Physics Misconceptions

Gravitational forces are stronger than electrostatic forces.

• False

• true

Answer explanation

Electrostatic forces are generally much stronger than gravitational forces. While gravity dominates at large scales, on the atomic and molecular levels, electrostatic forces are significantly stronger, making the statement false.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

Batteries have electricity inside them.

• False

• true

Answer explanation

Batteries do not contain electricity; they store chemical energy that can be converted into electrical energy when needed. Therefore, the statement is false.

Energy is a thing. This is a fuzzy notion, probably because of the way we talk about newton-meters or joules. It is difficult to imagine an amount of an abstraction.

• False

• true

Answer explanation

The statement suggests energy is a fuzzy notion, but it is a well-defined concept in physics. Therefore, the claim that energy is merely a thing is false, as it can be quantified and measured in specific units.

The terms “energy” and “force” are interchangeable.

• False

• true

Answer explanation

The terms 'energy' and 'force' are not interchangeable. Energy is the capacity to do work, while force is an interaction that causes an object to change its motion. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

An object at rest has no energy.

• False

• true

Answer explanation

The statement is false because an object at rest can still possess potential energy, depending on its position in a gravitational field or other forces acting on it. Thus, it is incorrect to say it has no energy.

The only type of potential energy is gravitational.

• False

• true

Answer explanation

The statement is false because there are multiple types of potential energy, including elastic, chemical, and nuclear energy, in addition to gravitational potential energy.

Gravitational potential energy depends only on the height of an object.

• False

• true

Answer explanation

Gravitational potential energy depends on both height and mass of the object, as well as the gravitational field strength. Therefore, the statement is false.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

Doubling the speed of a moving object doubles the kinetic energy.

• False

• true

Answer explanation

The kinetic energy (KE) of an object is given by the formula KE = 1/2 mv². If the speed is doubled, the new KE becomes 1/2 m(2v)² = 2mv², which is four times the original KE, not double. Therefore, the statement is false.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

Energy can be changed completely from one form to another without energy loss.

• False

• true

Answer explanation

The statement is false because energy transformations always involve some loss, typically as heat, due to the second law of thermodynamics. Therefore, energy cannot be completely converted from one form to another without loss.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS3-3

NGSS.HS-PS3-4

Things “use up” energy.

• False

• true

Answer explanation

The statement is false because things do not 'use up' energy; they transform it from one form to another, such as converting potential energy to kinetic energy.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5