Physics questions with answers

2,629 multiple-choice questions. Open any question for its answer and explanation.

Questions asked in State PSC and UPSC prelims, by topic. Each topic also has notes to read.

Read the notes: Measuring Instruments and Scales →

1. Which of the following instruments is used for measuring the depth of the ocean ?Asked in HPPSC HPAS Prelims 2016 · WBCS Main Paper 4 2019
2. Which of the following are units of the pressure ? (A) bar (B) Pa (C) torr (D) atm Choose the correct option :Asked in ras 2025 2025
3. Match the names of scientific instruments in Column I with their designated fields of applications in Column II and select the correct answer using the options given below the columns : Column I Column II 1. Galvanoa. Measure internal pressure of meter the eye 2. Hygrometer b. Measure electric currents 3. Manometer c. Measure humidity levels 4. Tonometer d. Pressure of gasesAsked in HAS Prelims 2019
4. Which one of the following devices is used to measure atmospheric pressure ?Asked in UPSC NDA 1 2018
5. A Barometer kept in an elevator reads 760 mm when the elevator is at rest. When the elevator moves in the upward direction with increasing speed, the reading of the Barometer will be:Asked in UPSC CAPF 2016
6. The velocity of wind is measured byAsked in UPPCS Prelims 2016
7. Which of the following weather conditions is indicated by a sudden fall in barometer reading?Asked in UPPCS Prelims 2001
8. The pressure guage required for measuring high pressure of the order of 10⁵ PsiAsked in WBCS Main Paper 4 2022
9. Which is the cheapest device for measuring flow/discharge rate?Asked in WBCS Main Paper 4 2019
10. Altimeter is an equipment used in an aircraft to measure itsAsked in ae 2020
11. An apparatus used by the physician isAsked in Assistant Engineer (Civil) 2018 19 2018
12. The pressure measured with the help of piezometer tube isAsked in Civil Engg GA 24 2023 CO 1505 2024
13. A Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO) is used to measure ______ of a signal.Asked in TNPSC CS Prelims 2019
14. An artificial satellite can be tracked very precisely from the earth by usingAsked in UPPCS Prelims 2017
15. 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 smartphone which results in the rotation of display between portrait and landscape mode In which of the above actions is the function of a gyroscope is used?Asked in UPSC IAS 2023
16. Laptop accidental free fall Many modern laptops have sensors to detect free fall and suddenly stop the hard drive head to prevent damage upon impact. While accelerometers are primary in detecting the acceleration due to gravity and the subsequent impact deceleration, gyroscopes can be used in conjunction to better characterize the motion (e.g., determining if the laptop is rotating during the fall), improving the accuracy and reliability of the free fall detection system. Thus, the function of a gyroscope can be used. 3. Smartphone tilt for display rotation While the basic detection of static tilt relative to gravity is done by accelerometers, modern smartphones use gyroscopes in combination with accelerometers (IMU) for more accurate, stable, and responsive orientation sensing. The gyroscope measures angular velocity, allowing the phone to detect rotations quickly and smoothly, distinguish intentional rotations from accidental movements, and provide faster screen transitions between portrait and landscape modes. Thus, the function of a gyroscope is used. 15. Automobiles are fitted with a device that shows the distance travelled. Such a device is known asAsked in UPSC CISF AC EXE 2017
17. Dilatometer is used for the measurement ofAsked in WBPSC CS Prelims 2021
18. Match List–I with List–II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists : List–I List–II 1. To measure intensity of (a) Stethoscope light (b) Sphygnomano‐ 2. To check purity of gold meter (c) Caratometer 3. To hear heart sound 4. To measure blood pres‐ (d) Lux meter sureAsked in UPPCS Prelims 2008
19. The device to measure electric current isAsked in BPSC Prelims Exam 64th
20. Which of the following is not correctly matched?Asked in BPSC Prelims Exam 67th Cancelled
21. The device used for measuring electric current in a circuit is calledAsked in UPSC CDS 2 2022
22. Which of the following can be used to determine the polarity of an unmarked bar magnet?Asked in UPSC Geoscientist 2022
23. Radioactivity is measured byAsked in UPSC NDA 2 2017
24. The instrument used for detecting the presence of electric current in a circuit isAsked in UPSC NDA 2 2020
25. The presence of magnetic field can be determined using which one of the following instruments?Asked in UPSC NDA 2 2022