Science Benchmark

How do people determine if a vehicle in which they are sitting is moving?

• by comparing their position to a fixed object inside the vehicle

• by comparing their position to a fixed object outside the vehicle

• by comparing their position to a moving object inside the vehicle

• by comparing their position to a moving object outside the vehicle

Which best describes the motion of these objects?

• Both Objects 2 and 3 are at a

  higher elevation than Object 1.

• Both Objects 1 and 2 are at a

  lower elevation than Object 4.

• Object 4 has traveled farther than

  the other objects.

• Object 1 has traveled farther than

  the other objects.

Two students pull on a rope in opposite directions, each with a force of 100 N. What would most likely happen to the rope if the student on the left increased her force to 125 N?

• The rope would decrease its acceleration

  to the left.

• The rope would decrease its acceleration

  to the right.

• The rope would go from motionless to

  accelerating to the left.

• The rope would go from accelerating to

  the right to accelerating to the left.

How do forces act on a dropped object as it is falling?

• Air resistance is pushing up on the

  object, while gravity is pulling it down.

• Air resistance is pulling down on the

  object, while gravity is pushing it up.

• Both gravity and air resistance are

  pulling down on the object.

• Both gravity and air resistance are

  pushing up on the object.

Which applied force will cause a glass of water sitting on a counter top to move?

• balanced force

• frictional force

• gravitational force

• unbalanced force

Which points on the graph show John returning home because he forgot his book bag?

• between points I and II

• between points II and III

• between points III and IV

• between points IV and V

Which graphs show a point where the objects were motionless over a period of time?

• Graph 1 and Graph 2

• Graph 3 and Graph 4

• Graph 1 and Graph 3

• Graph 2 and Graph 4

If the motion of an object increased, which type of mechanical energy was gained by the object?

• chemical energy

• gravitational potential energy

• electromagnetic energy

• kinetic energy

What happens to the energy of the ball from when t = 0 s to when t = 5 s?

• Potential energy decreases and kinetic energy increases, but the total amount of mechanical energy remains the same.

• Potential energy increases and kinetic energy decreases, but the total amount of mechanical energy remains the same.

• Potential energy and kinetic energy both increase, and the total amount of mechanical energy increases.

• Potential energy and kinetic energy both decrease, and the

  total amount of mechanical energy decreases.

How does the mechanical energy of a rock change as it falls from a mountain?

• The mechanical energy remains the same because kinetic energy is changed into potential energy.

• The mechanical energy remains the same because potential energy is changed into kinetic energy.

• The mechanical energy increases because the kinetic energy is changed into speed, while the potential energy remains the same.

• The mechanical energy increases because the potential energy is changed into acceleration, while the kinetic energy remains the same.