This page sits under the Mechanical Aptitude Tests hub and owns basic physics / foundational mechanical reasoning drills. It is complementary to topic drills such as levers, pulleys, gears, hydraulics, and pneumatics. Mixed overview: Mechanical Aptitude Test. Study plan: Mechanical Aptitude Study Guide.

On mechanical aptitude and mechanical reasoning assessments, basic physics means applied workplace physics: how force, weight, friction, motion, pressure, work and energy show up in tools, loads, surfaces and simple machines.

These are practical reasoning questions, not advanced academic physics. Exact topics depend on the assessment named by the employer or publisher. Ramsay, Bennett / BMCT, Wiesen, CAST, POSS, MASS, IBEW and other screens are not interchangeable, so confirm the invitation before treating any topic list as universal.

Every question on this page is an original educational exercise from JobPracticeTests. These items are not official questions from any test provider, employer, union or apprenticeship program.

For short mixed drills, start with free mechanical aptitude practice. For named-test routing, return to the mechanical aptitude tests hub.

What basic physics questions usually measure

Most basic-physics style items check whether you can:

  • tell force, mass and weight apart;
  • predict the effect of friction or gravity;
  • reason about speed, distance and time;
  • compare pressure when force or contact area changes;
  • apply work, energy and power in simple cases;
  • use mechanical advantage and balance ideas;
  • connect physics to levers, pulleys, gears and fluid systems.

You do not need a college physics course. You do need clear cause-and-effect thinking.

Force

Force is a push or pull. It has size and direction.

In workplace questions, force often appears as lifting, pushing a cart, tightening a fastener, or holding a load steady. If two forces act in opposite directions and cancel, the object can stay at rest. If one force is larger, the object accelerates in that direction.

Useful relationship:

F = m × a
Force = mass × acceleration
  • Increase mass, and the same acceleration needs more force.
  • Increase acceleration, and the same mass needs more force.
  • If acceleration is zero, net force is zero even if several forces are present.

Example: Pushing a loaded cart harder produces greater acceleration than a light push on the same cart, if friction stays similar.

Do not assume a calculator is allowed unless your test instructions say so.

Mass and weight

Mass is the amount of matter. Weight is the gravitational force on that mass.

On Earth, heavier objects have more weight because gravity pulls harder on larger mass. In many mechanical aptitude questions, “heavier” is treated as greater weight under Earth gravity.

Weight = mass × gravity
W = m × g
  • Greater mass means greater weight in the same gravitational field.
  • Changing gravity changes weight even if mass stays the same.
  • Mass does not change when an object moves from a rough floor to a smooth floor.

Example: A 10 kg crate has more weight than a 2 kg crate on the same shop floor.

Gravity

Gravity pulls objects toward Earth. It causes unsupported objects to fall and gives objects weight.

Common test traps:

  • Gravity does not disappear on smooth floors.
  • A falling object speeds up because gravity keeps acting (unless air resistance or another force balances it).
  • Two objects of different mass fall at the same rate in ideal no-air-resistance problems, but their weights still differ.

Friction

Friction resists sliding between surfaces.

  • Rough surfaces usually produce more friction than smooth surfaces.
  • Starting friction is often harder to overcome than keeping an object already moving.
  • Friction can be useful (walking, braking, gripping a tool) or unwanted (worn bearings, harder pushing).

Example: The same box needs more horizontal push to start moving on rough concrete than on polished steel.

Motion, speed and acceleration

Motion means position is changing over time.

Speed = distance ÷ time
v = d ÷ t
  • Greater distance in the same time means higher speed.
  • Same distance in less time means higher speed.
  • Distance = speed × time when speed is constant.

Acceleration means speed or velocity is changing.

Acceleration = change in speed ÷ time
  • Speeding up is positive acceleration in everyday wording.
  • Slowing down is deceleration (negative acceleration).
  • Constant speed in a straight line means zero acceleration, even if the object is moving.

Example: A conveyor that goes from rest to 2 m/s in 4 seconds has a smaller acceleration than one that reaches 2 m/s in 1 second.

Pressure

Pressure is force spread over an area.

Pressure = force ÷ area
P = F ÷ A
  • Same force on a smaller area raises pressure.
  • Same force on a larger area lowers pressure.
  • Larger force on the same area raises pressure.

Example: A sharp nail tip concentrates force into a tiny area, so it pierces more easily than a blunt tip with the same push.

This idea also appears in hydraulics questions and contact-area tool problems.

Work

In physics used on these tests, work is done when a force moves an object through a distance in the force direction.

Work = force × distance

In formula sheets, work is sometimes written as W = F × d. On this page, that W means work, not weight.

  • More force over the same distance means more work.
  • Same force over a longer distance means more work.
  • Holding a heavy box still does not count as work in this definition, because the load does not move.

Example: Pushing a crate 10 m with a steady 50 N force does more work than pushing it 2 m with the same force.

Energy

Energy is the capacity to do work.

Useful distinctions:

  • Kinetic energy: energy of motion.
  • Potential energy: stored energy due to position or condition, such as a raised load.
  • Mechanical systems can convert energy from one form to another, but they do not create free energy.

A raised hoist load has gravitational potential energy. When released in a controlled way, that energy can become kinetic energy or do work through a machine.

Power

Power is how fast work is done.

Power = work ÷ time

If a formula sheet writes P = W ÷ t, W means work done, not weight.

  • Same work in less time means more power.
  • More work in the same time means more power.

Example: Two winches lift the same load the same height. The faster winch delivers more power.

Mechanical advantage

Mechanical advantage (MA) compares output force to input force for a simple machine.

Mechanical advantage = output force ÷ input force

Ideal machines trade force for distance. Less input force usually means you move the input farther. Real machines also lose some energy to friction.

This links directly to levers, pulleys and gears.

Balance and equilibrium

An object is in equilibrium when net force and net turning effect are balanced for the situation described.

On lever-style items:

Effort × effort arm = load × load arm
  • Move the load closer to the fulcrum and it becomes easier to balance or lift with the same effort.
  • Move effort farther from the fulcrum and less effort is usually needed.

Density and buoyancy

Density compares mass to volume.

Density = mass ÷ volume

Buoyancy is the upward force a fluid exerts on a submerged or floating object.

Practical ideas:

  • An object denser than the surrounding fluid tends to sink.
  • An object less dense than the fluid tends to float.
  • A larger submerged volume generally means a larger buoyant force in the same fluid.

These ideas appear less often than force or pressure, but they show up in some trade and fluid-related questions.

How basic physics connects to other mechanical topics

Physics idea Where it shows up next
Force, torque, balance Levers questions
Force, distance trade-off Pulley questions
Force, speed, ratio Gears questions
Pressure, force, area Hydraulics questions
Pressure, compressed air Pneumatics questions
Tool force and contact Tools and workshop questions
Compact formula review Mechanical reasoning formulas

Formula quick reference

Relationship Formula What changes the result
Force F = m × a Higher mass or acceleration needs more force
Weight W = m × g Higher mass or stronger gravity increases weight
Speed v = d ÷ t More distance or less time raises speed
Pressure P = F ÷ A More force or less area raises pressure
Work Work = F × d More force or distance raises work
Power Power = work ÷ time More work or less time raises power
Mechanical advantage MA = F_out ÷ F_in Higher output force or lower input force raises MA

Treat these as reasoning tools. Do not assume a calculator is allowed unless your invitation confirms it.

Practice set instructions

This JobPracticeTests practice set includes 25 original questions.

Suggested timing for self-check (not an official assessment rule):

25 questions
20 minutes

Harder optional drill:

25 questions
15 minutes

Answer first, then read the explanation. There is no universal “basic physics test” time limit or passing score. Use your invitation for live-test rules.

Section 1: Force, mass, weight and gravity

Question 1

A worker pushes a cart. Which statement best describes force?

  • A. A push or pull that can change motion
  • B. The color of the cart
  • C. The volume of the cart only
  • D. The time the cart has existed

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A.

Force is a push or pull. It can start, stop, speed up, slow down or change the direction of motion.

Question 2

Which quantity stays the same when a sealed crate is moved from a rough floor to a smooth floor?

  • A. Friction force only
  • B. Mass of the crate
  • C. Required push to start motion
  • D. Surface roughness

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B.

Mass is the amount of matter. Surface change affects friction, not mass.

Question 3

On Earth, which statement is correct?

  • A. Weight is the gravitational force on a mass
  • B. Mass and weight are identical words with identical meanings in every physics context
  • C. Weight never depends on gravity
  • D. Mass increases whenever an object is lifted

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A.

Weight depends on mass and gravity. Mass does not become larger simply because an object is lifted.

Question 4

Two boxes have different masses. Ignoring air resistance, which statement is most consistent with basic falling-object reasoning used on aptitude items?

  • A. Gravity pulls more strongly on the heavier box, but both can fall at the same rate in the ideal model
  • B. Gravity turns off for the lighter box
  • C. The heavier box must float
  • D. Mass disappears during free fall

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A.

Greater mass means greater weight, but in the ideal no-air-resistance model both fall with the same acceleration.

Section 2: Friction and contact

Question 5

A box is harder to start moving on rough concrete than on polished steel. The best reason is:

  • A. Gravity is stronger on concrete
  • B. Friction is greater on the rough concrete
  • C. The box mass increases on concrete
  • D. Pressure becomes zero on steel

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B.

Rougher contact usually increases friction, so more horizontal force is needed to start sliding.

Question 6

Which situation most clearly uses friction as a helpful effect?

  • A. Brake pads slowing a rotating wheel
  • B. Oil completely eliminating all contact in every machine forever
  • C. Gravity disappearing at night
  • D. Mass converting into color

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A.

Braking relies on friction to reduce motion in a controlled way.

Question 7

A worker has already started a crate sliding. Compared with the push needed to start it, the push needed to keep it sliding at steady speed is often:

  • A. Lower, because kinetic friction is often less than starting friction
  • B. Infinite
  • C. Zero in every real shop
  • D. Unrelated to friction

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A.

Many practical questions treat starting resistance as higher than sliding resistance on the same surface.

Section 3: Speed, distance, time and acceleration

Question 8

A conveyor moves a part 12 meters in 3 seconds at constant speed. What is the speed?

  • A. 2 m/s
  • B. 3 m/s
  • C. 4 m/s
  • D. 36 m/s

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C.

Speed = distance ÷ time = 12 ÷ 3 = 4 m/s.

Question 9

Two carts travel 100 meters. Cart A finishes in 20 seconds. Cart B finishes in 25 seconds. Which cart is faster?

  • A. Cart A
  • B. Cart B
  • C. They must have equal speed
  • D. Speed cannot be compared from time and distance

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A.

Same distance in less time means higher average speed.

Question 10

A machine accelerates from rest to 6 m/s in 2 seconds. What is the average acceleration?

  • A. 2 m/s²
  • B. 3 m/s²
  • C. 6 m/s²
  • D. 12 m/s²

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B.

Acceleration = change in speed ÷ time = 6 ÷ 2 = 3 m/s².

Question 11

A forklift moves in a straight line at a constant 1.5 m/s. Its acceleration is:

  • A. Zero
  • B. Equal to its speed
  • C. Infinite
  • D. Equal to its weight

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A.

Constant speed in a straight line means zero acceleration.

Section 4: Pressure

Question 12

Which change increases pressure if force stays the same?

  • A. Spreading the force over a larger area
  • B. Concentrating the force on a smaller area
  • C. Removing the force entirely
  • D. Keeping force and area unchanged

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B.

Pressure = force ÷ area, so smaller area raises pressure for the same force.

Question 13

A 200 N force is applied over 0.5 m². What is the pressure?

  • A. 100 Pa
  • B. 200 Pa
  • C. 400 Pa
  • D. 1000 Pa

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C.

P = F ÷ A = 200 ÷ 0.5 = 400 Pa.

Question 14

Why can a person lie on a bed of many blunt supports more safely than standing on one sharp point with the same body weight?

  • A. Weight becomes zero when lying down
  • B. The same force is spread over a larger total area, lowering pressure
  • C. Gravity reverses
  • D. Mass converts into volume

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B.

Larger contact area lowers pressure for the same force.

Section 5: Work, energy and power

Question 15

A worker pushes a crate with 40 N of force for 5 meters in the direction of the force. How much work is done?

  • A. 8 J
  • B. 45 J
  • C. 200 J
  • D. 400 J

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C.

Work = force × distance = 40 × 5 = 200 J.

Question 16

A technician holds a 30 kg box motionless at chest height for 20 seconds. Using the work definition W = F × d, how much work is done on the box?

  • A. A large amount, because the box is heavy
  • B. Zero, because the box does not move
  • C. Equal to the box mass only
  • D. Equal to elapsed time only

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B.

No displacement means no work under W = F × d.

Question 17

Which object has the most kinetic energy if mass is equal?

  • A. The object at rest
  • B. The object moving slowest
  • C. The object moving fastest
  • D. The object with the darkest paint

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C.

Kinetic energy increases with speed for a given mass.

Question 18

Two hoists raise identical loads through the same height. Hoist A finishes in 10 seconds. Hoist B finishes in 20 seconds. Which statement is correct?

  • A. Hoist A delivers more power
  • B. Hoist B delivers more power
  • C. Both must deliver zero power
  • D. Power depends only on paint color

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A.

Same work in less time means greater power.

Question 19

A raised load waiting to be lowered mainly stores:

  • A. Gravitational potential energy
  • B. Sound color energy
  • C. Infinite kinetic energy while motionless
  • D. Negative mass

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A.

Height in a gravity field stores gravitational potential energy.

Section 6: Mechanical advantage, balance and simple systems

Question 20

A simple machine lets a worker lift a 300 N load with a 100 N input force in an ideal case. What is the mechanical advantage?

  • A. 0.33
  • B. 2
  • C. 3
  • D. 400

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C.

MA = output force ÷ input force = 300 ÷ 100 = 3.

Question 21

An ideal machine has mechanical advantage 4. Compared with raising the load 1 meter, how far must the input usually move?

  • A. 0.25 m
  • B. 1 m
  • C. 4 m
  • D. 16 m

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C.

Ideal machines trade force for distance. MA 4 usually means about four times the input travel.

Question 22

On a balanced lever, the load is moved closer to the fulcrum while effort stays at the same place. What usually happens?

  • A. Less effort is needed to balance the same load
  • B. The load becomes heavier
  • C. The fulcrum disappears
  • D. Effort must become infinite

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A.

A shorter load arm reduces the turning effect of the load, so less effort is needed for balance.

Question 23

A fixed pulley is used only to lift a load by pulling down on a rope. In the ideal model, its main benefit is:

  • A. Creating free energy
  • B. Changing the direction of the applied force
  • C. Removing gravity
  • D. Doubling mass automatically

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B.

A single ideal fixed pulley mainly redirects force. See also pulley questions.

Section 7: Density, buoyancy and workplace application

Question 24

Object A has greater density than the fluid around it. Object B has lower density than the same fluid. Which outcome is most likely?

  • A. Object A tends to sink; Object B tends to float
  • B. Both must float
  • C. Both must sink
  • D. Density has no effect on floating

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A.

Relative density compared with the fluid is the usual aptitude-test cue for floating versus sinking.

Question 25

A maintenance trainee must push a heavy cabinet across a dirty floor. Which change most directly reduces the required horizontal push?

  • A. Cleaning and lubricating the contact surfaces to reduce friction
  • B. Increasing cabinet mass
  • C. Reducing contact area while keeping the same rough friction conditions and hoping pressure alone helps sliding
  • D. Waiting for gravity to reverse

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A.

Lower friction lowers the horizontal force needed to slide the cabinet at a steady speed.

How to practise efficiently

  1. Learn the relationships before racing the clock.
  2. For each miss, name the concept: friction, pressure, work, power, or balance.
  3. Redraw the situation in one sentence: what is pushing, what resists, what moves.
  4. Use mechanical reasoning formulas for compact review.
  5. Add timing only after accuracy is stable, and treat any timer as a JobPracticeTests drill, not as an official rule.

When your invitation names a specific publisher test, open that guide from the mechanical aptitude tests hub rather than assuming every physics topic appears on every form.

FAQ

Are basic physics questions the same on every mechanical test?

No. Topic mix depends on the named assessment and employer. Confirm your invitation.

Do I need advanced physics formulas?

Usually no. Focus on force, friction, pressure, motion, work, energy, power and simple-machine trade-offs.

Are these official test-provider questions?

No. They are original JobPracticeTests practice items for learning.

Is the 20-minute timing official?

No. It is only a JobPracticeTests practice recommendation for this page.

Where should I go after this page?

Use the topic pages that match your weak areas, then return to the named-test guide that matches your invitation.