Question 1

According to Newton's First Law of Motion, what will happen to an object moving at constant velocity if no net force acts upon it?

Accepted Answer

It will continue moving at constant velocity in a straight line.

Question 2

A box is pulled north with a force of 60 N and east with a force of 80 N. What is the magnitude of the resultant force acting on the box?

Accepted Answer

$$\sqrt{60^2$ + 80^2$} = 100\ \mathrm{N}$$

Question 3

Which of the following best describes inertia?

Accepted Answer

A property of matter that resists changes in motion.

Question 4

If you are standing on two bathroom scales with your weight evenly distributed, what will each scale read?

Accepted Answer

Half your weight.

Question 5

A cart is pulled to the right with a force of 15 N and to the left with a force of 20 N. What is the net force acting on the cart?

Accepted Answer

5 N to the left.

Question 6

Which of the following is a vector quantity?

Accepted Answer

Force

Question 7

According to the equilibrium rule, $$\sum \vec{F} = 0$$, which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

It applies only to vector quantities.

Question 8

A hockey puck slides at constant speed on ice. Which statement is correct?

Accepted Answer

It is in dynamic equilibrium.

Question 9

If you push a crate at a steady speed in a straight line and the friction force is 75 N, how much force must you apply?

Accepted Answer

Equal to 75 N.

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why a coin tossed straight up inside a moving train lands back in your hand?

Accepted Answer

The coin continues moving sideways at the same speed as the train due to inertia.

Question 11

Which scenario is an example of static equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

A book resting on a table.

Question 12

What is the support force (normal force) acting on a 10 kg book resting on a horizontal table? (Assume $$g = 9.8\ \mathrm{m/s^2$})$$

Accepted Answer

$$98\ \mathrm{N}$$

Question 13

Which of the following statements about mass and inertia is correct?

Accepted Answer

Mass is a measure of an object's inertia.

Question 14

If the gravitational force between the Sun and Earth suddenly vanished, what path would Earth follow?

Accepted Answer

A straight-line path.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a property of a vector quantity?

Accepted Answer

It can be fully described by a single number.

Question 16

A 5 kg object is at rest on a flat surface. What is the net force acting on it?

Accepted Answer

$$0\ \mathrm{N}$$

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the difference between static and dynamic equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

Static equilibrium refers to objects at rest; dynamic equilibrium refers to objects moving at constant velocity.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a contact force?

Accepted Answer

Friction

Question 19

If two forces of 10 N each act on an object in opposite directions, what is the net force?

Accepted Answer

$$0\ \mathrm{N}$$

Question 20

Which philosopher believed that objects move in a straight line only if a force is applied?

Accepted Answer

Aristotle

Question 21

A ball is rolling on a horizontal surface and comes to rest. According to Galileo, why does it stop?

Accepted Answer

Because of a retarding force such as friction.

Newton's First Law of Motion—Inertia and the Foundations of Classical Mechanics

Study Guide - Practice Questions