Mechanics & Motion MCQs 2026

Which gas law states that pressure and volume of a gas are inversely proportional at constant temperature

1. A Boyle's Law ✓
2. B Charles's Law ✓
3. C Gay-Lussac's Law ✓
4. D Avogadro's Law ✓

What term describes the point at which an object's weight is evenly distributed, or balances

1. A Center of gravity ✓
2. B Point of inertia ✓
3. C Focal point ✓
4. D Equilibrium point ✓

Which force keeps planets in orbit around the Sun and objects in orbit around Earth

1. A Magnetic force ✓
2. B Gravitational force ✓
3. C Electric force ✓
4. D Nuclear force ✓

What is the SI unit of pressure

1. A Newton ✓
2. B Pascal ✓
3. C Joule ✓
4. D Watt ✓

What term describes the resistance an object has to changes in its motion, related to its mass

1. A Inertia ✓
2. B Momentum ✓
3. C Velocity ✓
4. D Acceleration ✓

Which gas law states that volume and temperature of a gas are directly proportional at constant pressure

1. A Boyle's Law ✓
2. B Charles's Law ✓
3. C Gay-Lussac's Law ✓
4. D Avogadro's Law ✓

Who formulated the three fundamental laws of motion

1. A Albert Einstein ✓
2. B Isaac Newton ✓
3. C Galileo Galilei ✓
4. D James Clerk Maxwell ✓

Newton's First Law of Motion is also known as the Law of what

1. A Gravity ✓
2. B Inertia ✓
3. C Action-Reaction ✓
4. D Conservation of Energy ✓

Newton's Second Law of Motion relates force to which two quantities

1. A Mass and acceleration ✓
2. B Mass and velocity ✓
3. C Distance and time ✓
4. D Energy and power ✓

Newton's Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite what

1. A Reaction ✓
2. B Force multiplier ✓
3. C Energy transfer ✓
4. D Mass change ✓

What is the SI unit of force

1. A Joule ✓
2. B Newton ✓
3. C Watt ✓
4. D Pascal ✓

What is the term for the rate of change of velocity of an object

1. A Speed ✓
2. B Acceleration ✓
3. C Momentum ✓
4. D Displacement ✓

What is the term for the product of an object's mass and velocity

1. A Force ✓
2. B Momentum ✓
3. C Energy ✓
4. D Power ✓

What law states that momentum in a closed system remains constant if no external force acts on it

1. A Law of Conservation of Energy ✓
2. B Law of Conservation of Momentum ✓
3. C Newton's Third Law ✓
4. D Law of Inertia ✓

What is the SI unit of energy

1. A Newton ✓
2. B Joule ✓
3. C Watt ✓
4. D Pascal ✓

What is the SI unit of power, the rate at which work is done

1. A Joule ✓
2. B Newton ✓
3. C Watt ✓
4. D Pascal ✓

What is the formula relating power, work, and time

1. A Power = Work × Time ✓
2. B Power = Work / Time ✓
3. C Power = Time / Work ✓
4. D Power = Work + Time ✓

What term describes the capacity to do work, existing in various forms such as kinetic and potential

1. A Force ✓
2. B Energy ✓
3. C Momentum ✓
4. D Power ✓

What type of energy is associated with an object's motion

1. A Potential energy ✓
2. B Kinetic energy ✓
3. C Thermal energy only ✓
4. D Chemical energy only ✓

What type of energy is associated with an object's position or state, such as height above the ground

1. A Kinetic energy ✓
2. B Potential energy ✓
3. C Thermal energy ✓
4. D Sound energy ✓

What law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another

1. A Law of Conservation of Momentum ✓
2. B Law of Conservation of Energy ✓
3. C Newton's First Law ✓
4. D Law of Universal Gravitation ✓

Who formulated the Law of Universal Gravitation, describing the gravitational attraction between masses

1. A Galileo Galilei ✓
2. B Isaac Newton ✓
3. C Albert Einstein ✓
4. D Johannes Kepler ✓

What is the approximate value of acceleration due to gravity at Earth's surface

1. A 4.9 m/s² ✓
2. B 9.8 m/s² ✓
3. C 15.6 m/s² ✓
4. D 20.0 m/s² ✓

What term describes the distance traveled by an object per unit of time, without regard to direction

1. A Velocity ✓
2. B Speed ✓
3. C Acceleration ✓
4. D Displacement ✓

What term describes the rate of change of displacement, including both magnitude and direction

1. A Speed ✓
2. B Velocity ✓
3. C Acceleration ✓
4. D Momentum ✓

What term describes the shortest straight-line distance between an object's initial and final position, along with direction

1. A Distance ✓
2. B Displacement ✓
3. C Speed ✓
4. D Momentum ✓

What scientific principle explains why a submarine can float or submerge based on buoyancy

1. A Newton's First Law ✓
2. B Archimedes' Principle ✓
3. C Pascal's Law ✓
4. D Boyle's Law ✓

What does Archimedes' Principle state regarding an object submerged in a fluid

1. A The buoyant force equals the weight of fluid displaced by the object ✓
2. B The pressure is the same at all points ✓
3. C Force equals mass times acceleration ✓
4. D Energy is conserved ✓

Which scientific law states that pressure applied to a confined fluid is transmitted equally in all directions

1. A Newton's Third Law ✓
2. B Pascal's Law ✓
3. C Archimedes' Principle ✓
4. D Bernoulli's Principle ✓

Which scientific principle explains that faster-moving fluids exert less pressure, relevant to understanding airplane lift

1. A Pascal's Law ✓
2. B Archimedes' Principle ✓
3. C Bernoulli's Principle ✓
4. D Boyle's Law ✓

What term describes an object's ability to return to its original shape after being deformed by a force

1. A Plasticity ✓
2. B Elasticity ✓
3. C Rigidity ✓
4. D Viscosity ✓

What is the term for a simple machine consisting of a rigid bar that pivots around a fixed point

1. A Pulley ✓
2. B Lever ✓
3. C Wheel and axle ✓
4. D Inclined plane ✓

What is the fixed point around which a lever pivots called

1. A Fulcrum ✓
2. B Axis ✓
3. C Pivot arm ✓
4. D Load point ✓

What is the term for a simple machine using a grooved wheel and rope to lift objects

1. A Lever ✓
2. B Pulley ✓
3. C Wedge ✓
4. D Screw ✓

What is the term for a flat, sloped surface used to raise or lower objects with less force than lifting vertically

1. A Lever ✓
2. B Pulley ✓
3. C Inclined plane ✓
4. D Wedge ✓

What is the term for a simple machine that is essentially two inclined planes joined together, used for splitting or cutting

1. A Lever ✓
2. B Wedge ✓
3. C Screw ✓
4. D Wheel and axle ✓

What is the term for a simple machine consisting of an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder, used for fastening or lifting

1. A Lever ✓
2. B Wedge ✓
3. C Screw ✓
4. D Pulley ✓

What is the term for a simple machine consisting of a large wheel attached to a smaller cylinder (axle), rotating together

1. A Lever ✓
2. B Wheel and axle ✓
3. C Pulley ✓
4. D Screw ✓

How many types of simple machines are traditionally classified in classical mechanics

1. A Four ✓
2. B Five ✓
3. C Six ✓
4. D Eight ✓

What is the term for the ratio of output force to input force in a machine, indicating its efficiency in multiplying force

1. A Mechanical advantage ✓
2. B Velocity ratio ✓
3. C Efficiency ratio ✓
4. D Work ratio ✓

What is the term describing the tendency of a spinning object to maintain its axis of rotation

1. A Inertia ✓
2. B Gyroscopic effect ✓
3. C Momentum ✓
4. D Friction ✓

What force opposes the relative motion of two surfaces in contact

1. A Gravity ✓
2. B Friction ✓
3. C Tension ✓
4. D Normal force ✓

What type of friction acts on an object already in motion, generally weaker than static friction

1. A Static friction ✓
2. B Kinetic friction ✓
3. C Rolling friction (technically a subtype) ✓
4. D Fluid friction (also a subtype) ✓

What type of friction must be overcome to start moving a stationary object

1. A Static friction ✓
2. B Kinetic friction ✓
3. C Rolling friction ✓
4. D Fluid friction ✓

What is the term for the force that acts perpendicular to a surface, supporting an object resting on it

1. A Friction ✓
2. B Normal force ✓
3. C Tension ✓
4. D Gravity ✓

What is the term for the pulling force transmitted through a string, rope, or cable when pulled taut

1. A Compression ✓
2. B Tension ✓
3. C Torque ✓
4. D Shear force ✓

What is the term for a rotational, or twisting, force that causes an object to rotate around an axis

1. A Tension ✓
2. B Torque ✓
3. C Compression ✓
4. D Normal force ✓

What term describes a material's tendency to remain permanently deformed after a force is applied

1. A Elasticity ✓
2. B Plasticity ✓
3. C Rigidity ✓
4. D Fluidity ✓

What is the term for the internal resistance of a fluid to flow

1. A Density ✓
2. B Viscosity ✓
3. C Pressure ✓
4. D Buoyancy ✓

What is the term for the mass of a substance per unit volume

1. A Density ✓
2. B Viscosity ✓
3. C Pressure ✓
4. D Weight ✓

What is the term for the force exerted per unit area

1. A Density ✓
2. B Viscosity ✓
3. C Pressure ✓
4. D Volume ✓

What is the SI unit of mass

1. A Kilogram ✓
2. B Newton ✓
3. C Joule ✓
4. D Pascal ✓

What is the difference between mass and weight

1. A Mass measures matter quantity; weight measures gravitational force on that matter ✓
2. B They are identical concepts ✓
3. C Mass changes with location; weight does not ✓
4. D Weight measures matter quantity; mass measures gravitational force ✓

Would an object's mass change if taken from Earth to the Moon

1. A No, mass remains the same ✓
2. B Yes, mass would decrease significantly ✓
3. C Yes, mass would increase significantly ✓
4. D Mass would become zero ✓

Would an object's weight change if taken from Earth to the Moon

1. A No, weight remains the same ✓
2. B Yes, weight would decrease due to the Moon's weaker gravity ✓
3. C Yes, weight would increase ✓
4. D Weight would become zero ✓

What is the term for the point in an object's trajectory where it experiences apparent weightlessness while in free fall

1. A Terminal velocity ✓
2. B Zero gravity (microgravity) ✓
3. C Escape velocity ✓
4. D Orbital velocity ✓

What is the term for the maximum constant speed a falling object reaches when air resistance balances gravitational force

1. A Escape velocity ✓
2. B Terminal velocity ✓
3. C Orbital velocity ✓
4. D Angular velocity ✓

What is the term for the minimum speed needed for an object to break free from a celestial body's gravitational pull

1. A Terminal velocity ✓
2. B Escape velocity ✓
3. C Orbital velocity ✓
4. D Relative velocity ✓

Which force is responsible for keeping a satellite in continuous orbit around a planet

1. A Magnetic force ✓
2. B Gravitational force ✓
3. C Nuclear force ✓
4. D Electric force ✓

What is the term for the study of forces and their effects on the motion of objects

1. A Thermodynamics ✓
2. B Mechanics ✓
3. C Optics ✓
4. D Electromagnetism ✓

What is the term for the branch of mechanics dealing with objects at rest and forces in equilibrium

1. A Kinematics ✓
2. B Statics ✓
3. C Dynamics ✓
4. D Kinetics ✓

What is the term for the branch of mechanics dealing with the motion of objects, considering the forces causing that motion

1. A Statics ✓
2. B Kinematics ✓
3. C Dynamics ✓
4. D Thermodynamics ✓

What is the term for the branch of mechanics dealing with the description of motion, without considering the forces causing it

1. A Statics ✓
2. B Kinematics ✓
3. C Dynamics ✓
4. D Thermodynamics ✓

What term describes circular motion where an object moves at a constant speed but continuously changing direction

1. A Uniform circular motion ✓
2. B Simple harmonic motion ✓
3. C Projectile motion ✓
4. D Linear motion ✓

What is the term for the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path, directed toward the center

1. A Centrifugal force ✓
2. B Centripetal force ✓
3. C Gravitational force generally ✓
4. D Normal force ✓

What term describes the curved path followed by a projectile under the influence of gravity

1. A Circular motion ✓
2. B Projectile motion ✓
3. C Simple harmonic motion ✓
4. D Rotational motion ✓

What is the term for the single force that represents the combined effect of multiple forces acting on an object

1. A Net force (Resultant force) ✓
2. B Balanced force ✓
3. C Static force ✓
4. D Applied force only ✓

What is the term for a quantity that has both magnitude and direction, such as velocity or force

1. A Scalar quantity ✓
2. B Vector quantity ✓
3. C Constant quantity ✓
4. D Derived quantity ✓

What is the term for a quantity that has only magnitude, without direction, such as speed or mass

1. A Scalar quantity ✓
2. B Vector quantity ✓
3. C Constant quantity ✓
4. D Base quantity ✓

What is the term for the maximum displacement of an oscillating object from its equilibrium position

1. A Period ✓
2. B Frequency ✓
3. C Amplitude ✓
4. D Wavelength ✓

What factor primarily determines the period of a simple pendulum's swing, assuming small oscillations

1. A The pendulum's length ✓
2. B The mass of the pendulum bob ✓
3. C The amplitude of swing ✓
4. D The color of the pendulum ✓

Which of the following is an example of a scalar quantity

1. A Force ✓
2. B Velocity ✓
3. C Speed ✓
4. D Displacement ✓

Which of the following is an example of a vector quantity

1. A Mass ✓
2. B Time ✓
3. C Force ✓
4. D Temperature ✓

What is the term for the study of forces and motion applied specifically to fluids (liquids and gases)

1. A Thermodynamics ✓
2. B Fluid mechanics ✓
3. C Electromagnetism ✓
4. D Optics ✓

What is the term for objects moving with constant velocity, meaning no change in speed or direction

1. A Accelerated motion ✓
2. B Uniform motion ✓
3. C Random motion ✓
4. D Oscillatory motion ✓

What is the term for motion where an object's velocity changes over time

1. A Uniform motion ✓
2. B Accelerated motion ✓
3. C Static motion ✓
4. D Rest ✓

What is the term for the number of cycles of periodic motion completed per unit time

1. A Period ✓
2. B Frequency ✓
3. C Amplitude ✓
4. D Wavelength ✓

What is the term for repetitive back-and-forth motion around an equilibrium position, such as a pendulum swing

1. A Circular motion ✓
2. B Simple harmonic motion ✓
3. C Projectile motion ✓
4. D Uniform motion ✓

What is the term for the time taken to complete one full cycle of periodic motion, such as one swing of a pendulum

1. A Frequency ✓
2. B Period ✓
3. C Amplitude ✓
4. D Wavelength ✓

What is the term for the study of how machines and structures respond to applied forces and loads

1. A Fluid mechanics ✓
2. B Structural mechanics (Engineering mechanics) ✓
3. C Thermodynamics ✓
4. D Quantum mechanics ✓

What term describes a state where the net force acting on an object is zero, resulting in no change in motion

1. A Acceleration ✓
2. B Equilibrium ✓
3. C Momentum ✓
4. D Torque ✓

Which scientist is credited with early systematic studies of pendulum motion and its regularity

1. A Galileo Galilei ✓
2. B Isaac Newton ✓
3. C Johannes Kepler ✓
4. D Christiaan Huygens (later refined pendulum clocks) ✓

What is the term for two forces that are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction, resulting in equilibrium

1. A Balanced forces ✓
2. B Unbalanced forces ✓
3. C Net force ✓
4. D Resultant force ✓

What is the term for forces that do not cancel out, resulting in a net force causing acceleration

1. A Balanced forces ✓
2. B Unbalanced forces ✓
3. C Equilibrium forces ✓
4. D Static forces ✓

If you push against a wall with great force but the wall does not move, how much work has been done according to physics

1. A Maximum work has been done ✓
2. B Zero work has been done ✓
3. C Half the maximum work ✓
4. D It depends on how long you push ✓

What condition must be met for work to be considered done on an object, in the physics sense

1. A A force must cause displacement in the direction of that force ✓
2. B Any force must simply be applied ✓
3. C The object must be visible ✓
4. D The object must be heated ✓

What is the SI unit for measuring work done, identical to the unit for energy

1. A Newton ✓
2. B Joule ✓
3. C Watt ✓
4. D Pascal ✓

What term describes energy transferred to an object when a force causes it to move a certain distance

1. A Power ✓
2. B Work ✓
3. C Momentum ✓
4. D Torque ✓

What is the term for the total mechanical energy of a system, combining kinetic and potential energy

1. A Thermal energy ✓
2. B Mechanical energy ✓
3. C Chemical energy ✓
4. D Nuclear energy ✓

Which scientist faced significant opposition for supporting the heliocentric model through telescopic observations

1. A Copernicus ✓
2. B Galileo Galilei ✓
3. C Kepler ✓
4. D Newton ✓

Which earlier astronomer proposed the geocentric model, placing Earth at the center of the universe, widely accepted for centuries

1. A Ptolemy ✓
2. B Copernicus ✓
3. C Kepler ✓
4. D Galileo ✓

Who proposed the heliocentric model, placing the Sun rather than Earth at the center of the solar system

1. A Ptolemy ✓
2. B Nicolaus Copernicus ✓
3. C Johannes Kepler ✓
4. D Galileo Galilei ✓

According to Kepler's laws, what shape do planetary orbits around the Sun take

1. A Perfect circles ✓
2. B Ellipses ✓
3. C Parabolas ✓
4. D Hyperbolas ✓

Which scientist formulated the three laws of planetary motion, describing how planets orbit the Sun

1. A Isaac Newton ✓
2. B Johannes Kepler ✓
3. C Galileo Galilei ✓
4. D Nicolaus Copernicus ✓