Physics PYQs

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1. Prelims 2024Q34Physics

   Consider the following activities :

   1.Identification of narcotics on passengers at airports or in aircraft

   2.Monitoring of precipitation

   3.Tracking the migration of animals

   In how many of the above activities can the radars be used ?

   aOnly onebOnly twocAll threedNone
2. Prelims 2023Q54Physics

   Consider the following actions :

   1.Detection of car crash/collision which results in the deployment of airbags almost instantaneously

   2.Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop towards the ground which results in the immediate turning off of the hard drive

   3.Detection of the tilt of the smart-phone which results in the rotation of display between portrait and landscape mode

   In how many of the above actions is the function of accelerometer required?

   aOnly onebOnly twocAll threedNone
3. Prelims 2021Q68Physics

   In a pressure cooker, the temperature at which the food is cooked depends mainly upon which of the following?

   1.Area of the hole in the lid

   2.Temperature of the flame

   3.Weight of the lid

   Select the correct answer using the code given below.

   a1 and 2 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
4. Prelims 2021Q72Physics

   With reference to street-lighting, how do sodium lamps differ from LED lamps?

   1.Sodium lamps produce light in 360 degrees but it is not so in the case of LED lamps.

   2.As street-lights, sodium lamps have longer life span than LED lamps.

   3.The spectrum of visible light from sodium lamps is almost monochromatic while LED lamps offer significant colour advantages in street-lighting.

   Select the correct answer using the code given below.

   a3 onlyb2 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
5. Prelims 2018Q62Physics

   Consider the following phenomena :

   1.Light is affected by gravity.

   2.The Universe is constantly expanding.

   3.Matter warps its surrounding space-time.

   Which of the above is/are the prediction/predictions of Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, often discussed in media ?

   a1 and 2 onlyb3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
6. Prelims 2015Q30Physics

   In the context of modern scientific research, consider the following statements about ‘IceCube’, a particle detector located at South Pole, which was recently in the news :

   1.It is the world’s largest neutrino detector, encompassing a cubic kilometre of ice.

   2.It is a powerful telescope to search for dark matter.

   3.It is buried deep in the ice.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
7. Prelims 2013Q88Physics

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

   athe actual area of contact between the wheel and axle is increasedbthe effective area of contact between the wheel and axle is increasedcthe effective area of contact between the wheel and axle is reduceddNone of the above statements is correct
8. Prelims 2013Q89Physics

   Consider the following phenomena:

   1.Size of the sun at dusk

   2.Colour of the sun at dawn

   3.Moon being visible at dawn

   4.Twinkle of stars in the sky

   5.Polestar being visible in the sky

   Which of the above are optical illusions?

   a1, 2 and 3b3, 4 and 5c1, 2 and 4d2, 3 and 5
9. Prelims 2013Q90Physics

   Rainbow is produced when sunlight falls on drops of rain. Which of the following physical phenomena are responsible for this?

   1.Dispersion

   2.Refraction

   3.Internal reflection

   Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

   a1 and 2 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
10. Prelims 2013Q95Physics

    The known forces of nature can be divided into four classes, viz., gravity, electromagnetism, weak nuclear force and strong nuclear force. With reference to them, which one of the following statements is not correct?

    aGravity is the strongest of the fourbElectromagnetism acts only on particles with an electric chargecWeak nuclear force causes radioactivitydStrong nuclear force holds protons and neutrons inside the nucleus of an atom
11. Prelims 2013Q96Physics

    The efforts to detect the existence of Higgs boson particle have become frequent news in the recent past. What is/are the importance/ importances of discovering this particle?

    1.It will enable us to understand as to why elementary particles have mass.

    2.It will enable us in the near future to develop the technology of transferring matter from one point to another without traversing the physical space between them.

    3.It will enable us to create better fuels for nuclear fission.

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

    a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
12. Prelims 2012Q13Physics

    What is the role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the water purification systems?

    1.It inactivates/kills the harmful microorganisms in water.

    2.It removes all the undesirable odours from the water.

    3.It quickens the sedimentation of solid particles, removes turbidity and improves the clarity of water.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
13. Prelims 2012Q18Physics

    A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory including those from India created the heaviest anti-matter (anti-helium nucleus). What is/are the implication/implications of the creation of anti-matter?

    1.It will make mineral prospecting and oil exploration easier and cheaper.

    2.It will help probe the possibility of the existence of stars and galaxies made of anti-matter.

    3.It will help understand the evolution of the universe.

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

    a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
14. Prelims 2012Q93Physics

    Consider the following statements :

    If there were no phenomenon of capillarity

    1.it would be difficult to use a kerosene lamp

    2.one would not be able to use a straw to consume a soft drink

    3.the blotting paper would fail to function

    4.the big trees that we see around would not have grown on the Earth

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    a1, 2 and 3 onlyb1, 3 and 4 onlyc2 and 4 onlyd1, 2, 3 and 4
15. Prelims 2011Q27Physics

    A layer in the Earth’s atmosphere called Ionosphere facilitates radio communication. Why?

    1.The presence of ozone causes the reflection of radio waves to Earth.

    2.Radio waves have a very long wavelength.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
16. Prelims 2011Q50Physics

    The surface of a lake is frozen in severe winter, but the water at its bottom is still liquid.

    What is the reason ?

    aIce is a bad conductor of heatbSince the surface of the lake is at the same temperature as the air, no heat is lostcThe density of water is maximum at 4°CdNone of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct
17. Prelims 2011Q64Physics

    What is the difference between a CFL and an LED lamp?

    1.To produce light, a CFL uses mercury vapour and phosphor while an LED lamp uses semi-conductor material.

    2.The average life span of a CFL is much longer than that of an LED lamp.

    3.A CFL is less energy-efficient as compared to an LED lamp.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
18. Prelims 2011Q81Physics

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

    adoes not exist at such distancebis neutralized by the attraction of the mooncprovides the necessary speed for its steady motiondprovides the necessary acceleration for its motion
19. Prelims 2010Q2Physics

    If a potato is placed on a pure paper plate which is white and unprinted and put in a microwave oven, the potato heats up but the paper plate does not. This is because

    aPotato is mainly made up of starch whereas paper is mainly made up of cellulosebPotato transmits microwaves whereas paper reflects microwavescPotato contains water whereas paper does not contain waterdPotato is a fresh organic material whereas paper is a dead organic material
20. Prelims 2010Q34Physics

    India-based Neutrino Observatory is included by the Planning Commission as a mega science project under the 11th Five-Year Plan. In this context, consider the following statements:

    1.Neutrinos are chargeless elementary particles that travel close to the speed of light.

    2.Neutrinos are created in nuclear reactions of beta decay.

    3.Neutrinos have a negligible, but non-zero mass.

    4.Trillions of Neutrinos pass through human body every second.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    a1 and 3 onlyb1, 2 and 3 onlyc2, 3 and 4d1, 2, 3 and 4
21. Prelims 2010Q88Physics

    What is the principle by which a cooling system (Radiator) in a motor car works?

    aConduction onlybConvectioncRadiation onlydBoth conduction and radiation
22. Prelims 2010Q108Physics

    Indiscriminate disposal of used fluorescent electric lamps causes mercury pollution in the environment. Why is mercury used in the manufacture of these lamps?

    aA mercury coating on the inside of the lamp makes the light bright whitebWhen the lamp is switched on, the mercury in the lamp causes the emission of ultra-violet radiationscWhen the lamp is switched on, it is the mercury which converts the ultra-violet energy into visible lightdNone of the statement given above is correct about the use of mercury in the manufacture of fluorescent lamps
23. Prelims 2009Q68Physics

    Which one of the following types of waves are used in a night vision apparatus ?

    aRadio wavesbMicrowavescInfra-red wavesdNone of the above
24. Prelims 2009Q118Physics

    Which one among the following has the highest energy ?

    aBlue lightbGreen lightcRed lightdYellow light
25. Prelims 2008Q110Physics

    Consider the following statements in respect of a jet engine and a rocket:

    1.A jet engine uses the surrounding air for its oxygen supply and so is unsuitable for motion in space.

    2.A rocket carries its own supply of oxygen in the gas form, and fuel.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
26. Prelims 2008Q111Physics

    Which one of the following laser types is used in a laser printer?

    aDye laserbGas lasercSemiconductor laserdExcimer laser
27. Prelims 2008Q112Physics

    Consider the following statements:

    1.A widely used musical scale called diatonic scale has seven frequencies.

    2.The frequency of the note Sa (स) is 256 Hz and that of Ni (नी) is 512 Hz.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
28. Prelims 2008Q117Physics

    How much is one barrel of oil approximately equal to?

    a131 litresb159 litresc257 litresd321 litres
29. Prelims 2008Q126Physics

    How can the height of a person who is six feet tall be expressed (approximately) in nanometres?

    a183 × 10⁶ nanometresb234 × 10⁶ nanometresc183 × 10⁷ nanometresd234 × 10⁷ nanometres
30. Prelims 2008Q127PhysicsAnswer disputed

    A person is sitting in a car which is at rest. The reaction from the road at each of the four wheels of the car is R. When the car runs on a straight level road, how will the reaction at either of the front wheels vary?

    aIt will be greater than RbIt will be less than RcIt will be equal to RdIt shall depend on the material of the road