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.

4,081.

A simple pendulum has a period of 17.0s. When the length is shorten by 1.5m, its period is 8.5s. Calculate the original length of the pendulum

A.

4.0 m

B.

5.0 m

C.

2.0 m

D.

1.5 m

Correct answer is C

For a simple pendulum, the period T = 2π
  1/g 

Since g, 2 and π are constant, => T ∝ √l
∴ T = K√l
Let the original length = l
thus for the length l, period T = 17s
∴ 17 = K√1 .................. [1]
Again, for the new length [1 - 1.5]
the period T = 8.5s
∴ 8.5 = k
 [1-1.5] ...............[2]

thus dividing eqn [1] by eqn[2] we have
17/8.5 = √(l/l-1.5)
∴2 = √(l/l-1.5)
=>4 = (l/l-1.5)
∴l = 4[l-1.5]
= 4l - 6.0
∴4l - l = 6.0
3l = 6.0
l = 2.0m

4,082.

The velocity y of a particle in a time t is given by the equation
y = 10 + 2t2
Find the instantaneous acceleration after 5 seconds

A.

60 ms-2

B.

20 ms-2

C.

15 ms-2

D.

10 ms-2

Correct answer is B

The velocity V = 10 + 2t2
But acceleration, a = dv/dt
thus if V = 10 + 2t2
dv/dt = 4t
And t = 5s then a = 4x5 = 20m/s2
∴a = 20ms

4,083.

In the series a.c circuit shown above, the p.d across the inductor is 8Vr.m.s and that across the resistor is 6Vr.m.s. The effective voltage is

A.

2V

B.

10V

C.

14V

D.

48V

Correct answer is E

The effective V =
VR2 + VL2

=
62 + 82

=
36 + 64

=
100

10V

4,084.

In the diagram above, if the internal resistance of the cell is zero, the ration of the powers P1 and P2 dissipated by R1 and R2

A.

R2/R1

B.

R1/R2

C.

R1+R2/R1

D.

R1+R2/R2

Correct answer is A

Power = IV = I2R = V2/R
In terms of e.m.f E, of a cell we have
IE = I2R = E2/R
∴P1 = E2/R; P2 = E2/R2/E2/R2
= E2/R1 x R2/E2 = R2/R1
P1/P2 = R2/R1

4,085.

In the circuit above, The potential across each capacitor is 100V. The total energy stored in the two capacitors is

A.

3.0 x 104J

B.

3.0 x 102J

C.

2.5 x 10-2J

D.

6.0 x 10-3J

Correct answer is C

Energy stored in a capacitor is given by
E = 1/2CV2
But effective capacitance for the parallel arrangement is given by
C = C1 + C2
= 2 + 3
= 5μF = 5 x 10-6 x (100)2
∴E = 1/2CV2
= 1/2 x 5 x 10-6 x 104
2.9 x 10-2J