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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.

Which substance exhibits the highest elastic modulus (elasticity) among common materials ?

Select your answer for: Which substance exhibits the highest elastic modulus (elasticity) among common materials ?
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Answer: B. Steel

Elastic modulus measures a material resistance to being elastically deformed when a stress is applied to it. Steel possesses an exceptionally high Young modulus compared to common structural metals and soft polymers. Thi...

What type of equipment is used to accelerate atomic nuclei to high speeds ________________?

Select your answer for: What type of equipment is used to accelerate atomic nuclei to high speeds ________________?
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Answer: B. Linear accelerator

Linear accelerators employ synchronized oscillating electric fields to impart high velocities to charged particles. Charged atomic nuclei experience continuous electrostatic acceleration as they pass through consecutive...

How is the laser emission achieved in a Helium-Neon (He-Ne) laser_______________?

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Answer: A. Ne only

In a Helium-Neon laser, population inversion and subsequent laser emission occur exclusively in the Neon atoms. Helium atoms serve an auxiliary role by absorbing electrical energy and colliding with Neon atoms. Thus, las...

The absorption of energy by a driven physical system reaches its peak value during __________________?

Select your answer for: The absorption of energy by a driven physical system reaches its peak value during __________________?
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Answer: C. Maximum only

Resonance occurs when a driven system absorbs the maximum amount of energy from an external force. Energy transfer peaks when the driving frequency matches the natural frequency of the physical system. Maximum amplitude...

Two bodies approaching each other at constant speed reduce their separation at 6 m/s; moving in the same direction, their separation increases at 4 m/s. What are their individual speeds________________?

Select your answer for: Two bodies approaching each other at constant speed reduce their separation at 6 m/s; moving in the same direction, their separation increases at 4 m/s. What are their individual speeds________________?
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Answer: A. 5m/s, 1m/s

Let the two individual speeds be represented by u and v moving in opposite directions. When approaching each other, their relative speed of separation reduction is their sum, u plus v equals six. When moving in the same...

What physical system is formed by an artificial satellite orbiting the Earth______________?

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Answer: B. Non-inertial frame

An artificial satellite orbiting Earth accelerates towards the center, making it a non-inertial reference frame. Because the satellite experiences centripetal acceleration, Newton's laws require fictitious forces inside....

Under what conditions is the wavelength shift maximized in Compton scattering_______________?

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Answer: C. The angle of scattering is 180°

The Compton wavelength shift depends on the scattering angle through the cosine term in the numerator. When the scattering angle reaches one hundred eighty degrees, the cosine of that angle equals negative one. Subtracti...

Which of the following is excluded from being an example of projectile motion ?

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Answer: A. a gas filled ballon

A gas-filled balloon experiences significant upward buoyant forces from the surrounding atmospheric air. True projectile motion assumes the only acting force on the object is downward gravity. Buoyancy and aerodynamic li...

A simple pendulum with a bob of mass m has frequency f. If the bob is swapped for a heavier one of mass 2m, what will its new frequency be?

Select your answer for: A simple pendulum with a bob of mass m has frequency f. If the bob is swapped for a heavier one of mass 2m, what will its new frequency be?
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Answer: C. frequency lower than 20 Hz

The frequency of a simple pendulum is independent of its mass, but specific options reflect general wave properties.

During full-wave rectification, over what portion of the AC cycle is a DC output voltage obtained across the load_____________?

Select your answer for: During full-wave rectification, over what portion of the AC cycle is a DC output voltage obtained across the load_____________?
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Answer: C. The complete cycle of input A.C.

Full-wave rectifiers utilize diode bridge configurations to redirect alternating current phases. Both positive and negative input halves are inverted to flow in one uniform direction. A pulsating direct current output is...

The total mechanical energy of an oscillator undergoing simple harmonic motion reaches maximum at_______________?

Select your answer for: The total mechanical energy of an oscillator undergoing simple harmonic motion reaches maximum at_______________?
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Answer: D. All positions during SHM

Simple harmonic motion involves continuous energy interconversion between kinetic and potential forms. Total mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic and potential energies at any specific instant. Since friction is absen...

Which substance lacks optical activity ?

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Answer: C. water

Optical activity requires molecules to possess a chiral asymmetry that rotates plane polarized light. Pure water molecules have a symmetric structure that lacks optical chirality. As a result, light passing through pure...

A sensitive 50? galvanometer yields full-scale deflection at 100 mV. What is the maximum safe operating current for this device__________________?

Select your answer for: A sensitive 50? galvanometer yields full-scale deflection at 100 mV. What is the maximum safe operating current for this device__________________?
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Answer: A. 2.0 mA

Ohm law relates maximum voltage and internal resistance to determine the safe operating current limit. Dividing the full-scale voltage of one hundred millivolts by the resistance of fifty ohms yields the result. The resu...

In half-wave rectification, during what fraction of the input cycle is output DC voltage delivered across the load_______________?

Select your answer for: In half-wave rectification, during what fraction of the input cycle is output DC voltage delivered across the load_______________?
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Answer: B. The positive half cycle of A.C.

Half wave rectifiers allow current passage during only one alternating cycle half. Positive half cycles pass through the diode while negative halves are blocked. Output direct voltage is delivered for exactly half of the...