Challenging Math and Physics
Questions
1. If the roots of the quadratic equation x^2 - 6x + c = 0 are in the ratio 2:3 and the sum of
the roots equals the product of the roots, what is the value of c?
a) 15
b) 12
c) 9
d) 6
Answer: c) 9
Explanation: Let the roots be 2k and 3k. The sum of the roots is 5k, and the product of the
roots is 6k^2. By Vieta’s formulas and equating the sum and product, solve for k and
substitute into the quadratic to find c = 9.
2. A solid sphere of mass M and radius R rolls without slipping down an inclined plane of
height h and length l. What is the final speed of the sphere at the bottom, considering
rotational inertia?
a) √ (12gh/7)
b) √ (10gh/7)
c) √ (8gh/7)
d) √ (14gh/7)
Answer: b) sqrt(10gh/7)
Explanation: Using energy conservation, include both translational and rotational kinetic
energies. Solve for the final velocity considering the rotational inertia of the solid sphere.
3. A car decelerates at a constant rate from 25 m/s to rest on a wet road where the
coefficient of friction is 0.35. What is the stopping distance, and how long does it take for the
car to stop?
a) Distance: 45 m, Time: 7 s
b) Distance: 62.5 m, Time: 10 s
c) Distance: 50 m, Time: 8 s
d) Distance: 70 m, Time: 9 s
Answer: b) Distance: 62.5 m, Time: 10 s
Explanation: First, calculate the stopping distance using v^2 = 2μgd. Then, find the time
using v = u + at, where a = μg.
4. A wire of length 2 m and resistance 12 ohms is bent into two concentric circular loops.
What is the equivalent resistance between two points on the larger loop?
a) 3 ohms
b) 6 ohms
c) 9 ohms
d) 12 ohms
Answer: b) 6 ohms
Explanation: The wire is divided into two loops, with the larger loop having twice the length
of the smaller one. Use parallel and series resistance combinations to find the equivalent
resistance.
5. A particle moves in a circular path of radius 5 m with an angular velocity that increases at
a constant rate of 0.5 rad/s². What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the particle after 4
seconds?
a) 4.5 m/s²
b) 5.0 m/s²
c) 5.6 m/s²
d) 6.2 m/s²
Answer: c) 5.6 m/s²
Explanation: Calculate the angular velocity after 4 seconds. Then, determine the tangential
and centripetal accelerations separately, and use Pythagorean theorem to find the total
acceleration.
6. Three resistors, each of resistance 4 ohms, 6 ohms, and 8 ohms, are connected in parallel
and then in series with a 5-ohm resistor. What is the equivalent resistance of the entire
circuit?
a) 4.6 ohms
b) 5.5 ohms
c) 6.2 ohms
d) 7.0 ohms
Answer: c) 6.2 ohms
Explanation: First, calculate the equivalent resistance of the parallel combination, then add
the series resistor to find the total equivalent resistance.
7. A cylindrical rod of length l, cross-sectional area A, and thermal conductivity k conducts
heat from one end to the other. If the temperature difference is doubled and the cross-
sectional area is halved, what happens to the rate of heat conduction?
a) It is doubled
b) It remains the same
c) It is halved
d) It is quartered
Answer: c) It is halved
Explanation: The rate of heat conduction is directly proportional to the temperature
difference and the cross-sectional area, according to Fourier's law of heat conduction.
8. A spring stretches by 0.05 m when a mass of 3 kg is suspended from it. What is the new
stretch of the spring if the mass is doubled?
a) 0.10 m
b) 0.075 m
c) 0.125 m
d) 0.15 m
Answer: a) 0.10 m
Explanation: Use Hooke’s law. Since the force is proportional to the mass, doubling the mass
will double the stretch of the spring.
9. The de Broglie wavelength of an electron is 2.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ meters. If the electron’s
momentum is doubled, what will be its new wavelength?
a) 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ m
b) 2.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ m
c) 0.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ m
d) 4.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ m
Answer: a) 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ m
Explanation: The de Broglie wavelength is inversely proportional to momentum. Doubling
the momentum halves the wavelength.
10. A laser emits light of wavelength 400 nm. If the energy of a photon is 5.0 × 10⁻¹⁹ J, what
is the frequency of the emitted light?
a) 7.5 × 10¹⁴ Hz
b) 8.0 × 10¹⁴ Hz
c) 9.0 × 10¹⁴ Hz
d) 6.5 × 10¹⁴ Hz
Answer: b) 8.0 × 10¹⁴ Hz
Explanation: Use the energy-frequency relation E = hf, where h is Planck’s constant, to solve
for frequency.