IB Physics HL · 2025 to 2026

1.4 Rigid body mechanics (HL)

15 past paper questions from 8 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

1.4 Rigid body mechanics (HL)

Latest exam session: May 2026

questions
15
questions
papers
8
papers
exam sessions
3
exam sessions
micro-topics
3

Micro-topics in 1.4 Rigid body mechanics (HL)

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

  • 58

    1.4.1

    Torque and rotational motion

    13 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 TZ2

  • 8

    1.4.2

    Moment of inertia

    1 question · in 8% of papersAppears in 1 of the 12 Physics HL papers analysed (8%), at least once each.

    Occasional

    last May 25 P1 TZ1

  • 8

    1.4.3

    Conservation of angular momentum

    1 question · in 8% of papersAppears in 1 of the 12 Physics HL papers analysed (8%), at least once each.

    Occasional

    last May 25 P1 TZ1

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.

fewermore

Micro-topic20252026
1.4.1Torque and rotational motionFrequently tested
8Torque and rotational motion, 2025: 8 questions5Torque and rotational motion, 2026: 5 questions
1.4.3Conservation of angular momentumOccasional
1Conservation of angular momentum, 2025: 1 question·Conservation of angular momentum, 2026: 0 questions
1.4.2Moment of inertiaOccasional
1Moment of inertia, 2025: 1 question·Moment of inertia, 2026: 0 questions
  • Frequently testedin at least a quarter of all papers, and still appearing in the last two years
  • Occasionalin about one paper in ten

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Questions on 1.4 Rigid body mechanics (HL), by exam session

Which papers asked about 1.4 Rigid body mechanics (HL), 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 1.4 Rigid body mechanics (HL)?

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 8 papers in this archive.

Which 1.4 Rigid body mechanics (HL) topic comes up most?

Torque and rotational motion (1.4.1): in 58% of papers, last seen May 26 P2 TZ2. Usually "find / solve", worth about 2.3 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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Reading this page and the exam pattern is free. A free account generates three sets of ten questions and launches one practice set. Pro opens every question in any scope, sets of twenty or all, and unlimited practice.

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