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.

11.

A ball, P, is released from the roof of a building at the same time as another ball, Q, is thrown vertically upward from the base of the building. Which of the following statements is correct?

A.

The acceleration of P is greater than that of Q and both are in the same direction.

B.

The acceleration of P is less than that of Q and both are in the same direction.

C.

The acceleration of P is equal to that of Q and both are in the same direction.

D.

The acceleration of P is equal to that of Q and are in opposite directions.

Correct answer is C

The correct statement is:
The acceleration of P is equal to that of Q and both are in the same direction.
When ball P is released from the roof of the building, it falls freely under the influence of gravity. Similarly, when ball Q is thrown vertically upward, it initially moves upward but is also under the influence of gravity, which acts to slow it down and eventually makes it fall back down.
Both balls, P and Q, are subjected to the same acceleration due to gravity (assuming no other forces are acting on them), which is approximately 9.8 m/s² near the surface of the Earth, and this acceleration acts in the downward direction. Therefore, the acceleration of P is equal to the acceleration of Q, and both are in the same direction, which is downward.

12.

The colours of the visible light region of the electromagnetic spectrum that have the shortest and longest wavelengths respectively are

A.

red and blue.

B.

indigo and violet

C.

violet and red.

D.

yellow and blue.

Correct answer is C

The colors of the visible light spectrum with the shortest and longest wavelengths respectively are:

Violet and red.

Violet light has the shortest wavelength among visible colors, while red light has the longest wavelength. The visible light spectrum, in order of increasing wavelength, goes from violet to blue, green, yellow, orange, and finally red.

13.

The property of a body that determines the direction of heat flow when the body is in contact with another body is the

A.

Heat capacity

B.

mass

C.

Power

D.

Temperature

Correct answer is D

The property of a body that determines the direction of heat flow when the body is in contact with another body is the temperature.

Heat naturally flows from a body at a higher temperature to a body at a lower temperature. Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. When two objects at different temperatures come into contact, heat energy tends to transfer from the warmer object to the cooler one until they reach thermal equilibrium (they are at the same temperature). This is known as the second law of thermodynamics, which describes the direction of heat flow.

14.

The sagging of overhead electrical wires is caused by

A.

radiation of heat.

B.

rough handling.

C.

gravitational attraction

D.

Linear expansion

Correct answer is D

The sagging of overhead electrical wires is caused by linear expansion.

Linear expansion is the tendency of materials to expand in length when they are heated. When overhead electrical wires are heated by the sun, they expand and sag.

15.

A direct current cannot pass through a parallel plate capacitor because

A.

the plates are non-conducting.

B.

the dielectric between the plates is non-conducting.

C.

there is a leakage of charge from the plates.

D.

the plates have equal but opposite charges.

Correct answer is B

A direct current (DC) cannot pass through a parallel plate capacitor because the dielectric between the plates is non-conducting.

In a parallel plate capacitor, two conductive plates are separated by a dielectric material (usually an insulator). When a voltage (potential difference) is applied across the plates, it creates an electric field between them, which stores electrical energy in the form of electric potential. The dielectric material between the plates is a non-conducting material, which means it does not allow the flow of electric current. Therefore, in a DC circuit, where current is the flow of charge over time, current cannot flow through the dielectric. Instead, the dielectric serves to store energy in the electric field between the plates without allowing the passage of charge.

17.

A cell of emf 2 V has an internal resistance of 0.5 Ω. A current of 0.4 A passes through an external resistor, P. Determine the resistance of P.

A.

4.5Ω

B.

C.

D.

Correct answer is A

E = 2V, r = 0.5Ω, I = 0.4A, P = ?

 E = I( R + r )

R = \(\frac{ E}{I} - r \)

R =  \(\frac{ 2}{0.4} - 0.5\)

R = 5 - 0.5 = 4.5Ω

18.

When a light-weight body and a massive body are acted upon by the same force for the same period of time, the

A.

massive body has a higher momentum.

B.

massive body builds up a higher velocity.

C.

lighter body has a higher momentum.

D.

momenta of both bodies remain the same.

Correct answer is D

When a lightweight body and a massive body are acted upon by the same force for the same time, the momenta of both bodies remain the same.

Given that the momenta of both the heavy and light bodies are the same, it follows that the light body possesses a higher velocity compared to the heavy body.

19.

The specific latent heat of vapourization of lead is 8.7 × \(10^5 Jkg_1\). This means that 8.7 × \(10^5\) J of thermal energy is required to change

A.

a given mass of molten lead to vapour at constant temperature and pressure.

B.

1 kg of molten lead to vapour at constant temperature and pressure.

C.

1 kg of solid lead to vapour at constant temperature and pressure.

D.

1 kg of molten lead to vapour for every degree rise in temperature.

Correct answer is B

The specific latent heat of vaporization of lead is the amount of thermal energy required to change 1 kg of molten lead to vapor at constant temperature and pressure.

20.

A liquid is left in an open dish. After several days, there is less liquid in the dish. Which of the following statements explains this observation? The

A.

most energetic molecules leave the surface and escape into the air.

B.

least energetic molecules leave the surface and escape into air.

C.

most energetic molecules leave the surface and return.

D.

least energetic molecules leave the surface and return.

Correct answer is A

The statement that explains the observation is:

The most energetic molecules leave the surface and escape into the air.

This phenomenon is known as evaporation. In a liquid, molecules have varying energies, and the molecules with higher kinetic energies (the most energetic ones) are more likely to overcome the attractive forces within the liquid and transition into the gaseous phase. These molecules escape from the surface of the liquid into the air, gradually reducing the amount of liquid in the open dish. Evaporation is a process that occurs continuously as long as there is a liquid exposed to the air.