Physics Trivia Quiz On Problem Solving Test!

1. Match the following quantities with their SI (metric) units.

Distance

Velocity

Acceleration

Force

Mass

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2. When an object has a positive velocity and a negative acceleration, what happens to the object's motion?

The object slows down.

The object speeds up.

The object is at rest.

The object is moving at a constant velocity.

When an object has a positive velocity and a negative acceleration, it means that the object is moving in a positive direction but its speed is decreasing. This indicates that the object is slowing down.

Explanation

When an object has a positive velocity and a negative acceleration, it means that the object is moving in a positive direction but its speed is decreasing. This indicates that the object is slowing down.

3. If an object is traveling in a straight line, what is the difference (if any) between the speed and the velocity of the object?

There is no difference.

The speed and velocity will be different numbers.

The velocity and speed must have different units.

The velocity will have a direction and the speed will not.

The difference between speed and velocity is that velocity is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction, while speed is a scalar quantity, only having magnitude. In the context of an object traveling in a straight line, the speed would represent how fast the object is moving, while the velocity would also indicate the direction in which it is moving. Therefore, the correct answer is that the velocity will have a direction and the speed will not.

Explanation

The difference between speed and velocity is that velocity is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction, while speed is a scalar quantity, only having magnitude. In the context of an object traveling in a straight line, the speed would represent how fast the object is moving, while the velocity would also indicate the direction in which it is moving. Therefore, the correct answer is that the velocity will have a direction and the speed will not.

4. What is the acceleration (in

) of an object in free fall? Write only the number (no units) using 2 significant digits.

The acceleration of an object in free fall is 9.8 m/s^2. This value is positive because it represents the acceleration due to gravity pulling the object downwards. However, if we consider the direction of the acceleration, it can also be represented as -9.8 m/s^2, indicating that the object is accelerating in the opposite direction, which is upwards.

Explanation

The acceleration of an object in free fall is 9.8 m/s^2. This value is positive because it represents the acceleration due to gravity pulling the object downwards. However, if we consider the direction of the acceleration, it can also be represented as -9.8 m/s^2, indicating that the object is accelerating in the opposite direction, which is upwards.

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5. A negative acceleration always means an object is slowing down.

True

False

A negative acceleration just means the acceleration is in the negative direction. This could be speeding up or slowing down, or even just changing direction depending on the situation.

Explanation

A negative acceleration just means the acceleration is in the negative direction. This could be speeding up or slowing down, or even just changing direction depending on the situation.

6. If the net force on an object is zero, which of the following could be true. Select all that apply.

The object is at rest.

The object is moving at a constant speed to the right.

The object is moving at a constant speed down.

The object is getting faster in the x direction.

If the net force on an object is zero, it means that the forces acting on the object are balanced and cancel each other out. In this case, the object can be at rest because there is no force to cause it to move. It can also be moving at a constant speed to the right because the forces acting on it are balanced and there is no acceleration. Similarly, the object can be moving at a constant speed down if the forces acting on it are balanced in the downward direction. However, the object cannot be getting faster in the x direction because there is no net force to cause acceleration in that direction.

Explanation

If the net force on an object is zero, it means that the forces acting on the object are balanced and cancel each other out. In this case, the object can be at rest because there is no force to cause it to move. It can also be moving at a constant speed to the right because the forces acting on it are balanced and there is no acceleration. Similarly, the object can be moving at a constant speed down if the forces acting on it are balanced in the downward direction. However, the object cannot be getting faster in the x direction because there is no net force to cause acceleration in that direction.

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