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Physics Mechanics

Asked 31 times in UPSC Prelims · first asked 1995 · last asked 2013

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All 31 questions

Newest first — expand for options, answers, and explanations

Ball bearings are used in bicycles, cars, etc., because

2013Sci & Tech
Athe actual area of contact between the wheel and axle is increased
Bthe effective area of contact between the wheel and axle is increased
Cthe effective area of contact between the wheel and axle is reduced
DNone of the above statements is correct

Explanation

Ball bearings are utilized in bicycles, cars, and other machinery to minimize friction. Friction is related to the effective surface area, so reducing the effective surface area can decrease friction. This is why ball bearings are preferred for their ability to lower friction by reducing the effective area of contact between the wheel and axle.

An artificial satellite orbiting around the Earth does not fall down. This is so because the attraction of Earth:

2011Sci & Tech
Adoes not exist at such distance
Bis neutralized by the attraction of the moon
Cprovides the necessary speed for its steady motion
Dprovides the necessary acceleration for its motion

Explanation

An artificial satellite remains in orbit around the Earth without falling due to the Earth's gravitational pull providing the necessary acceleration for its motion. This acceleration is constant in magnitude but changes in direction as the satellite moves in a circular orbit.

Four wires of same material and of dimensions as under are stretched by a load of same magnitude separately. Which one of them will be elongated maximum?

2007Sci & Tech
AWire of 1m length and 2 mm diameter
BWire of 2m length and 2 mm diameter
CWire of 3m length and 1.5 mm diameter
DWire of 1m length and 1 mm diameter

Explanation

When the same material and load are applied to four wires with varying dimensions, the wire that will elongate the most is the one with a length of 3m and a diameter of 1.5mm. This is because the elongation in a wire is directly proportional to its length and inversely proportional to the square of its radius. Therefore, the wire with dimensions of 3m length and 1.5mm diameter will experience the maximum extension when subjected to the same load.

Three identical vessels A, B and C are filled with water, mercury and kerosene respectively up to an equal height. The three vessels are provided with identical taps at the bottom of the vessels. If the three taps are opened simultaneously, then which vessel is emptied first?

2007Sci & Tech
AVessel B
BAll the vessels A, B and C will be emptied simultaneously
CVessel A
DVessel C

Explanation

In this physics scenario, vessels A, B, and C are filled with water, mercury, and kerosene to the same level, and each has a tap at the bottom. When all taps are opened together, vessel C, containing kerosene with the lowest viscosity, will be emptied first.

What is the approximate mean velocity with which the earth moves round the sun in its orbit?

2006Sci & Tech
A20 km/s
B30 km/s
C40 km/s
D50 km/s

Explanation

The average speed at which the Earth orbits the sun is approximately 30 kilometers per second.

Which one of the following is the correct sequence of the given substances in the decreasing order of their densities?

2005Sci & Tech
ASteel > Mercury > Gold
BGold > Mercury > Steel
CSteel > Gold > Mercury
DGold > Steel > Mercury

Explanation

In descending order of density, the correct sequence of the substances is Gold > Mercury > Steel. This is because gold has a density of 19.30 g/cm³, mercury has a density of 13.534 g/cm³, and steel has a density of 7.80 g/cm³.

A car is running on a road at a uniform speed of 60 km/h. The net resultant force on the car is:

2004Sci & Tech
Adriving force in the direction of car's motion
Bresistance force opposite to the direction of car's motion
Can inclined force
Dequal to zero

Explanation

In this scenario, a car is moving at a steady pace of 60 km/h on a road. When a vehicle travels at a constant speed, there is no acceleration (a=0). According to Newton's second law, F=ma. Therefore, if acceleration is zero, the net resultant force acting on the car is also zero.

A spherical body moves with a uniform angular velocity (ω) around a circular path of radius r. Which one of the following statements is correct?

2004Sci & Tech
AThe body has no acceleration
BThe body has a radial acceleration ω²r directed toward centre of path
CThe body has a radial acceleration 2/5 ω²r directed away from the centre of the path
DThe body has an acceleration ω² tangential to its path

Explanation

When a spherical object travels in a circular path with a consistent angular velocity (ω) and radius (r), it experiences a radial acceleration ω²r directed towards the center of the path.

A weightless rubber balloon is filled with 200 cc of water. Its weight in water is equal to:

2004Sci & Tech
A9.8/5 N
B9.8/10 N
C9.8/2 N
Dzero

Explanation

When a weightless rubber balloon is filled with 200 cc of water and submerged in water, it experiences no weight. This is because the downward force due to the weight of water inside the balloon is exactly counterbalanced by the upward buoyant force of the surrounding water. This equilibrium results in the balloon having zero weight in water.

Assertion (A): The weight of a body decreases with the increase of altitude on earth. Reason (R): The earth is not a perfect sphere.

2003Sci & Tech
ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
CA is true but R is false
DA is false but R is true

Explanation

Explanation: The assertion that the weight of a body decreases with altitude on Earth is true, as gravity weakens with distance from the planet's surface. The reason given, that the Earth is not a perfect sphere, is also true. However, the Earth's shape does not directly cause the decrease in weight with altitude. So, both statements are correct, but the reason does not fully explain the assertion.

Consider the following statements: A 4-wheel vehicle moving in a sharp circular path at high speed will: 1) overturn about its outer wheels 2) overturn about its inner wheels 3) skid outwards 4) skid inwards. Which of these statements are correct?

2003Sci & Tech
A1 and 3
B2 and 4
C2 and 3
D1 and 4

Explanation

Topic: Physics Question: When a 4-wheel vehicle is moving at high speed in a sharp circular path, which statements are true? 1) overturn about its outer wheels 2) overturn about its inner wheels 3) skid outwards 4) skid inwards. Options: (a) 1 and 3 (b) 2 and 4 (c) 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 4 Correct: (a) Original: When an object moves in a circular path, it experiences centripetal and centrifugal forces. Rewritten explanation: When an object is in motion along a circular path, it encounters centripetal and centrifugal forces.

An oil tanker partially filled with oil moves forward on a level road with uniform acceleration. The free surface of oil then:

2003Sci & Tech
Aremains horizontal
Bis inclined to the horizontal with smaller depth at the rear end
Cis inclined to the horizontal with larger depth at the rear end
Dassumes a parabolic curve

Explanation

As an oil tanker with oil starts moving forward on a flat road with constant acceleration, the surface of the oil will tilt with a greater depth at the rear end. This occurs because the tanker's forward motion causes the oil surface to incline in such a way that the rear end has a deeper level compared to the front.

If the radius of the earth were to shrink by one per cent, its mass remaining the same, the value of g on the earth's surface would:

2003Sci & Tech
Aincrease by 0.5%
Bincrease by 2%
Cdecrease by 0.5%
Ddecrease by 2%

Explanation

In this question, we are asked to determine the effect on the value of g (acceleration due to gravity) on the Earth's surface if the Earth's radius were to shrink by one percent while keeping its mass constant. The formula for calculating g on the Earth's surface is g = GM/R², where G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the Earth, and R is the radius of the Earth. If the radius of the Earth were to decrease by one percent, the value of g would increase by two percent. This means that the acceleration due to gravity on the Earth's surface would experience a two percent increase if the Earth's radius were reduced by one percent while its mass remained the same.

Assertion (A): An iron ball floats on mercury but gets immersed in water. Reason (R): The specific gravity of iron is more than that of mercury.

2002Sci & Tech
ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
CA is true but R is false
DA is false but R is true

Explanation

In this physics question, it is asserted that an iron ball floats on mercury but sinks in water. The reason given is that the specific gravity of iron is greater than that of mercury. The correct option is (c), where the assertion is true but the reason is false. Specific gravity is defined as the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance.

A solid cube gets completely immersed in water when a 0.2 kg mass is placed on it. If the mass is removed, the cube is 2 cm above the water level. What is the length of each side of the cube?

2002Sci & Tech
A12 cm
B10 cm
C8 cm
D6 cm

Explanation

In this physics problem, a solid cube is placed in water and a 0.2 kg mass is placed on top of it, causing the cube to be completely submerged. When the mass is removed, the cube is 2 cm above the water level. We need to find the length of each side of the cube. To do this, we calculate the volume of the 2 cm portion of the cube using the side length x. The volume is 2x². The mass displaced by this portion is 200 grams. Using the formula Mass = Volume × density, we get 200 = 2x² × 1, which simplifies to x² = 100. Therefore, the length of each side of the cube is 10 cm.

The mass of a body on earth is 100 kg (acceleration due to gravity, g=10 m/s². If acceleration due to gravity on the moon is g/6, then the mass of the body on the moon is:

2001Sci & Tech
A100/6 kg
B60 kg
C100 kg
D600 kg

Explanation

In this question, we are given that the mass of a body on earth is 100 kg with an acceleration due to gravity of 10 m/s². If the acceleration due to gravity on the moon is 1/6th of that on earth, then the mass of the body on the moon would still be 100 kg. This is because mass is a universal constant and remains the same regardless of the gravitational force acting on it.

Consider the following statements: A simple pendulum is set into oscillation. Then: 1) the acceleration is zero when the bob passes through the mean position. 2) in each cycle the bob attains a given velocity twice. 3) both acceleration and velocity of the bob are zero when it reaches its extreme position during the oscillation. 4) the amplitude of oscillation of the simple pendulum decreases with time. Which of these statements are correct?

2001Sci & Tech
A1 and 2
B3 and 4
C1, 2 and 4
D2, 3 and 4

Explanation

When a simple pendulum is set into motion, the acceleration is zero as the bob passes through the mean position. Additionally, in each cycle, the bob achieves a specific velocity twice. It is also true that the amplitude of oscillation of the pendulum decreases over time. Therefore, statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct.

Which of the following distance-time graph (x-t) represents one-dimensional uniform motion?

2001Sci & Tech
AGraph showing curved line
BGraph showing straight line at angle
CGraph showing parabola
DGraph showing exponential curve

Explanation

The correct representation of one-dimensional uniform motion on a distance-time graph is shown in option (d).

Assertion (A): A man standing on a completely frictionless surface can propel himself by whistling. Reason (R): If no external force acts on a system, its momentum cannot change.

2000Sci & Tech
ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
CA is true but R is false
DA is false but R is true

Explanation

A person standing on a surface with no friction can move themselves by whistling. This is because in a system where no external force is present, the momentum remains constant. The correct option is that both assertions are true, but the reason does not provide a correct explanation for the assertion.

Assertion (A): In a motion picture, usually 24 frames are projected every second over the whole length of the film. Reason (R): An image formed on the retina of eye persists for about 0.1 s after the removal of stimulus.

2000Sci & Tech
ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
CA is true but R is false
DA is false but R is true

Explanation

In a motion picture, typically 24 frames are shown per second throughout the entire film. This is because an image that appears on the retina of the eye remains visible for approximately 0.1 seconds after the stimulus is removed. The correct option is (c) where A is true but R is false.

A hunter aims his gun at a point between the eyebrows of a monkey sitting on a branch of a tree. Just as he fires, the monkey jumps down. The bullet will:

1999Sci & Tech
Ahit the monkey at the point aimed
Bhit the monkey below the point aimed
Chit the monkey above the point aimed
Dmiss the monkey altogether

Explanation

When the hunter fires the gun at the monkey, both the monkey and the bullet are affected by the force of gravity. Therefore, the bullet will hit the monkey at the exact point where it was aimed because both are subject to the same gravitational pull.

A ball is dropped from the top of a high building with a constant acceleration of 9.8 m/s². What will be its velocity after 2 seconds?

1998Sci & Tech
A9.8 m/s
B19.6 m/s
C29.4 m/s
D39.2 m/s

Explanation

In this question, a ball is released from the top of a tall building with a constant acceleration of 9.8 m/s². We are asked to find its velocity after 2 seconds. Using the formula v = u + gt, where u is the initial velocity (0 in this case), t is the time (2 seconds), and g is the acceleration (9.8 m/s²), we can calculate the velocity as v = 0 + (9.8 × 2) = 19.6 m/s. Therefore, the correct answer is option (b) 19.6 m/s.

Which one of the following is a vector quantity?

1997Sci & Tech
AMomentum
BPressure
CEnergy
DWork

Explanation

Momentum, which is the product of an object's mass and velocity (p = mv), is a vector quantity. This means that momentum has both magnitude and direction, making it different from scalar quantities like pressure, energy, and work.

A girl is swinging on a swing in sitting position. When the girl stands up, the period of swing will:

1997Sci & Tech
Abe shorter
Bbe longer
Cdepends on the height of the girl
Dnot change

Explanation

When a girl on a swing changes from a sitting to a standing position, the effective length of the swing decreases. This change in length affects the swing's period, which is calculated using the formula T = 2π√(l/g), where l represents the effective length and g is the acceleration due to gravity. As the effective length decreases when the girl stands up, the period of swing shortens.

A boy standing at the point O in the given diagram throws a ball three times with the same force, but projecting it along different inclinations from the ground. The results of the throws have been plotted in the diagram. Which one of the following is a valid conclusion?

1997Sci & Tech
AThe larger the initial inclination, the longer the throw
BThe larger the height reached, the longer the throw
CThe larger the height reached, the shorter the throw
DThe larger the initial inclination, the greater the height reached

Explanation

In the given diagram, a boy at point O throws a ball three times with the same force but at different angles from the ground. The outcomes are shown in the diagram. The correct conclusion is that the greater the initial inclination, the greater the height reached by the ball. This is because the maximum height reached, ymax, is calculated using the formula ymax = (v² sin² θ)/(2g), where v is the initial velocity of the ball, θ is the angle of projection, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. Therefore, as per the equation, a larger initial inclination results in a greater height reached by the ball.

A smooth plane inclined at an angle Q with the horizontal as shown in the given figure. A body starts from rest and slides down on the inclined surface. The time taken by the body to reach the bottom is:

1997Sci & Tech
A√(2h/g)
B√(2l/g)
C1/sin θ √(2h/g)
Dsin θ √(2l/g)

Explanation

In the diagram provided, a body starts from rest on a smooth inclined plane angled at θ with the horizontal. The body accelerates down the incline at a rate of g sin θ. The time it takes for the body to reach the bottom of the incline is calculated as t = 1/(sin θ) √(2h/g).

A liquid is flowing in a streamlined manner through a cylindrical pipe. Along a section containing the axis of the pipe, the flow profile will be:

1996Sci & Tech
AParallel lines fastest in center
BParallel lines with faster flow at edges
CCurved lines fastest in center
DCurved lines fastest at edges

Explanation

When a liquid flows smoothly through a cylindrical pipe, maintaining consistent velocity and direction at every point, it is considered to have a streamlined flow. In this scenario, the flow profile aligns with option (a), where parallel lines indicate the fastest flow in the center of the pipe.

The variation of displacement d with time t in the case of a particle falling freely under gravity from rest is correctly shown in graph:

1996Sci & Tech
Ad proportional to t
Bd proportional to t squared
Cd inversely proportional to t
Dd proportional to square root of t

Explanation

In the scenario of a particle falling freely under gravity from rest, the relationship between displacement (d) and time (t) is correctly depicted in the graph. The correct representation is that displacement is proportional to time, as shown in option (a). This is because the equation for displacement in this case is d = (1/2)gt², where 'g' is the acceleration due to gravity and 'u' (initial velocity) is 0. Therefore, when u=0, d simplifies to ½ gt², indicating that displacement is directly proportional to the square of time.

A simple machine helps a person in doing:

1996Sci & Tech
Aless work
Bthe same amount of work with lesser force
Cthe same amount of work slowly
Dthe same amount of work much faster

Explanation

In the field of Physics, a simple machine is a device that alters the direction or strength of a force. Therefore, a simple machine assists individuals in accomplishing the same amount of work using less force.

A parachutist jumps from a height of 5000 metre. The relationship between his falling speed v and the distance fallen through d is best represented as:

1995Sci & Tech
AGraph showing v increasing then constant with d
BGraph showing v linearly increasing with d
CGraph showing v as square root curve with d
DGraph showing v proportional to square of d

Explanation

When a parachutist jumps from a height, his speed initially increases as he falls through the distance, and then it reaches a constant speed. Therefore, the relationship between falling speed (v) and distance fallen (d) is best represented by a graph where v is proportional to the square of d, as shown in option (d).

Who among the following anticipated Newton by declaring that all things gravitate to the earth?

1995Sci & Tech
AAryabhatta
BVarahamihira
CBuddhagupta
DBrahmagupta

Explanation

Brahmagupta, an Indian mathematician and astronomer, authored several significant books on mathematics and astronomy. He predicted Newton's theory by stating that all objects are attracted towards the earth.