Cambridge IGCSE · Physics 0625
IGCSE Physics: Motion, forces and energy — Practice Questions & Answers
How objects move, the forces that change their motion, and the energy that powers it all - from speed and density to moments, momentum and pressure.
2040 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 is the correct SI unit for force?
- newton (N)
- joule (J)
- watt (W)
- pascal (Pa)
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WhyThe newton (N) is the SI unit of force; it equals 1 kg m/s^2.
2
Multiple choice · Easy
A car travels 150 m in 10 s at constant speed. What is its speed?
- 15 m/s
- 1500 m/s
- 1.5 m/s
- 160 m/s
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WhySpeed = distance / time = 150 / 10 = 15 m/s.
3
Multiple choice · Easy
Which quantity is a vector (has both size and direction)?
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WhyVelocity has both magnitude and direction, so it is a vector. Speed, mass and time are scalars.
4
Multiple choice · Easy
What does the gradient (slope) of a distance-time graph represent?
- speed
- acceleration
- distance
- force
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WhyOn a distance-time graph the slope equals change in distance divided by change in time, which is speed.
5
Multiple choice · Easy
An object of mass 5 kg is on Earth where g = 10 N/kg. What is its weight?
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WhyWeight = mass x g = 5 x 10 = 50 N.
6
Multiple choice · Easy
Which energy store does a moving object possess because of its motion?
- kinetic energy
- gravitational potential energy
- chemical energy
- elastic potential energy
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WhyA moving object has kinetic energy due to its motion.
7
Fill in the blank · Easy
The density of a substance is defined as its mass divided by its .
Answer:
volume
WhyDensity = mass / volume, so the missing quantity is volume.
8
Fill in the blank · Easy
The SI unit of energy and of work done is the .
Answer:
joule / joules / J
WhyBoth energy and work are measured in joules (J).
9
Multiple choice · Medium
A block of metal has a mass of 270 g and a volume of 100 cm^3. What is its density?
- 2.7 g/cm^3
- 0.37 g/cm^3
- 27 g/cm^3
- 370 g/cm^3
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WhyDensity = mass / volume = 270 / 100 = 2.7 g/cm^3.
10
Multiple choice · Medium
A car accelerates from 8 m/s to 20 m/s in 4 s. What is its acceleration?
- 3 m/s^2
- 5 m/s^2
- 12 m/s^2
- 48 m/s^2
Tap an answer to check it.
WhyAcceleration = change in velocity / time = (20 - 8) / 4 = 3 m/s^2.
Key terms in Motion, forces and energy
Physical quantity: A measurable property of an object or phenomenon that is expressed as a number combined with a unit.
SI units: The internationally agreed system of base units, such as the metre, kilogram and second, used for consistent measurement.
Base quantity: A fundamental quantity, such as length, mass or time, from which all other quantities are derived.
Derived unit: A unit built by combining base units, for example m/s for speed or N for force.
Scalar: A quantity that has only size and no direction, such as distance, mass or energy.
Vector: A quantity that has both size and direction, such as velocity, force or acceleration.
Resultant vector: The single vector that has the same effect as two or more vectors combined together.
Magnitude: The size or numerical value of a quantity, ignoring its direction.
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