Physics miscellaneous


  1. A piece of paper and a cricket ball are dropped from the same height. Under which of the following conditions do both reach the surface simultaneously ?









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    When a piece of paper and a cricket ball are dropped from the same height, they reach the surface at different time because the shape of the paper is more flat and it behaves like a parachute causing more air resistance acting on it with respect to the ball. But, in order to reach the surface at the same time by both the articles, they must be dropped in vacuum. It is because in vacuum there is no other force other than force of gravity occurring on them and this leads to a conclusion that both the article reaches at the same time.

    Correct Option: D

    When a piece of paper and a cricket ball are dropped from the same height, they reach the surface at different time because the shape of the paper is more flat and it behaves like a parachute causing more air resistance acting on it with respect to the ball. But, in order to reach the surface at the same time by both the articles, they must be dropped in vacuum. It is because in vacuum there is no other force other than force of gravity occurring on them and this leads to a conclusion that both the article reaches at the same time.


  1. The period of revolution of a geostationary satellite is









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    A geosynchronous satellite is a satellite in geosynchronous orbit, with an orbital period the same as the Earth’s rotation period. Such a satellite returns to the same position in the sky after each sidereal day, and over the course of a day traces out a path in the sky. A special case of geosynchronous satellite is the geostationary satellite, which has a geostationary orbit – a circular geosynchronous orbit directly above the Earth’s equator.

    Correct Option: C

    A geosynchronous satellite is a satellite in geosynchronous orbit, with an orbital period the same as the Earth’s rotation period. Such a satellite returns to the same position in the sky after each sidereal day, and over the course of a day traces out a path in the sky. A special case of geosynchronous satellite is the geostationary satellite, which has a geostationary orbit – a circular geosynchronous orbit directly above the Earth’s equator.



  1. A metal plate with a circular hole at the centre is heated. What will happen to the area of the hole ?









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    Assuming the disc is uniform and isotropic (the same in different directions), the hole will expand in the same ratio as the metal. It is because the thermal expansion equation applies to all lengths associated with the metal, including the circumference of the hole, since the edge of the hole is made out of metal. And if the circumference of the hole expands, so does the diameter.

    Correct Option: A

    Assuming the disc is uniform and isotropic (the same in different directions), the hole will expand in the same ratio as the metal. It is because the thermal expansion equation applies to all lengths associated with the metal, including the circumference of the hole, since the edge of the hole is made out of metal. And if the circumference of the hole expands, so does the diameter.


  1. Cloudy nights are warmer compared nights, because clouds mainly









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    It is because the night side of Earth will radiate infra-red radiation (heat) back into space. When there is cloud cover, the clouds act like a blanket and trap the heat close to the ground just like a blanket traps heat close to our body.

    Correct Option: C

    It is because the night side of Earth will radiate infra-red radiation (heat) back into space. When there is cloud cover, the clouds act like a blanket and trap the heat close to the ground just like a blanket traps heat close to our body.



  1. The centre of gravity of a sprinter during the race lies









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    Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground. This is in contrast to walking, where one foot is always in contact with the ground, the legs are kept mostly straight and the center of gravity vaults over the legs in an inverted pendulum fashion. A characteristic feature of a running body from the viewpoint of spring-mass mechanics is that changes in kinetic and potential energy within a stride occur simultaneously, with energy storage accomplished by springy tendons and passive muscle elasticity.

    Correct Option: A

    Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground. This is in contrast to walking, where one foot is always in contact with the ground, the legs are kept mostly straight and the center of gravity vaults over the legs in an inverted pendulum fashion. A characteristic feature of a running body from the viewpoint of spring-mass mechanics is that changes in kinetic and potential energy within a stride occur simultaneously, with energy storage accomplished by springy tendons and passive muscle elasticity.