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 of the following causes the drop of water to be in spherical shape?
[A] Viscosity
[B] Air resistance
[C] Surface tension
[D] Temperature
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Surface tension]
Notes:
Surface tension is the tendency of liquid surfaces to shrink into the minimum surface area possible. Surface tension allows insects, usually denser than water, to float and slide on a water surface. It is the reason for the water droplet’s round shape.
2. “Svedberg Unit” is a measure of?
[A] Concentration
[B] Size
[C] Density
[D] Time
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Time]
Notes:
A Svedberg unit (S/ Sv) is utilized to denote sedimentation coefficients, providing specific measurement of a particle based on its sedimentation rate under acceleration. Essentially, it computes how quickly a particle settles to the bottom of a solution. In terms of the time dimension, a Svedberg unit amounts to exactly 10−13 seconds, indicating that it is essentially a measure of time.
3. Whenever there are high winds, such as in storms, thin metal roofs on sheds as well as concave roofs on huts are sometimes blown away. Which among the following explains this correctly?
[A] During windstorm , the atmospheric pressure above the roof is very high in comparison to below the roof
[B] During windstorm , the atmospheric pressure above the roof is very low in comparison to below the roof
[C] The high velocity wind exerts tangential force on the roof surface
[D] The high velocity wind exerts vertical force on the roof surface
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [During windstorm , the atmospheric pressure above the roof is very low in comparison to below the roof]
Notes:
During the storm, the velocity of wind above the roof surface is very high and hence pressure is low. The pressure below the roof is atmospheric which is higher than the pressure of upper surface. Due to this pressure difference, the roof blows.
4. How the brain interprets the frequency of an emitted sound is called its __:
[A] Pitch
[B] Amplitude
[C] Intensity
[D] Timbre
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Pitch]
Notes:
How the brain interprets the frequency of an emitted sound is called the pitch. Researchers have discovered a discrete region of the monkey brain that processes pitch, the relative high and low points of sound, by recognizing a single musical note played by different instruments.
5. One joule of work is said to be done when__:
[A] a force of 1 dyne causes a displacement of 1 cm.
[B] a force of 1 dyne causes a displacement of 1 m.
[C] a force of 1 N causes a displacement of 1 cm.
[D] a force of 1 N causes a displacement of 1 m.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ a force of 1 N causes a displacement of 1 m.]
Notes:
The joule is the unit of energy in the International System of Units. It is equal to the work done on an object when a force of one Newton acts on that object in the direction of the force’s motion through a distance of one meter. One joule of work is said to be done when a force of 1 N causes a displacement of 1 m.
6. 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.
7. Who among the following is credited for the Corpuscular theory of light?
[A] Isaac Newton
[B] Christiaan Hyugens
[C] Albert Einstein
[D] James Clerk Maxwell
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Isaac Newton]
Notes:
The Corpuscular theory of light was given by Isaac Newton. It was replaced by Huygens’ wave theory when it failed to adequately explain the diffraction, interference and polarization of light. The Huygens’ wave theory was replaced by Planck’s quantum theory and finally de-Broglie’s Dual-Theory of light replaced all previous ones.
8. Nuclear Reactors are based on which of the following phenomenon?
[A] Magnetic confinement of Plasma
[B] Nuclear Fusion
[C] Controlled Nuclear Fission
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Controlled Nuclear Fission]
Notes:
Nuclear Reactors uses Controlled Nuclear Fission to generate electricity. A nuclear reactor splits the atoms of nuclear fuel (eg. uranium) to generate energy to turn water into steam to drive turbine generators. Nuclear fission is the splitting of a heavy nucleus into two lighter ones. Fission was discovered in 1938 by the German scientists Otto Hahn, Lise Meitner, and Fritz Strassmann.
9. What is the relation between velocity and acceleration at the highest point of projectile path?
[A] both are at an angle of 45° to each other
[B] both are perpendicular to each other
[C] both are at an angle of 180° to each other
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [both are perpendicular to each other]
Notes:
At the highest point of projectile path, the velocity and acceleration are perpendicular to each other. At the highest point of projectile path, the projectile possesses velocity only along the horizontal direction.
10. The centripetal force and centrifugal force are ______:
[A] equal in magnitude and have same direction
[B] unequal in magnitude and have same direction
[C] equal in magnitude and have opposite direction
[D] unequal in magnitude and have opposite direction
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [equal in magnitude and have opposite direction]
Notes:
The centripetal force and centrifugal force are equal in magnitude and have opposite direction. Centrifugal force can be regarded as the reaction of centripetal force.
