Physics questions and answers

Physics Questions and Answers

If you want to learn more about the nature and properties of matter and energy or you're simply preparing for a Physics exam, these Physics past questions and answers are ideal for you.

101.

Rainbow formation is as a result of the combination of which of the following phenomena?
(i) Reflection
(ii) Dispersion
(iii) Total internal reflection
(iv) Refraction

A.

(ii) and (iv) only

B.

(i), (iii) and (iv) only

C.

(ii), (iii) and (iv) only

D.

(i), (ii) and (iv) only

Correct answer is C

As light ray enters a drop of water the light is refracted at the surface and at the end of the drop, it is totally internally reflected in which the reflected light returns to the front surface, where it again undergoes refraction as it moves from water to air. The result of this is a dispersed light of colours of different wavelengths.

102.

Name the type of equilibrium for each position of the ball

A.

A - unstable, B - neutral, C - stable

B.

A - stable, B - neutral, C - unstable

C.

A - stable, B - unstable, C - neutral

D.

A - unstable, B - stable, C - neutral

Correct answer is D

Object A will undergo unstable equilibrium as it can move farther from its original position

Object B will undergo stable equilibrium as it can return to its original position

Object C will undergo neutral equilibrium as it can remain in a new position

103.

The number of holes in an intrinsic semiconductor

A.

is not equal to the number of free electrons

B.

is greater than the number of free electrons

C.

is equal to the number of free electrons

D.

is less than the number of free electrons

Correct answer is C

An intrinsic semiconductor, also called an undoped semiconductor, is a pure semiconductor. In intrinsic semiconductors the number of excited electrons and the number of holes are equal: n = p

104.

The half life of a radioactive material is 12 days. Calculate the decay constant.

A.

0.8663 \(day^{-1}\)

B.

0.04331 \(day^{-1}\)

C.

0.17325 \(day^{-1}\)

D.

0.05775 \(day^{-1}\)

Correct answer is D

\(T_ {^1/_2}\) = 12 days ;V=?

\(T_ {^1/_2}\) = \(\frac{0.693}{γ}\)

⇒γ ⇒\(\frac{0.693}{t_{^1/_2}}\)

⇒γ =\(\frac{0.693}{12}\)

⇒γ= 0.05775 \(day^{-1}\)

105.

A lorry accelerates uniformly in a straight line with acceleration of  \(4ms^-2\) and covers a distance of 250 m in a time interval of 10 s. How far will it travel in the next 10 s?

A.

650

B.

900

C.

800

D.

250

Correct answer is A

We first find the lorry's initial velocity
 

a = \(4ms^-2\), s= 250m,  t= 10,  u=?

⇒ ut +  \(\frac{1}{2}×4×(10^2)


⇒250= 10u + 200


⇒ 250-200 = 10u


⇒ 50 = 10u


⇒U =\frac{50}{10}\) = \(5ms^-1\)

For the next 10s, we set t=20s

= s = (5 × 20) + \(\frac{1}{2}×4×{20^2}\)

= s  = 100 + 800

⇒ 900 m

;Distance covered:900-250 =650m
 


 

106.

The terminals of a battery of emf 24.0 V and internal resistance of 1.0 Ω is connected to an external resistor 5.0 Ω. Find the terminal p.d.

A.

18.0V

B.

12.0V

C.

16.0V

D.

20.0V

Correct answer is D

ε = 24.0 V,  r=1Ω,  R=5.0Ω

terminal p·d = ?

ε = IR+Ir = I(R+r) 

⇒ IR+Ir = I(R+r)
 
⇒ I = \(\frac{24}{5+1}\)

⇒ I =\(\frac{24}{6}\)

⇒ I = 4 A

terminal p·d = 4 × 5  

terminal p·d  =  20.0 V

107.

Calculate the absolute pressure at the bottom of a lake at a depth of 32.8 m. Assume the density of the water is 1 x 10^3 kgm-3 and the air above is at a pressure of 101.3 kPa.

[Take g = 9.8 ms-2]

A.

422.7

B.

220.14

C.

464.53

D.

321.74

Correct answer is A

h=32·8m,      p=  \(1×10^3kgm^-3\)

g=9·8 \(ms^-2\) ,   \(P_a\)=101·3KPa

\(P_T\)= ?

P=hpg

⇒\(32·8×1×10^3 × 9·8\)=321440 \(P_a\)

⇒321·44KPa

⇒ \(P_T\) =321.44+101.3

;\(P_T\)=422·7KPa

108.

On a particular hot day, the temperature is 40°C and the partial pressure of water vapor in the air is 38.8 mmHg. What is the relative humidity?

 

A.

70

B.

62

C.

80

D.

42

Correct answer is A

Relative Humidity=  \(\frac {partial  pressure  of  H2O}{saturated  vapor  pressure  of  H2O}\)×100%

S.v.p. of water at 40°c = 55.3

⇒ Relative Humidity=  \(\frac{38.8}{55.3}\)×100%

Relative Humidity= 70%

109.

A missile is launched with a speed of 75 ms-1 at an angle of 22° above the surface of a warship. Find the horizontal range achieved by the missile. Ignore the effects of air resistance.

[Take g = 10 ms-2]

A.

195 m

B.

271 m

C.

391 m

D.

136 m

Correct answer is C

U= 75 \(ms^-1\) =22º,   g= 10 \(ms^-2\) ,   R=?
 

   R=     \(\frac{U^2sin2\theta}{g}\)


⇒R=     \(\frac{75^2×sin2(22)}{10}\)

⇒R=      \(\frac{5625×Sin44}{10}\)

⇒R=      \(\frac{5625×0.6947}{10}\)

⇒R=      \(\frac{3907.69}{10}\)


 ⇒    391m


 


110.

Find the tension in the two cords shown in the figure above. Neglect the mass of the cords, and assume that the angle is 38° and the mass m is 220 kg

[Take g = 9.8 ms-2]

A.

\(T_1\) = 2864 N, \(T_2\)= 3612 N

B.

\(T_1\)= 3612 N, \(T_2\) = 2864 N

C.

\(T_1\)= 3502 N, \(T_2\)= 2760 N

D.

\(T_1\) = 2760 N, \(T_2\) = 3502 N

Correct answer is C

W =  mg  = 220 x 9.8 = 2156 N


⇒Sin 38º = \(\frac{2156}{T_1}\)

⇒ \(T_1\) =    \(\frac{2156}{Sin 38}\)

⇒ \(T_1\) =     3502 N

 

Cos 38º =  \(\frac{T_2}{T_1}\)

⇒ \(T_2\)  =   3502 x Cos 38º

⇒ \(T_2\) =   2760 N

 

;    \(T_1\) =   3502 N,  \(T_2\) = 2760 N.

 

 


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