Mechanics Practice Questions
IB (International Baccalaureate) · IB Physics HL · 147 free MCQs with instant results and detailed explanations.
147
Total
49
Easy
71
Medium
27
Hard
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Sample Questions from Mechanics
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Q1
Easy
A car accelerates uniformly from rest to a speed of 20 m/s in 5 seconds. What is the distance traveled by the car during this time?
A.
50 meters
B.
100 meters
C.
25 meters
D.
20 meters
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Using the formula for distance in uniformly accelerated motion, d = ut + 0.5atยฒ. Here, u (initial speed) = 0, a (acceleration) = (v - u) / t = (20 m/s - 0) / 5 s = 4 m/sยฒ, and t = 5 s. Thus, d = 0 + 0.5 * 4 * (5)ยฒ = 50 meters.
Q2
Easy
A block of mass 2 kg is resting on a horizontal surface. If a force of 10 N is applied horizontally, what is the acceleration of the block assuming no friction?
A.
5 m/sยฒ
B.
2 m/sยฒ
C.
10 m/sยฒ
D.
0 m/sยฒ
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Using Newton's second law, F = ma. Rearranging gives a = F/m. Substituting the values, a = 10 N / 2 kg = 5 m/sยฒ.
Q3
Easy
A pendulum swings with a maximum displacement of 30 degrees from the vertical. What type of motion does it exhibit?
A.
Linear motion
B.
Circular motion
C.
Simple harmonic motion
D.
Uniform motion
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
A pendulum exhibits simple harmonic motion when its displacement is small. Since the maximum angle here can still be approximated to exhibit harmonic behavior, it classifies as simple harmonic motion despite the larger angle.
Q4
Medium
A circular disk of radius 0.5 m is rotating with an angular velocity of 10 rad/s. What is the linear velocity of a point on the edge of the disk?
A.
2.5 m/s
B.
5 m/s
C.
7.5 m/s
D.
10 m/s
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
The linear velocity (v) of a point on the edge of a rotating disk can be calculated using the formula v = r * ฯ, where r is the radius and ฯ is the angular velocity. Thus, v = 0.5 m * 10 rad/s = 5 m/s.
Q5
Medium
A car accelerates uniformly from rest to a speed of 25 m/s in 10 seconds. What is the distance covered by the car in this time?
A.
50 m
B.
125 m
C.
100 m
D.
75 m
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
The distance covered can be calculated using the equation of motion: s = ut + (1/2)atยฒ. Here, u = 0, t = 10 s, and a = (v - u)/t = (25 - 0)/10 = 2.5 m/sยฒ. Thus, s = 0 + (1/2) * 2.5 * (10)ยฒ = 125 m.
Q6
Medium
A car travels in a circular path of radius 50 m at a constant speed of 20 m/s. What is the centripetal acceleration of the car?
A.
8 m/sยฒ
B.
4 m/sยฒ
C.
2 m/sยฒ
D.
10 m/sยฒ
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Centripetal acceleration is calculated using the formula a_c = vยฒ/r. Here, v = 20 m/s and r = 50 m. Thus, a_c = (20)ยฒ / 50 = 8 m/sยฒ.
Q7
Medium
A block of mass 5 kg is placed on a frictionless surface. A force of 15 N is applied to it. What will be its acceleration?
A.
2 m/sยฒ
B.
3 m/sยฒ
C.
1.5 m/sยฒ
D.
4 m/sยฒ
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Using Newton's second law, F = ma, we can find the acceleration. Here, F = 15 N and m = 5 kg. Therefore, a = F/m = 15 N / 5 kg = 3 m/sยฒ.
Q8
Hard
A block of mass 5 kg is sliding down a frictionless incline that makes an angle of 30ยฐ with the horizontal. Calculate the acceleration of the block down the incline.
A.
4.9 m/sยฒ
B.
9.81 m/sยฒ
C.
2.5 m/sยฒ
D.
3.9 m/sยฒ
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The acceleration of an object down an incline can be calculated using the formula a = g * sin(ฮธ). Here, g = 9.81 m/sยฒ and ฮธ = 30ยฐ, so a = 9.81 * sin(30ยฐ) = 9.81 * 0.5 = 4.9 m/sยฒ.
Q9
Hard
A projectile is launched from the ground with an initial speed of 40 m/s at an angle of 45ยฐ to the horizontal. Calculate the maximum height reached by the projectile.
A.
80 m
B.
40 m
C.
60 m
D.
20 m
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The maximum height (H) can be calculated using the formula H = (uยฒ * sinยฒ(ฮธ)) / (2g). Here, u = 40 m/s, ฮธ = 45ยฐ, and g = 9.81 m/sยฒ. Thus, H = (40ยฒ * (1/2)) / (2 * 9.81) = 80 m.
Q10
Hard
A projectile is launched from the ground with an initial speed of 50 m/s at an angle of 30 degrees to the horizontal. What is the maximum height reached by the projectile?
A.
63.7 m
B.
45.0 m
C.
25.0 m
D.
86.3 m
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The maximum height can be calculated using the formula H = (v^2 * sin^2(ฮธ)) / (2 * g). Plugging in the values: H = (50^2 * sin^2(30ยฐ)) / (2 * 9.81) = 63.7 m.
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Mechanics โ IB (International Baccalaureate) IB Physics HL Practice Questions Online
This page contains 147 practice MCQs for the chapter Mechanics in IB (International Baccalaureate) IB Physics HL. The questions are organized by difficulty โ 49 easy, 71 medium, 27 hard โ so you can choose the right level for your preparation.
Every question includes a detailed explanation to help you understand the concept, not just memorize answers. Take a timed quiz to simulate exam conditions, or practice at your own pace with no time limit.