IB Physics SL · 2025

1.2 Forces and momentum

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SL archive · 2025 to 2026

1.2 Forces and momentum

Latest exam session: May 2026

questions
questions
papers
papers
exam sessions
exam sessions
By year8micro-topics

Micro-topics in 1.2 Forces and momentum

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

  • 28

    1.2.1

    Free-body diagrams, equilibrium & resolving forces

    7 questions · in 28% of papers

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P1 TZ2

  • 39

    1.2.2

    Newton's laws of motion (F = ma)

    8 questions · in 39% of papers

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P2 TZ3

  • 22

    1.2.3

    Friction (static & dynamic)

    5 questions · in 22% of papers

    Regular

    last May 26 P2 TZ2

  • 44

    1.2.4

    Buoyancy & Archimedes' principle

    15 questions · in 44% of papers

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P2 TZ2

  • 39

    1.2.5

    Drag force & terminal velocity

    10 questions · in 39% of papers

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P2 TZ1

  • 28

    1.2.6

    Circular motion & centripetal force

    5 questions · in 28% of papers

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P1 TZ2

  • 28

    1.2.7

    Momentum & impulse

    5 questions · in 28% of papers

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P2 TZ3

  • 39

    1.2.8

    Conservation of momentum & collisions

    7 questions · in 39% of papers

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P1 TZ2

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
1.2.4Buoyancy & Archimedes' principleFrequently tested
8Buoyancy & Archimedes' principle, 2025: 8 questions7Buoyancy & Archimedes' principle, 2026: 7 questions
1.2.5Drag force & terminal velocityFrequently tested
7Drag force & terminal velocity, 2025: 7 questions3Drag force & terminal velocity, 2026: 3 questions
1.2.2Newton's laws of motion (F = ma)Frequently tested
7Newton's laws of motion (F = ma), 2025: 7 questions1Newton's laws of motion (F = ma), 2026: 1 question
5Conservation of momentum & collisions, 2025: 5 questions2Conservation of momentum & collisions, 2026: 2 questions

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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

Which papers asked about 1.2 Forces and momentum, 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 SL exam sessions are covered for 1.2 Forces and momentum?

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 17 papers in this archive.

Which 1.2 Forces and momentum topic comes up most?

Buoyancy & Archimedes' principle (1.2.4): in 44% of papers, last seen May 26 P2 TZ2. Usually "Show that", worth about 3.8 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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