Lesson 2.3.2

2.3.2 Weight, gravitational field strength and terminal velocity Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Physics, Unit 2

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 2.3.2, Weight, gravitational field strength and terminal velocity: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Physics (9PH0), Unit 2: Mechanics, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What is the physical definition of gravitational field strength?

    • Energy per unit mass
    • Mass per unit volume
    • Force per unit mass
    • Force per unit area

  2. The value of g near the surface of the Earth is approximately:

    • 98 N kg^-1
    • 0.98 N kg^-1
    • 980 N kg^-1
    • 9.8 N kg^-1

  3. What physical quantity is defined as the gravitational force acting on an object?

    • Inertia
    • Weight
    • Mass
    • Momentum

  4. What is the resultant force on an object falling at terminal velocity?

    • Equal to weight
    • Zero
    • Maximum
    • Equal to drag

  5. What is the acceleration of an object falling at terminal velocity?

    • Increasing
    • 9.81 m s^-2
    • Zero
    • Decreasing

  6. On the Moon, g is about 1.6 N kg^-1. What is the weight of a 70 kg person?

    • 686 N
    • 11 N
    • 112 N
    • 44 N

  7. What is the weight of a 0.5 kg object on Earth, taking g = 9.8 N kg^-1?

    • 0.05 N
    • 49 N
    • 4.9 N
    • 0.51 N

  8. A 80 kg skydiver is falling at terminal velocity. What is the magnitude of the drag force on the skydiver, taking g = 9.8 N kg^-1?

    • 784 N
    • 8.0 N
    • 80 N
    • 392 N

  9. Which physical quantity has the same unit as gravitational field strength?

    • Force
    • Energy
    • Mass
    • Acceleration

  10. A 1.0 kg object has a weight of 8.2 N in a gravitational field. What is the gravitational field strength at that point?

    • 82 N kg^-1
    • 8.2 N kg^-1
    • 9.8 N kg^-1
    • 0.82 N kg^-1

  11. Which combination correctly describes mass and weight quantities?

    • Mass scalar, weight vector
    • Both scalar quantities
    • Mass vector, weight scalar
    • Both vector quantities

  12. As a falling object accelerates towards terminal velocity, what happens to its acceleration?

    • Decreases to zero
    • Stays constant
    • Decreases to g
    • Increases to g

  13. Why does a falling object reach a constant terminal velocity?

    • Gravity becomes zero
    • Weight becomes zero
    • Drag equals mass
    • Resultant force is zero

  14. Keeping size and shape constant, which change increases the terminal velocity of an object?

    • Increasing air density
    • Decreasing its mass
    • Increasing its mass
    • Decreasing its weight

  15. What is the direction of the drag force on a downward falling object?

    • Horizontally
    • Perpendicular to motion
    • Downwards
    • Upwards

  16. A 1.0 kg object falls and has a weight of 9.8 N. What is the gravitational field strength at its position?

    • 98 N kg^-1
    • 9.8 kg N^-1
    • 9.8 N kg^-1
    • 0.98 N kg^-1

  17. A raindrop falls at terminal velocity. How does the drag force compare to its weight?

    • Zero
    • Less than weight
    • Equal to weight
    • Greater than weight

  18. A 0.20 kg ball falls with a steady velocity. What is the drag force on it, taking g = 9.8 N kg^-1?

    • 1.96 N
    • 0.20 N
    • 9.8 N
    • 0.02 N

  19. Two identical-shaped objects fall in air. Object A has greater mass than B. Which has higher terminal velocity?

    • Object A
    • Object B
    • Neither object
    • Both are equal

  20. Why is an object's terminal velocity lower in water than in air?

    • Lower fluid density
    • Greater fluid viscosity
    • Weaker gravitational field
    • Reduced object weight

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