Physics Quiz

What is the definition of centripetal force?

• A force that is directed at right angles to the path of a moving object and that causes the object to follow a circular path.

• A force that is directed in the same direction as the path of a moving object.

• A force that is directed opposite to the path of a moving object.

• A force that is directed at an angle to the path of a moving object.

What is the definition of an ellipse?

• A closed curve of oval shape for which the sum of the distances from any point on the curve to two internal focal points is a constant.

• A closed curve of circular shape for which the sum of the distances from any point on the curve to two internal focal points is a constant.

• A closed curve of rectangular shape for which the sum of the distances from any point on the curve to two internal focal points is a constant.

• A closed curve of triangular shape for which the sum of the distances from any point on the curve to two internal focal points is a constant.

What is the definition of escape speed?

• The speed that a projectile, space probe, or similar object must reach in order to escape the gravitational influence of Earth or of another celestial body to which it is attracted.

• The speed that a projectile, space probe, or similar object must reach in order to enter the gravitational influence of Earth or of another celestial body to which it is attracted.

• The speed that a projectile, space probe, or similar object must reach in order to orbit the gravitational influence of Earth or of another celestial body to which it is attracted.

• The speed that a projectile, space probe, or similar object must reach in order to collide with the gravitational influence of Earth or of another celestial body to which it is attracted.

What is the definition of gravitational force?

• The attractive force between objects due to mass.

• The repulsive force between objects due to mass.

• The attractive force between objects due to charge.

• The repulsive force between objects due to charge.

What is the definition of the inverse-square law?

• A law relating the intensity of an effect to the inverse square of the distance from the cause.

• A law relating the intensity of an effect to the square of the distance from the cause.

• A law relating the intensity of an effect to the inverse of the distance from the cause.

• A law relating the intensity of an effect to the distance from the cause.

What is the definition of the law of universal gravitation?

• Every body in the universe attracts every other body with a mutually attracting force. For two bodies, this force is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance separating them.

• Every body in the universe attracts every other body with a mutually attracting force. For two bodies, this force is directly proportional to the sum of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance separating them.

• Every body in the universe attracts every other body with a mutually attracting force. For two bodies, this force is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the distance separating them.

• Every body in the universe attracts every other body with a mutually attracting force. For two bodies, this force is directly proportional to the sum of their masses and inversely proportional to the distance separating them.

What is the definition of a parabola?

• The curved path followed by a projectile near Earth under the influence of gravity only.

• The straight path followed by a projectile near Earth under the influence of gravity only.

• The circular path followed by a projectile near Earth under the influence of gravity only.

• The zigzag path followed by a projectile near Earth under the influence of gravity only.

What is the definition of a projectile?

• Any object that moves through the air or through space under the influence of gravity.

• Any object that moves through the air or through space without the influence of gravity.

• Any object that moves through the air or through space under the influence of magnetism.

• Any object that moves through the air or through space under the influence of friction.

What is the definition of a satellite?

• A projectile or small body that orbits a larger body.

• A projectile or small body that is stationary in space.

• A projectile or small body that moves away from a larger body.

• A projectile or small body that moves towards a larger body.

What is the definition of tangential velocity?

• Velocity that is parallel (tangent) to a curved path.

• Velocity that is perpendicular to a curved path.

• Velocity that is opposite to a curved path.

• Velocity that is at an angle to a curved path.