Quiz on Motion Concepts

Compare and contrast the Aristotelian and Galilean conceptions of vertical motion, horizontal motion and projectile motion.

Explain how Galileo inferred that objects in a vacuum fall with uniform acceleration, and that force is not necessary to sustain horizontal motion.

Explain the subtle distinction between Newton’s 1st Law of Motion (Law of Inertia) and Galileo’s assertion that force is not necessary to sustain horizontal motion.

According to Aristotle, which of the following elements would a rock go back to if thrown upward?

• earth

• fire

• air

• water

According to Aristotle, which of the following objects shows projectile motion?

• a fired cannon ball

• a coin tossed in the air

• a leaf falling from a tree

• the rain falling from the sky

Which of the following agrees with Galileo’s view of motion?

• Smoke rises because the sky is its natural place.

• A feather will be as fast as an iron ball if dropped in a vacuum.

• If a 10-kg boulder is dropped to the sea, it will stop midway.

• Planets revolve around the sun because of a Prime Mover.

A box sliding on the floor slowly stops. Why is this so?

• There was a force that impeded the sliding box.

• The boxes are usually made of earth, so the box, being a heavy element, stops.

• The resistive force from the floor is equal to the applied force.

• The applied force from the pusher disappeared.

Galileo proved that all falling objects fall with the same _________.

• energy

• acceleration

• velocity

• speed

At what position of the inclined plane did Galileo find the greatest acceleration of the rolling ball?

• when the plane is inclined at 30°

• when the plane is inclined at 45°

• when the plane is inclined at 60°

• when the plane is inclined at 90°

Three objects A, B, and C with mass 5 kg, 8 kg, and 15 kg, respectively, were dropped simultaneously from the same height. Neglecting air resistance, which object will reach the ground first?

• Object A will reach the ground first.

• Object B will reach the ground first.

• Object C will reach the ground first.

• The three objects will reach the ground at the same time.