CBSE Class 8 Science Chapter 05 Exploring Forces MCQs Set 01

Science Objective Questions and Answers: Chapter 05 Exploring Forces

Explore reliable objective questions for Chapter 05 Exploring Forces tailored for Class 8 learners. Utilizing these Science multiple-choice formats ensures thorough preparation and strengthens problem-solving speed for upcoming school assessments.

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Question: When Sonali and Ragini rode their bicycles downhill without pedalling, what did they observe about their bicycles' motion?
A. The bicycles slowed down gradually
B. The bicycles moved down at great speed without any effort from pedalling
C. The bicycles stopped suddenly
D. The bicycles moved at constant speed
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) The bicycles moved down at great speed without any effort from pedalling

Explanation:
The chapter states that as they came down the slope, they realised their bicycles were moving down at great speed even though they were not pedalling. Sonali exclaimed that something appeared to be pulling them downhill.

Question: According to the chapter, what is the primary difference between contact forces and non-contact forces?
A. Contact forces are always stronger than non-contact forces
B. Contact forces require physical interaction between two objects, while non-contact forces can act from a distance
C. Non-contact forces are used only in magnetism
D. Contact forces can only change the direction of motion
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Contact forces require physical interaction between two objects, while non-contact forces can act from a distance

Explanation:
The chapter clearly defines contact forces as those requiring physical contact between objects and non-contact forces as those whose effect can be experienced without the objects being in contact.

Question: In Activity 5.5, when two ring magnets with like poles facing each other are positioned on a vertical stick, what happens to the upper magnet?
A. It falls immediately to the table
B. It remains floating above the first magnet
C. It moves sideways along the stick
D. It spins rapidly
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Answer: (B) It remains floating above the first magnet

Explanation:
The activity explicitly describes that when like poles face each other, the second magnet stays floating above the first magnet, demonstrating that a magnet can exert force without physical contact.

Question: What causes friction to arise between two surfaces in contact, according to the chapter?
A. The weight of the objects on the surfaces
B. The temperature of the surfaces
C. Irregularities or roughness present in both surfaces that lock into each other
D. The speed at which objects move across the surfaces
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (C) Irregularities or roughness present in both surfaces that lock into each other

Explanation:
The chapter explains that friction arises due to irregularities in the two surfaces in contact, noting that even surfaces appearing smooth have minute irregularities. These irregularities lock into each other and oppose motion.

Question: Why does a ball thrown vertically upward slow down, stop momentarily, and then fall back down?
A. The air resists the motion of the ball
B. Gravitational force continuously pulls the ball downward throughout its motion
C. The ball loses its initial energy
D. Friction between the ball and air increases
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Gravitational force continuously pulls the ball downward throughout its motion

Explanation:
The ball undergoes vertical motion under the influence of gravitational force. While moving upward, gravitational force acts downward, causing the speed to decrease until the ball stops. Then it falls back because gravity continues to act downward.

Question: Based on the spring balance experiments, which statement correctly describes the relationship between mass and weight of objects?
A. An object's mass and weight are always equal in numerical value
B. Mass and weight are the same quantity measured in the same units
C. Mass remains constant everywhere, but weight varies depending on gravitational force
D. Weight is always greater than mass for any object
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (C) Mass remains constant everywhere, but weight varies depending on gravitational force

Explanation:
The chapter distinguishes between mass (amount of matter, measured in grams/kilograms, constant everywhere) and weight (gravitational force, measured in newtons, varies from place to place and on different planets).

Question: What is the significance of the density of a liquid in determining whether an object floats or sinks?
A. Higher density liquids always prevent objects from sinking
B. Buoyant force depends partly on the density of the liquid
C. Density has no relationship to floating or sinking
D. Only the object's density matters, not the liquid's density
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Buoyant force depends partly on the density of the liquid

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that one of the factors on which buoyant force depends is the density of the liquid, and floating or sinking depends on comparing gravitational force with buoyant force.

Question: Why does friction between surfaces depend on the nature of the surfaces in contact?
A. Different materials have different colours which affect friction
B. The irregularities present in different surfaces vary, leading to different amounts of locking and opposing motion
C. Friction only occurs on certain types of materials
D. The weight of objects determines surface roughness
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) The irregularities present in different surfaces vary, leading to different amounts of locking and opposing motion

Explanation:
Activity 5.4 demonstrates that objects stop at different distances on different surfaces, showing that friction varies with surface nature. This is because different surfaces have different patterns of irregularities that interact differently.

Question: How does the chapter explain the phenomenon where one feels lighter or floating at the highest point of a swing?
A. The swing moves horizontally at the highest point
B. Gravitational force disappears at that moment
C. The direction of motion changes and the speed becomes zero momentarily, creating the sensation of being lighter
D. Air resistance is greatest at the highest point
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (C) The direction of motion changes and the speed becomes zero momentarily, creating the sensation of being lighter

Explanation:
This is mentioned in the probe and ponder section where the sensation of feeling light occurs at the highest point. While not elaborated extensively, it relates to the changing motion at that instant.

Question: What does Archimedes' Principle state about objects immersed in liquids?
A. Objects always sink if they are denser than water
B. When an object is fully or partially immersed in a liquid, it experiences an upward force equal to the weight of the liquid it displaces
C. The buoyant force is always greater than the object's weight
D. Objects float only if they are wooden
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) When an object is fully or partially immersed in a liquid, it experiences an upward force equal to the weight of the liquid it displaces

Explanation:
The chapter presents Archimedes' Principle which states that an immersed object experiences an upward force equal to the weight of liquid displaced. This principle determines whether objects sink or float based on comparing this force with the object's weight.

Question: In Activity 5.6, why does a rubbed plastic scale attract small pieces of paper without touching them?
A. The plastic becomes warm and the heat attracts paper
B. Static charges build up on the scale's surface after rubbing, creating electrostatic force
C. The scale vibrates and creates air currents
D. Paper pieces are naturally attracted to plastic materials
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Static charges build up on the scale's surface after rubbing, creating electrostatic force

Explanation:
The chapter explains that when two materials are rubbed together, electrical charges build up on their surfaces. These static charges create electrostatic force that can attract uncharged objects like paper pieces even without contact.

Question: What is the main difference between gravitational force and magnetic force regarding their nature?
A. Gravitational force is always attractive while magnetic force can be either attractive or repulsive
B. Both forces are always repulsive
C. Magnetic force exists only near Earth while gravitational force is universal
D. Gravitational force is a non-contact force while magnetic force requires contact
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (A) Gravitational force is always attractive while magnetic force can be either attractive or repulsive

Explanation:
• Gravitational force is always an attractive force pulling objects toward Earth
• Magnetic force can be either attractive (unlike poles) or repulsive (like poles)
• Both are non-contact forces, but differ in their directional nature

Question: Why is it important to distinguish scientifically between mass and weight despite everyday language using them interchangeably?
A. They are the same quantity and the distinction is unnecessary
B. Mass measured in kilograms and weight in newtons are fundamentally different quantities with different properties
C. The distinction only matters for scientific purposes, not practical ones
D. Weight changes daily while mass remains the same, making them unrelated
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Mass measured in kilograms and weight in newtons are fundamentally different quantities with different properties

Explanation:
The chapter's final note emphasizes that while everyday language uses 'weight' for what is actually 'mass,' scientific accuracy requires distinguishing them. Mass is the amount of matter (constant everywhere) while weight is gravitational force (varies by location), measured in different units.

Question: When an object is placed in liquid, what two opposing forces determine whether it will float, sink, or remain suspended?
A. Magnetic force and friction
B. Gravitational force acting downward and buoyant force acting upward
C. Electrostatic force and gravitational force
D. Muscular force and friction
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Gravitational force acting downward and buoyant force acting upward

Explanation:
The chapter states that gravitational force due to Earth acts downward on objects in liquids, while buoyant force acts upward. When gravitational force exceeds buoyant force, the object sinks; when equal, it floats; when buoyant force is greater, it rises.

Question: In the opening scenario, as Sonali and Ragini descended the hillside on their bicycles, they noticed the bicycles accelerating downward even without pedalling. Which force is primarily responsible for pulling the bicycles down the slope?
A. Frictional force opposing the motion
B. Gravitational force attracting the bicycles toward Earth
C. Magnetic force from Earth's core
D. Electrostatic force from the air
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Gravitational force attracting the bicycles toward Earth

Explanation:
The chapter explains that objects fall toward Earth due to gravitational force, which attracts all objects. When the bicycles moved downhill, this same force was responsible for their acceleration downward.

Question: When you rub a plastic straw with polythene and bring it near small paper pieces on a table without touching them, the paper pieces stick to the straw. Which type of force is demonstrated in this situation?
A. Muscular force through direct contact
B. Frictional force between surfaces
C. Non-contact electrostatic force from static charges
D. Magnetic force due to the Earth's field
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (C) Non-contact electrostatic force from static charges

Explanation:
The chapter describes how rubbing two objects creates static electrical charges on their surfaces. A charged object exerts a non-contact force on uncharged objects made of certain materials, such as paper pieces, even without touching them.

Question: In Activity 5.3, when an object placed on a table is gently pushed and then stops after sliding some distance, what force causes this stopping motion?
A. The push force continuing to act backward on the object
B. Gravity pulling the object downward more strongly
C. Friction acting opposite to the direction of motion
D. Air resistance becoming stronger as the object slows
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (C) Friction acting opposite to the direction of motion

Explanation:
The chapter states that friction arises between the object's surface and the table surface due to their irregularities. This frictional force acts in the direction opposite to the object's motion, bringing it to rest.

Question: According to the chapter, when two balloons are rubbed with a woollen cloth and brought close to each other, they repel each other. What does this reveal about the electrical charges on the balloons?
A. One balloon has positive charge and the other has no charge
B. Both balloons have acquired similar or like charges
C. The balloons lost all their charges during the experiment
D. The charge on balloons cannot be determined from this observation
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Both balloons have acquired similar or like charges

Explanation:
• The balloons were rubbed in the same way
• Similarly charged objects repel each other
• This indicates both balloons acquired the same type of charge (either both positive or both negative)

Question: A spring balance is used to measure the weight of different objects. Why do spring balances have two scales, one showing weight in newtons and another showing mass in grams?
A. The newtons scale is more accurate than the grams scale
B. The grams scale is for use on the Moon only
C. The scales are marked assuming the balance is used on Earth where gravitational force is relatively constant
D. Mass and weight are the same thing, so both scales show identical readings
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (C) The scales are marked assuming the balance is used on Earth where gravitational force is relatively constant

Explanation:
The chapter notes that spring balance scales are marked with the assumption that the device is used on Earth with the Earth's gravitational force attracting objects. Since weight varies with gravitational force but mass does not, different scales allow for both measurements.

Question: If a 1 kg object has a weight of 10 N on Earth but only 1.6 N on the Moon, what is the underlying cause of this difference?
A. The object loses some of its mass when moved to the Moon
B. The gravitational force exerted by the Moon is weaker than Earth's gravitational force
C. The Moon's atmosphere reduces the effect of gravity on objects
D. Static charges on the Moon's surface interfere with gravitational force
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) The gravitational force exerted by the Moon is weaker than Earth's gravitational force

Explanation:
The chapter explains that weight is the gravitational force with which a celestial body pulls an object. Since the Moon's gravitational force is much weaker than Earth's, an object weighs significantly less on the Moon while retaining the same mass.

Question: In Activity 5.13, when an empty bottle with a closed lid is pushed underwater and then released, it bounces back to the surface. Which force is responsible for this upward movement?
A. Muscular force from the person pushing it
B. Gravitational force pulling it toward the water surface
C. The buoyant or upthrust force applied by water in the upward direction
D. Frictional force between the bottle and water
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (C) The buoyant or upthrust force applied by water in the upward direction

Explanation:
The chapter describes how a liquid applies an upward force on objects placed in it, known as buoyant force or upthrust. When this upward force exceeds the downward gravitational force, the object bounces back up toward the surface.

Question: When a charged balloon is brought close to a woollen cloth (which was used to charge it), they attract each other. What does this interaction indicate about the charges on these two objects?
A. Both have acquired identical positive charges
B. They have acquired opposite or unlike charges
C. The cloth remained uncharged while the balloon got charged
D. Neither object has any electrical charge
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) They have acquired opposite or unlike charges

Explanation:
• The balloon and cloth were in contact during rubbing
• They acquired opposite kinds of charges
• Opposite charges attract each other, causing them to move toward one another

Question: In the opening bicycle scenario, Sonali stated that "something is pulling us downhill." From your understanding of forces, which characteristic of this force makes it a non-contact force?
A. The force requires the bicycle to be in physical contact with the ground
B. The force acts on the bicycles without requiring them to touch anything pulling them
C. The force only works when Sonali and Ragini pedal the bicycles
D. The force is created by air resistance around the moving bicycles
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) The force acts on the bicycles without requiring them to touch anything pulling them

Explanation:
Gravitational force acts on objects without the Earth physically touching them—the force operates from a distance. This makes it a non-contact force, meaning no physical contact is necessary for it to act on an object.

Question: Based on the chapter's discussion of roughness and smoothness of surfaces, why do objects stop sooner when pushed on rough surfaces compared to smooth surfaces?
A. Rough surfaces create more muscular resistance to motion
B. Rough surfaces have greater irregularities that lock into each other, creating greater frictional force
C. Smooth surfaces attract objects through magnetic force, preventing stopping
D. The weight of objects increases on rough surfaces
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Rough surfaces have greater irregularities that lock into each other, creating greater frictional force

Explanation:
The chapter explains that friction arises due to irregularities in the two surfaces in contact. Rough surfaces have more pronounced irregularities that engage with an object's surface, creating greater opposition to motion than smooth surfaces do.

Question: In Activity 5.8, when objects are thrown upward and then fall back down, the chapter mentions they undergo "vertical motion." What makes this motion specifically vertical rather than horizontal or diagonal?
A. The person always throws objects straight upward with perfect force
B. Gravitational force continuously acts downward, pulling the object in a vertical direction along Earth's surface
C. The air resistance pushes objects only in vertical directions
D. Magnetic forces from Earth align all falling objects vertically
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Gravitational force continuously acts downward, pulling the object in a vertical direction along Earth's surface

Explanation:
Vertical motion occurs because gravitational force exerts a continuous downward pull on objects. Whether thrown up or dropped, objects follow a vertical path under this constant downward-acting gravitational force.

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Practice MCQs for Class 8 Science Chapter 05 Exploring Forces

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