Do Now

A book is on a table. A student pushes it for a short time.

Initially the book moves, but then it comes to a complete
stop. (MCAS 2007)

A. Identify the forces acting on the book before it is

pushed. You may include a labeled diagram in your
answer.

B. Explain why the book moves and then comes to a

complete stop. Use the laws of physics in your answer.

C. The student wants the book to move at a constant speed

in one direction. Describe the physical conditions needed
for this to occur.
1. A heavy box is at rest on an inclined plane. The
box begins to slide down the inclined plane when a
small force is applied to the box. The force is
removed as soon as the box begins to slide. The
speed of the box increases as the box slides down
the inclined plane.

Which of the following is the most likely cause of

this increasing speed? (MCAS 2008)

a. The force of gravity on the box is less when the

box is not moving than when the box is moving.

b. The force of gravity on the box is greater when

the box is not moving than when the box is
moving.

c. The force of friction on the box is less when the

box is not moving than when the box is moving.

d. The force of friction on the box is greater when

the box is not moving than when the box is
moving.
1. A heavy box is at rest on an inclined plane. The
box begins to slide down the inclined plane when a
small force is applied to the box. The force is
removed as soon as the box begins to slide. The
speed of the box increases as the box slides down
the inclined plane.

Which of the following is the most likely cause of

this increasing speed? (MCAS 2008)

a. The force of gravity on the box is less when the

box is not moving than when the box is moving.

b. The force of gravity on the box is greater when

the box is not moving than when the box is
moving.

c. The force of friction on the box is less when the

box is not moving than when the box is moving.

d. The force of friction on the box is greater when

the box is not moving than when the box is
moving.
2. An engineering student is gathering data on the motion
of a model car traveling down a ramp. If energy is
conserved, the potential energy of the car at the top of
the ramp should equal the kinetic energy of the car at the
bottom of the ramp. After the first trial, the student
calculates that the kinetic energy at the bottom of the
ramp is less than the potential energy at the top of the
ramp. Which of the following can best explain this
difference? (MCAS 2008)

a. The car gained a small amount of mass as it moved

down the ramp.

b. The student accidentally accelerated the car at the top

of the ramp.

c. The measured height of the ramp was less than the

actual height.

d. The student did not include the effect of frictional force

in the calculation.
2. An engineering student is gathering data on the motion
of a model car traveling down a ramp. If energy is
conserved, the potential energy of the car at the top of
the ramp should equal the kinetic energy of the car at the
bottom of the ramp. After the first trial, the student
calculates that the kinetic energy at the bottom of the
ramp is less than the potential energy at the top of the
ramp. Which of the following can best explain this
difference? (MCAS 2008)

a. The car gained a small amount of mass as it moved

down the ramp.

b. The student accidentally accelerated the car at the top

of the ramp.

c. The measured height of the ramp was less than the

actual height.

d. The student did not include the effect of frictional force

in the calculation.
3. Which of the following is a scalar quantity?
(MCAS 2008)

a. the mass of a brick

b. the velocity of a falling tennis ball

c. the force required to lift a 10 kg mass

d. the acceleration of a toy car over a 60 s

period
3. Which of the following is a scalar quantity?
(MCAS 2008)

a. the mass of a brick

b. the velocity of a falling tennis ball

c. the force required to lift a 10 kg mass

d. the acceleration of a toy car over a 60 s

period
4. A car is parked on the side of a hill. Which of
the following most likely prevents the car from
moving down the hill? (MCAS 2007)

a. The car has too much mass to move easily.

b. There is friction in the door hinges of the car.

c. There is friction between the tires and the

road.

d. The weight of the car is mostly on the front

wheels.
4. A car is parked on the side of a hill. Which of
the following most likely prevents the car from
moving down the hill? (MCAS 2007)

a. The car has too much mass to move easily.

b. There is friction in the door hinges of the car.

c. There is friction between the tires and the

road.

d. The weight of the car is mostly on the front

wheels.
5. Which of the following is a vector quantity?
(MCAS 2007)

a. Mass
b. Force
c. Temperature
d. Kinetic Energy
5. Which of the following is a vector quantity?
(MCAS 2007)

a. Mass
b. Force
c. Temperature
d. Kinetic Energy
6. The forces acting on a skateboarder moving at a
constant velocity along a sidewalk are shown in the
figure below.

Which of the following is the net force on the

skateboarder? (MCAS 2006)

a. 0 N c. 670 N
b. 70 N d. 1270 N
6. The forces acting on a skateboarder moving at a
constant velocity along a sidewalk are shown in the
figure below.

Which of the following is the net force on the

skateboarder? (MCAS 2006)

a. 0 N c. 670 N
b. 70 N d. 1270 N
7. An upward force of 150 N is applied to a box
weighing 70 N. Which of the following is the
free-body force diagram for this situation?
(MCAS 2006)

a. b.

c. d.
7. An upward force of 150 N is applied to a box
weighing 70 N. Which of the following is the
free-body force diagram for this situation?
(MCAS 2006)

a. b.

c. d.
8. Which of the following must be included with
magnitude to represent a vector? (MCAS 2006)

a. Mass
b. Direction
c. Acceleration
d. Volume
8. Which of the following must be included with
magnitude to represent a vector? (MCAS 2006)

a. Mass
b. Direction
c. Acceleration
d. Volume
9. The diagram below shows the forces acting
on a rock.

The weight of the rock is 76 N. An upward force of

106 N is exerted on the rock. What is the net force
acting on the rock? (MCAS 2009)
a.30 N upward c.106 N upward

b.76 N downward d.182 N downward

9. The diagram below shows the forces acting
on a rock.

The weight of the rock is 76 N. An upward force of

106 N is exerted on the rock. What is the net force
acting on the rock? (MCAS 2009)
a.30 N upward c.106 N upward

b.76 N downward d.182 N downward

10. Which of the following is an example of a
vector quantity? (MCAS 2009)

a.A student walks 2.0 km north.

b. An object has a mass of 10.5 kg.
c. A 1.0 kg object moves at 18 m/s.
d. A ball has an instantaneous speed of 15 m/s.
10. Which of the following is an example of a
vector quantity? (MCAS 2009)

a.A student walks 2.0 km north.

b. An object has a mass of 10.5 kg.
c. A 1.0 kg object moves at 18 m/s.
d. A ball has an instantaneous speed of 15 m/s.
11. Which of the following statements best
explains why it is usually easier to keep a sliding
object moving than it is to start the object
moving? (MCAS 2009)

a. Kinetic friction is typically equal to static

friction.

b. Kinetic friction is typically less than static

friction.

c. Kinetic friction is a force that resists

attempts to start an object moving.

d. Kinetic friction is a force that opposes the

sliding of two objects over each other.
11. Which of the following statements best
explains why it is usually easier to keep a sliding
object moving than it is to start the object
moving? (MCAS 2009)

a. Kinetic friction is typically equal to static

friction.

b. Kinetic friction is typically less than static

friction.

c. Kinetic friction is a force that resists

attempts to start an object moving.

d. Kinetic friction is a force that opposes the

sliding of two objects over each other.
 . 12. The illustration below shows a 2-ton elephant
balancing on a tree stump

Which of the following statements must be accurate?

(MCAS 2005)

a. The weight of the tree stump is greater than 2

tons.
b. A 4-ton force on the ground spreads out in all
directions.
c. The tree stump is exerting a 2-ton force upward
on the elephant.
d. The downward force on the ground under the tree
stump is 4 tons.

.
 . 12. The illustration below shows a 2-ton elephant
balancing on a tree stump

Which of the following statements must be accurate?

(MCAS 2005)

a. The weight of the tree stump is greater than 2

tons.
b. A 4-ton force on the ground spreads out in all
directions.
c. The tree stump is exerting a 2-ton force upward
on the elephant.
d. The downward force on the ground under the tree
stump is 4 tons.

.
13. A hot air balloon exerts a force of 1200 N while
lifting a load of 800 N. Which free-body force
diagram depicts the forces involved? (MCAS 2005)

a. b.

c. d.
13. A hot air balloon exerts a force of 1200 N while
lifting a load of 800 N. Which free-body force
diagram depicts the forces involved? (MCAS 2005)

a. b.

c. d.
14. Two forces act on the 2 kg box shown below.

A 4 N force acts to the right and a 6 N force

acts to the left. What is the net force acting
on the box? (MCAS 2004)
a.10 N to the right c.2 N to the right
b.10 N to the left d.2 N to the left
14. Two forces act on the 2 kg box shown below.

A 4 N force acts to the right and a 6 N force

acts to the left. What is the net force acting
on the box? (MCAS 2004)
a.10 N to the right c.2 N to the right
b.10 N to the left d.2 N to the left
15. Which of the following arrangements will remain
stationary unless an external force acts on it?
Assume there is no friction. (MCAS 2004)

a. c.

b. . d.
15. Which of the following arrangements will remain
stationary unless an external force acts on it?
Assume there is no friction. (MCAS 2004)

a. c.

b. . d.
16. Four students push on a block of wood with the forces
shown in the diagram below. Assume friction is negligible.
(MCAS 2010)

The block slides horizontally. What is the net

force acting on the block of wood?
a.3 N to the left c.11 N to the right
b.8 N to the left d.25 N to the right
16. Four students push on a block of wood with the forces
shown in the diagram below. Assume friction is negligible.
(MCAS 2010)

The block slides horizontally. What is the net

force acting on the block of wood?
a.3 N to the left c.11 N to the right
b.8 N to the left d.25 N to the right
17. A 2000 kg car is pulling a 1000 kg trailer. The car’s
engine exerts a 6000 N force to move the car and the
trailer. In addition, the car and the trailer each
experience a 1000 N frictional force as they are being
pulled, as represented below.

What is the magnitude of the net force on this system?

(MCAS 2010)

a.2000 N c.5000 N
b.4000 N d.8000 N
17. A 2000 kg car is pulling a 1000 kg trailer. The car’s
engine exerts a 6000 N force to move the car and the
trailer. In addition, the car and the trailer each
experience a 1000 N frictional force as they are being
pulled, as represented below.

What is the magnitude of the net force on this system?

(MCAS 2010)

a.2000 N c.5000 N
b.4000 N d.8000 N
18.A student pushes a book across a classroom table.
Which of the following statements best explains the
difference between the amount of force needed to
start the book moving and the amount of force
needed to keep it moving? (MCAS 2011)

a. Less force is needed to start the book moving,

because there is less friction than when it is already
moving.

b. Less force is needed to start the book moving,

because there is less potential energy in the table
than in the book.

c. More force is needed to start the book moving,

because there is more potential energy in the table
than in the book.

d. More force is needed to start the book moving,

because there is more friction than when it is already
moving.
18.A student pushes a book across a classroom table.
Which of the following statements best explains the
difference between the amount of force needed to
start the book moving and the amount of force
needed to keep it moving? (MCAS 2011)

a. Less force is needed to start the book moving,

because there is less friction than when it is already
moving.

b. Less force is needed to start the book moving,

because there is less potential energy in the table
than in the book.

c. More force is needed to start the book moving,

because there is more potential energy in the table
than in the book.

d. More force is needed to start the book moving,

because there is more friction than when it is already
moving.
19. Which of the following statements identifies the
main difference between vector and scalar quantities?
(MCAS 2011)

a. Only vectors have direction.

b. Only scalars have magnitude.

c. Only scalars have units associated with them.

d. Only vectors have units associated with them.

19. Which of the following statements identifies the
main difference between vector and scalar quantities?
(MCAS 2011)

a. Only vectors have direction.

b. Only scalars have magnitude.

c. Only scalars have units associated with them.

d. Only vectors have units associated with them.

20. A person pushes a heavy cabinet across a level
wooden floor. Force X is the force required to start
the cabinet moving. Force Y is the force required
to maintain a slow, steady forward motion. Which
of the following statements describes the two
forces, X and Y? (MCAS 2012)

a. Force X is added to force Y.

b. Force X is less than force Y.
c. Force X is unrelated to force Y.
d. Force X is greater than force Y.
20. A person pushes a heavy cabinet across a level
wooden floor. Force X is the force required to start
the cabinet moving. Force Y is the force required
to maintain a slow, steady forward motion. Which
of the following statements describes the two
forces, X and Y? (MCAS 2012)

a. Force X is added to force Y.

b. Force X is less than force Y.
c. Force X is unrelated to force Y.
d. Force X is greater than force Y.
21. A crate is being pulled along a floor by means
of two ropes. A frictional force opposes the motion
of the crate. The diagram below shows these three
forces acting on the crate.

What is the magnitude of the net force

acting on the crate? (MCAS 2012)

a.800 N c.1400 N
b.1000 N d.2000 N
21. A crate is being pulled along a floor by means
of two ropes. A frictional force opposes the motion
of the crate. The diagram below shows these three
forces acting on the crate.

What is the magnitude of the net force

acting on the crate? (MCAS 2012)

a.800 N c.1400 N
b.1000 N d.2000 N
22. A car is moving at 25 m/s north. Which of the
following is a vector quantity? (MCAS 2012)

a.the speed of the car

b.the velocity of the car
c.the potential energy of the car
d.the distance traveled by the car
22. A car is moving at 25 m/s north. Which of the
following is a vector quantity? (MCAS 2012)

a.the speed of the car

b.the velocity of the car
c.the potential energy of the car
d.the distance traveled by the car
23. A rope is attached to a block that has a weight of 120 N. When the rope exerts an upward
force of 250 N on the block, what is the net force on the block? (MCAS 2013)
a. 130 N up c. 130 N down
b. 370 N up d. 370 N down

24. The diagram below represents a block sliding across a table at a constant speed. All forces
are shown except the frictional force.

What is the magnitude of the frictional force on the block? (MCAS 2013)
a. 0.8 N c. 1.7 N
b. 1.6 N d. 2.5 N

25. The graph below illustrates the motion of a toy car during time intervals X, Y, and Z. The toy
car is initially at rest. It is then pushed and released.

Kinetic friction is acting on the toy car during which of the following time intervals? (MCAS 2013)
a. interval X only c. intervals X and Z
b. interval Y only d. intervals Y and Z

26.A toy cart that has a weight of 10 N moves with a constant velocity of 2 m/s to the right
on a horizontal table. According to Newton’s laws of motion, which of the following statements
is correct? (MCAS 2009)
a. The table exerts a force of 10 N upward on the toy cart.
b. The toy cart exerts a force of 10 N upward on the table.
c. The toy cart exerts a force of 2 N downward on the table.
d. The table exerts a force of 2 N to the right on the toy cart.
27. Which of the following examples includes a vector quantity? (MCAS 2014)
a. a 10.0 kg object c. a 3.5 kg object moving at 1.5 m/s
b. a truck that traveled 12.5 m d. a car moving northeast at 90 km/hr

28.A car is parked on a flat driveway. Which of the following is a free-body diagram for
this car? (MCAS 2014)
a. c.

b. d.

29. The free-body diagram below represents all the forces acting on an object.

What is the net force acting on this object? (MCAS 2014)

a. 0 N up c. 200 N right
b. 100 N down d. 300 N right
30. A toy truck powered by a battery is accelerating to the right. A string with negligible mass is
attached to the truck. The diagram below shows the forces acting on the truck.

If a child pulls the string to the left, what force must the child exert to make the toy truck move
to the right at a constant velocity? (MCAS 2014)
a. 1.0 N c. 2.5 N
b. 1.5 N d. 6.0 N

31. A person pushes a couch across a wooden floor. What force changes when the couch first
begins to move? (MCAS 2014)
a. frictional force c. normal force
b. gravitational force d. tension force

32.Which of the following is an example of an object that could have a net force greater
than zero acting on it? (MCAS 2014)
a. a glass resting on a table
b. a ball rolling down a ramp
c. a ladder leaning against a wall
d. a toy car moving east at a constant velocity

33.An elastic cord made for bungee jumping is being tested. A weight of 800 N is attached
to one end of the bungee cord. Then the weight is released from a tall tower and it moves
downward. When the elastic cord is fully extended, it exerts an opposing force of 900 N on the
weight. (MCAS 2008)

a. Draw and label a force diagram for this situation.

b.Calculate the net force on the weight. Show your calculations and include units in
your answer.

c.Explain what would happen if the elastic cord exerted a maximum force of only 700 N
on the weight.
34. A student is conducting experiments with a block of wood. In experiment 1, the student pulls
the block of wood with a constant force of 10 N along a horizontal surface. In experiment 2, the
student pulls the same block of wood with a constant force of 10 N. The type of surface is
different from that used in experiment 1. The results of experiments 1 and 2 are shown
below. (MCAS 2010)

a.Using information from the graphs, compare the surface in experiment 2 with the surface
in experiment 1.
b.Determine both the magnitude of the force of friction and the net force on the block that are
required to achieve the results shown in the graph for experiment 2. Include units in your answer.
c.Without changing the type of surface used when pulling the block of wood, list one other
change to experiment 1 that would produce the results of experiment 2. Explain your reasoning
with reference to the frictional force.

35.A 30.0 N force is continuously applied to the right on a 12.0 kg object. The object
accelerates on a horizontal frictionless surface. After a certain amount of time, another force of
8.0 N is applied to the left on the object. (MCAS 2012)
a.Calculate the object’s acceleration before the 8.0 N force is applied. Show your
calculations and include units in your answer.
b.Calculate the object’s acceleration after the 8.0 N force is applied. Show your calculations
and include units in your answer.
c.Is the direction of acceleration in parts (a) and (b) the same or different? Explain your
answer. The object is then pushed onto a slightly rough surface that exerts an additional 20 N
frictional force to the left on the object.
d. Will the object come to rest on the slightly rough surface? Explain your answer.
 36.A book is on a table. A student pushes it for a short time. Initially the book moves, but
then it comes to a complete stop. (MCAS 2007)

a.Identify the forces acting on the book before it is pushed. You may include a
labeled diagram in your answer.

b.Explain why the book moves and then comes to a complete stop. Use the laws of
physics in your answer.

c.The student wants the book to move at a constant speed in one direction. Describe
the physical conditions needed for this to occur.

37. A 10 N force is applied to a 6 kg box, as shown below. (MCAS 2014)

Assume the system is frictionless.

a.Determine the weight of the box in newtons. Show your calculations and include units in
your answer.
b.In your Student Answer Booklet, draw a force diagram for the box. Include labels
and represent the relative magnitude of each force.
c.Determine the acceleration of the box. Show your calculations and include units in
your answer.

Now assume friction is introduced into the system.

d.Describe one change to this system that would allow it to achieve the same acceleration as
the frictionless system.