2.3.2 Weight, gravitational field strength and terminal velocity Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Physics, Unit 2

The 20 questions

1. Gravitational field strength g is defined as:

   • The energy per unit mass.
   • The mass per unit volume.
   • The gravitational force per unit mass.
   • The acceleration per unit time.

2. The value of g near the surface of the Earth is approximately:

   • 98 N kg^-1
   • 0.98 N kg^-1
   • 980 N kg^-1
   • 9.8 N kg^-1

3. The weight of a body is defined as:

   • The force needed to keep the body at constant velocity on a surface.
   • The gravitational force acting on the body, given by W = mg.
   • The mass of the body measured in kilograms.
   • The resultant force on the body when it is moving.

4. A body reaches terminal velocity when:

   • The drag force is zero.
   • The drag force balances the weight, so the resultant force is zero.
   • The acceleration is at its maximum value.
   • The weight is zero.

5. A falling object has reached terminal velocity. Which statement about its acceleration is correct?

   • The acceleration is increasing.
   • The acceleration is equal to g.
   • The acceleration is zero.
   • The acceleration is negative.

6. On the Moon, g is about 1.6 N kg^-1. What is the weight of a 70 kg person?

   • 686 N
   • 11 N
   • 112 N
   • 44 N

7. What is the weight of a 0.5 kg object on Earth, taking g = 9.8 N kg^-1?

   • 0.05 N
   • 49 N
   • 4.9 N
   • 0.51 N

8. A 80 kg skydiver is falling at terminal velocity. What is the magnitude of the drag force on the skydiver, taking g = 9.8 N kg^-1?

   • 784 N
   • 8.0 N
   • 80 N
   • 392 N

9. Which pair of quantities has the same units?

   • Weight and mass
   • Weight and gravitational field strength
   • Mass and gravitational field strength
   • Gravitational field strength and acceleration

10. A 1.0 kg object has a weight of 8.2 N in a gravitational field. What is the gravitational field strength at that point?

    • 82 N kg^-1
    • 8.2 N kg^-1
    • 9.8 N kg^-1
    • 0.82 N kg^-1

11. Which statement about mass and weight is correct?

    • Mass is a scalar measured in kilograms and weight is a force measured in newtons.
    • Mass is a force measured in newtons and weight is a scalar measured in kilograms.
    • Weight is measured in kilograms and mass in newtons.
    • Mass and weight are both forces measured in newtons.

12. A falling object starts from rest. Which description of its acceleration is correct as it approaches terminal velocity?

    • The acceleration decreases from g towards zero.
    • The acceleration increases towards g.
    • The acceleration becomes negative.
    • The acceleration stays at g throughout.

13. Air drag on a falling object increases as its speed increases. Why does this lead to terminal velocity?

    • Drag falls as speed increases, so the object slows down.
    • The object's mass decreases until it stops.
    • Weight increases with speed, which cancels drag.
    • The resultant force falls as drag grows, until drag equals weight and the resultant is zero.

14. A ball of mass 0.30 kg falls through air. Which change would increase its terminal velocity?

    • Falling through a denser fluid
    • Increasing its cross-sectional area
    • Increasing its mass without changing its size or shape
    • Making its surface rougher

15. At terminal velocity, the drag force on a falling object acts:

    • Upwards, in the direction of motion
    • Zero, because the speed is constant
    • Downwards, in the direction of motion
    • Upwards, opposite to the motion

16. A 1.0 kg object falls and has a weight of 9.8 N. What is the gravitational field strength at its position?

    • 98 N kg^-1
    • 9.8 kg N^-1
    • 9.8 N kg^-1
    • 0.98 N kg^-1

17. A raindrop falls at a steady speed of 6 m s^-1. Which force statement is correct?

    • The drag force is greater than the weight.
    • The weight is zero.
    • The drag force on the raindrop equals its weight.
    • The drag force is zero.

18. A 0.20 kg ball falls with a steady velocity. What is the drag force on it, taking g = 9.8 N kg^-1?

    • 1.96 N
    • 0.20 N
    • 9.8 N
    • 0.02 N

19. Two objects of the same shape fall through air. Object A has twice the mass of object B. Which is true about their terminal velocities?

    • A has the greater terminal velocity.
    • B has the greater terminal velocity.
    • Neither object reaches a terminal velocity.
    • They have equal terminal velocities.

20. A projectile falls at terminal velocity in water rather than air. Why is its terminal velocity lower in water?

    • Water has a lower density, so the weight is larger.
    • Water is more viscous, so the drag at a given speed is larger.
    • Water removes the weight of the object.
    • Water causes the object's mass to increase.

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