Can You Ace This 12th Grade Physics Quiz?

By: Lauren Lubas
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can You Ace This 12th Grade Physics Quiz?
Image: Martin Steinthaler / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Most of us are introduced to physics (as a science) in high school. Although before we are introduced we are we know that if you kick a ball, it will go in the direction you kicked, we simply don't know why. Well, physics is the "why" in this situation and every situation, but it's so much more than that. Physics can tell you how far that ball you kicked traveled, and how much force was used to get the ball to travel that far, that fast. The science and math behind physics can get overwhelming, especially for those who don't consider themselves "naturals" in either of these subjects.

12th-grade physics is a little simpler and eases students in (as much as something can be eased into the world of physics). It might not be the easiest science in the world, but do you think you can take on a 12th-grader in this subject?

According to the laws of motion, "An object at rest will remain at rest until a second object exerts force." This quiz is all about you becoming that force and working your brain hard. Remember that every action has an equal and opposite reaction, so start this quiz to see how we'll react to your genius!

E=mc^2
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What does the E in E=mc^2 stand for?
Electricity
Energy
The speed of light
Electrons
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While the E stands for the amount of energy that is released, the m stands for mass, and the c stands for the speed of light. This is Albert Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity.

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Speed
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How is "speed" defined in terms of physics?
The distance something travels over a unit of time
The amount of pressure put on something
The amount of gravitational pull on the specific planet
The energy produced by something in motion
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Speed is often considered the distance that something travels over a period or unit of time. Keep in mind that distance can be how far someone falls to how far someone runs. While time can be measured in various ways including seconds and minutes.

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Light-year
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Do you know what a light-year measures?
Time
Brightness
Distance
Speed
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A light-year is the distance light can travel through space without interruption in a single year. By comparison, if an object were traveling at the speed of light, it would take it one year to reach the distance of a light-year.

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Electricity and wood
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When it comes to electricity, what is wood considered to be?
A conductor
A high-frequency knob
An insulator
A fountain
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Electricity flows through conductors. However, wood doesn't allow electricity to flow through it, so it is considered an insulator. If the wood is wet, electricity can flow through the water, but not the wood itself.

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Atom
enot-poloskun / E+ / Getty Images
Which numbers describe the state of energy of an electron?
Folic numbers
Particle numbers
Partial numbers
Quantum numbers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Quantum numbers can be used for a variety of things. They generally help determine an electron configuration within an atom, and they help estimate the location of those electrons within an atom.

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Magnet and paper clips
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Where does a paperclip have to be in order to be attracted to a magnet?
Outside of the magnetic field
In a paper bag
With other paperclips
Within the magnetic field
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The magnetic field of an object is the space around the magnet that attracts other magnetic objects. Stronger magnets have wider magnetic fields, and can attract objects of varying magnetic degrees.

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Newton
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Do you remember Newton's first law of motion?
A body at rest will stay at rest until acted upon
Every body is capable of motion
Cellular motion doesn't exist
A planet has an elliptical orbit around a sun
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The idea of the first law of motion is that as long as something is not disturbed, it will either continue in uniform motion or at rest. Keep in mind that resistance from air or other objects is considered an external force that acts upon the object in question.

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Ball under water
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Why is it so difficult to hold a beach ball under water?
Pressurized cells
Heat radiation
Gravity
Buoyant force
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Buoyant force is the upward force on an object that is immersed in any fluid. If the object is lighter than the fluid, it will move upward. An object as light as a beach ball has a lot of buoyant force compared to the water in your pool.

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Energy
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Which of these elements creates energy?
Helium
Nothing can create energy.
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to the Law of Conservation of Energy, energy itself cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be transferred from one form to another. This means that you can't simply synthesize energy in a lab.

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Rectilinear motion
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When something is moving in a straight line, what kind of motion is it using?
Rectilinear motion
Circular motion
Centripetal motion
Quad motion
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rectilinear motion simply refers to something moving in a straight line. It isn't being affected or interrupted by any other objects or forces. Denser objects are more likely to move rectilinearly, because they are less affected by lower forces.

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Protons and neutrons
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Can you tell us the collective name for protons and neutrons?
Photons
Nucleons
Electrons
Neurons
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nucleons can be used as a term that represents either protons or neutrons within the nucleus of an atom. The total number of nucleons in an atom determines the mass number of the isotope.

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Periodic table
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On the periodic table, what does an element's atomic number represent?
The number of electrons the atom has
The number of neurons in a single cell
The number of atomic pounds it weighs.
The number of protons in a single atom's nucleus.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Each element on the periodic table has a specific number assigned to it. These numbers represent the amount of protons a single atom of that element has in the nucleus. This number often affects the atomic weight of the atom.

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Sound wave
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What is it called when a sound wave bounces off something and you hear an echo?
Refraction
Reflection
Renuncian
Reunion
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Reflection doesn't just occur with light or things that you see. Sound waves can also reflect. The most perfect example of this is an echo. When a wave of any sort bounces off a boundary, it is reflecting.

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Humidity
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What is absolute humidity?
The amount of water vapor in a sample of air compared to the entire volume of the sample
The amount of air in a water sample
The amount of water in a standard sample
The amount of standing water in an air sample as compared to water in ten other samples.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Humidity is the amount of water in the air. To find absolute humidity, you have to take an air sample, and find out how much water vapor is in it. Once you know how much water vapor is in the sample, you can compare it the size of the sample. The resulting ratio is considered absolute humidity.

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Pressure gauge
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A pascal measures what?
Distance
Time
Temperature
Pressure
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pascals are units of pressure that are equal to one Newton acting consistently (uniformly) over a 1m^2 area. They are normally used to measure the internal pressure or stress on something.

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Motion
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Do you know what periodic motion is?
Motion that is unstable
Motion that happens in regular intervals
Motion that occurs when no force is exerted
There is no such thing as periodic motion.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though the intervals in any given periodic motion might be different, the definition is the same. Even if we only see something happen once a year, it is still considered periodic motion, because it can be predicted.

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Planets
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"Each planet moves in an elliptical orbit, with the sun located at one of the foci" is what kind of law?
Law of gravity
Law of motion
Law of physical astronomy
Law of planetary motion
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are three laws of planetary motion, and they dig deep into how plants move around the sun. One of them even states that, "The square of the period of a planet is directly proportional to the cube of the radius of the semi-major axis of the orbit."

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Woman and balloon
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When you blow up a balloon and let the air out, it returns close to its original shape. How is that balloon behaving?
Rubbery
Supple
Modulusly
Elastically
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Elasticity in an object is important for all things physics. If you've ever had to create a contraption that allows you to drop an egg off a balcony without it cracking, you did a lot of experimentation with elasticity of various materials.

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Pendulum
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If you watch a pendulum swing, what are you witnessing?
Swayback
Trap light
Oscillatory motion
Gravity
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Oscillatory motion can only happen if the object in motion has an equilibrium or a mean position. This is the position the object would stand at rest at. When you think of a pendulum, you see that it sways, but doesn't bounce. This is because of the oscillatory motion.

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Ice texture
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At what temperature does motion stop completely?
Absolute boil
Absolute zero
174 degrees F
25 degrees F
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Absolute zero is the temperature at which all motion ceases and vanishes, and nothing can move, including ions. The temperature is -273.16 degrees F or -273.15 degrees C. This theoretical temperature is 0 on the Kelvin scale.

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Amorphous
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In what state does an amorphous item exist?
Vapor
Liquid
Solid
Jelly
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While amorphous substances can be jelly-like, jelly is considered a solid. The term amorphous refers to the fact that this substance does not have a clear shape or form that can be defined.

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Laser
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What device produces coherent light by emitting radiation?
Laser
Flashlight
Telescope
Gravitational spot light
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While lasers were all the rage in movies in the 1980s and '90s, they served an even greater purpose in the field of physics. They help scientists from all branches conduct experiments with distance and light.

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Beach ball
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Someone throws a beach ball at you. You hit it. The ball changes directions. What determines how fast the ball changes directions?
How hard I hit the ball
The nucleus of the ball
The person throwing the ball
Whether or not the sun is out
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to the second law of motion, the rate of change is always directly proportional to the amount of force that was applied. Depending on how hard you hit the ball, the directional change will coincide with it.

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Heat
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Do you know what the difference between temperature and heat is?
There is no difference.
Heat only exists over 80 degrees F.
Temperature is internal while heat is transferred.
Temperature can be measured, heat cannot.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the world of physics, it's important to know the difference between heat and temperature. The temperature is a measurement of the internal energy in a system, element or body. On the other hand, heat is the measurement of energy that is transferred from one thing to another.

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Woman thinking - calorie
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How many joules are in one calorie?
4,184
14.245
.1458
2,147
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Few realize that a calorie is actually a unit of heat. One calorie is equal to 4,184 joules. This is the energy that is required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree C.

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Gamma rays
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Bruce Banner was hit by high-energy photons and can now turn into the Hulk. What are these photons called?
Alpha particles
Gamma rays
Gamma particles
Beta rays
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Radioactive decay causes a lot of different types of radiation and the release of several different types of particles. Gamma rays create penetrating electromagnetic radiation from the decay of atomic nuclei.

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Radioactive isotopes
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Do you know what isotopes are?
Atoms that have the same number of neutrons but a different number of protons
Atoms that are missing protons
Atoms that have electrons, protons and neutrons in the nucleus
Atoms that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When atoms of the same element have different mass, it is because they have different number of neutrons. However, all of the atoms will have the same number of protons in isotopes.

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Thermal photograph
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Which of these is NOT a unit of heat?
Blast
Joule
Calorie
BTU
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are many different ways to measure heat. In most sciences, the measurement for heat is in joules. However, heat can also be measured in calories and BTUs (which stands for British Thermal Units) in the metric system.

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K=1-2mv^2
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In the equation, K = 1/2mv^2, what does the K stand for?
Kelvin
Kinetic energy
Thermoscience
Free falling
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kinetic energy is how much energy a body has based on its motion. In the equation K=1/2mv^2, the m represents the mass of the body (or object) and v represents the speed at which it is going.

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Kepler
Unknown via WikiCommons
Who created the laws of planetary motion?
Aristotle
Galileo
Kepler
Heisenberg
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As early as 1609, Johannes Kepler started creating the laws of planetary motion. Based on his observations, he ended up with three laws of planetary motion by 1619. These laws are still used to study the stars today.

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Hands and molecule
Guido Mieth / DigitalVision / Getty Images
How do you find the mass number of something?
Adding the number of protons and electrons in a nucleus
Adding the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in a nucleus
Adding the number of protons and neutrons in a nucleus
Adding the number of neutrons and electrons in a nucleus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It is important to remember that the mass number of an element is different from the atomic number. In order to find the mass number, you have to add the number of protons and neutrons.

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Squeezing water balloons
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Which law states that pressure exerted on a liquid is transmitted equally in all directions?
Pascal's Law
Newton's Law of Gravity
The Second Law of Planetary Motion
The First Law of Motion
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pascal's law is essential for fluid mechanics and hydraulics. This law states that any pressure put on a fluid will be dispersed equally across the fluid. This is because fluid is able to move and adjust to the pressure.

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Radioactive decay
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Can you tell us what an electron emitted from a nucleus that is in radioactive decay is called?
Gamma particle
Beta particle
Alpha radiation
Omega divide
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Beta particles move very fast, and they are always emitted by the radioactive decay of a substance. This emission of particles was once called a ray, and these particles are also known as beta radiation.

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Polarized light
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If light waves are all vibrating in the same plane, what is that light called?
Refracted light
Stream light
Polarized light
Retracted light
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Polarized light is when light waves vibrate on the same plane, while unpolarized light is when they are vibrating on different planes. You can transform unpolarized light into polarized light through polarization.

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Sound wave reflection
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Which of these is something that affects how a sound wave is reflected?
The speed of the sound
The amount of light in the room
The shape of the boundary
Sound doesn't reflect.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are a few things that affect how sound reflects off surfaces (also known as boundaries). Sound waves can reflect at angles, much like light, and the sound can be distorted as well.

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Refraction
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Light shining through a prism and creating a rainbow is also called what?
Reflection
Daining effect
Marking
Refraction
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Refraction is the bending of light when it is passed through something. This bending of light is sometimes visible to the naked eye, in that it creates a rainbow effect, as the different colors bend.

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Swings
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The swings at the park all go back to their resting position at some point. What force is making that happen?
Restoring force
Restarting force
Swing force
Sitting force
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Restoring force is the force that works to bring oscillating objects (like a pendulum or swing) back to its mean position, or resting position. This is the position that the swing is in naturally, and when there aren't outside factors, it can rest rather quickly.

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Cubes
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If an object is unaltered by outside force, what is it called?
A frigid body
A rigid body
A malleable body
A microbody
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rigid bodies tend to have a fixed size and shape. Outside forces do not change the structure of the body when applied. The ability to remain unaltered allows scientists to study it better.

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Saturated air
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When air has a relative humidity of 100%, what is it called?
Flushed air
Condensed air
Saturated air
Hot air
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Saturated air is air that allows evaporation and condensation to exist in equilibrium. This happens when two unsaturated air masses mix or the air cools. It often happens in the atmosphere.

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Sonic boom
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When are you most likely to hear a sonic boom?
When something is traveling 100 miles per hour
When something is traveling slower than 10 miles per hour
There is no such thing as a sonic boom.
When something is traveling faster than the speed of sound
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sonic booms occur when pressure waves stack on top of each other and create a shock wave. This usually only happens if the source of the sound is traveling at or over the speed of sound itself.

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You Got:
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