Newton's first law (inertia) Knowledge-Based Download PDF

Questions

1. 1.

   A deep-space probe is traveling through interstellar space far from any celestial bodies. If its propulsion engine is shut down completely, what will happen to the probe's motion?

   • A) It will gradually decelerate until it comes to a complete stop.
   • B) It will continue moving in a straight line at a constant speed.
   • C) It will immediately come to an abrupt halt the moment thrust ceases.
   • D) It will maintain a constant speed while curving into a circular path.
2. 2.

   A skydiver falls vertically downward at a constant terminal velocity. According to Newton's first law of motion, which statement correctly describes the forces acting on the skydiver?

   • A) The downward gravitational force is greater than the upward air resistance because the motion is directed downward.
   • B) The upward air resistance is greater than the downward gravitational force because it stops the skydiver from speeding up.
   • C) There are no individual forces acting on the skydiver while falling at terminal velocity.
   • D) The upward air resistance is equal in magnitude to the downward gravitational force, resulting in a net force of zero.
3. 3.

   An inertial frame of reference is a reference frame in which Newton's first law of motion holds true. Which of the following observers is in an inertial frame of reference?

   • A) A passenger in a Ferris wheel cabin rotating at a constant angular speed
   • B) A driver in an automobile accelerating forward along a straight road
   • C) A person inside an elevator slowing down as it reaches the top floor
   • D) A passenger aboard an airplane cruising at a constant speed along a straight, horizontal path
4. 4.

   A small puck moves in a circular path on a frictionless horizontal surface, tethered by a taut string. If the string suddenly snaps, what will be the puck's subsequent motion?

   • A) It will move radially outward along a straight line directly away from the center.
   • B) It will follow an outward spiral path across the surface with steadily decreasing speed.
   • C) It will continue along a straight line tangent to the circle at constant speed.
   • D) It will instantaneously decelerate and come to rest at the point where the string broke.
5. 5.

   Which of the following statements best describes the property of inertia according to Newton's first law of motion?

   • A) The continuous force required to sustain an object's steady motion
   • B) The natural tendency of any moving object to gradually slow down to rest
   • C) The capacity of an object to transfer momentum during an elastic collision
   • D) The inherent tendency of an object to resist any change in its state of motion
6. 6.

   When a moving car brakes suddenly, an unrestrained package on the back seat slides forward relative to the car. According to Newton's first law, which of the following best explains this observation?

   • A) An unbalanced forward force is exerted on the package when the brakes are applied.
   • B) The package continues in its state of forward motion due to its inertia while the car decelerates.
   • C) The inertia of the package increases abruptly as the speed of the vehicle decreases.
   • D) The static friction between the seat and the package pushes the package forward.
7. 7.

   According to Newton's first law of motion, which of the following situations necessarily requires a non-zero net external force?

   • A) A vehicle turning along a circular curve at a constant speed
   • B) A spacecraft coasting through deep space in a straight line at constant speed
   • C) An aircraft flying horizontally in a straight path at uniform speed
   • D) A crate remaining stationary on a level warehouse floor
8. 8.

   Which physical property of an object serves as a direct quantitative measure of its inertia?

   • A) Weight
   • B) Mass
   • C) Velocity
   • D) Volume
9. 9.

   According to Newton's first law of motion, which of the following describes the state of motion of an object when the net external force acting on it is zero?

   • A) It immediately decelerates and comes to rest.
   • B) It continues to accelerate steadily in its initial direction of motion.
   • C) It remains at rest or continues moving at a constant velocity in a straight line.
   • D) It curves into a circular trajectory with constant speed.