Physics Pre-test Quiz

Reviewed by Matt Balanda
Matt Balanda, BS (Aerospace Engineering) |
Science Teacher
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Matt Balanda, a Calvary Chapel Christian School leader with a Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering and Mathematics, transitioned from Aerospace Engineering to Education with a Master's from California Baptist University. As the High School Vice-Principal and Physics teacher, he nurtures students' love of learning and faith, creating an enriching and transformational educational experience.
 , BS (Aerospace Engineering)
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  • 1/40 Questions

    The term normally used to indicate a decrease in speed           

    • Acceleration
    • Deceleration
    • Stop
    • None of these
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About This Quiz

Prepare for your physics journey with our Physics Pre-test Quiz! Whether you're brushing up on foundational concepts or testing your initial understanding, this quiz is tailored for all levels. Dive into questions covering mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and more. Challenge yourself on fundamental principles and equations, setting the stage for a successful physics exploration. Our interactive pre-test quiz is designed to assess your current knowledge, identify areas for improvement, and boost your confidence. It's the perfect tool to gauge your readiness and embark on your physics learning adventure. Take the Physics Pre-test Quiz and pave the way for a solid grasp of the fundamental laws governing the universe!

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  • 2. 

    Materials that easily allow the flow of an electric current

    • Resistors

    • Conductors

    • Semiconductors

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. Conductors
    Explanation
    Conductors are materials that easily allow the flow of an electric current. They have low resistance, which means that electrons can move through them easily. This is because conductors have a large number of free electrons that are not tightly bound to atoms and can move freely. Examples of conductors include metals like copper and aluminum. Resistors, on the other hand, are materials that have high resistance and restrict the flow of electric current. Semiconductors have properties between conductors and insulators, and their ability to conduct electricity can be controlled.

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  • 3. 

    Forces that are opposite in direction and equal in size

    • Balanced

    • Unbalanced

    • Imaginary

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. Balanced
    Explanation
    Forces that are opposite in direction and equal in size are called balanced forces. When two forces of equal magnitude act in opposite directions, they cancel each other out, resulting in a net force of zero. This means that the forces are balanced, and there is no overall change in the object's motion.

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  • 4. 

    To push a car 30 meters in 20 seconds takes approximately 4,500 joules of work. How much power is needed in joules per second ?

    • 0.25

    • 225.00

    • 1,500.00

    • 7,500.00

    Correct Answer
    A. 225.00
    Explanation
    To calculate power, we use the formula: Power = Work / Time. In this case, the work done is given as 4,500 joules and the time taken is 20 seconds. Dividing the work by the time, we get 4,500 / 20 = 225 joules per second. Therefore, the correct answer is 225.00.

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  • 5. 

    100mL is equal to

    • 1kL

    • 10-6 µL

    • 0.1 L

    • 0.01 ML

    Correct Answer
    A. 0.1 L
    Explanation
    The correct answer is 0.1 L because 100 mL is equal to 0.1 L.

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  • 6. 

    Which of the following is an example of a simple machine ?

    • Whistle

    • Battery

    • Typewriter

    • Lever

    Correct Answer
    A. Lever
    Explanation
    A lever is an example of a simple machine because it consists of a rigid bar that rotates around a fixed point called a fulcrum. It allows for the amplification or redirection of force, making it easier to lift heavy objects or move them with less effort. A lever is commonly found in various tools and equipment, such as scissors, seesaws, and crowbars.

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  • 7. 

    The resistance of an object to changes in motion

    • Acceleration

    • Density

    • Inertia

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. Inertia
    Explanation
    Inertia is the correct answer because it refers to the resistance of an object to changes in its motion. It is a property of matter that causes an object to resist any change in its state of motion. Inertia is directly related to an object's mass, with objects having greater mass having greater inertia.

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  • 8. 

    The number of significant figures in 0.40 is

    • One.

    • Two.

    • Three.

    • Four.

    Correct Answer
    A. Two.
    Explanation
    The number of significant figures in 0.40 is two because both the digits 4 and 0 are non-zero and are considered significant. The zero after the decimal point is also significant as it indicates the precision of the measurement. Therefore, there are two significant figures in 0.40.

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  • 9. 

    The unit of mass in the SI system

    • Pound

    • Gram

    • Kilogram

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. Kilogram
    Explanation
    The kilogram is the unit of mass in the SI system. The SI system, also known as the International System of Units, is a globally accepted system of measurement used in science, industry, and everyday life. The kilogram is defined as the mass of the International Prototype of the Kilogram, a platinum-iridium cylinder kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures. It is the base unit of mass in the SI system and is used to measure the mass of objects.

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  • 10. 

    This type of current is produced by a battery

    • Alternating current

    • Direct current

    • Static electricity

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. Direct current
    Explanation
    Direct current is the correct answer because it is the type of current produced by a battery. Direct current flows in one direction only, from the positive terminal of the battery to the negative terminal. This is different from alternating current, which changes direction periodically, and static electricity, which is a buildup of electric charge on the surface of an object. Therefore, direct current is the most appropriate answer in this context.

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  • 11. 

    The linear momentum of a particle is the product of its mass and its velocity.  Consequently, the SI units of linear momentum

    • Kg/ (m/s)

    • Kg · m · s

    • kg · m/s

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. kg · m/s
    Explanation
    The linear momentum of a particle is defined as the product of its mass and its velocity. The SI unit for mass is kilogram (kg) and the SI unit for velocity is meters per second (m/s). Therefore, when we multiply the unit for mass (kg) with the unit for velocity (m/s), we get the unit for linear momentum, which is kilogram meter per second (kg·m/s).

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  • 12. 

    If an object has a constant non-zero velocity, then it:

    • Moves with unchanging speed in a straight line.

    • Moves with unchanging speed along a circle.

    • Does not move at all.

    • Either A or C.

    Correct Answer
    A. Moves with unchanging speed in a straight line.
    Explanation
    An object with a constant velocity means that it is moving in a straight line with a speed that does not change. This means that it is not accelerating or changing direction. Therefore, the correct answer is that it moves with unchanging speed in a straight line.

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  • 13. 

    An object attached to one end of a spring makes 20 vibrations in 10 seconds. The period of the object is

    • 2 Hz

    • 2 seconds

    • 0.5 seconds

    • 0.5 Hz

    Correct Answer
    A. 2 Hz
    Explanation
    The period of an object attached to a spring is the time it takes for the object to complete one full vibration. In this case, the object makes 20 vibrations in 10 seconds, so the period can be calculated by dividing the total time by the number of vibrations. Therefore, the period is 10 seconds divided by 20 vibrations, which equals 0.5 seconds. The unit for period is seconds, not Hz. The correct answer is 0.5 seconds.

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  • 14. 

    An apple falls from a tree.  Compare its kinetic energy, K, to its potential energy, U.

    • K decreases and U decreases

    • K is constant and U increases

    • K increases and U decreases

    • K increases and U is constant

    Correct Answer
    A. K increases and U decreases
    Explanation
    As the apple falls from the tree, its potential energy decreases because it is moving closer to the ground. At the same time, its kinetic energy increases because it is gaining speed as it falls. Therefore, the correct answer is that K increases and U decreases.

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  • 15. 

    In terms of fundamental SI units, one newton is

    • 1 kg · m^2/s^2

    • 1 kg · m^2/s

    • 1 kg · m/s^2

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. 1 kg · m/s^2
    Explanation
    One newton is defined as the force required to accelerate a mass of one kilogram by one meter per second squared. This means that the correct answer is 1 kg · m/s^2, as it represents the combination of the units for mass (kg), distance (m), and time (s) that are involved in measuring force. The other options do not accurately represent the units of force according to the SI system.

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  • 16. 

    Two charged particles attract each other with a force of 1.0 N. If the magnitude of each charge is doubled and the distance between them is unchanged, the force will be

    • 4.0 N

    • 0.5 N

    • 1.0 N

    • 0.25 N

    Correct Answer
    A. 4.0 N
    Explanation
    When the magnitude of each charge is doubled, the force between them will increase by a factor of 2^2 = 4. This is because the force between two charged particles is directly proportional to the product of their charges. Therefore, if the charges are doubled, the force will quadruple. Thus, the force will be 4.0 N.

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  • 17. 

    A mercury barometer

    • Is a closed tube manometer

    • Is an open tube manometer

    • Is usually 760. cm tall

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. Is a closed tube manometer
    Explanation
    A mercury barometer is a closed tube manometer because it consists of a glass tube filled with mercury and sealed at one end. The open end of the tube is immersed in a container of mercury, creating a vacuum above the mercury column. The height of the mercury column in the tube is a measure of atmospheric pressure. Therefore, it can be concluded that a mercury barometer is a closed tube manometer.

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  • 18. 

    Copper is a better conductor than paper. Relative to the resistance of a sample of copper, the resistance of an identically shaped sample of paper is

    • Larger

    • The same

    • Smaller

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. Larger
    Explanation
    Copper is a better conductor of electricity compared to paper because it has a lower resistance. Resistance is the property of a material that opposes the flow of electric current. Since copper has lower resistance, the flow of electric current is easier in copper compared to paper. Therefore, the resistance of an identically shaped sample of paper will be larger than that of copper.

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  • 19. 

    The SI prefix ‘milli’ means

    • 10^-6

    • 10^+3

    • 10^-3

    • 10^+6

    Correct Answer
    A. 10^-3
    Explanation
    The SI prefix 'milli' represents a factor of 10^-3. This means that when the prefix 'milli' is used, the value is multiplied by 0.001. In other words, 'milli' signifies one thousandth of the base unit.

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  • 20. 

    W hich of these is the independent variable in a distance-time graph

    • Time

    • Distance

    • Speed

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. Time
    Explanation
    In a distance-time graph, the independent variable is the variable that is controlled or manipulated by the experimenter. In this case, time is the independent variable because it is the variable that is being measured and plotted on the x-axis. The distance is the dependent variable, as it is the variable that is being affected or influenced by the independent variable. Speed is not the independent variable in this context, as it is a derived quantity calculated by dividing the distance by the time. Therefore, the correct answer is time.

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  • 21. 

    Which of these in not an emergency switch in an electric circuit

    • Fuse

    • Circuit breaker

    • Transistor

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. Transistor
    Explanation
    A transistor is not an emergency switch in an electric circuit. Transistors are electronic components used for amplifying or switching electronic signals and are not specifically designed to act as emergency switches. On the other hand, fuses and circuit breakers are safety devices used to protect circuits from overloading or short circuits by interrupting the flow of current. Therefore, the correct answer is transistor.

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  • 22. 

    One milliliter is equal to one

    • Cubic decimeter

    • Cubic centimeter

    • Cubic meter

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. Cubic centimeter
    Explanation
    One milliliter is equal to one cubic centimeter. This is because the metric system uses the relationship that 1 milliliter is equal to 1 cubic centimeter. Therefore, the correct answer is cubic centimeter.

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  • 23. 

    Newtons are the units of

    • Power

    • Work

    • Force

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. Force
    Explanation
    The newton (symbol: N) is the unit of force in the International System of Units (SI). One newton is defined as the force required to accelerate a one-kilogram mass at a rate of one meter per second squared.

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  • 24. 

    Which of the following is not an SI base quantity?

    • Length

    • Mass

    • Weight

    • Time

    Correct Answer
    A. Weight
    Explanation
    Weight is not an SI base quantity because it is a derived quantity, meaning it is dependent on other base quantities. Weight is the force exerted by an object due to gravity and is calculated by multiplying the mass of the object by the acceleration due to gravity. In contrast, length, mass, and time are all SI base quantities that are independent and do not rely on other quantities for measurement.

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  • 25. 

    How many nanometers are there in one meter?

    • 10^-9

    • 10^+3

    • 10^-3

    • 10^+9

    Correct Answer
    A. 10^+9
    Explanation
    One meter is equal to 10^+9 nanometers. This is because the prefix "nano" represents 10^-9, meaning one billionth. So, when converting from meters to nanometers, we multiply by 10^+9. Therefore, the correct answer is 10^+9.

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  • 26. 

    A force acting through a distance is called

    • Work

    • Acceleration

    • Power

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. Work
    Explanation
    Work is defined as the product of the force applied on an object and the distance over which the force is applied. It is a measure of the energy transferred to or from an object by means of a force acting on it. Therefore, when a force acts through a distance, it is called work. Acceleration refers to the rate of change of velocity, while power is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. None of these options accurately describe a force acting through a distance.

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  • 27. 

    A battery of 3.0 V is placed across a wire of a 5.0 W lamp. The resulting current in the wire is

    • 1.67 A

    • 15 A

    • 60 A

    • 125 A

    Correct Answer
    A. 1.67 A
    Explanation
    When a 3.0 V battery is connected to a 5.0 W lamp, the resulting current in the wire can be determined using the formula: current (I) equals power (P) divided by voltage (V). Plugging in the given values, we find that the current flowing through the wire is 1.67 A.

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  • 28. 

    Newtow’s law of gravitation is an inverse-square law. When separated by a distance d, two unlike charges exert mutual attractive forces of magnitude F on each other.  If the separation distance between these charges are doubled, how strong are the mutual forces now?

    • F/4

    • F/2

    • 2F

    • 4F

    Correct Answer
    A. F/4
    Explanation
    According to Newton's law of gravitation, the force between two charges is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. So, if the separation distance between the charges is doubled, the force between them will decrease by a factor of 4 (2 squared). Therefore, the mutual forces will be F/4.

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  • 29. 

    This type of electric current flows in only one direction

    • Static

    • Static electricity

    • Alternating current

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. None of these
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "direct current." Direct current is a type of electric current that flows in only one direction. Alternating current, on the other hand, changes direction periodically. Static electricity refers to the accumulation of electric charges on the surface of an object, but it does not necessarily involve the flow of current.

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  • 30. 

    Which of the following bodies has the largest kinetic energy?

    • Mass 2M with speed 3V

    • Mass 3M with speed 2V

    • Mass M with speed 4V

    • Mass 3M with speed V

    Correct Answer
    A. Mass 2M with speed 3V
    Explanation
    The kinetic energy of an object is given by the formula KE = 1/2mv^2, where m is the mass of the object and v is its velocity. Comparing the given options, we can see that the mass 2M with speed 3V has the largest kinetic energy. This is because it has both a greater mass (2M) and a greater velocity (3V) compared to the other options, resulting in a larger value for kinetic energy.

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  • 31. 

    Which of the following has three significant figures?

    • 305.0 cm

    • 1.00081 kg

    • 0.0500 mm

    • 8.060 x 1011 m^2

    Correct Answer
    A. 0.0500 mm
    Explanation
    The number 0.0500 mm has three significant figures because all the zeros between the decimal point and the non-zero digit are significant. In this case, the zeros are significant because they indicate the precision of the measurement.

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  • 32. 

    The metric prefix for 1/1000

    • Centi

    • Kilo

    • Micro

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. None of these
  • 33. 

    The amount of space an object takes up

    • Density

    • Speed

    • Mass

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. None of these
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "none of these" because the question is asking about the amount of space an object takes up, which is commonly referred to as volume. Density, speed, and mass are all different properties of an object and are not directly related to the amount of space it occupies.

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  • 34. 

    A kilowatt-hour is a unit of:

    • Time

    • Power

    • Energy

    • Voltage

    Correct Answer
    A. Power
    Explanation
    A kilowatt-hour is a unit of power. Power is the rate at which energy is consumed or produced. In the case of a kilowatt-hour, it represents the amount of power consumed or produced over the span of one hour. It is commonly used to measure the energy consumption of electrical devices or the production capacity of power plants.

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  • 35. 

    When an object thrown vertically upwards reaches its maximum height, it has

    • Zero acceleration and zero velocity

    • Zero acceleration and negative velocity

    • Negative acceleration and zero velocity

    • Negative acceleration and negative velocity

    Correct Answer
    A. Negative acceleration and zero velocity
    Explanation
    When an object is thrown vertically upwards, it experiences a negative acceleration due to the force of gravity acting in the opposite direction of its motion. As the object reaches its maximum height, its velocity becomes zero because it momentarily stops moving upwards. Therefore, the correct answer is negative acceleration and zero velocity.

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  • 36. 

    Which of the following simple machines would be most closely related to the screw ?

    • Wheel and axle

    • Inclined plane

    • Pulley

    • Lever

    Correct Answer
    A. Inclined plane
    Explanation
    The screw is most closely related to the inclined plane because a screw is essentially an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder. The inclined plane allows for the screw to move through a material with less force and over a longer distance, making it an efficient tool for lifting or holding objects in place.

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  • 37. 

    An astronaut weighs 80N on earth where the acceleration due to gravity is approximately 10 m/s2. The mass of the astronaut at a point in space where the acceleration due to gravity is 4 m/s2 is roughly

    • 80 kg

    • 32 kg

    • 20 kg

    • 8 kg

    Correct Answer
    A. 8 kg
    Explanation
    The weight of an object is equal to its mass multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity. Since the astronaut weighs 80N on Earth where the acceleration due to gravity is 10 m/s^2, we can calculate the mass of the astronaut as 80N / 10 m/s^2 = 8 kg. Therefore, at a point in space where the acceleration due to gravity is 4 m/s^2, the mass of the astronaut remains the same, which is approximately 8 kg.

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  • 38. 

    Distance traveled in a period of time

    • Motion

    • Acceleration

    • Speed

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. None of these
    Explanation
    The question asks for the term that represents the distance traveled in a period of time. However, none of the given options accurately describe this concept. Motion refers to the change in position of an object, acceleration refers to the rate of change of velocity, and speed refers to the rate at which an object covers distance. Therefore, none of these options correctly represent the distance traveled in a period of time.

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  • 39. 

    A change in the pitch of an sound due to the motion of either the sound source or the observer      

    • Resonance

    • Reverberation

    • Refraction

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. None of these
    Explanation
    The given correct answer is "none of these" because the options provided (resonance, reverberation, refraction) do not accurately describe the phenomenon of a change in pitch due to the motion of either the sound source or the observer. Resonance refers to the reinforcement or amplification of sound waves, reverberation refers to the persistence of sound due to multiple reflections, and refraction refers to the bending of sound waves as they pass through different mediums.

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  • 40. 

    The energy associated with charged particles

    • Electricity

    • Light

    • Atoms

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. None of these
    Explanation
    The correct answer is none of these because the energy associated with charged particles is actually referred to as electrical energy. It is the energy that is carried by the movement of electrons or other charged particles through a conductor. While electricity and light are forms of energy, they are not specifically associated with charged particles. Atoms, on the other hand, can possess energy in various forms, but the energy associated with charged particles is not exclusive to atoms.

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Matt Balanda |BS (Aerospace Engineering) |
Science Teacher
Matt Balanda, a Calvary Chapel Christian School leader with a Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering and Mathematics, transitioned from Aerospace Engineering to Education with a Master's from California Baptist University. As the High School Vice-Principal and Physics teacher, he nurtures students' love of learning and faith, creating an enriching and transformational educational experience.

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