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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.

An elastic cord experiences a stretch of 1 owing to an applied load F. The internal energy stored inside the cord is____________________?

Select your answer for: An elastic cord experiences a stretch of 1 owing to an applied load F. The internal energy stored inside the cord is____________________?
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Answer: A. The extension of the wire is proportional to the force applied

Hooke law establishes that extension in elastic materials is directly proportional to applied load forces. Internal elastic potential energy stored in stretched cords depends on the applied force and extension. Linear el...

What physical principle is applied when taking an X-ray image of a hand______________?

Select your answer for: What physical principle is applied when taking an X-ray image of a hand______________?
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Answer: C. shadow photograph

X-ray imaging passes penetrating radiation through different bodily tissues onto detectors. Dense bones absorb more X-rays while soft tissues allow radiation to pass through freely. This differential tissue absorption cr...

The least count of a Vernier caliper featuring 10 divisions on its Vernier scale is ________?

Select your answer for: The least count of a Vernier caliper featuring 10 divisions on its Vernier scale is ________?
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Answer: C. 0.1mm

The least count of a Vernier caliper with 10 divisions on the Vernier scale is 0.1 mm. Least count is calculated as the main scale division value minus the Vernier scale division value. Ten Vernier divisions matching nin...

An electron moving at uniform speed in a vacuum enters a magnetic field perpendicularly; its subsequent trajectory is ___________________?

Select your answer for: An electron moving at uniform speed in a vacuum enters a magnetic field perpendicularly; its subsequent trajectory is ___________________?
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Answer: C. a circle in a plane perpendicular to the field

A magnetic force always acts perpendicularly to the velocity of a moving charged particle. This constant perpendicular force provides the necessary centripetal force for circular motion. The resulting trajectory is a cir...

A steel wire (length 4m, cross-section 3×10-6m2, Young's modulus 2×1011 Nm-2) is stretched by 1mm. What is the stored elastic energy___________________?

Select your answer for: A steel wire (length 4m, cross-section 3×10-6m2, Young's modulus 2×1011 Nm-2) is stretched by 1mm. What is the stored elastic energy___________________?
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Answer: C. 0.75J

Stored elastic potential energy is calculated as 0.5 * F * delta_l or using Young's modulus formulas. Substituting the area, length, elongation, and Young's modulus into the energy formula gives the result. Calculating 0...

Based on the accompanying diagram, what is the measured terminal potential difference ___________________ ?

Select your answer for: Based on the accompanying diagram, what is the measured terminal potential difference ___________________ ?
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Answer: A. zero

Terminal potential difference evaluates to zero when short circuits eliminate voltage drops. No current flows through external loads during open switch or shorted conditions. Internal resistance and EMF balance out perfe...

An object's rest mass doubles when it travels at a velocity of __________?

Select your answer for: An object's rest mass doubles when it travels at a velocity of __________?
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Answer: B. 2.6×10⁶ m/s

Relativistic mass increase follows the specific equation incorporating the Lorentz factor for high velocity motion. Doubling the rest mass requires a velocity that produces a Lorentz factor equal to two. Substituting thi...

Which energy band remains entirely populated with electrons in solid conductors ?

Select your answer for: Which energy band remains entirely populated with electrons in solid conductors ?
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Answer: A. Conduction band

In solid conductors, the valence band overlaps with the conduction band, and the lowest energy band (valence band) is completely filled with electrons.

What is the term for a body that generates its own illumination___________________?

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Answer: A. luminous

A luminous body generates its own visible light through internal physical or chemical processes. This generation distinguishes self-illuminating objects from those that merely reflect ambient light. The term luminous dir...

Why does a bright spot appear at the center of a ball's shadow_________________?

Select your answer for: Why does a bright spot appear at the center of a ball's shadow_________________?
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Answer: B. Diffraction

Light waves diffract around the edges of a spherical obstacle. Constructive interference at the exact center creates a bright spot. This classic optical phenomenon is known historically as Poisson spot. Diffraction cause...

What is the physical length of a standard seconds pendulum_________________?

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Answer: C. 99.2 cm

A standard seconds pendulum is defined as having a complete period of precisely two seconds. Using the pendulum period formula and local gravity yields a calculated length near ninety nine point two centimeters. Precisio...

Passing an identical electric current for the same duration through a thick and a thin wire results in_________________?

Select your answer for: Passing an identical electric current for the same duration through a thick and a thin wire results in_________________?
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Answer: B. more heat is produced in thin wire

A thin wire possesses a much higher electrical resistance than a thick wire of equal length. According to Joules law, higher resistance directly translates into greater thermal energy generation during current flow. The...

What factors determine the absolute uncertainty associated with a physical measurement______________?

Select your answer for: What factors determine the absolute uncertainty associated with a physical measurement______________?
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Answer: B. Least count of the instrument

Absolute uncertainty of a direct physical measurement is typically determined by the least count of the measuring instrument. Instruments like rulers or micrometers have a minimum graduation that sets the limit of readin...

In which trigonometric quadrant is the tangent function strictly positive?

Select your answer for: In which trigonometric quadrant is the tangent function strictly positive?
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Answer: D. Both 1st and 3rd

The trigonometric tangent function represents the ratio of the sine function to the cosine function. In the first quadrant both sine and cosine are positive making their ratio strictly positive. In the third quadrant bot...

Optical fiber communication systems rely on light characterized as________?

Select your answer for: Optical fiber communication systems rely on light characterized as________?
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Answer: B. Monochromatic

Optical fiber communication systems require monochromatic light to avoid severe chromatic dispersion across long distances. Lasers provide this single frequency light, which ensures signals do not distort during transmis...