Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Science

Non-Contact Forces Unit Test: 20-Question Practice Quiz

Quick, free gravity and magnetism quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Ashkaan OzlatiUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 6
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art depicting trivia for Invisible Force Frenzy, a physics challenge for high school students.

Use this quiz to check your understanding of non-contact forces, from gravity and magnetism to electric forces. Tackle 20 quick questions, get instant feedback, and see which goals you have met so you know what to review next. For more practice, try the net force quiz, the forces and motion quiz, or the static electricity quiz.

Which of the following best describes a non-contact force?
A force that is only present in magnets
A force that only acts when objects are in contact
A force transmitted without physical contact, such as gravity
A force that requires strings or ropes to act
Non-contact forces operate without the need for direct physical contact. Gravity, for example, exerts its influence even when objects are not touching.
What is gravitational force?
A force that only occurs on the Moon
The force between magnets
A force that repels objects away from each other
The pull that the Earth exerts on all objects
Gravitational force is the attractive force that the Earth exerts on objects due to its mass. This fundamental force keeps us grounded and governs planetary motions.
Which example illustrates a non-contact force?
Rubbing hands together
Pushing a door
Pulling a magnet towards a paperclip
Kicking a ball
Pulling a magnet towards a paperclip involves magnetic attraction, which is a non-contact force. Unlike pushing or kicking, the magnetic force acts without the objects physically touching.
Which statement is true about non-contact forces?
They require direct touch between objects
They only work on objects with the same material
They can operate over a distance
They are weaker than all contact forces
Non-contact forces such as gravity and magnetism act over a distance without direct physical contact. This distinguishes them from forces like friction, which require contact between surfaces.
What type of force is magnetism?
Friction force
Non-contact force
Contact force
Tension force
Magnetism is a classic example of a non-contact force because it can attract or repel another object without any physical contact. This property allows magnets to influence each other from a distance.
How does gravitational force change as the distance between two objects increases?
It remains constant
It disappears completely beyond a certain point
It increases linearly
It decreases following an inverse square law
Gravitational force follows the inverse square law; as the distance between objects increases, the force decreases significantly. This principle is fundamental in understanding how gravity works over large scales.
Which factor does NOT affect the strength of gravitational force between two objects?
The mass of the objects
The shape of the objects
The gravitational constant
The distance between the objects
Gravitational force depends on the masses of the objects and the distance between them, along with the gravitational constant. The shape of the objects typically does not influence the gravitational attraction significantly.
In a magnetic field diagram, what do the field lines represent?
The strength of gravitational pull
The path electrons travel in atoms
The flow of heat around a magnet
The direction a north pole would move
Magnetic field lines illustrate the direction and relative strength of a magnetic field. They show the path a north magnetic pole would follow if placed in the field.
Which statement correctly describes the relationship between mass and gravitational force?
Gravitational force is only affected by distance.
Gravitational force is independent of mass.
Gravitational force increases as mass increases.
Gravitational force decreases as mass increases.
According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, the gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses. As the masses increase, the force of gravity between them also increases.
What is the standard unit for measuring gravitational force?
Joule
Watt
Newton
Pascal
Gravitational force is measured in Newtons (N), which is the standard unit in the International System of Units (SI). This unit quantifies the amount of force required to accelerate a mass of one kilogram by one meter per second squared.
When two magnets are brought close together, what primarily determines whether they attract or repel each other?
The distance between them
The polarity of their magnetic poles
Their physical size
Their temperature
Magnets interact based on the orientation of their poles; opposite poles attract while like poles repel. The distance has an effect on the strength of the force, but the polarity is the deciding factor for attraction or repulsion.
Which experiment demonstrates a non-contact force through electrostatic effects?
Bringing a charged rod near small pieces of paper
Boiling water on a stove
Rubbing a balloon on your hair
Pushing a shopping cart
Bringing a charged rod near small pieces of paper causes the paper to become polarized and attract to the rod. This is a classic demonstration of electrostatic induction, a type of non-contact electrical force.
How is a gravitational field typically represented in diagrams?
As a series of arrows pointing toward the mass
As a collection of dots
As a color gradient map
As a series of concentric circles
Gravitational fields are often depicted with arrows or vectors that point toward the center of mass. This representation helps visualize both the direction and relative strength of the gravitational force.
What characteristic is common to both gravitational and magnetic forces?
They are unaffected by the distance between objects.
They require physical contact.
They act over a distance.
They always result in an attractive force.
Both gravitational and magnetic forces are examples of non-contact forces because they can influence objects from a distance. This means they do not require direct physical touch to exert their effects.
Which scenario best illustrates the inverse square law for gravitational force?
Doubling the distance between objects halves the gravitational force.
Doubling the distance between objects quadruples the gravitational force.
Doubling the distance has no effect on the gravitational force.
Doubling the distance between objects reduces the force to one-fourth.
The inverse square law states that gravitational force decreases with the square of the distance between two objects. Therefore, if the distance is doubled, the force becomes one-fourth of its original value.
If the distance between two objects is tripled, by what factor does the gravitational force change?
It becomes one-third of the original force
It becomes one-ninth of the original force
It remains the same
It triples
Gravitational force follows an inverse square law, which means that tripling the distance reduces the force to 1/(3²), or one-ninth of its original value. This demonstrates how sensitive gravitational force is to changes in distance.
How can the strength of a magnetic force be increased between two magnets?
By aligning opposite poles closer together
By increasing the distance between them
By covering one magnet with a non-magnetic material
By decreasing the size of the magnets
Magnetic force is maximized when opposite poles are closely aligned and brought near each other. Increasing the distance would weaken the force, while proper alignment enhances the magnetic interaction.
When a charged rod is brought near a neutral metal sphere, what phenomenon occurs?
Magnetic repulsion
Chemical bonding
Gravitational pull increase
Electrostatic induction
A charged rod induces a separation of charges in a neutral metal sphere, causing the near side to acquire a charge opposite to that of the rod. This process is known as electrostatic induction, a non-contact phenomenon.
Which explanation best clarifies why gravitational force decreases with distance?
The curvature of space caused by mass and the inverse square law
The decrease in mass over distance
The increase in object volume with distance
The mutual repulsion between masses
Mass curves the space around it, and the gravitational force diminishes following the inverse square law as distance increases. This explanation integrates the concept of space curvature with the mathematical relationship governing gravitational attraction.
When designing experiments to measure non-contact forces, which factor is crucial to control for accuracy?
Ensuring consistent distance between interacting objects
Changing the type of materials randomly
Varying the ambient temperature widely
Using different colors for the equipment
Non-contact forces like gravity and magnetism are highly sensitive to distance. Maintaining a consistent distance ensures accurate measurements and minimizes experimental error.
0
{"name":"Which of the following best describes a non-contact force?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"Which of the following best describes a non-contact force?, What is gravitational force?, Which example illustrates a non-contact force?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze the effects of non-contact forces on objects.
  2. Explain the principles governing gravity and magnetism.
  3. Apply concepts of unseen forces to solve dynamic physics problems.
  4. Evaluate experimental results to determine the influence of gravitational and magnetic forces.
  5. Synthesize problem-solving strategies to enhance exam readiness in physics.

Non Contact Forces Unit Test Cheat Sheet

  1. Understand Non-Contact Forces - Think of these as invisible puppet masters pulling or pushing without ever touching their targets - like gravity holding your pencil to the desk or magnets flirting from afar. Spotting non-contact forces will turn you into a physics detective, ready to unveil hidden interactions everywhere.
  2. Gravitational Force Basics - Gravity is the cosmic glue that keeps planets spinning, apples falling, and your feet firmly on the ground - no seatbelt required. Remember: the heavier the masses, the stronger the pull; double the distance and the force drops off by a factor of four.
  3. Magnetic Force Fundamentals - Magnets are like social critics: opposite poles attract and give high-fives, while like poles stomp away in disapproval. These forces arise from moving electric charges and magnetic materials, making compasses spin and motors hum.
  4. Electrostatic Force Insights - Ever rubbed a balloon on your hair and watched it cling to the wall? That's electrostatics in action - like charges repel, opposite charges attract, and static surprises await everywhere. Understanding this helps explain lightning, photocopiers, and why your socks stick together.
  5. Distinguishing Contact and Non-Contact Forces - Contact forces need a handshake - think friction, tension, or normal force - while non-contact forces pull off their moves from across the room. Mastering this difference is key to decoding every push, pull, and mysteriously floating object.
  6. Gravitational Force Formula - Newton's universal gravitation law, F = G·(m₝·m₂)/r², is your math compass for gravity's strength: G is a tiny constant, m₝ and m₂ are masses, and r is how far apart they sit. Plug in numbers, and let the equation reveal the cosmic tug of war.
  7. Magnetic Force on Moving Charges - Charged particles on a joyride through a magnetic field feel a force F = q(v × B), always perpendicular to their motion and the field lines. It's like a cosmic bumper car directing electrons into neat orbits and currents.
  8. Electrostatic Force Calculation - Coulomb's law, F = k·(q₝·q₂)/r², is the ultimate math guru at the charged-particle party: k is Coulomb's constant, q₝ and q₂ are the charges, and r is their separation. Use it to predict whether particles will dance together or fly apart.
  9. Real-World Applications of Non-Contact Forces - These forces are the silent superheroes behind electric motors (magnetism), laser printers (electrostatics), and satellite orbits (gravity). Spotting them in tech and nature makes physics feel like a superpower.
  10. Visualizing Field Lines - Field lines are like magical roadmaps showing force direction and strength: they radiate toward masses for gravity, loop from north to south on magnets, and shoot away from positive charges. Drawing these helps you "see" invisible forces at work.
Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Science Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker