Physics · Theme A: Space, time and motion

A.2 — Forces and momentum

Physics · SL / HL · syllabus-mapped notes

1. Newton’s laws and free-body diagrams

   The three laws, forces as interactions, free-body diagrams, resultant force, equilibrium and force pairs.

2. Contact forces

   Normal force, friction (static and dynamic), tension, the elastic restoring force (Hooke’s law), viscous drag and buoyancy.

3. Field forces

   The gravitational (weight), electric and magnetic forces that act at a distance.

4. Momentum, impulse and collisions

   Linear momentum and its conservation, impulse, the two forms of Newton’s second law, and elastic/inelastic collisions and explosions.

5. Circular motion

   Centripetal acceleration and force, and the link between angular velocity and linear speed.