Lesson 2.3.1

2.3.1 Free-body diagrams and Newton's first and second laws Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Physics, Unit 2

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

In partnership with Revision Ninja

Lesson 2.3.1, Free-body diagrams and Newton's first and second laws: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Physics (9PH0), Unit 2: Mechanics, written with Revision Ninja.

Host it live on the board and students join with a game code on their own devices, or revise alone with Free Play. The answers are revealed in the game.

Host this setFree Play

The 20 questions

  1. According to Newton's first law, what is required to change an object's velocity?

    • Balanced forces
    • Zero force
    • Resultant force
    • Constant mass

  2. In the equation F = ma representing Newton's second law, what does F represent?

    • Frictional force
    • Reaction force
    • Resultant force
    • Gravitational force

  3. What do the arrows in a free-body diagram represent?

    • Forces by object
    • Object accelerations
    • Forces on object
    • Object velocities

  4. What two vertical forces act on a stationary book resting on a table?

    • Upthrust and drag
    • Weight and normal contact
    • Tension and weight
    • Friction and thrust

  5. What is the weight of a 2.0 kg object on Earth, taking g = 9.8 N kg^-1?

    • 2.0 N
    • 4.9 N
    • 9.8 N
    • 19.6 N

  6. A resultant force of 3.0 N acts on a 1.5 kg object. What is its acceleration?

    • 0.5 m s^-2
    • 2.0 m s^-2
    • 1.5 m s^-2
    • 4.5 m s^-2

  7. Forces of 10 N east and 4 N west act on a 2 kg object. What is its acceleration?

    • 3 m s^-2 east
    • 7 m s^-2 east
    • 14 m s^-2 east
    • 5 m s^-2 west

  8. A 4.0 kg block is pulled at constant velocity against a friction force of 6 N. What is the applied force?

    • 6 N
    • 24 N
    • 0 N
    • 4 N

  9. A lift of mass 800 kg accelerates upwards at 1.0 m s^-2. Taking g = 9.8 m s^-2, what is the tension in the cable?

    • 8640 N
    • 7840 N
    • 9600 N
    • 800 N

  10. A car of mass 1200 kg accelerates at 2.5 m s^-2. What is the resultant force on it?

    • 30000 N
    • 1200 N
    • 3000 N
    • 480 N

  11. Ignoring air resistance, what forces act on a ball moving upwards after being thrown?

    • Drag and weight
    • Upward throw force
    • Weight and thrust
    • Weight downwards

  12. A block of mass 2.0 kg is on a frictionless slope at 30 degrees to the horizontal. What is the normal contact force, taking g = 9.8 m s^-2?

    • 9.8 N
    • 19.6 N
    • 8.5 N
    • 17 N

  13. Two masses of 3 kg and 2 kg are joined by a light string over a frictionless pulley. Taking g = 9.8 m s^-2, what is their acceleration?

    • 9.8 m s^-2
    • 4.9 m s^-2
    • 0.98 m s^-2
    • 1.96 m s^-2

  14. Two 2.0 N forces act in the same direction on a stationary object. What happens to the object?

    • Decelerates to rest
    • Remains at rest
    • Accelerates forward
    • Moves constantly

  15. A 60 kg person stands in a lift that accelerates downwards at 2.0 m s^-2. Taking g = 9.8 m s^-2, what is the normal contact force from the floor?

    • 588 N
    • 120 N
    • 468 N
    • 108 N

  16. Two perpendicular forces of 10 N and 6 N act on a 2.0 kg body. What is the magnitude of its acceleration?

    • 5.8 m s^-2
    • 8.0 m s^-2
    • 2.0 m s^-2
    • 3.0 m s^-2

  17. According to Newton's first law, what is the resultant force on an object moving at constant velocity?

    • Equal to weight
    • Greater than zero
    • Zero
    • Equal to mass

  18. A 1.0 kg object is pushed with a resultant force that increases steadily from 0 to 4.0 N over 2.0 s. What is its final acceleration?

    • 2.0 m s^-2
    • 4.0 m s^-2
    • 0.5 m s^-2
    • 8.0 m s^-2

  19. A 1500 kg car travels at constant velocity along a level road with resistive forces of 600 N. What is the driving force?

    • 2100 N
    • 1500 N
    • 600 N
    • 0 N

  20. A block of mass 5.0 kg is on a horizontal surface with a driving force of 20 N and a friction force of 5 N. What is the acceleration?

    • 5.0 m s^-2
    • 3.0 m s^-2
    • 2.0 m s^-2
    • 4.0 m s^-2

All Pearson Edexcel Physics quizzes