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Physics practice questions

43 questions from the mechanical aptitude practice test.

Physics practice test

10 questions, graded as you go, with the reason for every answer. No sign-up.

What this covers

Sample questions

A toolbox is taken from the Earth to the Moon. What happens to its mass and its weight?

  1. Mass is less; weight is the same
  2. Mass is the same; weight is less
  3. Mass and weight are both less
  4. Mass and weight are both the same
Show the answer

B. Mass is the same; weight is less

Mass is the amount of matter and does not change with location. Weight is the pull of gravity on that mass, and the Moon's gravity is weaker.

Reference: Gravity: mass and weight

From the same height and at the same instant, one ball is dropped and another is thrown straight out horizontally over level ground. Ignoring air resistance, which hits the ground first?

  1. They hit at the same time
  2. The dropped ball hits first
  3. The thrown ball hits first
  4. It depends on the throw speed
Show the answer

A. They hit at the same time

Gravity pulls both balls downward at the same rate, and sideways motion does not affect the fall. The thrown ball lands farther away but not later.

Reference: Gravity: independence of horizontal and vertical motion

A pendulum clock is running slow. What adjustment makes it run faster?

  1. Lengthen the pendulum
  2. Add weight to the bob
  3. Shorten the pendulum
  4. Remove weight from the bob
Show the answer

C. Shorten the pendulum

A shorter pendulum swings back and forth in less time, so the clock ticks faster. For small swings the weight of the bob has no effect on the timing.

Reference: Pendulums: period depends on length

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