Lesson T2.2.2

T2.2.2 Force arrows and adding forces Quiz: KS3 Physics, Unit 2

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson T2.2.2, Force arrows and adding forces: 20 multiple choice questions for the KS3 Physics (National Curriculum), Unit 2: Motion and forces, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What do the length and direction of a force arrow show in a diagram?

    • The size and direction of the force
    • The time the force lasts
    • The energy stored in the object
    • The mass of the object

  2. Two forces act on a box: 10 N to the right and 4 N to the left. What is the resultant force?

    • 6 N to the left
    • 4 N to the right
    • 14 N to the right
    • 6 N to the right

  3. An object has a 8 N force to the right and an 8 N force to the left. What happens to its motion?

    • It accelerates to the left at 16 N, because the left force is applied last
    • It accelerates to the right at 16 N, because the forces add up in one direction
    • It moves backwards at 8 N, following the direction of the smaller pull
    • It stays at rest or keeps moving at constant speed, because the forces are balanced

  4. Which statement about balanced forces is correct?

    • The resultant force is zero, so there is no change in motion
    • The resultant force is the sum of their sizes, so the object speeds up
    • Balanced forces are always non-contact forces that act across a gap
    • Balanced forces always change speed, which is why they matter in a system

  5. Unbalanced forces acting on an object will:

    • Remove all of its energy, leaving it cold and completely at rest
    • Change its mass, which increases the amount of matter in the object
    • Always stop it moving, because the forces act against its motion
    • Change its speed or direction of motion

  6. A 30 N force pulls a trolley to the right and 12 N of friction acts to the left. What is the resultant force?

    • 42 N to the right
    • 18 N to the left
    • 12 N to the right
    • 18 N to the right

  7. Three forces act along a line: 5 N right, 3 N right and 2 N left. What is the resultant?

    • 6 N to the left
    • 6 N to the right
    • 0 N
    • 10 N to the right

  8. An arrow drawn twice as long as another arrow in a force diagram represents:

    • A force half the size
    • A force acting for twice the time
    • A force twice as large
    • A force of the same size in the opposite direction

  9. A book rests on a table. The table pushes up with 5 N and gravity pulls the book down with 5 N. What happens?

    • There is no force from the table
    • The forces are unbalanced, so the book falls
    • The forces are unbalanced, so the book rises
    • The forces are balanced, so the book stays at rest

  10. On a scale force diagram, 10 N is drawn as an arrow 5 cm long. What length shows 25 N?

    • 2 cm
    • 12.5 cm
    • 5 cm
    • 25 cm

  11. A 15 N force and a 5 N force both push an object in the same direction. What is the resultant?

    • 3 N in that direction
    • 20 N in that direction
    • 10 N in that direction
    • 75 N in that direction

  12. Which statement about adding forces in one dimension is correct?

    • Opposite forces are always added together, so the total gets larger
    • Forces in the same direction are added, and forces in opposite directions are subtracted
    • Forces are multiplied together to find the resultant, giving a much bigger value
    • All forces are always added together regardless of which direction they act

  13. A car's engine pushes forward with 1200 N. Friction and air resistance together push back with 1200 N. What is the car likely to do?

    • Reverse
    • Stop immediately
    • Accelerate forward
    • Move at constant speed

  14. A rocket's engine pushes gas down and the gas pushes the rocket up with 500 N. Gravity pulls it down with 300 N. What is the resultant?

    • 200 N downwards
    • 800 N upwards
    • 200 N upwards
    • 300 N upwards

  15. What does a resultant force of zero tell you about an object?

    • The object is in equilibrium and is not accelerating
    • The object is being destroyed
    • The object has no mass
    • The object is accelerating at its maximum rate

  16. Forces of 4 N to the right, 9 N to the left and 3 N to the right act on a box. What is the resultant?

    • 2 N to the right
    • 6 N to the left
    • 2 N to the left
    • 16 N to the left

  17. A trolley has a resultant force of 10 N in one direction. Which change is most likely?

    • It stops with no change in motion, because the resultant has no effect on it
    • It speeds up in the direction of the resultant
    • It gains energy from nowhere, which increases its total energy by 10 J
    • It loses mass as the resultant force acts on the trolley's wheels and axle

  18. A parachutist falls at constant speed. Why are the forces described as balanced?

    • Their weight is zero at that speed, so there is no downward force at all
    • Air resistance is zero at that speed, so only the weight acts on them
    • Air resistance equals their weight, so the resultant is zero
    • The parachute has been removed from the body, leaving only its weight

  19. A 3 N force is shown by a 6 mm arrow on a scale diagram. What length shows 9 N?

    • 12 mm
    • 9 mm
    • 18 mm
    • 27 mm

  20. A box is pushed to the right with 25 N. Friction of 10 N acts to the left and another 5 N of resistance also acts to the left. What is the resultant?

    • 20 N to the right
    • 10 N to the right
    • 10 N to the left
    • 40 N to the right

All KS3 Physics quizzes