Introduction: Measurement, Vectors, Scientific Method — High School Physics practice questions

One nanometer equals:

1. 10⁻⁶ m
2. 10⁻³ m
3. 10⁻⁹ m
4. 10⁹ m

Answer: C — 10⁻⁹ m

C) Correct — "Nano" means one billionth. A) Is a micrometer. B) Is a millimeter. D) Gets the sign of the exponent wrong.

How many significant figures are in 0.00450?

1. 2
2. 5
3. 6
4. 3

Answer: D — 3

D) Correct — Leading zeros don't count; the trailing zero after the decimal does. A) Drops the trailing zero. B) Counts the leading zeros. C) Counts every digit.

What is the SI unit of force?

1. Joule
2. Watt
3. Newton
4. Pascal

Answer: C — Newton

C) Correct — 1 N = 1 kg·m/s². A) Is the unit of energy. B) Is the unit of power. D) Is the unit of pressure.

Write 0.00032 in scientific notation.

1. 3.2 × 10⁴
2. 3.2 × 10⁻³
3. 32 × 10⁻⁵
4. 3.2 × 10⁻⁴

Answer: D — 3.2 × 10⁻⁴

D) Correct — Move the decimal 4 places right. A) Gets the sign of the exponent wrong. B) Moves the decimal 3 places. C) Isn't in proper form.

What is the SI base unit of mass?

1. Gram
2. Newton
3. Kilogram
4. Pound

Answer: C — Kilogram

C) Correct — The gram is not the base unit. A) Is 1/1000 of the base unit. B) Measures force. D) Is not an SI unit.

On a distance-time graph, the slope represents:

1. acceleration
2. distance traveled
3. speed
4. force

Answer: C — speed

C) Correct — Slope = change in distance ÷ change in time. A) Is the slope of a velocity-time graph. B) Is read from the vertical axis. D) Is not shown on this graph.

Convert 2.5 km to meters.

1. 250 m
2. 25,000 m
3. 0.0025 m
4. 2,500 m

Answer: D — 2,500 m

D) Correct — 1 km = 1,000 m. A) Multiplies by 100. B) Multiplies by 10,000. C) Divides by 1,000.

A ball is kicked at 10 m/s, 30° above horizontal. What is its horizontal velocity component?

1. 5.0 m/s
2. About 8.7 m/s
3. 10 m/s
4. About 11.5 m/s

Answer: B — About 8.7 m/s

B) Correct — 10 cos 30° ≈ 8.66. A) Uses sin 30°, which gives the vertical component. C) Ignores the angle. D) Divides by cos 30° instead of multiplying.

What is the difference between speed and velocity?

Speed is a scalar (magnitude only). Velocity is a vector (speed with direction).

What is the SI unit of energy?

The joule (J), equal to N·m or kg·m²/s².

How do you add two vectors graphically?

Place them tip-to-tail; the resultant goes from the tail of the first to the tip of the second.

Rules for significant figures?

Nonzero digits always count, and so do zeros between them; leading zeros never count; trailing zeros count only if there is a decimal point. When multiplying or dividing, keep the fewest significant figures; when adding or subtracting, keep the fewest decimal places.