Force and Motion Quiz

Scientists discover an asteroid that is moving through space. What information is needed to determine the average speed of the asteroid?

• the mass and size of the asteroid
• the direction the asteroid is moving and its distance from Earth
• the distance the asteroid is from Earth
• how far the asteroid has moved in 24 hours

If a car is moving backward along a road, can its speed be measured?

• Yes, it can, because the car does not have friction acting on it.
• Yes, it can, because the car travels a distance in a certain amount of time.
• No, it cannot, because speed can only be measured if the car is moving forward.
• No, it cannot, because the distance traveled backward by a car cannot be measured.

What causes a wagon to speed up when going down a hill?

• Gravity
• Friction
• Air pressure
• Mass

A bowling ball moves across a flat surface at 7 feet per second. If a student is asked to calculate the total distance traveled by the ball, what other information does the student need to know?

• amount of friction between the ball and the surface
• amount of force applied to the ball
• total time the ball rolled
• mass of the ball

A ball is kicked and rolls along a level field until it comes to a stop. What is most responsible for the ball coming to a stop?

• Air
• Gravity
• Mass
• Friction

Which best explains why a bicycle slows down when its brakes are applied?

• The brakes heat the rubber on the bicycle tires.
• The brakes add energy to the bicycle.
• The brakes increase the force of gravity on the bicycle.
• The brakes cause frictional forces on the wheels of the bicycle.

A wagon is pushed in a straight line. How would an increase in friction on the wagon wheels affect the wagon?

• It would cause the wagon to change mass.
• It would cause the wagon to move faster.
• It would cause the wagon to change direction.
• It would cause the wagon to slow down.

Mitchell is going for a bike ride. Below is a distance-time graph that describes his journey. At what position did Mitchell go the fastest?

• Position A
• Position B
• Position C
• Position D

Four wheelbarrows with different masses are sitting in a yard. Which wheelbarrow would require the most force to make it start moving?

• the wheelbarrow with a mass of 45 kg
• the wheelbarrow with a mass of 35 kg
• the wheelbarrow with a mass of 20 kg
• the wheelbarrow with a mass of 15 kg

Which object will most likely move the farthest during 1 minute?

• a train traveling 16 meters per second
• a racehorse traveling 15 meters per second
• a bowling ball rolling 7 meters per second
• a man swimming 2 meters per second