CBSE Board

Physics Question Bank

1. What is scalar? Give two examples
Ans: Physical quantity which has only magnitude, but no direction is known as scalar
Examples: distance and speed
2. What is vector? Give two examples
Ans. Physical quantity which has both magnitude and direction and also satisfying law of vector
addition is known as vector.
Examples: Displacement and velocity
3. What is unit vector?
̂ 𝑘̂ are known as unit vectors along X Y and Z axes
Ans: A vector whose magnitude is one unit. 𝑖̂, 𝑗,
4. What is a position vector
Ans: If a vector is used to represent position of point w.r.to some fixed point then that vector is
known as position vector
5. How will you find magnitude of a given vector 𝐴⃗ = 𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝑦𝑗̂ + 𝑧𝑘̂
Ans: Magnitude of 𝐴⃗ is equal to √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2
6. How will you find direction of a given vector 𝐴⃗ = 𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝑦𝑗̂ + 𝑧𝑘̂
𝑥 𝑦
Ans: The angles made the vector with x axis is cos −1 ( 2 2 2) and y axis is cos−1 ( ) and
√𝑥 +𝑦 +𝑧 √𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +𝑧 2
𝑧
z axis is cos −1( )
√𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +𝑧 2
7. what is resolution of a vector
Ans: Expressing a vector in terms of its components is known as resolution of a vector
8. Find the components of vector 𝐴⃗, if it makes an angle θ with horizontal
Ans: The component vector along the X axis = |𝐴⃗| cosθ
The component Vector along the Y axis =|𝐴⃗| sinθ
Hence 𝐴⃗ =|𝐴⃗| cosθ 𝑖̂+|𝐴⃗| sinθ𝑗̂
9.State parallelogram law of vector addition
Ans: If two vectors acting at a point are represented as the adjacent sides of a parallelogram
drawn from a point then their resultant is represented by the diagonal of the parallelogram drawn
from the same point
10 State triangle law of vector addition
Ans : If two vectors acting at a point are represented as the sides of tringle in order then their
resultant is represented by the third side of the of the triangle taken in reverse order
11 State polygon law of vector addition
Ans : If n vectors acting at a point are represented as the sides of polygon in order then their
resultant is represented by the closing side of the polygon taken in reverse order
12. Explain about the dot product of two vectors
Ans: If product of two vectors gives a scalar then that product those vectors is named as dot
product or scalar product
𝐴⃗ . 𝐵
⃗⃗ =|𝐴⃗||𝐵
⃗⃗ | cosθ
13 Explain about cross product of two vectors
Ans: If product of two vectors gives a vector then that product those vectors is named as cross
product or vector product
𝐴⃗ 𝑋𝐵
⃗⃗ =|𝐴⃗||𝐵
⃗⃗| sinθ 𝑛̂
Here 𝑛̂ is a unit vector perpendicular to plane contain 𝐴⃗ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵
⃗⃗
14. Can dot product of two vectors obey commutative law
Ans: Yes, dot product of two vectors obeys commutative law
𝐴⃗ . 𝐵
⃗⃗ =𝐵
⃗⃗ . 𝐴⃗
15 Can cross product of two vectors obey commutative law
Ans: No, cross product of two vectors doesn’t obey the commutative law
𝐴⃗ 𝑋𝐵
⃗⃗ ≠ 𝐵
⃗⃗ 𝑋𝐴⃗, but 𝐴⃗ 𝑋𝐵
⃗⃗ = −(𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗ 𝑋𝐴)
16 Can Vector addition obeys Commutative law
Ans: Yes, vector addition obeys commutative law
𝐴⃗ + 𝐵
⃗⃗ =𝐵
⃗⃗ + 𝐴⃗
17 Can subtraction two vectors obeys commutative law
Ans No, subtraction of two vectors doesn’t obey the commutative law
here 𝐴⃗ − 𝐵
⃗⃗ ≠ 𝐵
⃗⃗ − 𝐴⃗
18 if 𝐴⃗ = 3𝑖̂ + 4𝑗̂ + 5𝑘̂ and 𝐵⃗⃗ = 5𝑖̂ + 4𝑗̂ + 3𝑘̂ then find magnitude of 𝐴⃗ + 𝐵
⃗⃗
Ans: 𝐴⃗ + 𝐵⃗⃗ = 8𝑖̂ + 8𝑗̂ + 8𝑘̂
The magnitude of 𝐴⃗ + 𝐵 ⃗⃗ =8√3
19 if 𝐹⃗ = (3𝑖̂ + 4𝑗̂ + 5𝑘̂)𝑁 and 𝑠⃗ = (𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ − 𝑘̂)𝑚 then find the work done by the force
Ans: Work(W)= 𝐹⃗ . 𝑠⃗ = 3+4-5=2 joule
20 if 𝐹⃗ = (3𝑖̂ + 4𝑗̂ + 5𝑘̂)𝑁 and 𝑟⃗ = (𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ + 𝑘̂)𝑚 then find the torque of the force
Ans: 𝜏⃗⃗⃗ =𝑟⃗ 𝑋𝐹⃗
𝑖̂ 𝑗̂ 𝑘̂
=|1 1 1|=𝑖̂(5 − 4) -𝑗̂(5 − 3) + ̂𝐾 (4 − 3)= 𝑖̂ − 2𝑗̂ + 𝑘̂
3 4 5
21. Define distance and displacement and mention its units
Ans: Distance: The length of the path followed by a particle in between initial and final positions
Displacement: It is the shortest distance between initial and final positions always measured
along a straight line
The units of distance and displacement are meter
22. Define instantaneous velocity and Average velocity
Ans: Instantaneous Velocity: The rate of displacement is known as instantaneous velocity
Average Velocity: The displacement of particle in one second is known as average velocity
23. Define uniform velocity
Ans: If a particle covers equal displacements in equal intervals of time, then the velocity of the particle
is said to be uniform
24. Define Non uniform velocity
Ans: If a particle covers unequal displacements in equal intervals of time, then its velocity is non
uniform
25. Define uniform acceleration
Ans: If particle possesses equal changes in velocities in equal intervals of time, then the acceleration of
the particle is said to be uniform
26. Define Non uniform acceleration
Ans: If particle possesses unequal changes in velocities in equal intervals of time or equal changes in
velocities in unequal intervals of time then acceleration of the particle is minimum
27 Mention the equations of motion in case of a particle is moving with uniform acceleration
Ans :If a particle has initial velocity u and travelling along a straight line with uniform acceleration a
and covers a distance s in t seconds, then
(i) v= u +a t
 1
(II) s=ut+2 𝑎𝑡 2
(III) v2-u2=2as
1
(IV) sn=u+a(n- 2)
Here sn is the displacement in the n th second
28. Mention equations motion in case of a particle is dropped freely from the top of a tower of height h
Ans: In case of freely falling body u=0, a=-g and s=-h
(i) v=-gt
1
(ii) h=2 𝑔𝑡 2
(iii) v=√2𝑔ℎ
1
(iv) sn=-g(n- 2)
29. Mention the equations of motion in case of a particle projected vertically up
Ans: In case of a particle projected vertically upward a=-g
(i) v= u -g t
1
(II) s=ut-2 𝑔𝑡 2
(III) v2-u2=-2gs
1
(IV) sn=u-g(n- 2)
30. If air friction is taken into account, then, in time of ascent and time of descent, which will be
greater
Ans: If air friction is taken into account, then time of descent is greater than time of ascent
31. What is projectile
Ans: Any object thrown into the air and moves under gravity is known as projectile
32 what is the trajectory equation when a particle is thrown with a velocity u at an angle θ with
horizontal
𝑔𝑥 2
Ans: y= 𝑥 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 − 2𝑢2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃
Here x is horizontal displacement and y is vertical displacement
33 Define the terms (a) Time of flight(b) Range
Ans: Time of flight(T): time spent by the projectile in air is known as time of flight
2𝑢 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
T= 𝑔
Range: The maximum horizontal displacement during the time of flight is known as range
𝑢2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃
R= 𝑔
34. If two stones A and B are projected from the same point on the ground with same speed but
different angles θ and (90-θ) and RA and RB are the ranges covered by them respectively, then
compare them
𝑢2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃
Ans: RA= and
𝑔
𝑢2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2(90−𝜃) 𝑢2 sin (180−2𝜃) 𝑢2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃
RB= = =
𝑔 𝑔 𝑔
Hence RA and RB are equal
35. What is the velocity of the projectile at maximum height when it is projected with an initial
velocity u at an angle θ with horizontal
Ans: The velocity of the projectile at the maximum height is u cosθ
36. Derive the equation for the maximum height reached by a projectile when it is projected from the
ground with a velocity u at an angle θ with horizontal
Ans:
The component of velocity of the projectile in the vertical direction at origin (uy)= u sinθ
The component of velocity of the projectile at the highest point in the vertical direction(vy) =
The component of acceleration of the projectile in the vertical direction(ay)= -g
The displacement of the projectile in the vertical direction(s) = H
Using the third equation of motion
𝑢2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
Vy2-uy2=2ays =≫ 0-u2sin2θ=-2gH =≫ H= 2𝑔
37. Obtain the relation between range and maximum height of a projectile, when the a particle is
projected from the ground with an initial velocity u at an angle θ with horizontal
𝑢2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃
Ans: R= -----(1) and
𝑔
𝑢2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
H= -----(2)
2𝑔
Taking the ratio of equations (1) and (2) We will get R=4H cotθ
38. Obtain the trajectory equation when a particle is projected horizontally from the top of a tower of
H
Ans: Here ux=u and ax=0
and uy=o and ay=-g
let the projectile takes t seconds to reach a point (x, -y)
The horizontal displacement of the projectile (X)=u t -----(1)
𝑔𝑡 2
The vertical displacement of the projectile (-y)=- ---(2)
2
𝑋
substituting t=𝑢 value in the second equation we will get
𝑔𝑥 2
Y=
2𝑢2
39. A stone is projected with an initial velocity 20√2 m/s at an angel 450 with horizontal. Find (a) time
of flight (b) Range and (c) max. height
Ans :
2𝑢 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 2(20√2) 1
(a) T= = =4 second
𝑔 10 √2
𝑢2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃 800
(b) R= = = 80m
𝑔 10
𝑢2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 800 1
(c) H= = 20 = 20m
2𝑔 2
40. A stone is projected horizontally from the top of a tower with an initial velocity 10 m/s from the
top of the tower of height 20 m.
Find(a) time taken by stone to reach the ground (b) Horizontal distance covered by the stone (c)
velocity of the just before reaching the
Ans:
2𝐻
(a) T= √ 𝑔 =2 seconds
(b) X = ut = 20m
(c) Velocity of the stone just before reaching the ground =√𝑣𝑥2 + 𝑣𝑦2 = √𝑢2 + (𝑔𝑡)2 =10√5 m/s
41. Define radial acceleration
Ans: when a particle is moving along the circumference circle with constant speed due to continuous
change in direction of motion there exists an acceleration known as centripetal acceleration
42. Explain about uniform circular motion
Ans: If a particle moves along the circumference of a circle with constant speed or constant angular
velocity then the motion of a particle is said to be uniform circular motion
43. Explain about non uniform circular motion
Ans: If a particle moves along the circumference of a circle with variable speed or variable angular
velocity then the motion of a particle is said to be uniform circular motion
44. What are the uses of dimensional formulae
Ans: (a) To check the correctness of given equation
(b) To convert one system of units into other system
(c) To derive an equation connecting different physical quantities
45. What are the limitations of dimensional formulae
46 Mention dimensional formulae of (a) Universal gas constant (b) universal gravitational constant
(c) Planck’s constant (d) Stefan’s constant
47 Define the terms (i) Absolute error (ii) Accuracy (iii) precision.
48 Distinguish between Systematic errors and random errors.
49. How the random error changes with the increase in number of observations
50. If y=xn. then find relative and percentage error in calculating y