Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Science > Physics

Newton's First Law Practice Quiz: Test Your Inertia Skills

Ready to tackle inertia practice questions and net force review? Think you can ace it?

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for Newtons First Law quiz on dark blue background

Welcome, aspiring physicists! Dive into our newton's first law practice problems quiz designed to challenge and refine your grasp of motion's fundamentals. As you navigate each scenario, you'll tackle inertia practice questions, engage with a concise net force review to see forces in action, and test equilibrium through clear-cut problems. Whether you're preparing for exams or simply want to strengthen your conceptual toolkit, this free, interactive newton's first law quiz offers clear feedback and practical explanations, plus instant scoring with step-by-step hints to pinpoint your strengths and areas for improvement. Ready to level up? Click over to Newton's First Law quiz for an immersive learning experience, then continue your physics adventure by exploring related newton's second law practice problems . Don't wait - start advancing your skills in just minutes!

What does Newton's First Law state about an object at rest?
It remains at rest unless acted on by a net force.
It always stays at rest regardless of forces.
It will start moving spontaneously after some time.
It remains at rest until friction disappears.
Newton's First Law, also called the law of inertia, says an object at rest stays at rest unless a net external force acts on it. This describes the tendency of objects to resist changes in their state of motion. No unbalanced force means no change in velocity. source
A book lies on a table. Which force pair acts on it?
Frictional force upward and gravitational force downward.
Normal force upward equals gravitational force downward.
Normal force upward is greater than gravitational force.
Tension upward and gravitational force downward.
A book at rest on a table is in equilibrium, so the upward normal force exactly balances its weight. There is no net force, so it remains stationary. Friction and tension are not involved in this scenario. source
A hockey puck glides on perfectly frictionless ice. What happens to its speed?
It gradually increases.
It oscillates up and down.
It remains constant.
It gradually decreases.
With no friction or other net forces acting, the puck's velocity remains constant according to Newton's First Law. No unbalanced force means no acceleration or deceleration. This is an idealized demonstration of inertia. source
When a car suddenly stops, passengers lurch forward due to:
Air resistance pushing them.
Gravity pulling them forward.
Their inertia resisting change in motion.
A forward net force from the seat.
Passengers continue moving forward when the car stops because of inertia - the tendency of objects to maintain their current state of motion. No net forward force acts on them during the stop. Seat belts provide the unbalanced force needed to change their motion. source
If two equal forces of 5 N act on an object in opposite directions, what is the net force?
0 N
5 N to the east
5 N to the west
10 N to the east
Equal and opposite forces cancel, resulting in zero net force. With no unbalanced force, the object's velocity remains constant. This is a direct application of Newton's First Law. source
A box is pushed across a floor at constant velocity. What must be true about the net force on the box?
It equals the box's weight.
It points in the direction of motion.
It points opposite to motion.
It is zero.
Constant velocity implies zero acceleration, so the net force is zero by Newton's First Law. Applied force and friction balance each other. No unbalanced force means no change in speed or direction. source
A satellite moves in a circular orbit at constant speed. Which statement is true?
There is a net inward force providing centripetal acceleration.
There is a tangential force keeping it moving.
There is a net outward force balancing gravity.
There is no net force since speed is constant.
Even at constant speed, the satellite's velocity vector changes direction, requiring centripetal acceleration. Gravity provides the net inward force toward Earth. Without that force, it would move off in a straight line. source
Which physical quantity measures an object's resistance to changes in its motion?
Force
Velocity
Acceleration
Mass
Inertia is directly proportional to mass: the more mass an object has, the more it resists changes in motion. Force, velocity, and acceleration are related but do not measure inertia. Mass quantifies an object's resistance. source
A crate sliding on the floor slows and stops. This scenario illustrates:
An object's tendency to maintain motion without forces.
Equilibrium of forces.
A net force opposite to motion causing deceleration.
Constant velocity motion.
The crate decelerates because kinetic friction exerts a net force opposite to its motion. According to Newton's First Law, without that unbalanced force it would continue sliding at constant speed. Deceleration indicates the presence of an unbalanced force. source
A raindrop reaches terminal velocity and falls at constant speed. Which forces are balanced?
Air resistance and buoyant force.
Gravitational force and air-resistance force.
Gravitational force and normal force.
Gravitational force and magnetic force.
At terminal velocity, gravity pulling the raindrop downward is exactly balanced by air resistance upward. Net force is zero, so the raindrop falls at a constant speed per Newton's First Law. No further acceleration occurs. source
In a car cornering at constant speed, what is the direction of the net force on the car?
In the direction of motion (tangent).
Zero, because speed is constant.
Away from the center (centrifugal).
Toward the center of the curve (centripetal).
Even at constant speed, changing direction requires a centripetal net force directed toward the curve's center. This unbalanced force causes the car to follow a curved path. Without it, the car would move in a straight line. source
Inside a rotating space station, a ball released from the wall moves straight relative to an inertial frame but drifts inward relative to the station. This happens because:
Coriolis force pushes it inward.
There is no centripetal force acting on the ball after release.
Gravity pulls it inward toward the rotation axis.
Artificial gravity attracts it inward.
In the rotating frame, the ball initially shares the station's tangential velocity but no longer experiences the centripetal force that kept it moving in a circle. Without that inward force, it moves in a straight line inertially and appears to drift inward relative to the station's wall. This demonstrates Newton's First Law in a non-inertial frame. source
0
{"name":"What does Newton's First Law state about an object at rest?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"What does Newton's First Law state about an object at rest?, A book lies on a table. Which force pair acts on it?, A hockey puck glides on perfectly frictionless ice. What happens to its speed?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze Inertia in Motion Scenarios -

    Analyze various contexts in the newton's first law practice problems to determine how inertia keeps objects in motion or at rest.

  2. Apply Net Force Calculations -

    Apply principles of net force review to calculate resultant forces and distinguish between balanced and unbalanced forces.

  3. Solve Equilibrium Problems -

    Solve equilibrium quiz questions to identify conditions for static and dynamic equilibrium in physical systems.

  4. Evaluate Mass-Dependent Inertia -

    Evaluate how varying mass affects an object's resistance to changes in its state of motion through inertia practice questions.

  5. Distinguish Balanced and Unbalanced Forces -

    Distinguish between balanced and unbalanced forces to predict whether objects remain at rest or accelerate under applied loads.

  6. Predict Object Behavior -

    Predict the subsequent motion of objects when subjected to applied and net forces, demonstrating mastery of inertia concepts.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Inertia and Mass -

    Inertia measures how much an object resists changes in its motion and scales directly with mass. In Newton's first law practice problems, heavier objects like a loaded truck require more force to accelerate than a skateboard (MIT OpenCourseWare). Mnemonic: "More mass, more passivity!"

  2. Net Force Equals Zero for Equilibrium -

    When the vector sum of all forces on an object is zero, it stays at rest or moves at constant velocity (static or dynamic equilibrium). In a net force review, if F₝ + F₂ +…+ Fₙ = 0, acceleration a = 0 by F=ma (University Physics, Young & Freedman). Picture a book on a table - gravity and the normal force cancel perfectly.

  3. Free-Body Diagrams (FBDs) -

    Drawing clear FBDs is crucial for solving inertia practice questions; represent each force with arrows starting at the object's center. Label gravity, normal, friction, and applied forces to compute net force step-by-step. A good tip: isolate one object at a time to avoid mixing up forces.

  4. Inertial Frames of Reference -

    Newton's first law quiz problems assume observations are made in inertial frames - systems moving at constant velocity without rotation. If you're on a smoothly cruising train, objects roll only when a net force acts, confirming no fictitious forces. Remember: any accelerating or rotating frame introduces pseudo-forces.

  5. Friction and Its Role -

    Static and kinetic friction often appear in equilibrium quiz items, where F_friction = μN opposes motion or impending motion. Use μ_s for static situations (to start motion) and μ_k for kinetic scenarios (once sliding begins). Example: calculate the minimum force to slide a block by setting applied force = μ_s·N.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Physics Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker