag force & terminal velocity

    5 questions · in 33% of papersAppears in 4 of the 12 Physics HL papers analysed (33%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P1 TZ3

  • 33

    1.2.6

    Circular motion & centripetal force

    4 questions · in 33% of papersAppears in 4 of the 12 Physics HL papers analysed (33%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P1 TZ2

  • 25

    1.2.7

    Momentum & impulse

    3 questions · in 25% of papersAppears in 3 of the 12 Physics HL papers analysed (25%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P1 TZ3

  • 42

    1.2.8

    Conservation of momentum & collisions

    5 questions · in 42% of papersAppears in 5 of the 12 Physics HL papers analysed (42%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P2 TZ3

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 8 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.

fewermore

Micro-topic20252026
1.2.2Newton's laws of motion (F = ma)Frequently tested
5Newton's laws of motion (F = ma), 2025: 5 questions6Newton's laws of motion (F = ma), 2026: 6 questions
1.2.3Friction (static & dynamic)Frequently tested
5Friction (static & dynamic), 2025: 5 questions2Friction (static & dynamic), 2026: 2 questions
1.2.8Conservation of momentum & collisionsFrequently tested
3Conservation of momentum & collisions, 2025: 3 questions2Conservation of momentum & collisions, 2026: 2 questions
1.2.5Drag force & terminal velocityFrequently tested
4Drag force & terminal velocity, 2025: 4 questions1Drag force & terminal velocity, 2026: 1 question

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  • Frequently testedin at least a quarter of all papers, and still appearing in the last two years

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Questions on 1.2 Forces and momentum, by exam session

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Frequently asked questions

Short answers about this page.

Which Physics HL exam sessions are covered for 1.2 Forces and momentum?

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 11 papers in this archive.

Which 1.2 Forces and momentum topic comes up most?

Newton's laws of motion (F = ma) (1.2.2): in 58% of papers, last seen May 26 P2 TZ3. Usually "find / solve", worth about 3.1 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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