1. An asteroid is drifting through the vacuum of deep space, far from any stars or planets, at a constant speed of 500 meters per second. What can be concluded about the forces acting on the asteroid?
- A. A constant force from its initial formation is still pushing it forward.
- B. The net force acting on it is zero.
- C. Its own gravity is the only force acting on it, causing it to move.
- D. The force of inertia is what propels it forward through space.
2. Which statement best describes the scientific principle of inertia?
- A. A force is always required to keep an object moving at a constant speed.
- B. Objects naturally resist changes to their state of motion, whether at rest or moving.
- C. The speed of an object is directly proportional to the net force applied to it continuously.
- D. Objects in motion will naturally slow down and come to a stop without any external forces.
3. A hockey puck is sliding across a frictionless ice rink at a constant velocity. What must happen for the puck to change its direction?
- A. A net force must be applied to it.
- B. Its internal energy must decrease over time.
- C. The initial force that set it in motion must eventually wear off.
- D. It will naturally change direction after traveling a certain distance.
4. You observe a remote-controlled car moving in a straight line across a level floor at a perfectly constant speed. What does this observation imply about the horizontal forces acting on the car?
- A. The forward force from the motor is significantly greater than the force of friction.
- B. There are no horizontal forces acting on the car at all because it is not accelerating.
- C. The force of friction is the only horizontal force acting on the car, causing it to move.
- D. The forward force from the motor is exactly balanced by the opposing force of friction.
5. When a moving bus suddenly stops, passengers who are standing tend to lurch forward. This phenomenon is a direct result of which principle?
- A. The force of the bus's brakes being directly transferred to the passengers.
- B. The passengers' inertia, their tendency to remain in a state of forward motion.
- C. A sudden change in air pressure inside the bus that pushes everyone forward.
- D. The floor of the bus briefly tilting downward towards the front during the stop.
6. According to the scientific definition, what is the essential condition required for a force to exist?
- A. The object must be in motion.
- B. An interaction must occur between two objects.
- C. The object must possess a large amount of mass.
- D. There must be a source of energy present.
7. A satellite is moving through deep space in a straight line at a constant speed of 10,000 m/s. Which statement accurately describes the forces acting on it?
- A. A large constant force is pushing it forward to maintain its high speed.
- B. The net force on the satellite is zero.
- C. The force from its initial launch is still acting on it.
- D. A small forward force is balancing the force of gravity from distant stars.
8. In which of the following scenarios is a net force definitively acting on the car?
- A. A car moving at a steady 60 mph on a straight highway.
- B. A car making a turn at a constant speed of 30 mph.
- C. A car parked on a flat street with its engine off.
- D. A car with its engine running but remaining in place in neutral.
9. An object can have a high velocity but zero acceleration. What does this imply about the forces acting on the object?
- A. The force of inertia is keeping it moving.
- B. A very large force is required to maintain the high velocity.
- C. The net force acting on the object is zero.
- D. The force is equal to the object's velocity.
10. When a book is resting motionless on a horizontal table, we can conclude that no net force is acting on it. What interaction creates the upward force that cancels out the downward force of gravity?
- A. The interaction between the book and the air above it.
- B. The interaction between the table and the book.
- C. The book's own internal resistance to being crushed.
- D. The interaction between the table and the floor.