Free Work MCQs with Answers

169 Work MCQs from Physics, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

Work is done when a force produces displacement, with its value determined by the component of force along the displacement. The topic covers positive, negative and zero work, work by variable forces from force-displacement graphs, and the connection between net work and change in kinetic energy.

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169 questions · page 1 of 9

  • A. 0 degrees
  • B. 45 degrees
  • C. 90 degrees
  • D. 180 degrees

Explanation: Work is the scalar product Fd cos theta, and cos 90 degrees is zero, so a force perpendicular to the displacement does no work.

Correct answer: 90 degrees
Moderate
  • A. equal to mgh
  • B. zero
  • C. equal to the weight times the distance walked
  • D. negative

Explanation: The upward force supporting the suitcase is perpendicular to the horizontal displacement, so the work done against gravity is zero.

Correct answer: zero
Hard
  • A. a force acts on it
  • B. a force acts and the body moves with a component of displacement along the force
  • C. the body is at rest
  • D. the body has energy

Explanation: Work is the dot product of force and displacement, so a porter standing still holding a heavy suitcase does no work on it however tiring…

Correct answer: a force acts and the body moves with a component of displacement along the force
  • A. 200 J
  • B. 100 J
  • C. 173 J
  • D. 0 J

Explanation: Only the component of force along the displacement counts, so the work is 50 multiplied by 4 multiplied by cos 60, which is 200 multiplied…

Correct answer: 100 J
  • A. maximum
  • B. zero
  • C. equal to the kinetic energy
  • D. negative

Explanation: The force points to the centre while the displacement is along the tangent, so the two are perpendicular and the dot product is zero at…

Correct answer: zero
  • A. acts in the same direction as the displacement
  • B. has a component opposite to the displacement, so it removes energy from the body
  • C. does no work at all
  • D. acts at right angles to the displacement

Explanation: Friction and air resistance always oppose the motion and therefore always do negative work, reducing the kinetic energy.

Correct answer: has a component opposite to the displacement, so it removes energy from the body
  • A. 3.5 x 10^-3 J
  • B. 3.5 x 10^4 J
  • C. 3.5 x 10^6 J
  • D. 3.5 x 10^9 J

Explanation: With no friction, the work done in raising the elevator equals force times vertical distance: W = Fd = (3.5 x 10^-6 N)(1000 m) = 3.5 x…

Correct answer: 3.5 x 10^-3 J
  • A. Work
  • B. Energy
  • C. Power
  • D. Momentum

Explanation: Energy is defined as the capacity of a body or system to do work, and it is measured in joules (J).

Correct answer: Energy
  • A. It's works equals the change in the kinetic energy of the particle.
  • B. It's obeys Newton's second law
  • C. It's obeys Newton's third law
  • D. It work depends on the end points of every motion, not on the path between.

Explanation: A conservative force does work that depends only on the initial and final positions, not on the path taken between them.

Correct answer: It work depends on the end points of every motion, not on the path between.
  • A. at any instant
  • B. averagely
  • C. during its operation
  • D. during one cycle

Explanation: On a pressure-volume diagram, the area enclosed by a complete cycle equals the net work done, because work is found from the integral of…

Correct answer: during one cycle
  • A. Maximum work
  • B. Minimum work
  • C. Negative work
  • D. No work

Explanation: Centripetal force acts radially inward, while instantaneous displacement is tangential to the circle.

Correct answer: No work
  • A. Stiffness
  • B. Toughness
  • C. Extension
  • D. Deformation

Explanation: Deformation is any change in a body's shape or dimensions caused by an applied force, including changes in length, area or volume.

Correct answer: Deformation
  • A. Brittle
  • B. Ductile
  • C. Amorphous
  • D. Polymers

Explanation: A ductile material can undergo substantial plastic deformation, meaning permanent deformation, before it fractures.

Correct answer: Ductile
  • A. 2 x 10^8 Nm-2
  • B. 5 x 10^6 Nm-2
  • C. 0.5 x 10^-6 Nm-2
  • D. 0.2 x 10^-6Nm-2

Explanation: Young's modulus is Y = FL/(AΔL). Converting 2 cm^2 to 2 x 10^-4 m^2, Y = (10 N)(1 m)/[(2 x 10^-4 m^2)(0.01 m)] = 5 x 10^6 N m^-2.

Correct answer: 5 x 10^6 Nm-2
  • A. Nm-2
  • B. Jm-2
  • C. Nm-1
  • D. Being a number it has no unit.

Explanation: Modulus of elasticity is stress divided by strain; strain has no unit, so its unit is the unit of stress, N m^-2, also called the pascal.

Correct answer: Nm-2
  • A. non-conservative force
  • B. conservative force
  • C. both A and B
  • D. none of these

Explanation: Rocket thrust is produced by ejecting gases and depends on the changing mass and interaction of the rocket with its exhaust, so it is…

Correct answer: non-conservative force
  • A. area
  • B. work done
  • C. power
  • D. none of these

Explanation: Work is the integral of force with respect to displacement, so the area under a force-displacement graph gives work done, measured in…

Correct answer: work done
  • A. torque
  • B. angular momentum
  • C. linear momentum
  • D. power

Explanation: Work has dimensions force x distance, giving [M L2 T-2]. Torque is also force x perpendicular distance, so it has the same dimensions…

Correct answer: torque
  • A. frictional force
  • B. gravitational force
  • C. elastic force
  • D. centripetal force

Explanation: Work is W = Fd cos θ. Centripetal force points toward the centre while instantaneous displacement is tangential, so θ = 90° and W = Fd cos…

Correct answer: centripetal force
  • A. electric field
  • B. conservative field
  • C. electromagnetic field
  • D. gravitational field

Explanation: A conservative field has zero net work around every closed path, so the work depends only on the initial and final positions.

Correct answer: conservative field

Work MCQs: common questions

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