Gravity and Levitation Quiz: 15 Physics Questions
From Newton's apple to black holes, by way of magnetic levitation, gravity is one of the fundamental forces of the universe. Have you mastered its secrets?
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Frequently asked questions: Gravity & Levitation
A preview of what awaits you in this gravity & levitation quiz: 15 multiple choice questions, each with a detailed explanation so you learn as you play. Here are a few sample questions (and their answers, no peeking before you play!).
Who formulated the law of universal gravitation in 1687?
Answer: Isaac Newton. Isaac Newton formulated the law of universal gravitation in his work “Principia Mathematica”, published in 1687. This law states that two bodies attract each other with a force proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
What is a black hole?
Answer: An object whose gravity is so intense that even light cannot escape from it. A black hole is a celestial object whose mass is concentrated in a volume so small that its gravity prevents anything, including light, from escaping. The boundary beyond which nothing can return is called the event horizon.
What is magnetic levitation (maglev)?
Answer: Suspending an object in the air using magnetic fields that counterbalance gravity. Magnetic levitation uses magnetic fields to counterbalance the force of gravity and hold an object in stable suspension in the air. This technology is used in high-speed trains (maglev), levitating lamps and some scientific instruments.
Which astronaut demonstrated on the Moon that a hammer and a feather fall at the same speed?
Answer: David Scott (Apollo 15). David Scott, commander of Apollo 15, carried out this experiment on the Moon in 1971. With no atmosphere, the hammer and the falcon feather hit the ground at exactly the same moment, confirming Galileo's prediction about falling bodies.
How does surface gravity on Mars compare with that of the Earth?
Answer: About 38% of Earth's gravity. Surface gravity on Mars is about 3.72 m/s², or 38% of that of the Earth. A person weighing 60 kg would weigh only 23 kg on Mars. This reduced gravity poses challenges for future crewed missions, particularly for the long-term health of astronauts.
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