Physics HL

Revision Summary

Mechanics

Where does it appear? How much does it count?

(Calculations for the tables below were made based on past exams from May 2016 until May 2022)

 

Approximate number of marks

Approximate percentage of your final IBDP Physics grade

Paper 1

6-7 marks 

(out of 40)

3.1 %

Paper 2

13-18 marks

(out of 90)

6.9 %

Overall percentage of your IB Physics grade based on Topic 2

10 %

What to study?

Sub-topic 2.1 – Motion

  • Uniform acceleration and the four motion (SUVAT) equations (see Data Booklet)
  • Motion graphs (distance-time, displacement-time, speed-time, velocity-time, acceleration-time)
  • Projectile (parabolic) motion

 

Sub-topic 2.2 – Forces

  • Free-body diagrams
  • Newton’s laws
  • Friction (static and dynamic)

 

Sub-topic 2.3 – Work, energy and power

  • Work done as energy transfer
  • The principle of energy conservation
  • Kinetic energy
  • Gravitational potential energy
  • Elastic potential energy
  • Power
  • Efficiency

 

Sub-topic 2.4 – Momentum and impulse

  • Rate of change of momentum and Newton’s second law
  • Impulse and force-time graphs
  • Linear momentum conservation
  • Collisions (elastic and inelastic)

Topic Specific PaperPlainz Resources

Video Concept Explanations

Mechanics

Motion
Forces
Work, Energy, and Power
Momentum and Impulse
HL Questionbank

Mechanics

HL Past Exam Video Solutions by Topic

Mechanics

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