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. India’s first Nobel Prize for Physics was claimed in 1930 by the renowned physicist Sir C.V. Raman for his work in which among the following fields?
[A] Particle Physics
[B] Optics
[C] Thermodynamics
[D] Quantum Mechanics
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Optics]
Notes:
In 1930, C.V. Raman became the first person from Asia to be awarded a Nobel Prize in any field of science. CV Raman made significant contributions to the field of optics. He is best known for his discovery of the Raman effect, which is the scattering of light by molecules. This phenomenon is now known as Raman scattering. The date of the discovery, February 28, is now celebrated as National Science Day in India.
2. Any moving object on earth finally comes to rest due to which among the following?
[A] Gravity
[B] Friction
[C] Inertia
[D] Motion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Friction]
Notes:
Friction is the main reason for any object to come to rest. It is the main reason for the stability of the objects on earth.
3. 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).
4. Which among the following character of mercury makes it suitable to use in barometers instead of water?
[A] Low density and low vapor pressure
[B] High density and high vapor pressure
[C] Low density and good conductor of heat
[D] High density and low vapor pressure
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [High density and low vapor pressure]
Notes:
Mercury is typically used in barometers because it is denser and more viscous than water, which makes it more effective at measuring changes in atmospheric pressure. It also has High density and low vapor pressure than water. When atmospheric pressure changes, the mercury in the barometer will either rise or fall in the tube, allowing the barometer to accurately measure the pressure. Additionally, mercury has a lower freezing point and a higher boiling point than water, which makes it less likely to freeze or boil at normal temperatures and therefore more reliable for use in a barometer.
5. Which among the following provides the centripetal force to an electron circulating around the nucleus?
[A] electrostatic forces of repulsion
[B] electrostatic force of attraction
[C] speed of the electron
[D] nuclear charge
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [electrostatic force of attraction]
Notes:
The correct answer is “electrostatic force of attraction.” In an atom, electrons are negatively charged and are attracted to the positively charged nucleus due to Coulomb’s law. This attraction provides the necessary centripetal force to keep the electron in a stable orbit around the nucleus. The balance between this electrostatic force and the electron’s inertia allows for stable atomic structures.
6. On which of the following the jet Engine works?
[A] Conservation of energy
[B] Conservation of Linear Momentum
[C] Conservation of Mass
[D] Conservation of Angular momentum
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Conservation of Linear Momentum]
Notes:Conservation of Linear Momentum law says that if no external force acts on a system, then its total linear momentum remains conserved. In equation form, Momentum=mass*velocity. To increase the momentum of an object, we need to either increase its mass or velocity or both.
- Rockets work on law of conservation of momentum. As momentum in one direction is given to the rocket’s exhaust gases, momentum in the other direction is given to the rocket itself.
7. Crystals of which of the following naturally-occuring substance exhibits both ‘pyroelectric’ and ‘piezoelectric’ properties making it versatile for application in the field of electronics?
[A] Quartz
[B] Mica
[C] Topaz
[D] grapite
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Quartz]
Notes:
Quartz crystals have piezoelectric properties: they develop an electric potential upon the application of mechanical stress. An early use of this property of quartz crystals was in phonograph pickups. A common piezoelectric use of quartz today is as a crystal oscillator. The quartz clock is a familiar device using the mineral. Quartz is also strongly pyroelectric. Temperature changes create positive and negative charges within the crystal.
8. Which of the following waves is called compression-dilation waves or longitudinal waves?
[A] Primary waves
[B] Secondary waves
[C] Love waves
[D] Rayleigh waves
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Primary waves]
Notes:
Primary wave is also called compression-dilation or longitudinal waves. Secondary wave is called transversal wave. Love wave and Rayleigh wave are surface waves. P waves can pass through solid, liquid and gases and are also the fastest among the three main types of waves.
9. A pressure cooker on a stove with its lid tightly closed and the whistle in position is an example of:
[A] open system
[B] closed system
[C] isolated system
[D] adiabatic system
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ closed system]
Notes:
A pressure cooker on a stove with its lid tightly closed and the whistle in position is an example of a closed-system thermodynamic process. In a closed-system thermodynamic process, the container (in this case, the pressure cooker) is sealed, and there is no exchange of matter with the surroundings. The pressure cooker is designed to be airtight, so no air or steam can escape while it’s cooking. This sealed environment allows for the buildup of pressure and temperature inside the cooker, which, in turn, speeds up the cooking process.
10. Which of the following is correct about Kinetic energy during the projectile motion?
[A] it is minimum at the point of projection
[B] it is minimum at the highest point
[C] it is maximum at the highest point
[D] it is minimum at the point of reaching the ground
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [it is minimum at the highest point]
Notes:
The Kinetic energy of an object is maximum at the point of projection or at the point of reaching the ground. It is minimum at the highest point.