1.

Introduction & Branches of Physics

1. What is physics, and why is it important in daily life?
2. Name the five main branches of physics and give an example of
each.
2. Physical and Non-Physical Quantities
3. What is the difference between physical and non-physical
quantities? Give examples.
4. Why are physical quantities important in scientific studies?
3. Base and Derived Quantities
5. Define base quantities and derived quantities with two
examples each.
6. Why are base quantities called "fundamental quantities"?
7. Explain how velocity is a derived quantity using its formula.
4. International System of Units (SI Units)
8. Why is the International System of Units (SI) preferred
worldwide?
9. Write the seven SI base units along with their symbols.
10. Differentiate between base units and derived units with
examples.
5. Standard Form / Scientific Notation
11. What is scientific notation, and why is it useful?
12. Convert the following into scientific notation:
o (a) 0.000456
o (b) 4500000
13. Convert the following from scientific notation to normal
form:
o (a) 3.2 × 10³
o (b) 5.7 × 10⁻⁴

6. Prefixes and Powers of Ten

14. What are prefixes, and why are they used in physics?
15. Write the prefixes for the following powers of ten:
o (a)
o (b)
o (c)

7. Scalar and Vector Quantities

16. What is the difference between scalar and vector quantities?
17. Why is force considered a vector quantity, but mass is a
scalar quantity?
18. Give two examples of scalar and vector quantities from daily
life.
8. Adding Vector Quantities
19. How are two vectors added using the head-to-tail rule?
20. What is the difference between vector addition and scalar
addition?
9. Measuring Instruments
21. What is the least count of a meter rule and a measuring
tape?
22. Why is the Vernier caliper more precise than a meter rule?
23. What is the least count of a Vernier caliper, and how is it
calculated?
24. How does a screw gauge measure small thicknesses with
high precision?
25. Why is a physical balance used in a laboratory?
26. What is a measuring cylinder used for, and how is liquid
volume measured in it?
27. Why is a stopwatch used in physics experiments instead of a
normal clock?
10. Errors, Precision, and Accuracy
28. What is the difference between random errors and
systematic errors?
29. Explain the terms accuracy and precision with examples.
30. How can we minimize measurement errors in physics
experiments?
Answers to Conceptual Questions on "Physical Quantities and
Measurement"
1. Introduction & Branches of Physics
1. Physics is the branch of science that deals with the study of matter,
energy, and their interactions. It is important because it helps us
understand natural phenomena and develop technologies.
2. Branches of physics:
o Mechanics (e.g., motion of a car)
o Thermodynamics (e.g., heat engines)
o Electromagnetism (e.g., electric circuits)
o Optics (e.g., formation of images by lenses)
o Nuclear physics (e.g., nuclear energy production)

2. Physical and Non-Physical Quantities

3. Physical quantities are measurable (e.g., length, time), while
non-physical quantities are not measurable (e.g., happiness,
intelligence).
4. Physical quantities are important because they help in making
accurate measurements for scientific studies and practical
applications.
3. Base and Derived Quantities
5. Base quantities are fundamental and independent (e.g., length,
mass). Derived quantities depend on base quantities (e.g., speed,
force).
6. Base quantities are called fundamental quantities because they
are the foundation for measuring all other quantities.
7. Velocity is a derived quantity because it depends on distance
(m) and time (s):
o Formula: Velocity = Distance / Time
o Unit: m/s

4. International System of Units (SI Units)

8. SI units are preferred because they provide a universal standard
for measurements.
9. SI base units:
o Length → Meter (m)
o Mass → Kilogram (kg)
o Time → Second (s)
o Temperature → Kelvin (K)
o Current → Ampere (A)
o Amount of substance → Mole (mol)
o Luminous intensity → Candela (cd)
10. Base units are fundamental (e.g., meter for length), while
derived units are formed from base units (e.g., m/s² for
acceleration).
5. Standard Form / Scientific Notation
11. Scientific notation expresses very large or small numbers
using powers of ten, making calculations easier.
12. Conversion to scientific notation:
 (a) 0.000456 = 4.56 × 10⁻⁴
 (b) 4500000 = 4.5 × 10⁶
13. Conversion to normal form:
 (a) 3.2 × 10³ = 3200
 (b) 5.7 × 10⁻⁴ = 0.00057

6. Prefixes and Powers of Ten

14. Prefixes are symbols used to represent very large or small
numbers in short form.
15. Prefixes for powers of ten:
 = kilo (k)
 = micro (μ)
 = giga (G)

7. Scalar and Vector Quantities

16. Scalar quantities have only magnitude (e.g., mass), while
vector quantities have both magnitude and direction (e.g., force).
 17. Force has magnitude and direction, making it a vector,
while mass has only magnitude, so it is a scalar.
18. Examples:
 Scalar: Temperature, time
 Vector: Velocity, displacement

8. Adding Vector Quantities

19. Head-to-tail rule: Place the head of one vector at the tail of
another, and the sum is the vector from start to end.
20. Vector addition considers direction, while scalar addition
only sums magnitudes.
9. Measuring Instruments
21. Least count:
 Meter rule = 1 mm (0.1 cm)
 Measuring tape = 1 mm or 1 cm (depends on type)
22. A Vernier caliper is more precise because it can measure up
to 0.01 mm, while a meter rule measures only in mm or cm.
23. Least count of Vernier caliper = 0.01 cm (0.1 mm),
calculated as:
 Least count = Smallest division on main scale / Total
divisions on Vernier scale
24. A screw gauge measures very small thicknesses (e.g., paper)
because its least count is 0.01 mm.
25. A physical balance measures mass accurately by comparing
it with known weights.
26. A measuring cylinder measures the volume of liquids;
readings are taken from the bottom of the meniscus.
27. A stopwatch measures short time intervals accurately, unlike
regular clocks.
10. Errors, Precision, and Accuracy
28. Random errors occur due to unpredictable variations, while
systematic errors occur due to faulty instruments or incorrect
methods.
29. Accuracy is how close a measurement is to the actual value,
while precision is how consistent repeated measurements are.
30. Errors can be minimized by using precise instruments,
repeating experiments, and avoiding parallax errors.

1. Rest and Motion

1. What is the difference between rest and motion?
2. Define frame of reference with an example.
2. Types of Motion
3. Define rotatory motion with an example.
 4. How does vibratory motion occur in daily life? Give an example.
5. What is rectilinear motion? Give an example.
6. Explain circular motion with an example.
7. What is random motion? Give an example from nature.
3. Distance and Displacement
8. What is the difference between distance and displacement?
9. Why is displacement sometimes zero even if distance is not?
10. Can displacement be greater than distance? Why or why not?
4. Speed and Velocity
(a) Speed
11. Define speed and write its SI unit.
12. What is the formula for average speed?
13. Define instantaneous speed and give an example.
14. Differentiate between uniform speed and variable speed.
(b) Velocity
15. Define velocity and write its formula.
16. What is the difference between speed and velocity?
17. Write the formula for average velocity.
18. How is instantaneous velocity different from average
velocity?
19. Differentiate between uniform velocity and variable
velocity.
5. Acceleration
20. Define acceleration and write its formula.
21. What is uniform acceleration? Give an example.
22. What is negative acceleration (deceleration)? Give an
example.
6. Motion Due to Gravity
23. What is the value of acceleration due to gravity (g) on
Earth?
24. Why do all objects fall at the same rate in vacuum?
25. Write the three equations of motion under gravity.
7. Graphical Analysis of Motion
(a) Distance-Time Graph
26. What does a straight-line distance-time graph represent?
27. What does a curved distance-time graph indicate?
(b) Speed-Time Graph
28. What does a horizontal line in a speed-time graph
represent?
29. How can we find acceleration using a speed-time graph?
30. How can we calculate distance covered from a speed-time
graph?
Answers to Conceptual Questions on Kinematics
1. Rest and Motion
1. An object is at rest if it does not change its position with time
relative to a fixed point (e.g., a book on a table). An object is in
motion if it changes its position with time (e.g., a moving car).
2. Frame of reference is a fixed point from which motion is observed.
Example: A person sitting in a moving bus sees trees moving
backward, but another person outside the bus sees the bus moving.
2. Types of Motion
3. Rotatory motion occurs when an object moves around a fixed axis
(e.g., a spinning fan).
4. Vibratory motion is the back-and-forth motion of an object (e.g., a
plucked guitar string).
5. Rectilinear motion is motion along a straight line (e.g., a car
moving on a straight road).
6. Circular motion is movement along a circular path (e.g., the Earth
orbiting the Sun).
7. Random motion is unpredictable motion in any direction (e.g., dust
particles in the air).
3. Distance and Displacement
8. Distance is the total path traveled, while displacement is the
shortest straight-line distance between two points.
9. Displacement is zero if the object returns to its starting point (e.g.,
a person jogging one lap around a track).
10. Displacement cannot be greater than distance because it
is always the shortest path.
4. Speed and Velocity
(a) Speed
11. Speed is the distance traveled per unit time. SI unit: meters
per second (m/s).
12. Average speed = Total distance / Total time.
13. Instantaneous speed is the speed of an object at a specific
moment (e.g., the speedometer reading of a car).
14. Uniform speed means the object covers equal distances in
equal time intervals, while variable speed means the distance
covered per unit time changes.
(b) Velocity
15. Velocity is the speed of an object in a given direction.
Formula: Velocity = Displacement / Time.
16. Speed has only magnitude (scalar), while velocity has both
magnitude and direction (vector).
17. Average velocity = (Initial velocity + Final velocity) / 2 (if
acceleration is uniform).
 18. Instantaneous velocity is velocity at a specific time, while
average velocity is calculated over a time interval.
19. Uniform velocity means velocity remains constant, while
variable velocity means it changes over time.
5. Acceleration
20. Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. Formula:
Acceleration = Change in velocity / Time.
21. Uniform acceleration occurs when velocity increases by
equal amounts in equal time intervals (e.g., a freely falling object).
22. Negative acceleration (deceleration) occurs when velocity
decreases (e.g., a car slowing down before a stop).
6. Motion Due to Gravity
23. The acceleration due to gravity on Earth is 9.8 m/s².
24. In a vacuum, all objects fall at the same rate because there is
no air resistance (e.g., a feather and a stone fall together in a
vacuum).
25. Equations of motion under gravity:
 vf =vi +gt
 S= vit + ½ gt²
 2gS= vf²- vi²
where vi = initial velocity, vf = final velocity, g = acceleration due
to gravity, s = displacement, t = time.
7. Graphical Analysis of Motion
(a) Distance-Time Graph
26. A straight-line distance-time graph shows uniform motion
(constant speed).
27. A curved distance-time graph indicates accelerated
motion.
(b) Speed-Time Graph
28. A horizontal line in a speed-time graph means constant
speed (zero acceleration).
29. Acceleration is found from the slope of the speed-time graph.
30. Distance covered is the area under the speed-time
graph.
1. Force
1. Define force and write its SI unit.
2. What is the difference between contact forces and non-contact
forces?
2. Fundamental Forces in Nature
3. List the four fundamental forces in nature in order of their
strength.
 4. Which fundamental force is responsible for holding the nucleus
together?
5. How does electromagnetic force affect charged particles?
6. Why is gravitational force the weakest among fundamental
forces?
7. What is the role of the weak nuclear force in radioactive decay?
3. Force Diagram and Net Force
8. What is a force diagram?
9. Define net force with an example.
10. What is a free-body diagram?
4. Newton’s Laws of Motion
(a) Newton’s First Law of Motion
11. State Newton’s First Law of Motion and explain it with an
example.
12. Why is Newton’s First Law also called the Law of Inertia?
13. What happens if there is no external force acting on a
moving object?
(b) Newton’s Second Law of Motion
14. State Newton’s Second Law of Motion and write its formula.
15. How does Newton’s Second Law relate force, mass, and
acceleration?
16. What happens to acceleration if force is doubled while mass
remains constant?
(c) Newton’s Third Law of Motion
17. State Newton’s Third Law of Motion with an example.
18. Why does a gun recoil when fired?
19. How does Newton’s Third Law apply to a swimmer moving
forward in water?
5. Limitations of Newton’s Laws
20. Why do Newton’s Laws not apply to objects moving at the
speed of light?
21. What are the limitations of Newton’s Laws at the atomic
level?
6. Mass and Weight
22. Differentiate between mass and weight.
23. Write the formula for weight and state its SI unit.
24. Why does weight change on different planets but mass
remains constant?
7. Measuring Force and Mass
25. What is a spring balance used for?
26. How is force measured using a Newton meter?
8. Gravitational Field
27. Define gravitational field and its SI unit.
9. Momentum and Its Conservation
28. Define momentum and write its formula.
29. State the law of conservation of momentum.
30. How does impulse relate to change in momentum?
Answers to Conceptual Questions on Dynamics - I
1. Force
1. Force is a push or pull that changes the motion of an object. SI
unit: Newton (N).
2. Contact forces act through physical contact (e.g., friction, tension),
while non-contact forces act at a distance (e.g., gravity, magnetic
force).
2. Fundamental Forces in Nature
3. The four fundamental forces in order of strength:
o Strong nuclear force (strongest)
o Electromagnetic force
o Weak nuclear force
o Gravitational force (weakest)
4. The strong nuclear force holds the nucleus together.
5. Electromagnetic force causes attraction or repulsion between
charged particles.
6. Gravitational force is the weakest because it depends on mass,
and mass of atomic particles is very small.
7. Weak nuclear force is responsible for radioactive decay (e.g.,
beta decay).
3. Force Diagram and Net Force
8. A force diagram is a diagram that shows all the forces acting on an
object.
9. Net force is the sum of all forces acting on an object. Example: If
two people push a box with equal but opposite forces, the net force
is zero.
10. A free-body diagram represents forces acting on an object
using arrows.
4. Newton’s Laws of Motion
(a) Newton’s First Law of Motion
11. Newton’s First Law states that an object remains at rest or
in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force.
12. It is called the Law of Inertia because objects resist changes
in their motion.
 13. If no external force acts, a moving object continues moving
with constant velocity.
(b) Newton’s Second Law of Motion
14. Newton’s Second Law: The acceleration of an object
depends on the force applied and its mass. Formula: F = ma.
15. It means force is directly proportional to acceleration
and mass.
16. If force is doubled while mass remains constant, acceleration
doubles.
(c) Newton’s Third Law of Motion
17. Newton’s Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and
opposite reaction.
18. A gun recoils because the bullet exerts an equal and opposite
force on the gun.
19. A swimmer pushes water backward, and water pushes them
forward.
5. Limitations of Newton’s Laws
20. Newton’s Laws do not apply to objects moving at the speed
of light (Einstein’s theory of relativity).
21. Newton’s Laws do not explain quantum mechanics
(behavior of atoms and subatomic particles).
6. Mass and Weight
22. Mass is the amount of matter in an object, while weight is
the gravitational force acting on it.
23. Formula: Weight (W) = Mass (m) × Gravity (g), SI unit:
Newton (N).
24. Weight changes on different planets because gravity is
different, but mass remains constant.
7. Measuring Force and Mass
25. A spring balance measures force and weight.
26. A Newton meter measures force using a calibrated spring.
8. Gravitational Field
27. A gravitational field is a region where a mass experiences a
gravitational force. SI unit: N/kg.
9. Momentum and Its Conservation
28. Momentum is the quantity of motion of an object. Formula:
p = mv (momentum = mass × velocity).
29. Law of Conservation of Momentum: The total momentum
before and after a collision remains the same if no external force
acts.
30. Impulse is the product of force and time, causing a change in
momentum. Formula: Impulse = Ft = Δp.
Rules of Significant Figures
1. Non-zero digits are always significant.
o Example: 123 has 3 significant figures.
2. Zeros between non-zero digits are significant.
o Example: 105 has 3 significant figures.
3. Leading zeros (before non-zero digits) are NOT significant.
o Example: 0.0045 has 2 significant figures.
4. Trailing zeros (after a decimal point) are significant.
o Example: 3.200 has 4 significant figures.
5. Trailing zeros in a whole number without a decimal are NOT significant.
o Example: 500 has 1 significant figure, but 500.0 has 4.
6. In scientific notation, all digits in the coefficient are significant.
o Example: 2.50 × 10³ has 3 significant figures.

"Dynamics - II"
1. Forces on Bodies
1. What happens when multiple forces act on a body?
2. How does force affect the motion of an object?
3. What is the difference between balanced and unbalanced
forces?
2. Moment of a Force
4. Define moment of a force and write its formula.
5. What factors affect the moment of a force?
6. How does increasing the perpendicular distance affect the moment
of a force?
7. Give an example of the moment of a force in daily life.
3. Center of Mass
8. Define center of mass.
9. Why is the center of mass important in physics?
10. How can we find the center of mass of a regular object?
11. How does the position of the center of mass affect an
object’s stability?
4. Equilibrium
12. What is equilibrium?
13. How does an object remain in equilibrium?
5. Conditions of Equilibrium
14. What are the two conditions of equilibrium?
15. What happens if the sum of all forces acting on an object is
zero?
16. What happens if the sum of all torques acting on an object is
zero?
6. Principle of Moments
17. State the principle of moments.
18. How does the principle of moments apply to a seesaw?
7. Types of Equilibrium
19. Name the three types of equilibrium.
20. What is the difference between stable, unstable, and
neutral equilibrium?
21. Give an example of stable equilibrium in real life.
8. Friction
22. What is friction and what causes it?
9. Microscopic Description of Friction
23. Why does friction occur at the microscopic level?
10. Advantages and Disadvantages of Friction
24. List two advantages and two disadvantages of friction.
11. Methods of Reducing Friction
25. How can friction be reduced?
26. What role do lubricants play in reducing friction?
12. Rolling Friction
27. How does rolling friction differ from sliding friction?
28. Why do vehicles use ball bearings?
13. Fluid Friction
29. What is fluid friction?
30. How does fluid friction affect moving objects?
14. Frictional Dissipation
31. How does friction cause energy dissipation?
15. Centripetal Force
32. Define centripetal force.
33. Why is centripetal force needed in circular motion?
34. Give an example of centripetal force in daily life.
16. Orbital Motion
35. What is orbital motion?
36. Why do planets follow an elliptical orbit?
17. Average Orbital Speed of a Satellite
37. What is the formula for the orbital speed of a satellite?
38. How does altitude affect the orbital speed of a satellite?
18. Planetary Data
39. Which planet has the highest orbital speed?
40. Why do planets closer to the Sun move faster than those
farther away?
"Dynamics - II"
1. Forces on Bodies
1. When multiple forces act on a body, their vector sum (resultant
force) determines the object’s motion.
2. A force can change an object’s speed, direction, or shape.
3. Balanced forces do not change motion, while unbalanced forces
cause acceleration.
2. Moment of a Force
4. Moment of a force (Torque) is the turning effect of a force, given
by:
5. It depends on force magnitude and distance from the pivot.
6. Increasing the distance increases the moment, making rotation
easier.
7. Example: Opening a door—applying force farther from the hinge
makes it easier to open.
3. Center of Mass
8. The center of mass is the point where the whole mass of a body
appears to be concentrated.
9. It helps in understanding motion and stability of objects.
10. For a regular object, it lies at its geometric center.
11. A lower center of mass makes an object more stable.
4. Equilibrium
12. A body is in equilibrium when its net force and net torque are
both zero.
13. It remains at rest or moves with constant velocity.
5. Conditions of Equilibrium
14.
o First condition: The sum of all forces acting on a body must
be zero.
 Second condition: The sum of all torques about any point must
be zero.
15. The object remains at rest or in uniform motion.
16. The object does not rotate.
6. Principle of Moments
17. "For a body in equilibrium, the sum of clockwise moments
equals the sum of anticlockwise moments."
 18. A seesaw is balanced when the moments on both sides are
equal.
7. Types of Equilibrium
19. Stable, unstable, and neutral equilibrium.
20.
o Stable: Returns to its original position after disturbance.
 Unstable: Moves away from its original position after disturbance.
 Neutral: Stays in a new position after disturbance.
21. Example of stable equilibrium: A ball at the bottom of a
bowl.
8. Friction
22. Friction is the force that opposes motion between two
surfaces in contact.
9. Microscopic Description of Friction
23. Friction occurs due to irregularities and interlocking of
surface particles.
10. Advantages and Disadvantages of Friction
24. Advantages:
 Helps in walking.
 Allows brakes to stop vehicles.
Disadvantages:
 Causes wear and tear.
 Reduces efficiency of machines.

11. Methods of Reducing Friction

25. Using lubricants, polishing surfaces, using ball
bearings.
26. Lubricants fill gaps between surfaces, reducing contact and
friction.
12. Rolling Friction
27. Rolling friction is smaller than sliding friction, making
movement easier.
28. Ball bearings reduce friction in moving parts like wheels.
13. Fluid Friction
29. Fluid friction (drag) is the resistance force in liquids and
gases.
30. It slows down objects moving through fluids (e.g., air
resistance on cars).
14. Frictional Dissipation
31. Friction converts kinetic energy into heat energy, causing
energy loss.
15. Centripetal Force
32. Centripetal force keeps objects moving in a circular path.
33. Without it, an object would move in a straight line.
34. Example: Earth’s gravity keeps the Moon in orbit.
16. Orbital Motion
35. Orbital motion is the curved path of an object under
gravitational force.
36. Planets move in an elliptical orbit due to the Sun’s gravity.
17. Average Orbital Speed of a Satellite
37. Formula: 2πr/T

where r = orbital radius, T = time period.

38. A higher altitude results in a slower orbital speed.
18. Planetary Data
39. Mercury has the highest orbital speed.
40. Planets closer to the Sun move faster due to stronger
gravitational pull.