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Samacheer Class 10 Science - Laws of Motion

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Samacheer Kalvi Class 10 Science Chapter 1 Laws of Motion book back questions and answers — all MCQ, fill in the blanks, true or false, short answer, long answer and numerical problems with step-by-step solutions. This page covers Newton's three laws of motion, inertia, momentum, impulse and the law of conservation of momentum as per the Tamil Nadu SSLC syllabus. All questions are from the official Samacheer Kalvi Grade 10 Science textbook published by TNSCERT.

Laws of Motion — key concepts & quick answers

What are Newton's three laws of motion?
First law (inertia): a body stays at rest or in uniform motion unless acted on by an external force. Second law: force equals the rate of change of momentum, F = ma. Third law: every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
What is momentum and its SI unit?
Momentum is the product of an object's mass and velocity, p = mv. Its SI unit is kilogram metre per second (kg m/s).
What is the law of conservation of linear momentum?
When no external force acts on a system, its total momentum stays constant — so the total momentum before a collision equals the total momentum after it.
What is the difference between mass and weight?
Mass is the amount of matter in a body (measured in kg) and is the same everywhere. Weight is the gravitational force on the body, W = mg (measured in newtons), and changes with the value of g.
What is the SI unit of force and how is it defined?
The SI unit of force is the newton (N). One newton is the force that gives a mass of 1 kg an acceleration of 1 m/s².
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Multiple Choice Questions Fill in the Blanks True or False Match the Following Assertion & Reasoning Short Answer Questions Numerical Problems Long Answer Questions Higher Order Thinking
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MCQI. Multiple Choice Questions1 mark each
Q.1 Inertia of a body depends on
✓ Answer: (C) mass of the object
Q.2 Impulse is equals to
✓ Answer: (C) change of momentum (Delta p)
Q.3 Newton’s III law is applicable
✓ Answer: (C) both a & b: Newton's Third Law applies to interacting bodies whether at rest or in motion.
Q.4 Plotting a graph for momentum on the Y-axis and time on X-axis. slope of momentum-time graph gives
✓ Answer: (C) Force
Q.5 In which of the following sport the turning of effect of force used
✓ Answer: (C) cycling
Q.6 The unit of ‘g’ is m s-2. It can be also expressed as
✓ Answer: B. N kg-1
Q.7 One kilogram force equals to
✓ Answer: (C) 98 x 10^4 dyne (which equals 9.8 x 10^5 dyne = 9.8 N = 1 kgf)
Q.8 The mass of a body is measured on planet Earth as M kg. When it is taken to a planet of radius half that of the Earth then its value will be____kg
✓ Answer: (D) M (mass remains M kg)
Q.9 If the Earth shrinks to 50% of its real radius its mass remaining the same, the weight of a body on the Earth will
✓ Answer: (D) increase by 300% (weight becomes 4 times the original)
Q.10 To project the rockets which of the following principle(s) is /(are) required?
✓ Answer: (D) both A and C (Newton's third law of motion and law of conservation of linear momentum)
FillII. Fill in the Blanks1 mark each
#Statement (Answer in bold)
1To produce acceleration or a change in the state of motion, force is required
2Passengers lean forward when sudden brake is applied in a moving vehicle. This can be explained by inertia of motion
3By convention, the clockwise moments are taken as negative and the anticlockwise moments are taken as positive
4Gears are used to change the speed and torque of rotation in a car.
5A man of mass 100 kg has a weight of 980 N at the surface of the Earth
T/FIII. True or False1 mark each
#StatementAnswerCorrection (if False)
1The linear momentum of a system of particles is always conserved.FalseIn the absence of external force, the linear momentum of a system of particle is always conserved.
2Apparent weight of a person is always equal to his actual weightFalseBoth apparent weight and actual weight can be greater or lesser according to the movement of the person inside the lift.
3Weight of a body is greater at the equator and less at the polar region.FalseWeight of the body is less at equator, more at polar region.
4Turning a nut with a spanner having a short handle is so easy than one with a long handle.FalseFormula: torque = F x d (torque in N m). Example: Apply F = 10 N. Short handle d_short = 0.05 m -> torque_short = 10 x 0.05 = 0.5 N m. Long handle d_long = 0.20 m -> torque_long = 10 x 0.20 = 2.0 N m. To get torque = 2.0 N m with the short handle requires F = torque/d_short = 2.0/0.05 = 40 N. Hence the long handle needs much less force to produce the same turning effect.
5There is no gravity in the orbiting space station around the Earth. So the astronauts feel weightlessness.FalseWhen space station and astronauts have equal acceleration, they are under free fall condition, so both astronaut and space station are in the state of weightlessness.
MatchIV. Match the Following1 mark each
Column AColumn B
Newton's lawMatch entry for 'Newton's law' should read: 'Newton's First Law - Law of Inertia: A body remains at rest or moves with constant velocity in a straight line unless acted upon by a net external force.' If the match required a single word, use 'Inertia' or the phrase 'law of inertia.'
Newton's II lawCorrect statement: The rate of change of momentum of a body is directly proportional to the applied force and takes place in the direction of the force.
Formula: F = dp/dt. For constant mass, dp/dt = m dv/dt = ma, so F = ma.
Units: Force (F) in newtons (N); 1 N = 1 kg m/s2.
Quick example: A 2 kg object accelerating at 3 m/s2 experiences F = ma = 2x3 = 6 N.
Newton's III lawFor every action force, there is an equal and opposite reaction force. These two forces act on two different bodies.
Law of conservation of linear momentumIf no external net force acts on a system, the total linear momentum of the system remains constant.
A&RV. Assertion & Reasoning2 marks each
Q.1 Assertion: The sum of the clockwise moments is equal to the sum of the anticlockwise moments. Reason: The principle of conservation of momentum is valid if the external force on the system is zero.
✓ Answer
Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion. The assertion is based on the principle of moments: for equilibrium, clockwise moment = anticlockwise moment. The reason is about conservation of linear momentum, so it is a true statement but it does not explain rotational equilibrium.
Q.2 Assertion: The value of ‘g’ decreases as height and depth increases from the surface of the Earth. Reason: ‘g’ depends on the mass of the object and the Earth.
✓ Answer
1) At height h: g(h) = GM/(R+h)^2 = g0/(1 + h/R)^2 approx. g0(1 - 2h/R) for h << R => g decreases with height.
2) At depth d: g(d) = g0(1 - d/R) => g decreases with depth.
3) Therefore Assertion is true. The Reason is false because g is independent of the mass of the object; correct dependence is on Earth's mass M and radial distance r.
ShortVI. Short Answer Questions2 marks each
Q.1 Define inertia. Give its classification.
✓ Answer

Inertia is the inherent property of an object that resists any change in its state of rest or uniform motion along a straight line, unless acted upon by an external unbalanced force. This means an object at rest will stay at rest, and an object in motion will continue in motion with the same velocity, unless a net force intervenes. Inertia is directly proportional to the mass of the object; a more massive object has more inertia. It is classified into three types: inertia of rest, which is the resistance to a change in the state of rest; inertia of motion, which is the resistance to a change in the state of uniform motion; and inertia of direction, which is the resistance to a change in the direction of motion. Mass is the quantitative measure of inertia, and its SI unit is the kilogram (kg).

Q.2 Classify the types of force based on their application.
✓ Answer

Forces can be classified into two main types based on whether they require physical contact between the interacting bodies or not. The first type is contact force, which is a force that acts only when two bodies are in direct physical contact. Examples of contact forces include frictional force, which opposes motion between surfaces in contact; normal force, which is perpendicular to the surface of contact; and muscular force, which is applied by the muscles of living beings. The second type is non-contact force, also known as action-at-a-distance force, which acts without any physical contact between the bodies. Examples of non-contact forces include gravitational force, the attractive force between any two objects with mass; magnetic force, exerted by magnets on other magnetic materials; and electrostatic force, which is the force between charged objects.

Q.3 If a 5 N and a 15 N forces are acting opposite to one another. Find the resultant force and the direction of action of the resultant force
✓ Answer
Let the forces be 5 N and 15 N acting in opposite directions. Resultant magnitude = |15 N - 5 N| = 10 N. Direction: toward the 15 N force (the larger force).
Q.4 Differentiate mass and weight.
✓ Answer
Mass is the amount of matter in a body. It is a scalar quantity, its SI unit is kilogram (kg), and it remains the same everywhere. Weight is the gravitational force acting on a body. It is a vector quantity, its SI unit is newton (N), and it is given by W = mg. Weight changes from place to place because g changes.
Q.1 It is the quantity of matter contained in the body
✓ Answer

Mass is defined as the quantity of matter contained within a body. It is a fundamental property of matter and is independent of external conditions such as temperature, pressure, or location. The SI unit for mass is the kilogram (kg). Mass is typically measured using a physical balance, which compares the unknown mass to known standard masses, or an electronic balance, which uses a load cell to measure the force exerted by the mass and converts it into a mass reading. A larger mass indicates a greater amount of matter.

Q.2 Mass is a scalar quantity
✓ Answer

Mass is a scalar quantity because it is defined solely by its magnitude and does not possess any direction. It represents the amount of matter present in a body. Unlike vector quantities, which require both magnitude and direction for their complete description, mass only needs a numerical value and a unit. The SI unit of mass is the kilogram (kg). Being a scalar quantity, mass can be added or subtracted using simple arithmetic rules, making calculations involving mass straightforward.

Q.3 Its unit is kg (kilogram)
✓ Answer

The quantity described is mass. Its SI unit is the kilogram (kg), which is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units. The kilogram is a measure of the amount of matter in an object and is a fundamental property that remains constant regardless of the object's location or the gravitational field it is in. While other units like grams (g) or milligrams (mg) are used for smaller quantities, the kilogram is the standard unit for scientific and everyday measurements.

Q.4 Mass of a body remains the same at any point on the earth
✓ Answer

True. The mass of a body remains constant at any point on Earth, and indeed, anywhere in the universe. This is because mass is defined as the amount of matter contained within an object, and this amount does not change with location. While the weight of an object, which is the force of gravity acting on its mass (Weight = mass × acceleration due to gravity, W=mg), can vary because the acceleration due to gravity (g) changes slightly from place to place on Earth due to factors like altitude and latitude, the mass itself remains invariant.

Q.5 Mass can be measured using a physical balance
✓ Answer

True. Mass can be accurately measured using a physical balance, also known as a beam balance. This instrument works on the principle of moments and compares the unknown mass placed on one pan with known standard masses placed on the other pan. When the beam is balanced, the unknown mass is equal to the sum of the standard masses used. The SI unit for mass is the kilogram (kg), and physical balances are a common and reliable method for determining this fundamental property of matter.

Q.1 It is the gravitational force exerted on a body due to the earth's gravity alone.
✓ Answer
The quantity is weight. Weight is the gravitational force exerted on a body due to Earth's gravity. It is given by W = mg and its SI unit is newton (N).
Q.2 Weight is a vector quantity
✓ Answer
Yes. Weight is a vector quantity because it has both magnitude and direction. It acts vertically downward towards the centre of the Earth. Weight is given by W = mg and its SI unit is newton (N).
Q.3 Its unit is N (newton)
✓ Answer
The quantity is weight, which is a force. Its SI unit is newton (N). Since W = mg, the unit of weight is kg m s^-2, which is equal to N.
Q.4 Weight of a body varies from one place to another place on the earth
✓ Answer
True. Weight is given by W = mg. The value of g changes slightly from place to place on Earth due to altitude, latitude, Earth's rotation, and the shape of Earth. Therefore the weight of a body changes from one place to another, while its mass remains constant.
Q.5 Weight can be measured using a spring balance
✓ Answer
True. Weight can be measured using a spring balance because a spring balance measures force. If the reading is in newtons, it directly gives the weight. Weight is given by W = mg.
Q.5 Define moment of a couple.
✓ Answer
Derivation: Let two equal and opposite parallel forces +F and -F be separated by perpendicular distance d. Each force produces a torque about any point; the net torque (moment of couple) is M = F x d. Unit: N m. Example: If F = 10 N and d = 0.20 m, then M = 10 x 0.20 = 2.0 N m (rotational tendency).
Q.6 State the principle of moments.
✓ Answer
Let two forces F1 and F2 act at perpendicular distances d1 and d2 from the pivot producing opposite turning effects. For rotational equilibrium: clockwise moment = anticlockwise moment => F1 x d1 = F2 x d2. Units: F in newtons (N), d in metres (m), so moment in newton-metre (N m).
Q.7 State Newton’s second law.
✓ Answer
Start with momentum p = m v. Differentiate: F = dp/dt = d(mv)/dt = m dv/dt + v dm/dt. For constant mass, dm/dt = 0, so F = m dv/dt = m a. Unit: [F] = kg x m/s2 = N. Example: mass 2 kg, acceleration 3 m/s2 -> F = 2 x 3 = 6 N.
Q.8 Why a spanner with a long handle is preferred to tighten screws in heavy vehicles?
✓ Answer
The turning effect of a force depends on the perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation. Moment = F x d. A long handle gives a larger distance d, so a smaller force is enough to produce the required turning effect. Therefore a spanner with a long handle is preferred for tightening screws in heavy vehicles.
Q.9 While catching a cricket ball the fielder lowers his hands backwards. Why?
✓ Answer
1) Initial momentum p = m v, final momentum approx. 0, so Delta p = -m v.
2) Impulse magnitude = |Delta p| = m v (units kg m/s or N s).
3) J = F_avg Delta t => F_avg = Delta p/Delta t. Increasing Delta t (by pulling hands back) decreases F_avg.
Units: momentum (kg m/s), impulse (N s), force (N).
Q.10 How does an astronaut float in a space shuttle?
✓ Answer
1. Both shuttle and astronaut are in free fall/orbit, so they have the same acceleration a approx. g toward Earth.
2. Apparent weight = normal reaction R = m(g - a).
3. For free fall/orbit a = g -> R = m(g - g) = 0.
4. With R = 0 there is no contact force to hold the astronaut to any surface, so the astronaut floats (appears weightless).
NumericalVII. Numerical Problems3 marks each
Q.1 Two bodies have a mass ratio of 3:4 The force applied on the bigger mass produces an acceleration of 12 ms-2.What could be the acceleration of the other body, if the same force acts on it.
✓ Answer
Let m1:m2 = 3:4. Since the same force F acts, m1 a1 = m2 a2. Therefore a1 = (m2/m1) a2 = (4/3) 12 = 16 m s^-2. (If you set m1 = 3 kg and m2 = 4 kg, F = 4 12 = 48 N, then a1 = 48/3 = 16 m s^-2.)
Q.2 A ball of mass 1 kg moving with a speed of 10 ms-1 rebounds after a perfect elastic collision with the floor. Calculate the change in linear momentum of the ball.
✓ Answer
Given: m = 1 kg, speed = 10 m s^-1. For a rebound velocity reverses sign.
Choose sign convention: take initial velocity toward floor as -10 m s^-1 and final after rebound as +10 m s^-1.
p_initial = m u = 1 x (-10) = -10 kg m s^-1
p_final = m v = 1 x (+10) = +10 kg m s^-1
Delta p = p_final - p_initial = 10 - (-10) = 20 kg m s^-1
Therefore change in linear momentum = 20 kg m s^-1 (directed opposite to the initial velocity).
Q.3 A mechanic unscrew a nut by applying a force of 140 N with a spanner of length 40 cm. What should be the length of the spanner if a force of 40 N is applied to unscrew the same nut?
✓ Answer
Given: F1 = 140 N, L1 = 40 cm = 0.4 m, F2 = 40 N. Use torque balance: F1 L1 = F2 L2 => L2 = (F1 L1)/F2 = (140 x 0.4)/40 = 56/40 = 1.4 m.
Q.4 The ratio of masses of two planets is 2:3 and the ratio of their radii is 4:7 Find the ratio of their accelerations due to gravity.
✓ Answer
g = GM/R^2
Therefore g1/g2 = (M1/M2) * (R2^2/R1^2)
= (2/3) * (7^2/4^2)
= (2/3) * (49/16)
= 98/48 = 49/24
Thus g1 : g2 = 49 : 24.
LongVIII. Long Answer Questions5 marks each
Q.1 What are the types of inertia? Give an example for each type.
✓ Answer
(i) Inertia of rest: The resistance of a body to change its state of rest. Example: Leaves on a tree tend to remain at rest when the branch is shaken; they may get detached and fall.

(ii) Inertia of motion: The resistance of a body to change its state of motion. Example: An athlete runs before jumping-the forward motion helps the athlete travel a longer distance in the jump.

(iii) Inertia of direction: The resistance of a body to change its direction of motion. Example: When a car makes a sharp turn, passengers tend to be thrown outward or lean sideways because their bodies tend to continue in the original straight-line motion.
Q.2 State Newton’s laws of motion?
✓ Answer
(i) Newton's first law: Every object continues in its state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external unbalanced force.
(ii) Newton's second law: The force acting on a body is equal to the rate of change of its momentum. For constant mass, F = ma.
(iii) Newton's third law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Action and reaction always act on two different bodies.
Q.3 Deduce the equation of a force using Newton’s second law of motion.
✓ Answer
1. Initial momentum Pi = m u. Final momentum Pf = m v.
2. Change in momentum Delta p = Pf - Pi = m(v - u).
3. Rate of change of momentum = Delta p/Delta t = m(v - u)/t.
4. By Newton's second law, net force F = rate of change of momentum, so F = m(v - u)/t.
5. Define acceleration a = (v - u)/t. Therefore F = m a.
6. In differential form (general form): F = dp/dt. If mass is constant, dp/dt = m dv/dt = m a.
7. SI unit: force F in newtons (N); 1 N = 1 kg m s^-2.
Q.4 State and prove the law of conservation of linear momentum.
✓ Answer
The law of conservation of linear momentum states that when no net external force acts on a system, the total linear momentum of the system remains constant. Consider two bodies A and B with masses m1 and m2, initial velocities u1 and u2, and final velocities v1 and v2 after interaction. Impulse on A: JA = m1(v1 - u1). Impulse on B: JB = m2(v2 - u2). Since the forces between A and B are internal forces, Newton's third law gives JA = -JB. Therefore m1(v1 - u1) + m2(v2 - u2) = 0, so m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2. Hence total linear momentum is conserved. Momentum is a vector quantity and its SI unit is kg m/s.
Q.5 Describe rocket propulsion.
✓ Answer

Rocket propulsion is a fascinating application of Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, and the law of conservation of linear momentum. In a rocket, fuel and an oxidizer are mixed and burned in a combustion chamber, producing a large volume of hot, high-pressure gases. These gases are then expelled at extremely high velocity through a specially shaped nozzle at the rear of the rocket. This expulsion of gases backward creates a forward thrust, which is an equal and opposite reaction force that propels the rocket. As the rocket expels mass (the exhaust gases) backward, it gains forward momentum. Since the total momentum of the system must be conserved, the rocket moves forward. The rate at which the fuel is consumed and expelled means the rocket's mass continuously decreases, and according to the principles of motion, its velocity increases significantly as it ascends.

Q.6 State the universal law of gravitation and derive its mathematical expression
✓ Answer
Newton's universal law of gravitation states that every particle in the universe attracts every other particle with a force. This force is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centres. The force acts along the line joining the centres.
Let two bodies of masses m1 and m2 be separated by distance r. Then F is proportional to m1 x m2 and F is proportional to 1/r^2. Therefore, F is proportional to (m1 x m2)/r^2. Introducing the universal gravitational constant G, we get F = Gm1m2/r^2. The SI unit of G is N m^2 kg^-2 and its value is 6.674 x 10^-11 N m^2 kg^-2.
Q.7 Give the applications of universal law gravitation.
✓ Answer

The universal law of gravitation, formulated by Sir Isaac Newton, has profound applications in understanding the cosmos and celestial mechanics. Firstly, it is instrumental in determining the masses of celestial bodies like the Earth, the Moon, the Sun, and other planets by observing their gravitational effects on other objects. Secondly, it allows us to accurately calculate the acceleration due to gravity (g) at different points on Earth's surface and understand how it varies with altitude and depth. Thirdly, the law provides a fundamental explanation for the motion of planets around the Sun and the motion of natural satellites (like the Moon) and artificial satellites around planets, describing their elliptical orbits. Fourthly, it enables scientists to predict the paths and orbits of comets, asteroids, and other astronomical bodies, which is crucial for space exploration and hazard assessment. Fifthly, it explains the phenomenon of tides on Earth, which are primarily caused by the differential gravitational pull of the Moon and, to a lesser extent, the Sun on Earth's oceans. Finally, the universal law of gravitation is used in astrophysics to study binary star systems and to detect the presence of exoplanets by observing the subtle wobble or disturbance in the motion of nearby stars caused by the gravitational influence of an unseen orbiting planet.

HOTIX. Higher Order Thinking3 marks each
Q.1 Two blocks of masses 8 kg and 2 kg respectively lie on a smooth horizontal surface in contact with one other. They are pushed by a horizontally applied force of 15 N. Calculate the force exerted on the 2 kg mass.
✓ Answer
1. Total mass m = m1 + m2 = 8.0 kg + 2.0 kg = 10.0 kg.
2. Acceleration a = F_applied / m_total = 15 N / 10.0 kg = 1.5 m/s2.
3. Contact force on 2 kg block F_contact = m2 x a = 2.0 kg x 1.5 m/s2 = 3.0 N.
(Answer: 3 N towards the direction of the applied force.)
Q.2 A heavy truck and bike are moving with the same kinetic energy. If the mass of the truck is four times that of the bike, then calculate the ratio of their momenta. (Ratio of momenta = 2:1
✓ Answer
Let m_b = m, m_t = 4m. Equal kinetic energies: 1/2 m_t v_t^2 = 1/2 m_b v_b^2 => m_t v_t^2 = m_b v_b^2 => 4m v_t^2 = m v_b^2 => v_t^2 = (1/4) v_b^2 => v_t = v_b/2.
Momentum: p_t = m_t v_t = 4m x (v_b/2) = 2 m v_b. p_b = m v_b. Therefore p_t : p_b = 2m v_b : 1m v_b = 2 : 1.
(Units of momentum: kg m/s.)
Q.3 “Wearing helmet and fastening the seat belt is highly recommended for safe journey” Justify your answer using Newton’s laws of motion.
✓ Answer
1) State laws used: Newton's 1st law (inertia) and 2nd law (F = ma) plus impulse-momentum (Delta p = F_avg Delta t).
2) Describe the hazard: In a sudden stop or collision passenger's velocity v must change to zero (Delta v = -v); momentum change Delta p = mDelta v.
3) Use formula: average stopping force F_avg = mDelta v/Delta t. For fixed m and Delta v, larger Delta t -> smaller F_avg.
4) Apply to helmet: helmet cushions impact, increases Delta t and impact distance, so F_avg on skull decreases -> less injury.
5) Apply to seat belt: seat belt applies the unbalanced force to decelerate passenger, increases effective Delta t and spreads force across torso, preventing ejection and reducing localized injuries.
6) Units reminder: mass (kg), velocity (m/s), force (N = kg m/s2), impulse (N s). Example (optional): A 70 kg person at 20 m/s (72 km/h) stopped in 0.05 s -> F_avg approx. 70x20/0.05 = 28,000 N; if stopping time increases to 0.5 s with restraint/cushioning -> F_avg approx. 2,800 N, a tenfold reduction in average force.
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