Skip to main content
Sign in Register
Subject Overview

Physics MCQs

Physics holds 894 questions with answers, free to read and with no account needed. They are grouped into 1 category: Physics.

Attempt each question before revealing the answer, and keep a note of the ones you get wrong — those are the topics worth reading about properly. If an answer looks wrong, there is a link to report it on every question.

The linear velocity vector of a particle traveling along a circular path points in a direction that is______________?

Select your answer for: The linear velocity vector of a particle traveling along a circular path points in a direction that is______________?
Show answer

Answer: B. along the tangent

Linear velocity of a particle moving in a circle is a vector directed along the geometric tangent. At any instant, the circular path direction matches the straight tangent line passing through that point. Centripetal acc...

Which of the listed options does not represent a unit of physical length?

Select your answer for: Which of the listed options does not represent a unit of physical length?
Show answer

Answer: B. radian

A radian is a dimensionless unit used exclusively to measure plane angles in geometry and trigonometry. Light years, angstroms, and microns are all well-established standard units of physical length. Comparing dimensions...

Why is a fuse connected in series within an electrical circuit__________________?

Select your answer for: Why is a fuse connected in series within an electrical circuit__________________?
Show answer

Answer: D. over heating

An electrical fuse is placed in series to melt and break the circuit when excessive current causes overheating. Connecting the fuse in series ensures that the entire circuit current flows through it. When current exceeds...

What causes the damping effect in a simple pendulum__________________?

Select your answer for: What causes the damping effect in a simple pendulum__________________?
Show answer

Answer: A. Drag force of air

Swinging pendulums encounter air molecules that exert resistive frictional forces against motion. This continuous aerodynamic drag removes mechanical energy from the oscillating pendulum system. Gradual energy loss cause...

The linear distance traversed by an object from rest over time interval t equals__________________?

Select your answer for: The linear distance traversed by an object from rest over time interval t equals__________________?
Show answer

Answer: A. at2/2

An object starting from rest with constant acceleration covers a distance given by basic kinematics. Integrating velocity over time yields the standard displacement formula s equals one half a t squared. The initial velo...

When a sound source moves away from a stationary observer, what phenomenon ______________ takes place?

Select your answer for: When a sound source moves away from a stationary observer, what phenomenon ______________ takes place?
Show answer

Answer: B. an apparent decrease in frequency

Sound waves emitted by a moving source get stretched out behind the traveling object. Longer wavelengths correspond directly to lower frequencies perceived by any stationary observer nearby. This phenomenon is a direct m...

What particle possesses the mass of an electron paired with the positive charge of a proton______________?

Select your answer for: What particle possesses the mass of an electron paired with the positive charge of a proton______________?
Show answer

Answer: B. Positron

A positron is classified as the antimatter counterpart of the ordinary subatomic electron. It possesses the exact same rest mass as an electron measured in physics laboratories. Unlike the negative electron, a positron c...

In cricket, when a bowler achieves reverse swing, in what direction does the ball curve______________?

Select your answer for: In cricket, when a bowler achieves reverse swing, in what direction does the ball curve______________?
Show answer

Answer: A. The shinning side of the ball

Laminar flow over the shiny side creates pressure differentials causing reverse swing. The shining side remains smooth, generating different aerodynamic forces than rough surfaces. Reverse swing forces the cricket ball t...

The scalar dot product between force and velocity evaluates to__________________?

Select your answer for: The scalar dot product between force and velocity evaluates to__________________?
Show answer

Answer: A. power

The scalar dot product of force and velocity yields mechanical power (P equals F dot v). Multiplying the magnitude of an applied force by the velocity component acting in the same direction calculates work done per unit...

Which of the following represents a non-conservative force_________________?

Select your answer for: Which of the following represents a non-conservative force_________________?
Show answer

Answer: A. friction

Frictional force dissipates mechanical energy by converting kinetic energy into thermal heat energy. The work done by friction depends heavily on the specific path taken between two points. Forces whose work depends on t...

A particle of mass m, charge q, and speed V moves in a magnetic field, tracing a circular path of radius r. How is this radius expressed_________________?

Select your answer for: A particle of mass m, charge q, and speed V moves in a magnetic field, tracing a circular path of radius r. How is this radius expressed_________________?
Show answer

Answer: D. directly proportional to B

The radius of a charged particle's circular path in a magnetic field is directly proportional to magnetic field parameters. Lorentz force equations dictate how magnetic fields bend moving charges into circular trajectori...

What property of protons is demonstrated by their diffraction through crystals in the Davisson-Germer experiment______________?

Select your answer for: What property of protons is demonstrated by their diffraction through crystals in the Davisson-Germer experiment______________?
Show answer

Answer: B. Wave property

Crystal diffraction experiments demonstrate the wave properties of particles. Davisson and Germer proved electrons and protons exhibit de Broglie wavelengths. Interference patterns confirm wave behavior for massive subat...

The phenomenon where fluid pressure drops as its flow velocity increases inside a horizontal conduit is known as______________?

Select your answer for: The phenomenon where fluid pressure drops as its flow velocity increases inside a horizontal conduit is known as______________?
Show answer

Answer: C. Venturi effect

The Venturi effect describes fluid pressure drops inside constricted pipe sections. Continuity equations dictate that flow velocity must increase through narrower pipe constrictions. Bernoulli's principle explains that h...

What optical device is utilized to make the trajectory of visible light rays visible?

Select your answer for: What optical device is utilized to make the trajectory of visible light rays visible?
Show answer

Answer: B. Wilson Cloud Detector

Wilson cloud chambers utilize supersaturated vapor to reveal invisible particle paths. Passing radiation ionizes gas molecules along its trajectory in the chamber. Condensation droplets form instantly around these ions,...

When a light beam crosses from an optically rarer to a denser medium, what phase shift occurs__________________?

Select your answer for: When a light beam crosses from an optically rarer to a denser medium, what phase shift occurs__________________?
Show answer

Answer: C. 180°

Light reflecting off a denser medium boundary undergoes a 180 degree phase shift. This inversion corresponds to a half-cycle delay in the reflected wave's oscillation. Boundary conditions at the interface mandate this ph...