Lesson T1.2.2

T1.2.2 Biomechanics: muscles, skeleton and force Quiz: KS3 Biology, Unit 1

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson T1.2.2, Biomechanics: muscles, skeleton and force: 20 multiple choice questions for the KS3 Biology (National Curriculum), Unit 1: Structure and function of living organisms, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Which unit is used to measure force?

    • Newton
    • Joule
    • Metre per second
    • Watt

  2. What instrument measures force?

    • A newtonmeter
    • An ammeter
    • A thermometer
    • A metre rule

  3. A newtonmeter attached to a hand grip reads 40 N. What force has been exerted?

    • 0.4 N
    • 40 N
    • 400 N
    • 4 N

  4. Which measurement should be taken to compare the grip strength of two people?

    • Their mass in kilograms, measured on a set of bathroom scales
    • The force exerted, in newtons, on a newtonmeter
    • The time taken to walk 10 m across the field in the playground
    • Their heights in metres, measured with a tape against the wall

  5. What does a muscle do to a bone when it contracts?

    • Makes the bone hollow
    • Pulls on the bone
    • Pushes the bone away
    • Stretches the bone

  6. In biomechanics, what is the role of a bone acting as a lever?

    • The joint acts as the pivot about which the bone turns
    • The tendon stores energy so that the bone can turn around the joint
    • The muscle acts as the pivot that the bone turns around in movement
    • The ligament acts as the pivot, holding the bone in place at the joint

  7. A 2 kg mass is held in the hand. Which unit describes the downward force it exerts?

    • Kilogram
    • Newton
    • Joule
    • Metre

  8. Which factor affects how much force a muscle can produce?

    • The size and strength of the muscle
    • The temperature of the room where the test is being carried out
    • The length of the fingernails on the hand that is holding the weight
    • The colour of the skin covering the muscle and the surface of the arm

  9. The forearm acts as a lever when lifting an object. What is the pivot?

    • The elbow joint
    • The hand
    • The shoulder blade
    • The wrist

  10. Three students test grip strength and record 22 N, 35 N and 28 N. Which student exerted the greatest force?

    • The student with 28 N
    • The student with 22 N
    • All three exerted equal forces
    • The student with 35 N

  11. What does biomechanics study?

    • How bacteria reproduce by splitting into two identical daughter cells
    • How plants absorb water and minerals through their roots from the soil
    • How the skeleton and muscles interact to produce movement
    • How the eye focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye

  12. A student wants to measure the force from a calf muscle. What is the best method?

    • Measure the length of the leg with a metre rule and record the result
    • Use a newtonmeter attached to a fixed point and measure the pull
    • Count the number of bones in the leg and record the total number
    • Measure the temperature of the calf muscle with a thermometer strip

  13. Three trials give a newtonmeter reading of 50 N each time. Which step best reduces random error?

    • Take a reading when the meter is still moving
    • Repeat the readings and calculate a mean
    • Use only one trial
    • Change the units to kilograms

  14. What name is given to the downward force that pulls a body towards the Earth?

    • Tension
    • Upthrust
    • Friction
    • Weight

  15. Why do scientists take repeat measurements of muscle force?

    • To change the result so that it matches the prediction made
    • To increase the force automatically with each new repeated measurement
    • To make the muscle stronger by repeating the same test many times
    • To check reliability and calculate an average

  16. When comparing two people's grip strength, which variable should be kept the same?

    • Their favourite colour, which might change how they feel about the test
    • The same hand used for each test
    • Their shoe size, which might affect how they stand while gripping
    • The time of day they sleep, which might affect how tired they are

  17. Which unit is used for the mass of a body?

    • Newton, which is the unit used to measure the force of a body
    • Watt, which is the unit used to measure the power of a machine
    • Kilogram
    • Joule, which is the unit used to measure energy transferred by a body

  18. A person pushes a heavy box with a force of 100 N, but the box does not move. What is true?

    • The push is larger than friction, so the box should move forward slowly
    • The friction force is 100 N, so the forces balance
    • The box has no weight, so the push does not need to balance anything
    • Friction is zero, so the box must move once the push is applied to it

  19. Which body part connects a muscle to a bone?

    • Cartilage
    • Ligament
    • Nerve
    • Tendon

  20. What is the safest way to carry out a force test with a newtonmeter?

    • Hold the meter upside down during the test so that the scale reads
    • Stand on the meter during the test so that the reading is steady
    • Use a secure fixed point and do not overload the meter
    • Use the meter to lift the heaviest object possible in the classroom

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