Quick answer: Newton's three laws describe how forces change motion. This Physics 9-10 test on newton's laws has 8 questions worth 20 marks, to do in 40 minutes: which law?, car acceleration and block on a rough surface. The mark scheme is on a separate page; free printable PDF.
This physics grades 9-10 test on newton’s laws test works like a real class test. The mark scheme is on a separate page, so revise with the lesson first.
This test checks your grasp of the three laws, F = m × a, weight and terminal velocity. Answer every question, show your working for calculations and include units. Use g = 9.8 N/kg. The total is 20 marks.
Level: Physics grades 9-10 (GCSE · IGCSE · O Level · Class 9-10) · Curriculum: HS-PS2-1, GCSE P5
Newton’s laws test: the test questions
Question 1 Which law? (2 marks)
Name the Newton law that explains each observation.- A passenger lurches forward when a bus brakes suddenly. (1 mark)
- A swimmer pushes the water backwards and moves forwards. (1 mark)
Question 2 Car acceleration (3 marks)
A car of mass 1400 kg has an engine force of 4200 N. The resistive forces total 1500 N.- Calculate the resultant force. (1 mark)
- Calculate the acceleration. (2 marks)
Question 3 Block on a rough surface (3 marks)
- Calculate the resultant force on the block. (1 mark)
- Calculate the acceleration of the block. (1 mark)
- The friction increases to 50 N. Describe the motion of the block if it is already moving. (1 mark)
Question 4 Tablecloth trick (2 marks)
A cook pulls a tablecloth sharply from under plates, and the plates stay almost where they are. Explain why. (2 marks)Question 5 Kicking a ball (3 marks)
A footballer kicks a ball.- State the force that forms the third-law pair with the force of the boot on the ball. (1 mark)
- Explain why these two forces do not cancel. (1 mark)
- The boot and ball are pushed by equal forces. Explain why the ball accelerates much more than the leg. (1 mark)
Question 6 Terminal velocity (4 marks)
A skydiver of weight 800 N jumps from an aircraft.- Describe how the speed and the forces change from the jump until terminal velocity is reached. (3 marks)
- State the size of the air resistance at terminal velocity. (1 mark)
Question 7 Weight on the Moon (2 marks)
An astronaut has a mass of 60 kg. The gravitational field strength on the Moon is 1.6 N/kg and on Earth is 9.8 N/kg.- Calculate her weight on the Moon. (1 mark)
- State her mass on the Moon. (1 mark)
Question 8 Find the mass (1 mark)
A resultant force of 75 N gives a trolley an acceleration of 3.0 m/s². Calculate the mass of the trolley. (1 mark)
