Question 1

Materials science of waterproof fabrics: Why are raincoats and tents waterproof?  Consider the property or treatment that prevents water penetration through fabric.  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept Waterproofing is achieved by applying impermeable coatings/laminates that seal fabric pores and suppress capillary wicking. Surface tension alone cannot guarantee waterproofing under pressure. Final Answer Because they are coated/laminated (e.g., with rubber, PVC, PU) to block pores and prevent capillary action

Question 2

Mechanics of propulsion: A fan mounted on a stationary sailboat blows air onto its own sail — what happens?  Assume still air and no external wind; the fan and sail are rigidly attached to the same boat (closed system).  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept Newton's third law and momentum conservation: fan pushes air forward; air pushes sail back ⇒ internal action–reaction cancel within the boat–air (confined) system. Net external force ≈ 0 in still air. Notes Real effects (leaks, drag to ambient) are tiny; ideal conclusion: no net motion. Final Answer The boat remains essentially at rest (internal forces cancel; only small losses)

Question 3

Atmospheric optics: What physical effects produce a rainbow in the sky?  Explain the formation mechanism in raindrops for primary rainbow appearance.  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Mechanism Sunlight refracts into a raindrop, disperses into colors, reflects internally (typically once for the primary bow), and refracts out, concentrating rays near ~42° for red. Final Answer Refraction, dispersion, and internal reflection of sunlight in raindrops

Question 4

Low-temperature physics: What defines a superconductor? Choose the most accurate description of electrical and magnetic behavior below a critical temperature T_c. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Definition A superconductor exhibits zero DC resistance and expels magnetic fields (Meissner effect) below its critical temperature. Final Answer Zero electrical resistance and Meissner effect (expulsion of magnetic field) below Tc

Question 5

Rolling vs. pulling: Why is it easier to roll a heavy barrel than to pull/slide it?  Compare the resisting forces involved during rolling and sliding on a rough surface.  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept Sliding involves kinetic friction (μkN), typically large; rolling involves rolling resistance due to deformation and contact, usually far smaller ⇒ less effort needed. Final Answer Rolling friction is much smaller than sliding friction

Question 6

Industrial materials: In which industry is mica primarily used as a raw material?  Identify the sector that exploits mica's electrical insulating and heat-resistant properties most extensively.  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Reason Mica has excellent dielectric strength and thermal stability, making it valuable in electrical insulation, capacitors, commutators, and heating appliances. Final Answer Electrical and electronics (insulation, capacitors)

Question 7

Aircraft cabins: What is the air pressure inside a commercial aircraft at high altitude?  Consider a pressurized passenger jet cruising; compare cabin pressure to outside air and to sea-level pressure.  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Facts Cabins are pressurized to a comfortable 'cabin altitude' (often ≤ ~8000 ft), which is below sea-level pressure but vastly above the external pressure at 30–40k ft. Final Answer Lower than sea-level pressure but much higher than outside ambient (pressurized cabin)

Question 8

Electrostatics and charge motion: If point A is at a lower electric potential than point B, how does an electron between A and B move?  Assume the electron is free to move along the line joining A and B with no other forces.  Choose the correct opti…

Accepted Answer

Concept Electric field points from higher potential to lower potential. An electron (negative charge) accelerates opposite to E, i.e., toward higher potential. Final Answer From A to B (toward higher potential)

Question 9

Work vs. effort: Why is it easier to roll a stone up an inclined road than to lift it vertically?  Analyze in terms of work done and applied force (mechanical advantage of an incline).  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Energy view Raising height h requires work W = mgh (ideal, ignoring friction) either way. An incline provides mechanical advantage: smaller force over larger distance. Final Answer Because the applied force is smaller over a longer distance; total work (mgh) is the same

Question 10

Relative motion in rain: A man runs eastward while rain falls vertically — from which apparent direction does the rain seem to come?  Assume still air aloft; runner’s speed is horizontal toward the east.  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Relative velocity Apparent rain velocity = vrain − vrunner. With vrain vertical and vrunner eastward, the apparent direction is tilted, coming from the east. Final Answer From the east (slanted toward his face)

Question 11

Household electricity safety: Why shouldn’t many appliances be connected to the same power socket?  Consider effects on current, wiring temperature, and voltage drop in domestic circuits.  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Reason Multiple high-wattage devices draw excessive current through a single outlet, overheating cords/contacts and tripping breakers; fire hazard and voltage sag may result. Final Answer It causes overloading and overheating of the socket/wiring, risking fire and voltage drop

Question 12

Nuclear discoveries: Who discovered natural radioactivity?  Identify the scientist associated with the 1896 discovery of spontaneous radioactivity in uranium salts.  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

History In 1896, Henri Becquerel observed spontaneous emission from uranium salts fogging photographic plates, revealing natural radioactivity; Marie and Pierre Curie later isolated Ra and Po. Final Answer Henri Becquerel

Question 13

Why do stars twinkle? Atmospheric effects on starlight seen from Earth  Explain the main physical reason for rapid fluctuations in a star’s apparent brightness/position.  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept Turbulent air cells with varying refractive index refract starlight along fluctuating paths, making stars appear to twinkle (scintillate). Planets show less twinkling due to larger apparent disks. Final Answer Atmospheric turbulence causing random refraction (scintillation)

Question 14

Units and dimensions: The pascal (Pa) is the SI unit of which quantity?  Identify the physical quantity measured in N/m² = Pa in the SI system.  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Definition 1 pascal = 1 newton per square metre (N/m²) measures pressure and also stress (same dimensions). Final Answer Pressure (or stress)

Question 15

Semiconductor optoelectronics: What do LEDs in electronic toys emit?  State the type of electromagnetic radiation typically produced by Light Emitting Diodes.  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept An LED is a p–n junction that emits photons of energy ~ bandgap Eg, producing narrow-band (quasi-monochromatic) visible or IR light depending on semiconductor material. Final Answer Nearly monochromatic visible or infrared light

Question 16

Vector addition: Minimum number of unequal vectors required to yield zero resultant  Assume vectors lie in a plane as needed; they must be of unequal magnitudes.  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Approach Two vectors give zero resultant only if equal and opposite (thus equal magnitudes). For unequal magnitudes, at least three vectors can form a closed triangle → net zero. Verification Construct a triangle with three sides of different lengths; head-to-tail sum returns to origin ⇒ resultant 0. Final Answer 3

Question 17

Rotational dynamics concept: What is the moment of inertia of a body?  Choose the statement that best defines moment of inertia with respect to a specified axis; use this to identify its nature and dependence.

Accepted Answer

Concept and definition Moment of inertia (I) quantifies a body's resistance to change in its angular velocity about a specified axis.For discrete masses: I = Σ mi ri2; for continuous bodies: I = ∫ r² dm. Why scalar? About a given axis, I is a scalar multiplier in τ = Iα (rigid body), analogous to mass in F = ma. Common pitfalls Confusing I with angular momentum (L = Iω) or torque. Final Answer A scalar measure of rotational inertia about an axis, equal to Σ(mr²) for point masses

Question 18

Wave propagation in media: In which medium does sound travel at the fastest speed?  Compare typical speeds in gases, liquids, and solids; assume standard conditions and homogeneous media.

Accepted Answer

Given facts Sound requires a medium. Its speed v ≈ √(elastic modulus / density). Reasoning Solids have much higher bulk/shear moduli than liquids or gases, so despite higher density, v is largest in solids (e.g., steel ~5000–6000 m/s > water ~1500 m/s > air ~343 m/s). Final Answer Steel (solid)

Question 19

Astronomical optics: Why do planets not twinkle like stars?  State the physical reason based on apparent size and atmospheric scintillation effects.

Accepted Answer

Concept Twinkling (scintillation) is due to random refraction by atmospheric turbulence. A point-like source fluctuates strongly. Reason Planets subtend a finite angle; light from different parts averages through the turbulent cells, so brightness appears steady. Final Answer Planets are much closer and have appreciable apparent disks, so atmospheric fluctuations average out

Question 20

Surface tension vs. adhesion: Why does water spread on clean glass but mercury remains nearly spherical?  Explain using cohesion (liquid–liquid) and adhesion (liquid–solid) along with surface tension.

Accepted Answer

Concept A liquid spreads when adhesion to the surface exceeds cohesion; it beads up when cohesion dominates or surface tension is very high. Application Water–glass: strong adhesion ⇒ wetting/spreading. Mercury: very high surface tension and strong cohesion with weak adhesion to glass ⇒ spherical drops (non-wetting). Final Answer Because water adheres strongly to glass (adhesion > cohesion), while mercury's cohesion > adhesion to glass

Physics Questions