The position-time graph of a particle is a parabola opening upwards. This indicates that the particle has: MCQ with Answer and Explanation

The position-time graph of a particle is a parabola opening upwards. This indicates that the particle has:
A. Constant acceleration
B. Increasing acceleration
C. Decreasing acceleration
D. Constant velocity
Answer: Option A
Solution (By JKSSB Mock Tests)
Position-time graph as parabola: x = x₀ + ut + ½at². This quadratic form indicates constant acceleration 'a'. If acceleration were changing, the graph would be cubic or higher order. Constant velocity would produce a straight line (linear graph). Upward opening parabola implies positive acceleration. Graph interpretation skill is essential: slope of x-t graph = velocity; curvature indicates acceleration. Memory tip: Parabolic x-t graph ⇔ constant acceleration; linear x-t graph ⇔ constant velocity. Competitive exams frequently test graph-concept correlations.

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Practice More Physics Questions

Question #1
The escape velocity from Earth's surface is approximately 11.2 km/s. If a planet has twice Earth's radius and same density, its escape velocity will be:
A. 5.6 km/s
B. 15.8 km/s
C. 22.4 km/s
D. 11.2 km/s

Correct Answer: Option C


Explanation:
Escape velocity v_e = √(2GM/R). Mass M = density ρ × volume = ρ×(4/3)πR³. Thus v_e = √(2Gρ×4/3πR³ / R) = √(8GρπR²/3) ∝ R√ρ. Given same density and R_planet = 2R_earth, v_e ∝ R, so v_e_planet = 2 × 11.2 = 22.4 km/s. This derivation shows escape velocity scales linearly with radius for constant density. Memory tip: v_e ∝ √(M/R) and M ∝ R³ for constant ρ, so v_e ∝ R. Such proportional reasoning questions test conceptual grasp of gravitation formulas in competitive exams without heavy calculation.

This question belongs to: Science Physics
Question #2
The time period of revolution of a geostationary satellite is:
A. 84 minutes
B. 24 hours
C. Variable
D. 12 hours

Correct Answer: Option B


Explanation:
Geostationary satellites orbit in Earth's equatorial plane with period matching Earth's rotation period (24 hours), so they appear stationary relative to ground. Orbital radius is about 42,000 km from Earth's center. Memory tip: 'Geostationary: T=24 h, equatorial orbit, fixed position; used for communication/weather satellites'. This standard result is frequently tested in competitive exams. Always recall that geostationary is a special case of geosynchronous (same period) with zero inclination; competitive exams often compare low orbit (84 min) vs geostationary (24 h) periods.

This question belongs to: Science Physics
Question #3
The energy equivalent of 1 amu is approximately
A. 3.0 × 10⁸ J
B. 931 eV
C. 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ J
D. 931 MeV

Correct Answer: Option D


Explanation:
1 amu = 1.6605 × 10⁻²⁷ kg, using E=mc² gives about 931.5 MeV. Used in nuclear binding energy calculations. Not eV, but MeV. Very large energy per nucleon.

This question belongs to: Science Physics