Newton's Laws & Momentum in Technology is one of 9 topics in the Grade 12 Technical Sciences CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. Which of Newton's laws is expressed by the equation Fnet = ma?
The Second Law
The First Law
The Third Law
The Law of Conservation of Momentum
Answer: The Second Law — Newton's Second Law states that net force equals mass times acceleration, Fnet = ma.
Easy
2. A drill bit pushes into a workpiece. According to Newton's Third Law, what does the workpiece do?
It pushes back on the drill bit with an equal and opposite force
It exerts no force on the drill bit at all
It pushes back with a smaller force than the drill applies
It pushes back in the same direction as the drill
Answer: It pushes back on the drill bit with an equal and opposite force — Newton's Third Law states that for every action force, there is a reaction force of equal magnitude and opposite direction acting on a different object -- here, the workpiece on the drill bit.
Medium
3. A conveyor motor applies a net force of 450 N to accelerate a 90 kg load. Calculate the acceleration produced, in m.s^-2.
Answer: 5 — Using Fnet = ma: a = Fnet / m = 450 / 90 = 5 m.s^-2.
