AQA · GCSE Physics 8463
AQA GCSE Physics: Forces — Practice Questions & Answers
Vectors and scalars, weight, resultant forces, work, elasticity, moments, motion graphs, Newton's laws, stopping distance and momentum.
1254 practice questions available for this topic — here are 10 with full answers and explanations.
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Practice questions with answers
1
Multiple choice · Easy
Which of the following quantities is a vector?
- Velocity
- Mass
- Temperature
- Energy
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WhyA vector has both magnitude and direction. Velocity includes direction, whereas mass, temperature and energy are scalars.
2
Multiple choice · Easy
Which of these is a non-contact force?
- Gravitational force
- Friction
- Air resistance
- Tension
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WhyGravitational force acts at a distance without objects touching. Friction, air resistance and tension are all contact forces.
3
Multiple choice · Easy
An object has a mass of 5 kg. On Earth the gravitational field strength is 9.8 N/kg. What is its weight?
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WhyWeight W = mg = 5 x 9.8 = 49 N.
4
Multiple choice · Easy
Which instrument is normally used to measure the weight of an object?
- A calibrated spring balance
- A ruler
- A stopwatch
- A thermometer
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WhyA calibrated spring balance (newtonmeter) measures force, including weight, in newtons.
5
Fill in the blank · Easy
The unit of force is the , which has the symbol N.
Answer:
newton / newtons
WhyForce is measured in newtons (N).
6
Fill in the blank · Easy
A quantity that has size (magnitude) only and no direction is called a quantity.
Answer:
scalar
WhyScalar quantities have magnitude only; vectors have both magnitude and direction.
7
Multiple choice · Medium
A force of 12 N acts on a mass of 3 kg. What is the acceleration produced?
- 4 m/s^2
- 36 m/s^2
- 0.25 m/s^2
- 9 m/s^2
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WhyUsing F = ma, a = F/m = 12/3 = 4 m/s^2.
8
Multiple choice · Medium
A box is pushed 6 m along the floor by a constant force of 20 N in the direction of motion. How much work is done?
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WhyWork done = force x distance = 20 x 6 = 120 J.
9
Multiple choice · Medium
A spring has a spring constant of 50 N/m. What force is needed to extend it by 0.2 m within its limit of proportionality?
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WhyUsing F = ke, F = 50 x 0.2 = 10 N.
10
Multiple choice · Medium
Two forces act on an object in a straight line: 15 N to the right and 9 N to the left. What is the resultant force?
- 6 N to the right
- 24 N to the right
- 6 N to the left
- 24 N to the left
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WhyResultant = 15 - 9 = 6 N to the right, since the forces act in opposite directions.
Key terms in Forces
Force: A push or pull on an object caused by its interaction with another object, measured in newtons (N).
Scalar quantity: A quantity that has only a size (magnitude) and no associated direction.
Vector quantity: A quantity that has both a size (magnitude) and a direction.
Magnitude: The numerical size of a quantity, ignoring any direction it may have.
Vector arrow: An arrow whose length represents the magnitude and whose pointing shows the direction of a vector quantity.
Contact force: A force that acts only when two objects are physically touching, such as friction or tension.
Non-contact force: A force that acts between two objects without them touching, such as gravity or magnetism.
Gravitational force: The attractive non-contact force that acts between any two objects that have mass.
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