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Quizzes > Science

Forces and Motion Unit Test: Check Your Physics Basics

Quick, free forces and motion quiz with instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jackson DangUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art illustration of ball rolling on a ramp gears and friction block on teal background forces and motion quiz

This forces and motion unit test helps you check key ideas like inertia, friction, acceleration, and energy of motion. If you want more practice, try our net force quiz, work through a speed and acceleration quiz, or review laws and examples in a dynamics quiz.

What is the SI unit of force?
Watt
Pascal
Joule
Newton
The SI unit of force is the newton, named after Sir Isaac Newton. It is defined as the force required to accelerate a one-kilogram mass by one meter per second squared. This unit is widely used in mechanics to quantify forces in equations such as F=ma. .
Which property of matter describes resistance to changes in motion?
Momentum
Velocity
Acceleration
Inertia
Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. It is directly related to the mass of the object - the more mass, the greater the inertia. This concept is fundamental to Newton's first law of motion. .
What equation relates net force, mass, and acceleration?
F = a / m
F = m × v
F = m × a
F = m / a
Newton's second law states that the net force acting on an object equals its mass times its acceleration, expressed as F = m × a. This fundamental relation allows calculation of acceleration when a known force is applied to a known mass. It underpins much of classical mechanics. .
What is the weight of a 5 kg mass on Earth (g = 9.8 m/s²)?
0.5 N
49 N
5 N
490 N
Weight is the force due to gravity, calculated as mass times gravitational acceleration: W = m × g. For a 5 kg mass on Earth, W = 5 kg × 9.8 m/s² = 49 N. This is distinct from mass, which is a scalar quantity. .
When the forces on an object are balanced, the object will:
Gain mass
Change direction
Accelerate
Maintain its current state of motion
Balanced forces mean the net force is zero, so by Newton's first law an object will continue at constant velocity or remain at rest. There is no acceleration when forces are balanced. This is central to understanding equilibrium. .
Which force always opposes the relative motion between two contact surfaces?
Gravity
Friction
Normal force
Tension
Friction is the force that resists sliding or rolling between two surfaces in contact. It converts kinetic energy into thermal energy and can be static or kinetic. Understanding friction is key in mechanics and engineering. .
What is the SI unit of mass?
Gram
Newton
Kilogram
Meter
The kilogram is the SI base unit of mass and is defined by the fixed numerical value of the Planck constant. Unlike weight, which is a force, mass is an intrinsic property of matter. .
Which of Newton's laws states that an object at rest stays at rest unless acted on by an external force?
Third law
Second law
Law of universal gravitation
First law
Newton's first law, also known as the law of inertia, states that an object will not change its motion unless a net external force acts on it. This principle explains why seatbelts are needed in cars. .
What is the normal force?
The force due to gravity
The frictional force
The force causing acceleration
The support force perpendicular to a surface
The normal force is the perpendicular contact force that a surface exerts to support the weight of an object resting on it. It balances the component of gravity acting perpendicular to the surface. .
Which type of friction is generally greater between static surfaces?
Static friction
Kinetic friction
Fluid friction
Rolling friction
Static friction resists the start of motion and is usually higher than kinetic friction, which opposes ongoing sliding motion. Once an object moves, it typically takes less force to keep it moving than to start the motion. .
Which of these quantities is a vector?
Mass
Speed
Force
Temperature
Force is a vector quantity because it has both magnitude and direction. Speed, temperature, and mass are scalars without direction. Vectors are central in analyzing motion in physics. .
What is the acceleration of a 2 kg mass if a net force of 10 N is applied?
5 m/s²
0.2 m/s²
20 m/s²
12 m/s²
Using Newton's second law, a = F/m = 10 N / 2 kg = 5 m/s². This direct proportionality shows how force and mass determine acceleration. .
How much work is done when a 20 N force moves an object 3 m in the direction of the force?
60 J
17 J
23 J
6 J
Work is defined as W = F × d when force and displacement are parallel. Here W = 20 N × 3 m = 60 J. It measures energy transfer by a force. .
Which expression gives gravitational potential energy near Earth's surface?
½ × m × v²
m × g × h
F × d
m × a
Gravitational potential energy near Earth's surface is U = mgh, where m is mass, g is gravitational acceleration, and h is height. It represents stored energy due to position. .
What is the power output when 100 J of work is done in 5 s?
95 W
5 W
500 W
20 W
Power is work divided by time: P = W/t. Here P = 100 J / 5 s = 20 W. It measures the rate of energy transfer. .
On a 30° incline, what component of gravitational force acts parallel to the surface?
m × g × tan(30°)
m × g × cos(30°)
m × g / 2
m × g × sin(30°)
The component of weight parallel to an incline of angle ? is mg?sin?. For ? = 30°, mg?sin30° drives the object down the slope. .
What is the momentum of a 4 kg object moving at 3 m/s?
7 kg·m/s
1.33 kg·m/s
0.75 kg·m/s
12 kg·m/s
Momentum p is given by p = m × v = 4 kg × 3 m/s = 12 kg·m/s. It's a vector quantity representing motion. .
Which quantity represents impulse?
Force × distance
Force × time
Mass × velocity
Energy × time
Impulse J equals force multiplied by the time interval over which it acts (J = F?t) and equals the change in momentum. It's important in collision analysis. .
If net work on an object is positive, what happens to its kinetic energy?
It remains constant
It increases
It decreases
It becomes negative
The work-energy theorem states that net work done on an object equals its change in kinetic energy. Positive net work increases kinetic energy. .
Air resistance is an example of which type of force?
Normal force
Fluid friction
Tension
Static friction
Air resistance is a form of fluid friction or drag, acting opposite to the motion of objects moving through a fluid (like air). It depends on speed and shape. .
A ball thrown upward converts kinetic energy into what form at its highest point?
Potential energy
Chemical energy
Electrical energy
Thermal energy
As the ball rises, its kinetic energy is converted into gravitational potential energy until velocity is zero at the peak. Then it converts back on descent. .
What is the kinetic frictional force on a 50 N normal force if ?? = 0.2?
10 N
100 N
20 N
2 N
Kinetic friction is F? = ?? × N = 0.2 × 50 N = 10 N. Friction is proportional to the normal force and coefficient. .
Which type of friction typically has a lower coefficient: rolling or sliding?
Sliding friction
Rolling friction
Static friction
Fluid friction
Rolling friction occurs when an object rolls and is generally much less than sliding friction between similar materials. This is why wheels make transport easier. .
At terminal velocity, which forces are equal?
Weight and drag
Tension and gravity
Lift and thrust
Normal and friction
Terminal velocity is reached when gravitational force downward (weight) equals upward drag force, resulting in zero net acceleration. Velocity then remains constant. .
In a perfectly elastic collision between two masses, which quantities are conserved?
Momentum and kinetic energy
Momentum only
Neither
Kinetic energy only
An elastic collision conserves both total momentum and total kinetic energy of the system, unlike inelastic collisions where kinetic energy is lost to other forms. .
What reading will a scale show for a 70 kg person accelerating upward at 2 m/s² in an elevator?
70 N
840 N
686 N
560 N
The apparent weight is N = m(g + a) = 70 kg × (9.8 + 2) m/s² = 70 × 11.8 = 826 N (approximately 840 N). It increases when accelerating upward. .
What is the mechanical advantage of a simple pulley system with two supporting rope segments?
3
1
4
2
A pulley system with two rope segments supporting the load provides a mechanical advantage of 2, halving the input force needed. Pulleys change force direction and magnitude. .
For a solid cylinder of mass m and radius r, what is its moment of inertia about its central axis?
½ m r²
? m r²
m r²
¼ m r²
The moment of inertia for a solid cylinder about its central axis is I = ½ m r². This reflects the mass distribution relative to the axis. .
The work-energy theorem states that net work done on an object equals:
Change in kinetic energy
Power times time
Change in potential energy
Force divided by distance
The work-energy theorem expresses that W_net = ?KE, linking dynamics with energy. Net work on an object changes its kinetic energy. .
Which apparent force is felt in a rotating (non-inertial) frame?
Magnetic force
Gravity
Tension
Coriolis force
In a rotating frame, the Coriolis force appears to act on moving objects, deflecting their paths. It is a fictitious force used in non-inertial reference frames. .
In a two-dimensional explosion, what is conserved for the fragments?
Total kinetic energy
Total speed
Total momentum vector
Total force
In an explosion with no external forces, the vector sum of momenta is conserved in both x and y directions, even though kinetic energy may change. .
What centripetal force acts on a 0.5 kg object moving at 4 m/s in a circle of radius 2 m?
4 N
8 N
0.5 N
16 N
Centripetal force is F = m v² / r = 0.5 kg × (4 m/s)² / 2 m = 4 N. It keeps the object in circular motion. .
What is the centripetal acceleration of that object?
2 m/s²
8 m/s²
4 m/s²
16 m/s²
Centripetal acceleration is a = v² / r = (4 m/s)² / 2 m = 8 m/s². It points toward the center of the circular path. .
Which formula gives the terminal velocity of an object with quadratic air drag?
2 m g / (? A C?)
?(2m g / (? A C?))
?(m g / (? A C?))
m g / (? A C?)
For quadratic drag, terminal velocity is found by balancing mg with ½?AC?v², giving v? = ?(2mg/(?AC?)). This arises from solving differential drag equations. .
What is the work done by a variable force F(x)=k x from x=0 to x??
k x?
k x?³
k x? / 2
½ k x?²
Work by a variable force is W = ???? F(x) dx = ???? k x dx = ½ k x?². This integral approach is key to analyzing nonconstant forces. .
In rotational dynamics, angular acceleration ? is related to torque ? and moment of inertia I by:
? = I ?
I = ? ?
? = I / ?
? = I ?
Analogous to F = m a, rotational dynamics states ? = I ?, linking torque and angular acceleration via moment of inertia. It describes how objects respond to applied torques. .
Which apparent force deflects moving objects to the right in the Northern Hemisphere?
Coriolis force
Centripetal force
Centrifugal force
Lorentz force
In Earth's rotating frame, the Coriolis force deflects moving objects to the right in the Northern Hemisphere. It's crucial in meteorology and oceanography. .
How much thermal energy is dissipated when a frictional force of 10 N moves an object 5 m?
5 J
15 J
500 J
50 J
Energy dissipated by friction equals F × d = 10 N × 5 m = 50 J. This work converts mechanical energy into heat. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand fundamental forces and motion principles -

    Define key concepts in the forces and motion unit test, including inertia, friction, and the energy of motion to build a solid physics foundation.

  2. Apply Newton's laws to solve real-world problems -

    Use the forces and motion unit test framework to analyze how objects move under balanced and unbalanced forces in various scenarios.

  3. Interpret energy transfer in motion contexts -

    Explain kinetic and potential energy relationships through energy of motion unit test questions and calculate energy changes during motion.

  4. Evaluate friction effects on moving objects -

    Assess how different types of friction impact object motion and performance in the energy and forces unit test exercises.

  5. Demonstrate mastery through targeted practice -

    Complete inertia and motion quiz problems to identify strengths and weaknesses and refine your test-taking strategies for optimal results.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Newton's First Law (Law of Inertia) -

    Review how an object at rest or constant velocity stays that way unless acted on by a net force (per NASA and HyperPhysics). Remember inertia is linked to mass: heavier objects resist changes in motion more, a tip for your inertia and motion quiz. Use the mnemonic "I.N.: Inertia Needs No force" to recall that no net force means no change.

  2. Newton's Second Law (F = ma) -

    Practice calculating net force using F = m × a with examples from Cornell University's physics library. Real-world application: if a 2 kg cart accelerates at 3 m/s², the net force is 6 N. This formula is the backbone of many problems on your forces and motion unit test.

  3. Frictional Forces and Coefficients -

    Understand static vs kinetic friction: Ffriction = μN, where μ is the coefficient from lab data on Khan Academy. For example, a block (mass 5 kg) on a surface with μ = 0.4 has max static friction of 19.6 N (using N = mg). Common tip: static friction is like "stick," kinetic like "slide."

  4. Kinetic and Potential Energy -

    Memorize KE = ½mv² and PE = mgh, key formulas tested in the energy of motion unit test. For instance, a 1 kg object moving at 4 m/s has KE = 8 J, and lifting it 2 m gives PE = 19.6 J. Visualize energy "shuffling" between forms for easier recall.

  5. Work-Energy Theorem and Conservation -

    Know that work done by net force equals change in kinetic energy (Wnet = ΔKE), a concept from MIT OpenCourseWare. Practice problems where climbing hills or friction changes system energy in energy and forces unit test questions. A good strategy is drawing free-body diagrams to track energy transfers.

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