100+ Free Praxis Physics 5265 Practice Questions

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A projectile is launched horizontally from a cliff at 15 m/s. Ignoring air resistance, what is the horizontal component of its velocity 3 seconds later?

45 m/s

0 m/s

15 m/s

30 m/s

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Key Facts: Praxis Physics 5265 Exam

125

Selected-Response Questions

ETS Praxis Physics (5265) test page and study companion

2h 30m

Testing Time

ETS Praxis Physics (5265) test page

$130

Exam Fee

ETS Praxis Subject Assessment pricing

32 / 19 / 13 / 12 / 8 / 16

Official Domain Weighting (%)

ETS Praxis Physics (5265) study companion

The ETS Praxis Physics (5265) exam has 125 selected-response questions in 150 minutes at a $130 fee. The official blueprint weights mechanics at 32%, electricity and magnetism at 19%, optics and waves at 13%, heat and thermodynamics at 12%, modern physics at 8%, and history and nature of science at 16%. Passing scores are set by individual states on a 100-200 scale.

Sample Praxis Physics 5265 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Praxis Physics 5265 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A car accelerates uniformly from rest to 20 m/s in 5 seconds. What is its acceleration?

A.2 m/s²

B.4 m/s²

C.5 m/s²

D.100 m/s²

Explanation: Acceleration is defined as the change in velocity divided by the change in time. Here a = (20 m/s − 0 m/s) / 5 s = 4 m/s². This is a direct application of the kinematic definition of uniform acceleration.

2A ball is thrown vertically upward with an initial velocity of 30 m/s. Ignoring air resistance, approximately how long does it take to reach its highest point? (Use g = 10 m/s².)

A.1 second

B.2 seconds

C.3 seconds

D.6 seconds

Explanation: At the highest point the velocity is zero. Using v = v₀ − gt, we get 0 = 30 − 10t, so t = 3 seconds. The ball decelerates at g until it momentarily stops at the peak.

3A projectile is launched horizontally from a cliff at 15 m/s. Ignoring air resistance, what is the horizontal component of its velocity 3 seconds later?

A.0 m/s

B.15 m/s

C.30 m/s

D.45 m/s

Explanation: In projectile motion with no air resistance, the horizontal component of velocity remains constant throughout the flight because gravity acts only vertically. The horizontal velocity stays at 15 m/s regardless of time elapsed.

4According to Newton's first law, what happens to an object in motion if the net force acting on it is zero?

A.It immediately comes to rest

B.It accelerates in the direction of the strongest individual force

C.It continues to move in a straight line at constant velocity

D.It moves in a circular path

Explanation: Newton's first law states that an object in motion remains in motion with the same speed and direction unless acted upon by a net external force. With zero net force, there is no acceleration and the velocity is unchanged.

5A 5 kg box is pushed across a frictionless surface with a net force of 20 N. What is the acceleration of the box?

A.2 m/s²

B.4 m/s²

C.10 m/s²

D.100 m/s²

Explanation: Newton's second law gives F = ma, so a = F/m = 20 N / 5 kg = 4 m/s². On a frictionless surface, the entire applied force contributes to acceleration.

6Two ice skaters push off each other from rest. Skater A (60 kg) moves left at 3 m/s. What is the velocity of Skater B (40 kg)?

A.2 m/s to the right

B.3 m/s to the right

C.4.5 m/s to the right

D.4.5 m/s to the left

Explanation: By conservation of momentum, the total momentum before and after must be equal. Initially both are at rest so total momentum is zero. After: 60(−3) + 40(v) = 0, giving v = 180/40 = 4.5 m/s to the right.

7A 2 kg object moving at 6 m/s collides with a stationary 4 kg object and they stick together. What is their common velocity after the collision?

A.1 m/s

B.2 m/s

C.3 m/s

D.6 m/s

Explanation: In a perfectly inelastic collision, momentum is conserved: m₁v₁ = (m₁ + m₂)v. So 2(6) = (2 + 4)v, giving v = 12/6 = 2 m/s. Kinetic energy is not conserved, but momentum always is.

8What is the kinetic energy of a 3 kg ball moving at 4 m/s?

A.6 J

B.12 J

C.24 J

D.48 J

Explanation: Kinetic energy is calculated as KE = ½mv². Substituting: KE = ½(3)(4²) = ½(3)(16) = 24 J. The velocity is squared, which is why doubling velocity quadruples kinetic energy.

9A 50 kg student climbs a 4-meter-high staircase in 10 seconds. What is the power output? (Use g = 10 m/s².)

A.20 W

B.200 W

C.500 W

D.2000 W

Explanation: Power equals work divided by time. The work done against gravity is W = mgh = 50 × 10 × 4 = 2000 J. Power = 2000 J / 10 s = 200 W. Power measures the rate of energy transfer.

10A roller coaster car at the top of a 20-meter hill has negligible speed. What is its speed at the bottom of the hill, ignoring friction? (Use g = 10 m/s².)

A.10 m/s

B.14 m/s

C.20 m/s

D.200 m/s

Explanation: Using conservation of energy, mgh = ½mv². The mass cancels, giving v = √(2gh) = √(2 × 10 × 20) = √400 = 20 m/s. All gravitational potential energy converts to kinetic energy.

About the Praxis Physics 5265 Exam

Praxis Physics Content Knowledge (5265) measures the physics knowledge and skills needed by entry-level secondary physics teachers. This practice bank covers all six official ETS content domains: mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics and waves, heat and thermodynamics, modern physics, and the history and nature of science.

Questions

125 scored questions

Time Limit

2h 30m

Passing Score

Varies by state

Exam Fee

$130 (ETS / Praxis)

Praxis Physics 5265 Exam Content Outline

32%

Mechanics

Vectors and scalars, kinematics, Newton's laws, forces, torque, rotational motion, work, energy, power, momentum, impulse, universal gravitation, fluid mechanics, and simple harmonic motion.

19%

Electricity and Magnetism

Electrostatics, Coulomb's law, electric fields and potential, DC and AC circuits, Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's laws, capacitance, inductance, magnetic fields and forces, and electromagnetic induction including Faraday's and Lenz's laws.

13%

Optics and Waves

Wave types and properties, sound and the Doppler effect, the electromagnetic spectrum, reflection, refraction, Snell's law, total internal reflection, diffraction, interference, standing waves, and mirrors and lenses.

12%

Heat, Energy, and Thermodynamics

Temperature, specific heat, heat transfer mechanisms (conduction, convection, radiation), phase transitions and diagrams, the ideal gas law, kinetic molecular theory, and the four laws of thermodynamics.

Modern Physics, Atomic and Nuclear Structure

Atomic and subatomic structure, the Bohr model, the photoelectric effect, radioactive decay (alpha, beta, gamma), nuclear fission and fusion, wave-particle duality, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, and special relativity.

16%

History and Nature of Science

The scientific method, measurement and data analysis, precision and accuracy, SI units, graphing relationships, history of major physics discoveries, and the connections between science, technology, and society.

How to Pass the Praxis Physics 5265 Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Varies by state
Exam length: 125 questions
Time limit: 2h 30m
Exam fee: $130

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Praxis Physics 5265 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Spend the most study time on mechanics (32%) and electricity and magnetism (19%) — together they make up over half the exam.

2Practice solving problems without a calculator since calculators are not allowed. Focus on estimation, order-of-magnitude reasoning, and simplifying calculations.

3Learn to draw free-body diagrams and circuit diagrams. Visualization is critical for both mechanics and E&M questions.

4Memorize key equations (F = ma, KE = ½mv², Ohm's law, wave equation v = fλ) and know when to apply each one.

5Study the history of physics discoveries (Galileo, Newton, Faraday, Einstein, Bohr) because the history and nature of science domain accounts for 16% of the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Praxis Physics (5265) exam and how long is it?

The ETS Praxis Physics: Content Knowledge (5265) exam has 125 selected-response questions and a time limit of 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes). That gives you roughly 72 seconds per question, so practicing under timed conditions is essential.

What passing score do I need for Praxis Physics 5265?

ETS does not set a universal passing score. Each state or licensing agency sets its own cutoff on the 100-200 scale. Common passing scores range from about 133 to 147 depending on the state. Check the ETS state requirements page for your specific requirement.

What content areas are most heavily tested?

Mechanics is the largest domain at 32% of the exam (about 40 questions), followed by electricity and magnetism at 19%, history and nature of science at 16%, optics and waves at 13%, heat and thermodynamics at 12%, and modern physics at 8%. Prioritize mechanics and E&M for maximum score impact.

Can I use a calculator on the Praxis Physics exam?

No, a calculator is not provided or permitted on the Praxis Physics (5265) exam. ETS designs the questions so they can be solved without a calculator. A periodic table and table of physical constants are available on screen.

100+ Free Praxis Physics 5265 Practice Questions

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