Physics miscellaneous


  1. Optical fibres are based on the phenomenon of









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    An optical fiber (or optical fibre) is a flexible, transparent fiber made of glass (silica) or plastic, slightly thicker than a human hair. It functions as a waveguide, or “light pipe”, to transmit light between the two ends of the fiber. Optical fibers typically include a transparent core surrounded by a transparent cladding material with a lower index of refraction. Light is kept in the core by total internal reflection. This causes the fiber to act as a waveguide. Total internal reflection is an optical phenomenon that happens when a ray of light strikes a medium boundary at an angle larger than a particular critical angle with respect to the normal to the surface. If the refractive index is lower on the other side of the boundary and the incident angle is greater than the critical angle, no light can pass through and all of the light is reflected.

    Correct Option: D

    An optical fiber (or optical fibre) is a flexible, transparent fiber made of glass (silica) or plastic, slightly thicker than a human hair. It functions as a waveguide, or “light pipe”, to transmit light between the two ends of the fiber. Optical fibers typically include a transparent core surrounded by a transparent cladding material with a lower index of refraction. Light is kept in the core by total internal reflection. This causes the fiber to act as a waveguide. Total internal reflection is an optical phenomenon that happens when a ray of light strikes a medium boundary at an angle larger than a particular critical angle with respect to the normal to the surface. If the refractive index is lower on the other side of the boundary and the incident angle is greater than the critical angle, no light can pass through and all of the light is reflected.


  1. Which type of reaction produces the most harmful radiation ?









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    Radiation is one of the byproducts of radioactive decay of unstable atomic nuclei. Nuclear fission is the process on which the operation of most nuclear power plants is based. When certain nuclei (for example that of uranium-235) are bombarded with neutrons, the nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei of roughly (though not exactly) equal sizes. Because of the binding characteristics of the neutrons and protons in the original and resultant nuclei (and also the famous mass-energy relation that Einstein discovered), the result of this split is the liberation of a large amount of energy, manifested in the kinetic energy of the resultant nuclei.

    Correct Option: B

    Radiation is one of the byproducts of radioactive decay of unstable atomic nuclei. Nuclear fission is the process on which the operation of most nuclear power plants is based. When certain nuclei (for example that of uranium-235) are bombarded with neutrons, the nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei of roughly (though not exactly) equal sizes. Because of the binding characteristics of the neutrons and protons in the original and resultant nuclei (and also the famous mass-energy relation that Einstein discovered), the result of this split is the liberation of a large amount of energy, manifested in the kinetic energy of the resultant nuclei.



  1. The frequency of ultrasound wave is typically









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    Ultrasound is a cyclic sound pressure wave with a frequency greater than the upper limit of the human hearing range. Ultrasound is thus not separated from “normal” (audible) sound based on differences in physical properties, only the fact that humans cannot hear it. Although this limit varies from person to person, it is approximately 20 kilohertz (20,000 hertz) in healthy, young adults. Ultrasound devices operate with frequencies from 20 kHz up to several gigahertz.

    Correct Option: C

    Ultrasound is a cyclic sound pressure wave with a frequency greater than the upper limit of the human hearing range. Ultrasound is thus not separated from “normal” (audible) sound based on differences in physical properties, only the fact that humans cannot hear it. Although this limit varies from person to person, it is approximately 20 kilohertz (20,000 hertz) in healthy, young adults. Ultrasound devices operate with frequencies from 20 kHz up to several gigahertz.


  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.