Force Strength Patterns - Middle School Physical Science
Card 1 of 25
Identify the relationship between gravitational force and one mass when distance stays constant.
Identify the relationship between gravitational force and one mass when distance stays constant.
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Directly proportional: doubling one mass doubles $F_g$. From $F_g = G\frac{m_1m_2}{r^2}$, force scales linearly with each mass.
Directly proportional: doubling one mass doubles $F_g$. From $F_g = G\frac{m_1m_2}{r^2}$, force scales linearly with each mass.
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Which option describes the direction of electric force between like charges?
Which option describes the direction of electric force between like charges?
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Repulsive (pushes charges apart). Same-sign charges (++ or --) repel each other.
Repulsive (pushes charges apart). Same-sign charges (++ or --) repel each other.
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Which option describes the direction of electric force between opposite charges?
Which option describes the direction of electric force between opposite charges?
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Attractive (pulls charges together). Opposite-sign charges (+- or -+) attract each other.
Attractive (pulls charges together). Opposite-sign charges (+- or -+) attract each other.
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Which graph best represents an inverse-square force vs. distance: straight line or curved downward?
Which graph best represents an inverse-square force vs. distance: straight line or curved downward?
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Curved downward (steep drop at small $r$, then levels). Inverse-square functions create hyperbolic curves, not straight lines.
Curved downward (steep drop at small $r$, then levels). Inverse-square functions create hyperbolic curves, not straight lines.
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What is the formula for the spring force magnitude when a spring is stretched by $x$?
What is the formula for the spring force magnitude when a spring is stretched by $x$?
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$F_s = kx$. Hooke's law: $k$ is the spring constant, $x$ is displacement from equilibrium.
$F_s = kx$. Hooke's law: $k$ is the spring constant, $x$ is displacement from equilibrium.
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If a spring stretch increases from $x$ to $2x$, what happens to the spring force?
If a spring stretch increases from $x$ to $2x$, what happens to the spring force?
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It doubles. Spring force is linear in stretch: $F = kx$, so doubling $x$ doubles $F$.
It doubles. Spring force is linear in stretch: $F = kx$, so doubling $x$ doubles $F$.
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Identify the correct pattern for friction force when the normal force increases.
Identify the correct pattern for friction force when the normal force increases.
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Friction increases; $F_f = \mu N$. Friction is proportional to normal force; $\mu$ is the friction coefficient.
Friction increases; $F_f = \mu N$. Friction is proportional to normal force; $\mu$ is the friction coefficient.
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What is the formula for pressure when a force $F$ acts on area $A$?
What is the formula for pressure when a force $F$ acts on area $A$?
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$P = \frac{F}{A}$. Pressure equals force per unit area.
$P = \frac{F}{A}$. Pressure equals force per unit area.
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If the same force acts on double the area, what happens to pressure?
If the same force acts on double the area, what happens to pressure?
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It is cut in half. Since $P = \frac{F}{A}$, doubling $A$ halves the pressure.
It is cut in half. Since $P = \frac{F}{A}$, doubling $A$ halves the pressure.
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Which configuration produces the greater pressure: same $F$ on smaller $A$ or larger $A$?
Which configuration produces the greater pressure: same $F$ on smaller $A$ or larger $A$?
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Same $F$ on smaller $A$ produces greater pressure. From $P = \frac{F}{A}$, smaller area means higher pressure.
Same $F$ on smaller $A$ produces greater pressure. From $P = \frac{F}{A}$, smaller area means higher pressure.
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Which option indicates forces are balanced based on data: $F_{net}=0$ or $F_{net}\neq 0$?
Which option indicates forces are balanced based on data: $F_{net}=0$ or $F_{net}\neq 0$?
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$F_{net}=0$. Zero net force means all forces cancel out perfectly.
$F_{net}=0$. Zero net force means all forces cancel out perfectly.
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Identify the net force pattern if three forces act right: $2,\text{N}$, $3,\text{N}$, and $5,\text{N}$.
Identify the net force pattern if three forces act right: $2,\text{N}$, $3,\text{N}$, and $5,\text{N}$.
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$10,\text{N}$ to the right. All rightward forces add: $2 + 3 + 5 = 10,\text{N}$ right.
$10,\text{N}$ to the right. All rightward forces add: $2 + 3 + 5 = 10,\text{N}$ right.
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Identify the pattern if distance triples and force follows $F \propto \frac{1}{d^2}$.
Identify the pattern if distance triples and force follows $F \propto \frac{1}{d^2}$.
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Force becomes $ \frac{1}{9}$ of the original. When $d$ becomes $3d$, force becomes $\frac{1}{(3)^2} = \frac{1}{9}$ of original.
Force becomes $ \frac{1}{9}$ of the original. When $d$ becomes $3d$, force becomes $\frac{1}{(3)^2} = \frac{1}{9}$ of original.
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Which graph best represents $F \propto \frac{1}{d^2}$ as distance increases: straight line down or steep curve down?
Which graph best represents $F \propto \frac{1}{d^2}$ as distance increases: straight line down or steep curve down?
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A steep curve down (not a straight line). Inverse-square relationships produce curved graphs, not linear ones.
A steep curve down (not a straight line). Inverse-square relationships produce curved graphs, not linear ones.
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Identify the pattern in data if force doubles when the number of identical sources doubles at the same distance.
Identify the pattern in data if force doubles when the number of identical sources doubles at the same distance.
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Force is proportional to number of sources: $F \propto N$. Direct proportionality means force scales linearly with source count.
Force is proportional to number of sources: $F \propto N$. Direct proportionality means force scales linearly with source count.
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A table shows $d$ doubles and $F$ becomes $ \frac{1}{4}$. What relationship is most consistent?
A table shows $d$ doubles and $F$ becomes $ \frac{1}{4}$. What relationship is most consistent?
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Inverse-square: $F \propto \frac{1}{d^2}$. Doubling $d$ causing $F$ to become $\frac{1}{4}$ confirms inverse-square.
Inverse-square: $F \propto \frac{1}{d^2}$. Doubling $d$ causing $F$ to become $\frac{1}{4}$ confirms inverse-square.
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What is the distance rule for gravitational force between two masses (pattern with distance)?
What is the distance rule for gravitational force between two masses (pattern with distance)?
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It decreases with distance: $F \propto \frac{1}{d^2}$. Gravity follows an inverse-square law with separation distance.
It decreases with distance: $F \propto \frac{1}{d^2}$. Gravity follows an inverse-square law with separation distance.
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What is the distance rule for electrostatic force between two charges (pattern with distance)?
What is the distance rule for electrostatic force between two charges (pattern with distance)?
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It decreases with distance: $F \propto \frac{1}{d^2}$. Electric force also follows the inverse-square law like gravity.
It decreases with distance: $F \propto \frac{1}{d^2}$. Electric force also follows the inverse-square law like gravity.
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Which option describes how magnetic force typically changes as magnets get farther apart?
Which option describes how magnetic force typically changes as magnets get farther apart?
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It decreases as distance increases. Magnetic force weakens as separation between magnets increases.
It decreases as distance increases. Magnetic force weakens as separation between magnets increases.
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A table shows $d$ doubles and $F$ becomes $ \frac{1}{2}$. What relationship is most consistent?
A table shows $d$ doubles and $F$ becomes $ \frac{1}{2}$. What relationship is most consistent?
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Inverse: $F \propto \frac{1}{d}$. Doubling $d$ causing $F$ to become $\frac{1}{2}$ confirms inverse relationship.
Inverse: $F \propto \frac{1}{d}$. Doubling $d$ causing $F$ to become $\frac{1}{2}$ confirms inverse relationship.
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If $F$ stays the same when $d$ changes, what pattern between force and distance does the data show?
If $F$ stays the same when $d$ changes, what pattern between force and distance does the data show?
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No dependence on distance (force is constant). Constant force regardless of distance means no distance dependence.
No dependence on distance (force is constant). Constant force regardless of distance means no distance dependence.
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Identify the pattern if distance doubles and force follows $F \propto \frac{1}{d^2}$.
Identify the pattern if distance doubles and force follows $F \propto \frac{1}{d^2}$.
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Force becomes $ \frac{1}{4}$ of the original. When $d$ becomes $2d$, force becomes $\frac{1}{(2)^2} = \frac{1}{4}$ of original.
Force becomes $ \frac{1}{4}$ of the original. When $d$ becomes $2d$, force becomes $\frac{1}{(2)^2} = \frac{1}{4}$ of original.
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What configuration change increases the net force: adding more magnets in the same direction or removing them?
What configuration change increases the net force: adding more magnets in the same direction or removing them?
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Adding more magnets in the same direction increases net force. Multiple sources aligned in same direction add their forces together.
Adding more magnets in the same direction increases net force. Multiple sources aligned in same direction add their forces together.
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What happens to force if distance is cut in half and $F \propto \frac{1}{d^2}$?
What happens to force if distance is cut in half and $F \propto \frac{1}{d^2}$?
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Force becomes $4$ times larger. When $d$ becomes $\frac{d}{2}$, force becomes $\frac{1}{(1/2)^2} = 4$ times larger.
Force becomes $4$ times larger. When $d$ becomes $\frac{d}{2}$, force becomes $\frac{1}{(1/2)^2} = 4$ times larger.
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What is the rule for combining forces acting in the same direction (configuration effect)?
What is the rule for combining forces acting in the same direction (configuration effect)?
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Add them: $F_{net} = F_1 + F_2$. Forces in same direction combine by simple addition.
Add them: $F_{net} = F_1 + F_2$. Forces in same direction combine by simple addition.
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