Physics MCQs
Physics Objective (Multiple Choice) General Knowledge & General Science Questions & Answers for SSC-CGL, UPPSC, NDA, CDS and all one day examinations of India.
1. Which among the following is true about Total Internal Reflection?
[A] A ray passing from rarer to denser medium and not able to pass to denser medium at an angle greater than critical angle
[B] A ray passing from denser to rarer medium and not able to pass to rarer medium at an angle greater than critical angle
[C] A ray passing from either denser to rarer medium or rarer to denser medium and not able to pass any medium at an angle smaller than critical angle
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A ray passing from denser to rarer medium and not able to pass to rarer medium at an angle greater than critical angle]
Notes:
A ray passing from denser to rarer medium and not able to pass to rarer medium at an angle greater than critical angle. Critical angle is the angle in which the incident ray is 90 degrees to that of the refracted ray.
2. The speed of Sound is maximum in which of the following ?
[A] Air at zero degree C
[B] Air at 100 degree C
[C] Water
[D] Same in all
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Water]
Notes:The speed of sound in a medium is determined by the properties of that medium, primarily its density and elasticity. The speed of sound is fastest in solids, followed by liquids, and then gases. Let’s analyze the given options:
[A] Air at zero degrees Celsius: The speed of sound in air increases with temperature. At lower temperatures, the molecules in the air have less kinetic energy, which results in a slower speed of sound. So, the speed of sound in air at 0°C is slower compared to higher temperatures.
[B] Air at 100 degrees Celsius: As mentioned earlier, the speed of sound in air increases with temperature. So, the speed of sound in air at 100°C would be faster than at 0°C but still slower than in a solid or liquid.
[C] Water: The speed of sound in water is significantly faster than in air. Water is denser and more elastic than air, which allows sound waves to travel through it more quickly.
[D] same in all: This statement is not correct. The speed of sound varies depending on the medium. It is not constant and is definitely not maximum everywhere.
So, among the given options, the maximum speed of sound would be in “Water” (Option C).
3. Which among the following strictly works on the principle of dipole movement of the water molecules?
[A] Refrigerator
[B] Microwave Oven
[C] Air Conditioner
[D] Electric Geyser
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Microwave Oven]
Notes:
Microwave Oven strictly works on the principle of dipole movement of water molecule. A microwave oven is an electric oven that heats and cooks food by exposing it to electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range.
4. Which among the following is measured by an Odometer?
[A] Pressure
[B] Height
[C] Distance
[D] Velocity
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Distance]
Notes:
An odometer is an instrument used for measuring the distance. It measures distance traveled by a vehicle such as a bicycle or car. The device may be electronic, mechanical, or a combination of the two.
5. In which of the following conditions, a Balloon filled with a gas such as Hydrogen will tend to rise up?
[A] If the buoyant force exerted by the air on a balloon is greater than the weight of the balloon
[B] If the buoyant force exerted by the air on a balloon is less than the weight of the balloon
[C] If the buoyant force exerted by the air on a balloon is equal to the weight of the balloon
[D] If the density of the air is greater than the density of the gas filled in balloon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ If the buoyant force exerted by the air on a balloon is greater than the weight of the balloon]
Notes:
A Balloon filled with a gas such as Hydrogen gas is much lighter in weight than the weight of air displaced by it. So the buoyant force exerted by the air on a balloon is greater than the weight of the balloon. The hydrogen gas which is lighter than air enables the balloon to float.
6. For any object on the surface of earth, which among the following properties will be directly proportional to each other?
[A] It’s acceleration and it’s mass
[B] It’s mass and it’s weight
[C] It’s weight and it’s acceleration
[D] It’s speed and it’s velocity
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ It’s mass and it’s weight]
Notes:
The weight of an object and its mass are directly proportional. For a given gravitational field strength, the greater the mass of the object, the greater its weight.
7. With reference to a swinging pendulum, which among the following statements is correct when it is at bottom (middle of arc)?
[A] It has maximum kinetic energy and minimum potential energy
[B] It has maximum potential energy and minimum kinetic energy
[C] It has zero kinetic energy
[D] It has zero total energy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ It has maximum kinetic energy and minimum potential energy]
Notes:
At the lowest point of its motion of swinging pendulum, kinetic energy is maximum and gravitational potential energy is minimum. At the highest point of its motion, kinetic energy is minimum and gravitational potential energy is maximum.
8. Which of the these physical quantities is a vector quantity?
[A] Temperature
[B] Speed
[C] Gravitational Intensity
[D] Work
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gravitational Intensity]
Notes:
The physical quantities which have both magnitude and direction are called as Vector quantities. Some examples of Vector quantities: Acceleration, Velocity, Torque, Displacement, Gravitational Intensity, Force.
9. The Newton’s third law is applicable when:
[A] bodies are at rest
[B] bodies are in motion
[C] bodies are in the air
[D] bodies are at rest or in motion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [bodies are at rest or in motion]
Notes:
The Newton’s third law is applicable whether the bodies are at rest or in motion. It states that to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
10. What is the time period for a satellite orbiting close to the surface of earth?
[A] 84.6 minutes
[B] 72.4 minutes
[C] 44.8 minutes
[D] 24 hours
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [84.6 minutes]
Notes:
In this case, the radius of the orbit will be nearly equal to the radius of earth i.e. 6.4 x 106m. The time period for a satellite orbiting close to the surface of earth is 84.6 minutes.