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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.

When observing an iceberg floating in the sea, roughly what portion of it remains visible above the water line?

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Answer: C. 1/10th

Ice is about nine tenths as dense as sea water, so a floating iceberg displaces its own weight by sinking roughly nine tenths of its volume. Only about a tenth shows above the waterline. The hidden nine tenths is also wh...

The optical relation θ = 1.22 λ/D was originally formulated by_______________?

Select your answer for: The optical relation θ = 1.22 λ/D was originally formulated by_______________?
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Answer: C. Raleigh

Lord Rayleigh formulated the optical resolution criterion for circular aperture instruments. The equation theta equals 1.22 lambda over D determines minimum resolvable angle. It accounts for light diffraction effects pas...

What is the smallest number of vectors of unequal magnitude needed to produce a zero vector sum?

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Answer: C. Three

Three vectors of unequal magnitude can sum to zero if they form a closed triangle. Coplanaer vectors arranged head-to-tail without remaining gaps produce a zero resultant vector. Fewer than three unequal vectors cannot p...

What effects are associated with a magnetic field___________________?

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Answer: D. exerts a force if the charged particle is moving perpendicular to the magnetic field lines

A magnetic field exerts a maximum force on a charged particle when it moves perpendicularly to the field lines. The magnetic force is proportional to the cross product of velocity and magnetic field vectors. Particles mo...

As one electron is pushed closer to another, what happens to the electrostatic potential energy of the two-electron system

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Answer: B. increases

Pushing two like-charged electrons together requires performing external mechanical work against electrostatic repulsion forces. This applied work is stored directly inside the two-particle system as increased electrosta...

An effective strategy for enhancing the sensitivity of a moving-coil galvanometer involves___________________?

Select your answer for: An effective strategy for enhancing the sensitivity of a moving-coil galvanometer involves___________________?
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Answer: D. use a very strong magnetic field

Using a very strong magnetic field maximizes the deflecting torque per unit current in a galvanometer. Stronger magnetic flux density increases the magnetic force acting on the current-carrying coil. Higher deflecting to...

Which set of concurrent forces can successfully result in static equilibrium?

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Answer: D. 12N, 5N, 15N

Concurrent forces can achieve static equilibrium only if their vector sum equals zero and their lines of action intersect. The triangle inequality theorem requires that the sum of any two side lengths must exceed the thi...

Why might a cyclist skid while navigating a circular racing track_____________?

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Answer: B. the centripetal force upon him is greater than limiting friction

Navigating a circular racing track requires a continuous centripetal force directed toward the curve center. Limiting friction between the tires and road provides the necessary horizontal centripetal force for turning. W...

What cannot be emitted during an electronic transition within an atom______________?

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Answer: A. γ-rays

Gamma rays originate from atomic nuclei during radioactive decay or high-energy nuclear transitions. In contrast, electronic transitions involve electrons shifting between energy levels within atomic shells. Therefore, g...

When the crest of one wave coincides with the trough of another, this phenomenon is designated as________________?

Select your answer for: When the crest of one wave coincides with the trough of another, this phenomenon is designated as________________?
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Answer: C. destructive interference

When a wave crest coincides with a trough of another wave, they are completely out of phase. Adding equal crest and trough amplitudes together results in total cancellation of the wave motion. This destructive interferen...

What is the primary function of a mass spectrometer____________?

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Answer: C. Elements

A mass spectrometer separates ions to determine the mass-to-charge ratio and identify chemical elements and isotopes. Samples must be ionized before entering the spectrometer's electric and magnetic fields. This analytic...

What happens to a double-slit interference pattern when one of the slits is blocked________________?

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Answer: A. no interference fringes are observed

Producing an optical interference pattern requires two distinct coherent light sources acting simultaneously together. Blocking one of the two slits eliminates the second necessary light source from the experimental setu...

The thermal efficiency of a Carnot engine operating between thermal reservoirs at 150°C and 50°C is__________?

Select your answer for: The thermal efficiency of a Carnot engine operating between thermal reservoirs at 150°C and 50°C is__________?
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Answer: C. 23.6%

Carnot engine thermal efficiency is calculated using absolute thermodynamic temperatures measured in Kelvin. Converting Celsius temperatures gives source temperature four hundred twenty-three Kelvin and sink temperature...

Which process serves as the inverse operation to vector composition (addition)?

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Answer: D. Resolution of vectors

Vector composition combines multiple separate vectors into a single resultant vector sum. Resolution of vectors takes a single resultant vector and splits it into independent components. Because resolution reverses vecto...