Force And Motion Practice Quiz Questions!

1. It would probably be easiest to ride a bicycle across:

Gravel

Sand

Grass

Sidewalk

Riding a bicycle on gravel, sand, or grass can be challenging due to the uneven surface and lack of traction. These surfaces can cause the bicycle to skid or get stuck, making it difficult to maintain balance and control. On the other hand, riding on a sidewalk provides a smooth and stable surface, making it the easiest option for riding a bicycle.

Explanation

Riding a bicycle on gravel, sand, or grass can be challenging due to the uneven surface and lack of traction. These surfaces can cause the bicycle to skid or get stuck, making it difficult to maintain balance and control. On the other hand, riding on a sidewalk provides a smooth and stable surface, making it the easiest option for riding a bicycle.

2. Newton first described gravity while watching:

Smoke rise

A car accelerate

Someone walking

An apple falling

Newton first described gravity while watching an apple falling. This observation led him to formulate the theory of gravity, which states that every object in the universe attracts every other object with a force that is directly proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This discovery revolutionized our understanding of the natural world and laid the foundation for modern physics.

Explanation

Newton first described gravity while watching an apple falling. This observation led him to formulate the theory of gravity, which states that every object in the universe attracts every other object with a force that is directly proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This discovery revolutionized our understanding of the natural world and laid the foundation for modern physics.

3. An object that experiences a push or a pull has a(n) __________ exerted on it.

Environment

Inertia

System

Force

When an object experiences a push or a pull, it is being acted upon by a force. Force is a vector quantity that describes the interaction between two objects and can cause a change in the object's motion or shape. It is the force that causes the object to accelerate or decelerate, and it is measured in units of Newtons (N). Therefore, the correct answer is force.

Explanation

When an object experiences a push or a pull, it is being acted upon by a force. Force is a vector quantity that describes the interaction between two objects and can cause a change in the object's motion or shape. It is the force that causes the object to accelerate or decelerate, and it is measured in units of Newtons (N). Therefore, the correct answer is force.

4. ____ is the speed of an object and the direction of motion.

Friction

Mass

Gravity

Velocity

Velocity is the correct answer because it is defined as the speed of an object along with the direction of its motion. It is a vector quantity that takes into account both magnitude (speed) and direction, making it a comprehensive measure of an object's motion. Friction, mass, and gravity are not directly related to the speed and direction of an object's motion, making them incorrect answers.

Explanation

Velocity is the correct answer because it is defined as the speed of an object along with the direction of its motion. It is a vector quantity that takes into account both magnitude (speed) and direction, making it a comprehensive measure of an object's motion. Friction, mass, and gravity are not directly related to the speed and direction of an object's motion, making them incorrect answers.

5. According to Newton's third law, forces always occur in ____ pairs.

Equal but complementary

Equal but opposite

Unequal but opposite

Unequal but complementary

According to Newton's third law, forces always occur in equal but opposite pairs. This means that for every action force, there is an equal and opposite reaction force. This principle states that the force exerted by one object on another is always met with an equal force in the opposite direction exerted by the second object on the first. This law helps explain the concept of balanced forces and the conservation of momentum.

Explanation

According to Newton's third law, forces always occur in equal but opposite pairs. This means that for every action force, there is an equal and opposite reaction force. This principle states that the force exerted by one object on another is always met with an equal force in the opposite direction exerted by the second object on the first. This law helps explain the concept of balanced forces and the conservation of momentum.

6. _____ is NOT a force.

Friction

Gravity

Mass

Tension

Mass is not a force because it is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, not a force itself. Forces, such as friction and gravity, act upon objects with mass, but mass itself does not exert a force. Instead, it determines how an object responds to the forces acting upon it, such as acceleration or resistance to motion.

Explanation

Mass is not a force because it is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, not a force itself. Forces, such as friction and gravity, act upon objects with mass, but mass itself does not exert a force. Instead, it determines how an object responds to the forces acting upon it, such as acceleration or resistance to motion.

7. Jack pushes a box of books across the floor. What causes the box to move?

A force

Friction

Gravity

Inertia

The box of books is able to move because of a force. A force is a push or a pull that can cause an object to change its motion. In this case, Jack is exerting a force on the box by pushing it, which causes the box to move across the floor.

Explanation

The box of books is able to move because of a force. A force is a push or a pull that can cause an object to change its motion. In this case, Jack is exerting a force on the box by pushing it, which causes the box to move across the floor.

8. You would NOT use _____ to find the acceleration of an object.

Initial speed

Final speed

Weight

Time

Weight is a measure of the force of gravity acting on an object. Acceleration is determined by factors such as initial speed, final speed, and time. Weight can affect acceleration indirectly through the force of gravity, but it is not a direct measure of acceleration. Therefore, weight is not used to find the acceleration of an object.

Explanation

Weight is a measure of the force of gravity acting on an object. Acceleration is determined by factors such as initial speed, final speed, and time. Weight can affect acceleration indirectly through the force of gravity, but it is not a direct measure of acceleration. Therefore, weight is not used to find the acceleration of an object.

9. The force that always acts opposite to the direction of the motion of an object is called:

Gravity

Inertia

Friction

None of the above

Friction is the force that always acts opposite to the direction of the motion of an object. When two surfaces are in contact, friction opposes the relative motion between them. It is caused by the interaction between the irregularities on the surfaces, which creates resistance to the motion. Friction plays a crucial role in everyday life, as it allows us to walk, drive, and hold objects. It is responsible for stopping or slowing down moving objects and is essential for stability and control.

Explanation

Friction is the force that always acts opposite to the direction of the motion of an object. When two surfaces are in contact, friction opposes the relative motion between them. It is caused by the interaction between the irregularities on the surfaces, which creates resistance to the motion. Friction plays a crucial role in everyday life, as it allows us to walk, drive, and hold objects. It is responsible for stopping or slowing down moving objects and is essential for stability and control.

10. A magazine rests on top of a TV remote that is sitting on a table. Which is NOT exacting a force on the remote?

Gravity

Table

Magazine

The table

Your hand

The hand is not exerting a force on the remote because it is not in contact with it. The other options, such as gravity, the table, and the magazine, are all exerting forces on the remote either through direct contact or through the force of gravity.

Explanation

The hand is not exerting a force on the remote because it is not in contact with it. The other options, such as gravity, the table, and the magazine, are all exerting forces on the remote either through direct contact or through the force of gravity.

11. Newton's _____ law of motion explains why you may lean sideways in a car if the driver turns a corner too quickly.

First

Second

Third

Primary

Newton's first law of motion, also known as the law of inertia, states that an object at rest will stay at rest and an object in motion will stay in motion with the same speed and direction, unless acted upon by an external force. In the case of a car turning a corner too quickly, the car and its occupants are subject to a change in direction. According to Newton's first law, the occupants of the car will continue moving in a straight line due to their inertia. As a result, they will lean sideways in the car as their bodies resist the change in direction.

Explanation

Newton's first law of motion, also known as the law of inertia, states that an object at rest will stay at rest and an object in motion will stay in motion with the same speed and direction, unless acted upon by an external force. In the case of a car turning a corner too quickly, the car and its occupants are subject to a change in direction. According to Newton's first law, the occupants of the car will continue moving in a straight line due to their inertia. As a result, they will lean sideways in the car as their bodies resist the change in direction.