IPC Unit 4 Test: Fundamental Forces

A force can be a _______ or ________. (Click both words)

• Push

• Weight

• Mass

• Pull

Answer explanation

A force can be a push or pull. These terms describe the two fundamental ways forces can act on objects, either moving them away (push) or towards (pull) the source of the force.

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Which of the following is not a force?

• Friction

• Gravity

• Mass

• Magnetism

Answer explanation

Mass is not a force; it is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. In contrast, friction, gravity, and magnetism are all forces that act on objects.

What is a contact force?

• A pull on an object without touching

• Direct touch between two objects

• What stops motion

• Created from electricity

Answer explanation

A contact force is defined as a force that occurs when two objects touch each other directly. This distinguishes it from non-contact forces, which act at a distance without physical interaction.

What type of force is gravity?

• Contact

• Non-contact

Answer explanation

Gravity is a non-contact force because it acts at a distance without the need for physical contact between objects. It pulls objects toward each other, such as the Earth pulling us down.

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Gravity directs all objects __________.

• Up

• Down

• Left

• Right

Answer explanation

Gravity directs all objects down towards the center of the Earth. This force pulls everything, including people and objects, in a downward direction, making 'Down' the correct answer.

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If someone says gravity pulls you "down", what does "down" mean?

• Towards the center of the Earth

• Depends where you are on Earth

• Towards space

• None of the above

Answer explanation

When gravity pulls you "down", it means towards the center of the Earth. This is because gravity acts to pull objects toward the mass of the Earth, which is located at its center.

True or False: The gravity of the sun keeps the planets in orbit.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True. The gravity of the sun is the dominant force that keeps the planets in orbit around it, preventing them from drifting into space.

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Why do objects revolve around the sun?

• Nothing revolves around the sun

• The sun has a greater mass, so it has more gravity to pull the objects

• The sun has less mass and less gravity

• Only stars revolve around the sun

Answer explanation

Objects revolve around the sun because it has a greater mass, which means it exerts a stronger gravitational pull. This gravity keeps planets and other objects in orbit around it.

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True or False: More mass = less gravity

• True

• False

Answer explanation

False. More mass actually increases gravity. According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, the force of gravity is directly proportional to the mass of the objects involved.

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True or False: The Earth's gravity is pulling on you, but you are pulling on the Earth as well.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True. According to Newton's third law, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. While the Earth pulls you with its gravity, you also exert a gravitational pull on the Earth, albeit much weaker due to its larger mass.

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