All Middle School Physical Science Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Newton's Laws
What is the "Law of Inertia?"
Newton's 2nd law - Force = mass x acceleration
none of these
Newton's 3rd law - every action has an equal and opposite reaction
Newton's 1st law- an object's tendency to resist changes in motion
Newton's 1st law- an object's tendency to resist changes in motion
Newton’s 1st Law: The law of inertia. Inertia is an objects tendency to resist changes in motion. An object at rest stays at rest until acted upon by an unbalanced force. The same is true of an object in motion. It will stay in motion until acted upon by an unbalanced force. Motion usually stops due to the forces gravity, or friction. In empty space, moving objects just keep going and going and going because there aren’t forces like air resistance or gravity to stop them!
Newton’s 2nd Law: Force = mass x acceleration. This law tells us that force is directly related to mass and acceleration. In other words, more massive objects require more force to accelerate the same distance as less massive ones. It will also require more force to increase the acceleration of an object. Lastly, we can solve for any of these variables if we are given two of them. Mass = force ÷ acceleration. Acceleration = force ÷ mass.
Newton’s 3rd Law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Forces come in pairs, so when we send a baseball flying with a force of 50 Newtons, there is also a 50 Newton force acting on the baseball bat in the opposite direction. This is even true when things are sitting still. Gravity pulls down on an object, while the normal force pushes up in the equal and opposite direction.
Example Question #2 : Newton's Laws
A soccer ball is kicked across a grassy lawn with a force of 100 Newtons. The ball keeps rolling for awhile, but is slowed by the friction of the grass as it rolls. This is an example of which of Newton's Laws?
Newton's 3rd law
Newton's 4th law
Newton's 1st law
Newton's 2nd law
Newton's 1st law
The answer is Newton's 1st law because the friction of the grass is an unbalanced force which changes the motion of the ball.
Newton’s 1st Law: The law of inertia. Inertia is an objects tendency to resist changes in motion. An object at rest stays at rest until acted upon by an unbalanced force. The same is true of an object in motion. It will stay in motion until acted upon by an unbalanced force. Motion usually stops due to the forces gravity, or friction. In empty space, moving objects just keep going and going and going because there aren’t forces like air resistance or gravity to stop them!
Newton’s 2nd Law: Force = mass x acceleration. This law tells us that force is directly related to mass and acceleration. In other words, more massive objects require more force to accelerate the same distance as less massive ones. It will also require more force to increase the acceleration of an object. Lastly, we can solve for any of these variables if we are given two of them. Mass = force ÷ acceleration. Acceleration = force ÷ mass.
Newton’s 3rd Law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Forces come in pairs, so when we send a baseball flying with a force of 50 Newtons, there is also a 50 Newton force acting on the baseball bat in the opposite direction. This is even true when things are sitting still. Gravity pulls down on an object, while the normal force pushes up in the equal and opposite direction.
Example Question #3 : Newton's Laws
If a car that has a mass of 50 kg is accelerating at a rate of 2 meters per second2, what is the force required to push the car forward?
50 Newtons
10 Newtons
5 Newtons
100 Newtons
50 Newtons
The answer is 100 Newtons of force because using Newton's 2nd law, we can multiply mass x acceleration to get the force.
Newton’s 1st Law: The law of inertia. Inertia is an objects tendency to resist changes in motion. An object at rest stays at rest until acted upon by an unbalanced force. The same is true of an object in motion. It will stay in motion until acted upon by an unbalanced force. Motion usually stops due to the forces gravity, or friction. In empty space, moving objects just keep going and going and going because there aren’t forces like air resistance or gravity to stop them!
Newton’s 2nd Law: Force = mass x acceleration. This law tells us that force is directly related to mass and acceleration. In other words, more massive objects require more force to accelerate the same distance as less massive ones. It will also require more force to increase the acceleration of an object. Lastly, we can solve for any of these variables if we are given two of them. Mass = force ÷ acceleration. Acceleration = force ÷ mass.
Newton’s 3rd Law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Forces come in pairs, so when we send a baseball flying with a force of 50 Newtons, there is also a 50 Newton force acting on the baseball bat in the opposite direction. This is even true when things are sitting still. Gravity pulls down on an object, while the normal force pushes up in the equal and opposite direction.
Example Question #4 : Newton's Laws
Based on the image, what is the force applied to this object?
2.5 Newtons
1 Newton
10 Newtons
7 Newtons
10 Newtons
The answer is "10 Newtons" because according to Newton's second law, force = mass x acceleration.
Newton’s 1st Law: The law of inertia. Inertia is an objects tendency to resist changes in motion. An object at rest stays at rest until acted upon by an unbalanced force. The same is true of an object in motion. It will stay in motion until acted upon by an unbalanced force. Motion usually stops due to the forces gravity, or friction. In empty space, moving objects just keep going and going and going because there aren’t forces like air resistance or gravity to stop them!
Newton’s 2nd Law: Force = mass x acceleration. This law tells us that force is directly related to mass and acceleration. In other words, more massive objects require more force to accelerate the same distance as less massive ones. It will also require more force to increase the acceleration of an object. Lastly, we can solve for any of these variables if we are given two of them. Mass = force ÷ acceleration. Acceleration = force ÷ mass.
Newton’s 3rd Law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Forces come in pairs, so when we send a baseball flying with a force of 50 Newtons, there is also a 50 Newton force acting on the baseball bat in the opposite direction. This is even true when things are sitting still. Gravity pulls down on an object, while the normal force pushes up in the equal and opposite direction.
Example Question #5 : Newton's Laws
Which of these is the best example of Newton's third law?
it takes more force to move a bowling ball than a baseball
a picture hanging on the wall does not move until you push it
a magician pulls a tablecloth out from under dishes and they do not move
a fireman turns on a hose and is knocked backwards
a fireman turns on a hose and is knocked backwards
The answer is "a fireman turns on a hose and is knocked backwards" because the force of the water going out of the hose is equal and opposite to the force pushing backwards on the fireman.
Newton’s 1st Law: The law of inertia. Inertia is an objects tendency to resist changes in motion. An object at rest stays at rest until acted upon by an unbalanced force. The same is true of an object in motion. It will stay in motion until acted upon by an unbalanced force. Motion usually stops due to the forces gravity, or friction. In empty space, moving objects just keep going and going and going because there aren’t forces like air resistance or gravity to stop them!
Newton’s 2nd Law: Force = mass x acceleration. This law tells us that force is directly related to mass and acceleration. In other words, more massive objects require more force to accelerate the same distance as less massive ones. It will also require more force to increase the acceleration of an object. Lastly, we can solve for any of these variables if we are given two of them. Mass = force ÷ acceleration. Acceleration = force ÷ mass.
Newton’s 3rd Law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Forces come in pairs, so when we send a baseball flying with a force of 50 Newtons, there is also a 50 Newton force acting on the baseball bat in the opposite direction. This is even true when things are sitting still. Gravity pulls down on an object, while the normal force pushes up in the equal and opposite direction.
Example Question #6 : Newton's Laws
What is the best explanation for why the wall starts to crumble using one of Newton's laws?
According to Newton's 2nd law, the force equals the mass times the acceleration. The wall crumbles because it has more mass than the person.
According to Newton's 3rd law, forces come in pairs. The wall crumbles because it wasn't strong enough to apply an equal amount of force back on the man pushing it.
According to Newton's second law, the force equals the mass times acceleration. The wall crumbles because the person has more mass than the wall.
According to Newton's 1st law, the person wants to stay in motion. The wall crumbles because the person stays in motion and no unbalanced force is acting on them.
According to Newton's 3rd law, forces come in pairs. The wall crumbles because it wasn't strong enough to apply an equal amount of force back on the man pushing it.
The answer is "According to Newton's 3rd law, forces come in pairs. The wall crumbles because it wasn't strong enough to apply an equal amount of force back on the man pushing it."
Newton’s 1st Law: The law of inertia. Inertia is an objects tendency to resist changes in motion. An object at rest stays at rest until acted upon by an unbalanced force. The same is true of an object in motion. It will stay in motion until acted upon by an unbalanced force. Motion usually stops due to the forces gravity, or friction. In empty space, moving objects just keep going and going and going because there aren’t forces like air resistance or gravity to stop them!
Newton’s 2nd Law: Force = mass x acceleration. This law tells us that force is directly related to mass and acceleration. In other words, more massive objects require more force to accelerate the same distance as less massive ones. It will also require more force to increase the acceleration of an object. Lastly, we can solve for any of these variables if we are given two of them. Mass = force ÷ acceleration. Acceleration = force ÷ mass.
Newton’s 3rd Law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Forces come in pairs, so when we send a baseball flying with a force of 50 Newtons, there is also a 50 Newton force acting on the baseball bat in the opposite direction. This is even true when things are sitting still. Gravity pulls down on an object, while the normal force pushes up in the equal and opposite direction.
Example Question #7 : Newton's Laws
This image shows an ice skater pushing off another one. They both slide backwards on the ice. This best represents which of Newton's laws?
Newton's 3rd law
Newton's 2nd law
none of these
Newton's 1st law
Newton's 3rd law
The answer is Newton's 3rd Law, because the skaters move away from each other with equal and opposite forces.
Newton’s 1st Law: The law of inertia. Inertia is an objects tendency to resist changes in motion. An object at rest stays at rest until acted upon by an unbalanced force. The same is true of an object in motion. It will stay in motion until acted upon by an unbalanced force. Motion usually stops due to the forces gravity, or friction. In empty space, moving objects just keep going and going and going because there aren’t forces like air resistance or gravity to stop them!
Newton’s 2nd Law: Force = mass x acceleration. This law tells us that force is directly related to mass and acceleration. In other words, more massive objects require more force to accelerate the same distance as less massive ones. It will also require more force to increase the acceleration of an object. Lastly, we can solve for any of these variables if we are given two of them. Mass = force ÷ acceleration. Acceleration = force ÷ mass.
Newton’s 3rd Law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Forces come in pairs, so when we send a baseball flying with a force of 50 Newtons, there is also a 50 Newton force acting on the baseball bat in the opposite direction. This is even true when things are sitting still. Gravity pulls down on an object, while the normal force pushes up in the equal and opposite direction.
Example Question #1 : Newton's Laws
Crash test dummies are used to test the safety of cars. When cars hit an object, crash test dummies often keep moving and can even go through the car windshield. This is an example of which of Newton's laws?
Newton's 3rd law
none of these
Newton's 1st law
Newton's 2nd law
Newton's 1st law
This is an example of Newton's 1st law, because the crash dummies have a tendency to remain in motion until a force acts on them.
Newton’s 1st Law: The law of inertia. Inertia is an objects tendency to resist changes in motion. An object at rest stays at rest until acted upon by an unbalanced force. The same is true of an object in motion. It will stay in motion until acted upon by an unbalanced force. Motion usually stops due to the forces gravity, or friction. In empty space, moving objects just keep going and going and going because there aren’t forces like air resistance or gravity to stop them!
Newton’s 2nd Law: Force = mass x acceleration. This law tells us that force is directly related to mass and acceleration. In other words, more massive objects require more force to accelerate the same distance as less massive ones. It will also require more force to increase the acceleration of an object. Lastly, we can solve for any of these variables if we are given two of them. Mass = force ÷ acceleration. Acceleration = force ÷ mass.
Newton’s 3rd Law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Forces come in pairs, so when we send a baseball flying with a force of 50 Newtons, there is also a 50 Newton force acting on the baseball bat in the opposite direction. This is even true when things are sitting still. Gravity pulls down on an object, while the normal force pushes up in the equal and opposite direction.
Example Question #9 : Newton's Laws
Which of these is NOT an example of Newton's 2nd law?
more dogs pulling on a snow sled goes faster than a single dog pulling on a snow sled
a skateboarder pushes with more force and begins to roll faster
sitting in a chair and the chair exerts the same amount of force as you when you sit on it
a full grocery cart requires more force to move than an empty one
sitting in a chair and the chair exerts the same amount of force as you when you sit on it
The answer is: "sitting in a chair and the chair exerts the same amount of force as you when you sit on it" because this is an example of Newton's 3rd law.
Newton’s 1st Law: The law of inertia. Inertia is an objects tendency to resist changes in motion. An object at rest stays at rest until acted upon by an unbalanced force. The same is true of an object in motion. It will stay in motion until acted upon by an unbalanced force. Motion usually stops due to the forces gravity, or friction. In empty space, moving objects just keep going and going and going because there aren’t forces like air resistance or gravity to stop them!
Newton’s 2nd Law: Force = mass x acceleration. This law tells us that force is directly related to mass and acceleration. In other words, more massive objects require more force to accelerate the same distance as less massive ones. It will also require more force to increase the acceleration of an object. Lastly, we can solve for any of these variables if we are given two of them. Mass = force ÷ acceleration. Acceleration = force ÷ mass.
Newton’s 3rd Law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Forces come in pairs, so when we send a baseball flying with a force of 50 Newtons, there is also a 50 Newton force acting on the baseball bat in the opposite direction. This is even true when things are sitting still. Gravity pulls down on an object, while the normal force pushes up in the equal and opposite direction.
Example Question #10 : Newton's Laws
According to Newton's laws, which of the answer choices might increase the acceleration of the object?
making the mass of the object smaller (Newton's second law)
all of these
increasing the force that you push the object with (Newton's second law)
reducing the frictional force acting on the object (Newton's 1st law)
all of these
The answer is "all of these" because each of the answer choices applies one of newton's laws to make the object slide for longer.
Newton’s 1st Law: The law of inertia. Inertia is an objects tendency to resist changes in motion. An object at rest stays at rest until acted upon by an unbalanced force. The same is true of an object in motion. It will stay in motion until acted upon by an unbalanced force. Motion usually stops due to the forces gravity, or friction. In empty space, moving objects just keep going and going and going because there aren’t forces like air resistance or gravity to stop them!
Newton’s 2nd Law: Force = mass x acceleration. This law tells us that force is directly related to mass and acceleration. In other words, more massive objects require more force to accelerate the same distance as less massive ones. It will also require more force to increase the acceleration of an object. Lastly, we can solve for any of these variables if we are given two of them. Mass = force ÷ acceleration. Acceleration = force ÷ mass.
Newton’s 3rd Law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Forces come in pairs, so when we send a baseball flying with a force of 50 Newtons, there is also a 50 Newton force acting on the baseball bat in the opposite direction. This is even true when things are sitting still. Gravity pulls down on an object, while the normal force pushes up in the equal and opposite direction.
All Middle School Physical Science Resources
