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Lesson 3: Direction of Force — Practice Questions

  1. 1. What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes velocity from speed?

    • A. Velocity is measured in meters per second, while speed is measured in miles per hour.
    • B. Velocity includes the direction of motion, while speed does not.
    • C. Speed can change, but velocity must always remain constant.
    • D. Speed is a measurement of instantaneous motion, whereas velocity is an average over time.
  2. 2. A race car is driving at a constant 150 mph around a perfectly circular track. Which statement accurately describes the car's motion?

    • A. Its speed is changing, but its velocity is constant.
    • B. Its velocity is changing.
    • C. Its speed and velocity are both constant.
    • D. Neither its speed nor its velocity is changing.
  3. 3. Why is velocity classified as a vector quantity, while speed is a scalar quantity?

    • A. Because velocity is a more complex and scientific measurement than speed.
    • B. Because vector quantities describe curved motion and scalar quantities describe straight-line motion.
    • C. Because velocity involves both magnitude and direction, which are the components of a vector.
    • D. Because scalar quantities are only used for objects at rest, while vectors are for moving objects.
  4. 4. A car's speedometer shows a constant reading of 50 mph. Can the car's velocity be changing?

    • A. No, because a constant speedometer reading means constant velocity.
    • B. Yes, if the car is turning.
    • C. No, because speed and velocity are the same concept.
    • D. Yes, but only if the car is on a hill.
  5. 5. Under which of the following conditions is an object's velocity considered to be changing?

    • A. Only when its speed increases.
    • B. Only when it moves in a curved path.
    • C. When its speed changes, its direction of motion changes, or both its speed and direction change.
    • D. Only when its speed decreases and it comes to a complete stop.
  6. 6. A cyclist is pedaling harder on a flat, straight road, causing their bicycle to speed up. In which direction is the net force acting on the bicycle?

    • A. Perpendicular to the road surface
    • B. Opposite to the direction of the bicycle's motion
    • C. In the same direction as the bicycle's motion
    • D. In a downward direction due to gravity
  7. 7. A satellite maintains a stable, circular orbit around Earth at a constant speed. What is the direction of the gravitational force that keeps the satellite from flying off into space?

    • A. In the direction of the satellite's forward motion
    • B. Directly towards the center of Earth
    • C. Away from Earth, into outer space
    • D. Opposite to the direction of the satellite's motion
  8. 8. If a constant net force is applied to a moving object in a direction exactly perpendicular to its velocity, what is the primary effect on the object's motion?

    • A. The object will speed up but not change direction.
    • B. The object will slow down and eventually stop.
    • C. The object's direction of motion will change.
    • D. The object's velocity will not change at all.
  9. 9. A car is traveling at a constant velocity of 55 mph on a straight, level highway. Which statement best describes the net force acting on the car?

    • A. A large net force is pushing the car forward.
    • B. The net force on the car is zero.
    • C. A small net force is acting opposite the car's motion.
    • D. The net force is directed downwards.
  10. 10. A baseball is pitched towards a batter. The batter swings and hits the ball, sending it back towards the outfield. The force from the bat was primarily applied in which direction relative to the ball's original motion?

    • A. Perpendicular to the ball's original motion
    • B. Opposite to the ball's original motion
    • C. In the same direction as the ball's original motion
    • D. Upwards, to counteract gravity