- Basic Math and Science Newton's Laws of Motion Questions and Answers Flashcards

A hockey puck slides on a frictionless ice surface with constant velocity. What is the net force on the puck?

Answer: Zero

Constant velocity means no acceleration, so by Newton's Second Law, the net force must be zero.

When you jump off a boat onto a dock, the boat moves backward. This demonstrates:

Answer: Newton's Third Law

Your push on the dock (action) results in an equal and opposite reaction that pushes the boat backward.

If a net force of 60 N acts on a 12 kg object, what is the object's acceleration?

Answer: 5 m/s²

Using a = F/m = 60/12 = 5 m/s².

A ball is thrown upward and reaches its highest point. At that instant, ignoring air resistance, the net force on the ball is:

Answer: Directed downward due to gravity

Gravity continuously acts downward regardless of the ball's momentary velocity.

Which scenario best illustrates Newton's First Law?

Answer: Dishes sliding off a tablecloth pulled quickly

The dishes tend to remain in place (inertia) while the tablecloth is pulled away beneath them.

According to Newton's Third Law, when a horse pulls a cart forward, the cart pulls the horse:

Answer: Backward with an equal force

The cart exerts an equal and opposite (backward) reaction force on the horse.

An astronaut in deep space (no gravity, no air) throws a wrench. The wrench will:

Answer: Move at constant velocity indefinitely

With no external forces, Newton's First Law predicts the wrench continues at constant velocity forever.