Lesson 3.4.2.1

3.4.2.1 Bulk properties of solids Quiz: AQA Physics, Unit 4

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.4.2.1, Bulk properties of solids: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Physics (7408), Unit 4: Mechanics and materials, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Density is defined as:

    • mass divided by volume
    • volume divided by mass
    • weight divided by volume
    • mass multiplied by volume

  2. Hooke's law states that:

    • force is proportional to the square of the extension at all times
    • extension is proportional to the applied force, provided the elastic limit is not exceeded
    • extension is independent of the applied force
    • stress is inversely proportional to strain at all times

  3. The spring constant k of a spring is:

    • energy per unit extension, in J m
    • force per unit mass, in N kg^-1
    • force per unit extension, in N m^-1
    • extension per unit force, in m N^-1

  4. Tensile stress is defined as:

    • energy stored divided by extension
    • force divided by cross-sectional area perpendicular to the force
    • extension divided by original length
    • force multiplied by cross-sectional area

  5. Tensile strain is:

    • extension multiplied by original length
    • change in cross-sectional area per unit length
    • stress divided by force
    • extension divided by original length, which has no unit

  6. On a force-extension graph, brittle fracture is shown by:

    • the graph returning to zero along the same line
    • the material breaking suddenly with little or no plastic deformation
    • a gradual curve with large extension before breaking
    • the force falling steadily while the extension keeps growing

  7. Which feature of a force-extension graph marks the elastic limit?

    • the point where the extension equals the original length
    • the point beyond which the graph is no longer a straight line through the origin
    • the point where the graph reaches its maximum force
    • the point where the graph meets the force axis

  8. A spring extends by 4.0 cm when a 20 N force is applied. What is its spring constant?

    • 50 N m^-1
    • 0.002 N m^-1
    • 500 N m^-1
    • 5000 N m^-1

  9. A block measures 4.0 cm by 5.0 cm by 10 cm and has mass 1.2 kg. What is its density?

    • 2400 kg m^-3
    • 6000 kg m^-3
    • 60 kg m^-3
    • 600 kg m^-3

  10. A spring with k = 500 N/m is extended by 0.060 m. What elastic energy is stored?

    • 0.9 J
    • 30 J
    • 0.45 J
    • 1.8 J

  11. A steel wire of radius 0.50 mm carries a tensile force of 20 N. What is the tensile stress?

    • about 40 MPa
    • about 250 MPa
    • about 25 MPa
    • about 2.5 MPa

  12. A force increases steadily from 0 to 12 N as a spring extends by 0.30 m, obeying Hooke's law. What energy is stored?

    • 3.6 J
    • 12 J
    • 0.9 J
    • 1.8 J

  13. Two springs experience the same force. Spring A has k = 100 N/m and spring B has k = 400 N/m. Which statement is correct?

    • A extends twice as much as B
    • B extends four times as much as A
    • A and B extend by equal amounts
    • A extends four times as much as B

  14. After a material is loaded beyond its elastic limit and the load is removed, it:

    • shows a steeper straight line through the origin
    • retains a permanent extension
    • stores more energy than before
    • returns exactly to its original length

  15. A metal cube has a mass of 80 g and a volume of 8.0 cm^3. What is its density?

    • 6.4 g cm^-3
    • 40 g cm^-3
    • 0.1 g cm^-3
    • 10 g cm^-3

  16. A wire obeys Hooke's law up to a force of 40 N, where its extension is 8.0 mm. How much elastic energy is stored at 40 N?

    • 0.40 J
    • 0.08 J
    • 0.32 J
    • 0.16 J

  17. Two identical wires carry the same tensile force, but one has twice the cross-sectional area. Which statement is correct?

    • Both wires have identical tensile stress because the force is equal
    • The thinner wire has half the tensile stress
    • The wire with twice the area has half the tensile stress
    • The wire with twice the area has double the tensile stress

  18. A spring with k = 250 N/m is stretched by 0.20 m and then releases stored energy into a 0.10 kg mass that rises vertically (g = 9.8 m/s^2). What is the maximum height gained, assuming all energy becomes gravitational potential energy?

    • 2.5 m
    • 5.1 m
    • 50 m
    • 10.2 m

  19. A student says a material is ductile because its force-extension graph curves before fracture. Which evaluation is best?

    • Valid: a straight line before the elastic limit proves that the material is ductile.
    • Invalid: ductile materials never show a curved force-extension graph.
    • Valid: large plastic deformation before fracture is characteristic of ductile behaviour, whereas brittle materials fracture with little deformation.
    • Invalid: curvature always indicates elastic behaviour, so the material cannot be ductile.

  20. Two rods have the same breaking force. Rod X has an area of 6.0 J under its force-extension graph before fracture and rod Y has 2.0 J. Which statement is best supported?

    • Both rods absorb equal energy because their breaking forces are equal
    • Rod X absorbs more energy, but Rod Y must have a greater density
    • Rod Y absorbs three times as much energy, so it is tougher
    • Rod X absorbs more energy before breaking, so it is tougher in this respect

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