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UPSC Civil Services
General Science

UPSC IAS/IPS MCQ questions — History, Polity, Economy, Science, General Studies.

207 Q 5 Subjects Graduate
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Difficulty: All Easy Medium Hard 11–20 of 207
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Q.11 Medium General Science Physics
When a spring is compressed by 0.1 m, the elastic potential energy stored is 5 J. What is the spring constant?
A 500 N/m
B 1000 N/m
C 50 N/m
D 5000 N/m
Correct Answer:  B. 1000 N/m
EXPLANATION

Elastic potential energy E = (1/2)kx². 5 = (1/2)k(0.1)². 5 = 0.005k. k = 1000 N/m.

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Q.12 Medium General Science Physics
A sound wave has a frequency of 440 Hz and travels at 330 m/s in air. What is its wavelength?
A 0.75 m
B 145200 m
C 0.5 m
D 770 m
Correct Answer:  A. 0.75 m
EXPLANATION

Using v = fλ, where v = 330 m/s and f = 440 Hz. λ = v/f = 330/440 = 0.75 m.

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Q.13 Medium General Science Physics
Two resistances of 10 Ω and 20 Ω are connected in parallel. What is the equivalent resistance?
A 30 Ω
B 6.67 Ω
C 15 Ω
D 200 Ω
Correct Answer:  B. 6.67 Ω
EXPLANATION

For parallel resistances: 1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ = 1/10 + 1/20 = 3/20. Therefore R = 20/3 = 6.67 Ω.

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Q.14 Medium General Science Physics
A concave mirror has a focal length of 10 cm. An object is placed 5 cm from the mirror. What type of image is formed?
A Real, inverted, magnified
B Virtual, erect, magnified
C Real, inverted, diminished
D Virtual, erect, diminished
Correct Answer:  B. Virtual, erect, magnified
EXPLANATION

When object distance (5 cm) < focal length (10 cm), the object is between the mirror and focus. A concave mirror forms a virtual, erect, and magnified image in this case.

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Q.15 Easy General Science Physics
Which of the following statements about gravitational force is correct?
A Gravitational force is repulsive in nature
B Gravitational force depends on the medium between objects
C Gravitational force is always attractive
D Gravitational force acts only between charged objects
Correct Answer:  C. Gravitational force is always attractive
EXPLANATION

Gravitational force is always attractive, acts between any two masses, is independent of the medium, and is governed by Newton's law of universal gravitation.

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Q.16 Easy General Science Physics
A car accelerates from rest at 2 m/s². How long does it take to reach 20 m/s?
A 5 seconds
B 10 seconds
C 15 seconds
D 20 seconds
Correct Answer:  B. 10 seconds
EXPLANATION

Using v = u + at, where u = 0, v = 20 m/s, a = 2 m/s². 20 = 0 + 2t, so t = 10 seconds.

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Q.17 Easy General Science Physics
Which phenomenon is responsible for the reddish appearance of the Sun at sunset?
A Refraction
B Scattering of light
C Dispersion
D Diffraction
Correct Answer:  B. Scattering of light
EXPLANATION

At sunset, light travels through a longer path in the atmosphere. Shorter wavelengths (blue) scatter more (Rayleigh scattering), leaving longer wavelengths (red) to reach the observer.

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Q.18 Easy General Science Physics
A convex lens has a focal length of 15 cm. An object is placed 30 cm from the lens. Where will the image form?
A 30 cm on the opposite side (real, inverted, same size)
B 15 cm on the opposite side (real, inverted, magnified)
C 45 cm on the same side (virtual, erect, diminished)
D 20 cm on the opposite side (real, inverted, magnified)
Correct Answer:  A. 30 cm on the opposite side (real, inverted, same size)
EXPLANATION

Using lens formula: 1/f = 1/u + 1/v. 1/15 = 1/30 + 1/v gives v = 30 cm. When u = 2f, image forms at 2f with magnification -1 (same size, inverted, real).

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Q.19 Easy General Science Physics
Which of the following is the SI unit of electric potential?
A Joule per Coulomb
B Newton per Coulomb
C Ampere per Ohm
D Watt per Ampere
Correct Answer:  A. Joule per Coulomb
EXPLANATION

Electric potential is defined as work done per unit charge. SI unit is Joule/Coulomb = Volt. Option D (Watt/Ampere) also equals Volt but option A is more fundamental.

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Q.20 Hard General Science Physics
Which statement about acoustic impedance is correct?
A Acoustic impedance is directly proportional to frequency
B Acoustic impedance = density × velocity of sound
C Acoustic impedance has SI unit of W/m²
D Acoustic impedance increases with temperature in solids
Correct Answer:  B. Acoustic impedance = density × velocity of sound
EXPLANATION

Acoustic impedance (Z) = ρ × c, where ρ is density and c is sound velocity. SI unit is kg/(m²·s). It's crucial for understanding sound reflection and transmission.

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