General Physics Practice Questions
IGCSE (Cambridge) · IGCSE Physics · 139 free MCQs with instant results and detailed explanations.
139
Total
39
Easy
78
Medium
22
Hard
Start Practicing General Physics
Take a timed quiz or customize your practice session
Sample Questions from General Physics
Here are 10 sample questions. Start a quiz to get randomized questions with scoring.
Q1
Easy
What is the primary unit of force in the International System of Units (SI)?
A.
Newton
B.
Joule
C.
Pascal
D.
Watt
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The primary unit of force in the SI system is the Newton (N), which is defined as the force required to accelerate a one-kilogram mass by one meter per second squared.
Q2
Easy
An object is moving in a straight line with a constant speed of 10 m/s. How far will it travel in 5 seconds?
A.
20 meters
B.
50 meters
C.
10 meters
D.
15 meters
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Distance can be calculated using the formula: Distance = Speed ร Time. Therefore, Distance = 10 m/s ร 5 s = 50 meters.
Q3
Easy
If you increase the temperature of a gas while keeping its volume constant, what happens to the pressure of the gas?
A.
It decreases
B.
It remains the same
C.
It increases
D.
It fluctuates
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
According to Gay-Lussac's law, if the volume of a gas is held constant and the temperature increases, the pressure of the gas will also increase proportionally.
Q4
Medium
Which of the following statements best describes the concept of energy conservation?
A.
Energy can be created and destroyed.
B.
Energy can only be transformed from one form to another.
C.
Energy is only conserved in closed systems.
D.
Energy is lost as heat in all processes.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can only be transformed from one form to another without loss.
Q5
Medium
A 1000 kg car travels at a speed of 15 m/s. What is its kinetic energy?
A.
7500 J
B.
11250 J
C.
15000 J
D.
22500 J
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Kinetic energy (KE) is calculated using the formula KE = 0.5 * mass * velocityยฒ. Substituting the values: KE = 0.5 * 1000 kg * (15 m/s)ยฒ = 11250 J.
Q6
Medium
An object is in equilibrium. Which of the following statements is true?
A.
The net force acting on the object is zero.
B.
The object must be at rest.
C.
There is no friction acting on the object.
D.
The object is moving at constant speed only if no forces act on it.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
For an object to be in equilibrium, the net force acting on it must be zero, which allows it to be either at rest or moving uniformly.
Q7
Medium
What happens to the resistance of a conductor if its temperature increases?
A.
Resistance decreases.
B.
Resistance remains constant.
C.
Resistance increases.
D.
Resistance becomes zero.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
For most conductors, an increase in temperature results in increased resistance due to greater atomic vibrations that hinder electron flow.
Q8
Hard
A spherical object is released from rest and falls freely under gravity. If the radius of the sphere is halved and its mass remains the same, what will happen to its terminal velocity when it reaches a constant speed?
A.
It will double.
B.
It will remain the same.
C.
It will be halved.
D.
It will increase by a factor of four.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Terminal velocity (v_t) is given by v_t = (2mg)/(ฯAC_d), where A is the cross-sectional area. If radius is halved, A becomes (1/4) of its original due to the formula A = ฯrยฒ. Since A decreases, terminal velocity is reduced, hence it will be halved.
Q9
Hard
A 500 kg car accelerates uniformly from rest to a speed of 20 m/s over a distance of 200 m. What is the work done by the car's engine during this acceleration?
A.
100,000 J
B.
200,000 J
C.
400,000 J
D.
800,000 J
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The work done by the engine is equal to the change in kinetic energy, calculated using the formula KE = 0.5 * m * v^2. Here, KE = 0.5 * 500 kg * (20 m/s)ยฒ = 100,000 J.
Q10
Hard
A car accelerates uniformly from rest to a speed of 25 m/s in 10 seconds. What is the total distance covered by the car during this time?
A.
125 m
B.
250 m
C.
50 m
D.
100 m
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The total distance covered during uniform acceleration from rest can be calculated using the formula: distance = (initial velocity ร time) + (1/2 ร acceleration ร time^2). Here, initial velocity = 0, acceleration = (final velocity - initial velocity) / time = (25 m/s - 0) / 10 s = 2.5 m/sยฒ. Thus, distance = 0 + (1/2 ร 2.5 m/sยฒ ร (10 s)ยฒ) = 125 m.
Showing 10 of 139 questions. Start a quiz to practice all questions with scoring and timer.
Practice All 139 Questions →More IGCSE Physics Chapters
Other IGCSE (Cambridge) Subjects
General Physics โ IGCSE (Cambridge) IGCSE Physics Practice Questions Online
This page contains 139 practice MCQs for the chapter General Physics in IGCSE (Cambridge) IGCSE Physics. The questions are organized by difficulty โ 39 easy, 78 medium, 22 hard โ so you can choose the right level for your preparation.
Every question includes a detailed explanation to help you understand the concept, not just memorize answers. Take a timed quiz to simulate exam conditions, or practice at your own pace with no time limit.