Work Physics Quiz: Test Your Understanding of Energy Transfer

9th Grade

Reviewed by Ekaterina Yukhnovich

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By Thames

Thames

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Quizzes Created: 10017 | Total Attempts: 9,652,179

| Attempts: 12 | Questions: 20 | Updated: Mar 17, 2026

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1. In physics, 'work' is done when:

You feel tired

A force causes an object to move in the direction of the force

An object stays still

A force exists but no movement happens

Concept: definition of work. Work is energy transferred when a force produces displacement. If there is no displacement, the work done by that force is zero.

Explanation

Concept: definition of work. Work is energy transferred when a force produces displacement. If there is no displacement, the work done by that force is zero.

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About This Quiz

Work Physics Quiz: Test Your Understanding Of Energy Transfer - Quiz

This assessment explores the principles of energy transfer in work physics. It evaluates your understanding of key concepts such as work, energy, and their interactions. Engaging with this material is essential for mastering the foundational elements of physics, making it relevant for students and enthusiasts alike.

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2. If you push on a wall and it doesn’t move, you do zero mechanical work on the wall.

True

False

Concept: no displacement, no work. Even though you may use energy in your body, the wall’s displacement is zero. Mechanical work on the wall is therefore zero.

Explanation

Concept: no displacement, no work. Even though you may use energy in your body, the wall’s displacement is zero. Mechanical work on the wall is therefore zero.

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3. The simplest work formula (force parallel to motion) is:

(w = f + d)

(w = f/d)

(w = fd)

(w = d/f)

Concept: work formula (parallel). When force and displacement are in the same direction, work equals force times distance. This gives the energy transferred to the object.

Explanation

Concept: work formula (parallel). When force and displacement are in the same direction, work equals force times distance. This gives the energy transferred to the object.

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4. The SI unit of work is the ______ (j).

Concept: work unit. The joule is the SI unit of energy and work. 1 J is the work done by a 1 N force moving an object 1 m in the force direction.

Explanation

Concept: work unit. The joule is the SI unit of energy and work. 1 J is the work done by a 1 N force moving an object 1 m in the force direction.

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5. Work and energy are measured in the same units.

True

False

Concept: work–energy connection. Work is a way energy is transferred. That’s why both are measured in joules.

Explanation

Concept: work–energy connection. Work is a way energy is transferred. That’s why both are measured in joules.

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6. A 10 N force moves a box 3 m in the same direction. The work done is:

7 J

13 J

30 J

300 J

Concept: calculating work. Use (w=fd). (10 * 3 = 30) J.

Explanation

Concept: calculating work. Use (w=fd). (10 * 3 = 30) J.

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7. Which situation involves zero work by the force shown?

Pulling a sled forward with a rope

Lifting a bag upward

Carrying a bag horizontally at constant height (force upward, motion horizontal)

Pushing a cart forward

Concept: force component along motion. When carrying a bag, your upward force is perpendicular to the horizontal motion. So your force does no mechanical work on the bag (ignoring small vertical motion).

Explanation

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8. Work depends on both the size of the force and how far the object moves.

True

False

Concept: two-factor dependence. Larger force or larger displacement increases work. Both matter because work measures energy transferred through motion.

Explanation

Concept: two-factor dependence. Larger force or larger displacement increases work. Both matter because work measures energy transferred through motion.

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9. Work is positive when the force component is in the ______ direction as the displacement.

Concept: sign of work (basic). If force helps the motion, energy is transferred to the object and work is positive. Sign comes from whether the force component aligns with displacement.

Explanation

Concept: sign of work (basic). If force helps the motion, energy is transferred to the object and work is positive. Sign comes from whether the force component aligns with displacement.

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10. Work done by friction on a sliding object is usually:

Positive

Negative

Always zero

Infinite

Concept: friction does negative work. Friction acts opposite motion, removing kinetic energy. That corresponds to negative work on the object.

Explanation

Concept: friction does negative work. Friction acts opposite motion, removing kinetic energy. That corresponds to negative work on the object.

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11. Doubling the force (same distance) doubles the work.

True

False

Concept: proportionality in (w=fd). Work is directly proportional to force when distance is fixed. So doubling (f) doubles (w).

Explanation

Concept: proportionality in (w=fd). Work is directly proportional to force when distance is fixed. So doubling (f) doubles (w).

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12. Lifting an object against gravity requires positive work by you.

True

False

Concept: work against weight. Your force is upward and the displacement is upward, so you do positive work. That energy becomes gravitational potential energy.

Explanation

Concept: work against weight. Your force is upward and the displacement is upward, so you do positive work. That energy becomes gravitational potential energy.

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13. The weight force on an object near earth is approximately (mg), where (g) is the acceleration due to ______.

Concept: weight and gravity. Weight is the gravitational force. It depends on mass and the gravitational field strength (g).

Explanation

Concept: weight and gravity. Weight is the gravitational force. It depends on mass and the gravitational field strength (g).

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14. Work can be transferred into different forms of energy, such as thermal energy due to friction.

True

False

Concept: energy transformations. Work is a transfer of energy. Friction converts mechanical energy into internal thermal energy.

Explanation

Concept: energy transformations. Work is a transfer of energy. Friction converts mechanical energy into internal thermal energy.

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15. The best overall summary is:

Work is only what you do at a job

Work is energy transferred when a force causes displacement; it depends on the force component along the motion

Work has units of newtons

Work is always positive

Concept: work basics recap. Work links forces to energy changes through displacement. Direction matters because only the parallel component contributes.

Explanation

Concept: work basics recap. Work links forces to energy changes through displacement. Direction matters because only the parallel component contributes.

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16. If the force is perpendicular to the displacement, the work done by that force is zero.

True

False

Concept: perpendicular forces do no work. Only the component of force along the displacement does work. A perpendicular force changes direction but not speed, so it does no work on the object.

Explanation

Concept: perpendicular forces do no work. Only the component of force along the displacement does work. A perpendicular force changes direction but not speed, so it does no work on the object.

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17. If friction does negative work, the object’s kinetic energy tends to decrease.

True

False

Concept: work–energy link (qualitative). Negative work reduces kinetic energy, often turning it into thermal energy. This is why objects slow down when friction is present.

Explanation

Concept: work–energy link (qualitative). Negative work reduces kinetic energy, often turning it into thermal energy. This is why objects slow down when friction is present.

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18. Which is equivalent to 1 joule?

1 N/s

1 N/m

1 N·m

1 kg/s

Concept: unit equivalence. Since (w=fd), units are N·m. That is defined as one joule.

Explanation

Concept: unit equivalence. Since (w=fd), units are N·m. That is defined as one joule.

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19. If an object moves 0 m, the work done (by any force) is:

Maximum

Negative

0 J

Depends on the force

Concept: displacement required. Work involves force causing displacement. Without displacement, mechanical work is zero.

Explanation

Concept: displacement required. Work involves force causing displacement. Without displacement, mechanical work is zero.

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20. When you lower a heavy object slowly at constant speed, the work done by gravity is:

Zero

Positive

Negative

Always the same as your work

Concept: sign depends on direction. Gravity points downward, and the displacement is downward, so gravity does positive work. Your upward force does negative work of equal magnitude if speed is constant.

Explanation

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