Lesson T2.2.3

T2.2.3 Moments and the turning effect Quiz: KS3 Physics, Unit 2

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson T2.2.3, Moments and the turning effect: 20 multiple choice questions for the KS3 Physics (National Curriculum), Unit 2: Motion and forces, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What term describes the turning effect of a force about a pivot?

    • Work
    • Pressure
    • Moment
    • Power

  2. What calculation is used to find the moment of a force about a pivot?

    • Force plus distance
    • Force divided by area
    • Mass times speed
    • Force times distance

  3. What is the unit of moment?

    • Newton (N)
    • Joule (J)
    • Newton metre (N m)
    • Metre per second (m/s)

  4. A 6 N force acts at a perpendicular distance of 0.5 m from a pivot. What is the moment?

    • 12 N m
    • 6.5 N m
    • 3 N m
    • 0.083 N m

  5. Why does a longer spanner make turning a nut easier?

    • Increased mass
    • Higher weight
    • Larger moment
    • Smaller friction

  6. A seesaw is balanced. A child of 300 N sits 1 m from the pivot. The other child sits 2 m from the pivot. What is the other child's weight?

    • 150 N
    • 300 N
    • 600 N
    • 75 N

  7. What condition must be met for a seesaw to be balanced?

    • Equal distances
    • Equal forces
    • Equal masses
    • Equal moments

  8. Where should you push a spanner to create the greatest turning moment?

    • On the shaft
    • Near the pivot
    • At the end
    • In the middle

  9. Which combination of force and distance creates the biggest moment?

    • 2 N at 3 m
    • 4 N at 1 m
    • 10 N at 0.2 m
    • 5 N at 0.5 m

  10. A 20 N force acts at right angles to a lever, 0.4 m from the pivot. What is the moment?

    • 8 N m
    • 20.4 N m
    • 50 N m
    • 0.02 N m

  11. What is the effect of applying a force to a spanner at 30 degrees rather than 90 degrees?

    • Larger moment
    • Smaller moment
    • Unchanged moment
    • Zero moment

  12. Why is a door easier to push open when you push far from the hinges?

    • Larger mass
    • Smaller friction
    • Smaller force
    • Larger distance

  13. A 400 N child sits 1.5 m from a pivot. A 300 N child sits on the other side. How far from the pivot must the second child sit to balance?

    • 2 m
    • 1.33 m
    • 0.75 m
    • 4.5 m

  14. A 3 N force produces a moment of 15 N m. What is the perpendicular distance from the pivot?

    • 5 m
    • 12 m
    • 0.2 m
    • 45 m

  15. Which everyday tool works by using a moment to lever something up?

    • A sheet of paper
    • A crowbar
    • A pencil
    • A glass of water

  16. A bar is pivoted and has a clockwise moment of 24 N m and an anticlockwise moment of 16 N m. What happens?

    • It stays balanced
    • It stops turning
    • It turns anticlockwise
    • It turns clockwise

  17. A 5 N force acts 2 m to the left of a pivot. What force acting 1 m to the right of the pivot balances it?

    • 2 N
    • 10 N
    • 20 N
    • 5 N

  18. Why do wheelbarrows with longer handles need less force to lift a load?

    • Smaller wheel
    • Higher friction
    • Lighter tray
    • Longer lever

  19. A spanner is 0.25 m long. A 40 N force is applied at right angles at its end. What is the moment?

    • 10 N m
    • 160 N m
    • 0.00625 N m
    • 40.25 N m

  20. A 500 N person sits 3 m from the pivot of a seesaw. How far from the pivot must a 750 N person sit on the other side to balance?

    • 2 m
    • 4.5 m
    • 6 m
    • 1 m

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