Class 10 Physics MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)

In this article, we will cover Class 10 Physics MCQs. Based on the NCERT syllabus, this section includes essential topics such as Light, Electricity, Magnetic Effects of Current, and the Human Eye. These concepts form the foundation of Physics and are crucial for understanding the physical world. Practicing these MCQs will help students reinforce their knowledge, enhance problem-solving skills, and prepare thoroughly for their exams.

1. What is the speed of sound in air at room temperature?
a) 150 m/s
b) 340 m/s
c) 1500 m/s
d) 300 m/s
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The speed of sound in air at room temperature (about 20°C or 68°F) is approximately 340 meters per second. This speed can vary with temperature and the medium through which the sound travels.

2. Which of the following is the formula for calculating speed?
a) Speed = Distance / Time
b) Speed = Time / Distance
c) Speed = Mass / Distance
d) Speed = Distance × Time
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Speed is the distance traveled per unit of time. The correct formula is Speed = Distance / Time. It is a simple relationship that allows us to calculate the rate of motion.

3. What is the law of reflection?
a) Angle of incidence + Angle of reflection = 90°
b) Angle of incidence > Angle of reflection
c) Angle of incidence < Angle of reflection
d) Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The law of reflection states that the angle at which light strikes a surface (angle of incidence) is always equal to the angle at which it reflects off (angle of reflection). This principle is key in understanding how mirrors work.
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4. What is the main cause of refraction of light?
a) Change in wavelength of light
b) Change in color of light
c) Change in speed of light
d) Change in angle of incidence
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Refraction happens when light passes from one medium to another, causing a change in its speed. This change in speed results in the bending of light. Refraction is most noticeable when light travels from air into water or glass.

5. Which of the following is a vector quantity?
a) Time
b) Distance
c) Speed
d) Velocity
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Velocity is a vector quantity because it has both magnitude (how fast) and direction (where). Speed, on the other hand, only has magnitude and is a scalar quantity.
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6. What is the formula for calculating electric power?
a) Power = Voltage × Current
b) Power = Current / Voltage
c) Power = Voltage / Current
d) Power = Current × Current
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Electric power is calculated using the formula Power = Voltage × Current. This relationship shows how much energy is consumed or generated per unit of time in an electrical circuit.

7. What is Ohm’s law?
a) V = I/R
b) V = IR
c) V = I2R
d) V = R/I
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Ohm’s law states that the voltage (V) across a conductor is directly proportional to the current (I) flowing through it, with resistance (R) as the constant. The formula is V = IR.

8. What is the unit of electric charge?
a) Volt
b) Ampere
c) Watt
d) Coulomb
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The unit of electric charge is the Coulomb (C). One Coulomb is the amount of charge transferred by a current of one ampere in one second.

9. Which of the following waves can travel through a vacuum?
a) Water waves
b) Sound waves
c) Light waves
d) Seismic waves
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Light waves, as electromagnetic waves, can travel through a vacuum, unlike sound waves which require a medium.
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10. What is the main difference between series and parallel circuits?
a) Parallel circuits are always safer
b) In parallel circuits, current is divided among the branches
c) Series circuits have more than one power source
d) In series circuits, voltage is divided among the components
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: In a parallel circuit, the current divides among the different branches, whereas in a series circuit, the current remains the same throughout.

11. What is the primary cause of the greenhouse effect?
a) Increase in carbon dioxide and other gases
b) Decrease in carbon dioxide levels
c) Increase in oxygen levels
d) Increase in ultraviolet radiation
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The greenhouse effect is caused by the increase in carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere, trapping heat from the Earth.

12. What type of lens is used in magnifying glasses?
a) Concave lens
b) Convex lens
c) Convex mirror
d) Plane mirror
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: A convex lens is used in magnifying glasses because it converges light and creates an enlarged image of the object being viewed. This makes small objects appear larger.

13. Which of the following is a feature of an image formed by a plane mirror?
a) Virtual and upright
b) Real and inverted
c) Real and diminished
d) Magnified and inverted
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: A plane mirror forms a virtual, upright image that is of the same size as the object. The image appears to be behind the mirror at the same distance as the object is in front of it.

14. What is the unit of frequency?
a) Newton
b) Hertz
c) Ampere
d) Watt
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz), which represents the number of cycles or oscillations per second. One hertz equals one cycle per second.

15. What type of energy is stored in a battery?
a) Kinetic energy
b) Chemical energy
c) Thermal energy
d) Potential energy
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: A battery stores chemical energy. When the battery is connected to a circuit, the chemical energy is converted into electrical energy to power devices.

16. Which of the following is an example of a non-contact force?
a) Gravitational force
b) Friction
c) Tension
d) Normal force
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Gravitational force is a non-contact force that acts at a distance. It pulls objects towards the center of the Earth or other celestial bodies without physical contact.

17. What is the primary source of energy on Earth?
a) Wind
b) Fossil fuels
c) Sun
d) Geothermal
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The Sun is the primary source of energy on Earth. It provides light and heat that sustain life, drive weather patterns, and enable photosynthesis.

18. What is the SI unit of work?
a) Watt
b) Joule
c) Ampere
d) Newton
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The SI unit of work is the joule (J). It is the amount of energy transferred when a force of one newton acts over a distance of one meter.

19. What is the formula for calculating work done?
a) Speed × Time
b) Mass × Velocity
c) Energy × Time
d) Force × Distance
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Work is done when a force acts over a distance. The formula is Work = Force × Distance, where force is in newtons and distance is in meters.

20. What is the law of inertia?
a) An object will stay at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force
b) Energy is neither created nor destroyed
c) An object in motion stays in motion
d) Force is equal to mass times acceleration
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The law of inertia, as stated by Newton, means that an object will remain at rest or continue moving at constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force.

21. What is the critical angle for total internal reflection?
a) 90°
b) 60°
c) 45°
d) 0°
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The critical angle is the angle of incidence at which light passing from a denser to a rarer medium undergoes total internal reflection. This occurs when the angle of incidence exceeds the critical angle.

22. Which of the following occurs when light enters from a denser medium to a rarer medium?
a) Diffraction
b) Absorption
c) Reflection
d) Refraction
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: When light enters a rarer medium (like air) from a denser medium (like water), it bends away from the normal due to refraction, changing its speed and direction.

23. Which part of the human eye helps in focusing light on the retina?
a) Lens
b) Cornea
c) Retina
d) Optic Nerve
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The lens of the eye helps focus light onto the retina. It changes shape to focus on objects at different distances, aiding in clear vision.

24. What causes the phenomenon of a rainbow?
a) Diffraction
b) Dispersion
c) Reflection
d) Refraction
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: A rainbow is caused by the dispersion of sunlight in water droplets. The light is separated into its component colors due to different wavelengths being refracted at different angles.

25. What does a resistor do in an electrical circuit?
a) Increases current
b) Decreases current
c) Changes current direction
d) Stores electrical energy
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: A resistor is used to reduce the flow of electric current in a circuit by providing resistance. This helps control the amount of current that passes through other components.

26. What is the direction of the magnetic field around a current-carrying conductor?
a) In the direction of the current
b) From the north pole to the south pole
c) Perpendicular to the wire
d) In circular loops around the wire
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: When an electric current flows through a conductor, the magnetic field forms concentric circular loops around the wire. The direction of the field can be determined using the right-hand thumb rule.

27. What is the unit of magnetic field strength?
a) Tesla
b) Ampere
c) Volt
d) Watt
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The strength of the magnetic field is measured in tesla (T), named after Nikola Tesla. One tesla represents a strong magnetic field of 1 newton per ampere-meter.

28. What is the formula for calculating electrical power?
a) Power = Current × Voltage
b) Power = Current × Resistance
c) Power = Voltage × Resistance
d) Power = Current × Distance
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Electrical power is the rate at which energy is consumed or generated. It is calculated using the formula Power = Current × Voltage, where power is measured in watts.

29. What is the near point of the human eye for a normal person?
a) 75 cm
b) 50 cm
c) 25 cm
d) 100 cm
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The near point of the human eye is the closest distance at which the eye can clearly focus an object. For a normal person, this distance is approximately 25 cm.

30. What is the main function of the human eye’s retina?
a) Focus light
b) Regulate pupil size
c) Produce tears
d) Detect light and send signals to the brain
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The retina detects light and converts it into electrical signals. These signals are then sent to the brain for interpretation, allowing us to see.

31. What type of mirror is used in car headlights?
a) Concave mirror
b) Parabolic mirror
c) Convex mirror
d) Plane mirror
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: A concave mirror is used in car headlights to focus the light and direct it in a specific direction, enhancing visibility.

32. What is the purpose of using an electromagnet?
a) To convert mechanical energy into electrical energy
b) To produce a temporary magnetic field
c) To store electric charge
d) To create a constant magnetic field
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: An electromagnet produces a temporary magnetic field when an electric current flows through it. The magnetic field can be turned on or off by controlling the current.

33. What is the function of the pupil in the human eye?
a) To focus light on the retina
b) To detect colors
c) To control the amount of light entering the eye
d) To protect the eye from dust
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The pupil regulates the amount of light entering the eye by adjusting its size. It becomes smaller in bright light and larger in dim light to allow optimal vision.

34. What is the purpose of the commutator in a DC motor?
a) To reverse the direction of current
b) To reverse the direction of the magnetic field
c) To regulate the speed
d) To increase the current
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The commutator in a DC motor reverses the direction of current in the motor’s armature windings, ensuring continuous rotation in one direction.

35. What is the SI unit of electric potential difference?
a) Ampere
b) Ohm
c) Volt
d) Watt
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The electric potential difference, or voltage, is measured in volts (V). It represents the energy difference per unit charge between two points in a circuit.

36. The focal length of a convex lens is 20 cm. What is the power of the lens?
a) +5 D
b) +0.5 D
c) -5 D
d) -0.5 D
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The power of a lens is calculated using the formula \(P = \frac{1}{F}\), where f is the focal length in meters. For a focal length of 20 cm (or 0.20 meters), the power is \(P = \frac{1}{0.20}\) = 5 diopters (D).

37. If a wire of resistance 10 ohms is cut into 5 equal parts, what is the resistance of one part?
a) 50 ohms
b) 2 ohms
c) 10 ohms
d) 5 ohms
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: When a wire is cut into equal parts, the resistance of each part is inversely proportional to the number of parts. Therefore, the resistance of one part will be \(\frac{10}{5}\) = 2 ohms.

38. What is the focal length of a lens with a magnification of -1.5 if the object is placed at a distance of 30 cm from the lens?
a) -30 cm
b) +30 cm
c) -45 cm
d) +45 cm
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Using the lens formula and magnification formula, we can calculate the focal length. For a magnification of -1.5 and an object distance of 30 cm, the focal length comes out to be -45 cm.

39. What is the effect of doubling the resistance in a circuit with constant voltage?
a) The current doubles
b) The current halves
c) The power increases
d) The power remains constant
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: According to Ohm’s law (I = V/R), if the resistance is doubled, the current will be halved, assuming the voltage remains constant.

40. A current of 3 A is flowing through a conductor placed in a magnetic field of strength 0.5 T. If the length of the conductor is 2 m, what will be the force on the conductor?
a) 3 N
b) 1.5 N
c) 6 N
d) 0.5 N
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The force on the conductor is given by F = B × I × L, where B = 0.5T, I = 3A, and L = 2m. Hence, F = 0.5 × 3 × 2 = 3N.

41. Which of the following devices uses the magnetic effect of electric current?
a) Electric motor
b) Electric bulb
c) Battery
d) Capacitor
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Electric motors operate on the magnetic effect of electric current. When current flows through a conductor in a magnetic field, it experiences a force that causes motion.

42. Which of the following colors of light have the shortest wavelength?
a) Red
b) Green
c) Blue
d) Violet
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Violet light has the shortest wavelength in the visible spectrum, followed by blue, green, and red.

43. What is the total resistance when three resistors of resistance 2Ω, 3Ω, and 5Ω are connected in series?
a) 2Ω
b) 3Ω
c) 10Ω
d) 5Ω
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: In a series circuit, the total resistance is the sum of the individual resistances: 2Ω + 3Ω + 5Ω = 10Ω.

44. In a simple circuit, the total current is 2A and the resistance is 5Ω. What is the potential difference?
a) 7V
b) 10V
c) 2V
d) 5V
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Using Ohm’s law V = I × R, we get V = 2A × 5Ω = 10V.

45. How can the direction of the magnetic field around a current-carrying wire be determined?
a) Right-hand thumb rule
b) Fleming’s left-hand rule
c) Lenz’s law
d) Ohm’s law
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The right-hand thumb rule is used to determine the direction of the magnetic field around a current-carrying conductor. If you curl your right hand around the wire with your thumb pointing in the direction of the current, your fingers will point in the direction of the magnetic field.

46. Which of the following is a material that is NOT magnetic?
a) Nickel
b) Iron
c) Cobalt
d) Copper
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Copper is a non-magnetic material, meaning it does not exhibit magnetic properties. On the other hand, iron, nickel, and cobalt are ferromagnetic materials, which means they are attracted to magnets and can be magnetized themselves.

Explore Class 10 Physics MCQs Chapter-wise

Check out the Class 10 Physics chapters below to practice more MCQs on each topic:

  • Light Reflection and Refraction MCQ
  • The Human Eye and the Colourful World MCQ
  • Electricity MCQ
  • Magnetic Effects of Electric Current MCQ

Related Links:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Class 10 Physics MCQs

Q1. What are Class 10 Physics MCQs?
Class 10 Physics MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) are practice questions designed to help students prepare for their exams. These questions cover key topics from the Class 10 Physics curriculum based on the NCERT syllabus, including light, electricity, magnetic effects of current, and the human eye.

Q2. Why should I practice Class 10 Physics MCQs?
Practicing Class 10 Physics MCQs helps reinforce your understanding of key concepts, improve problem-solving skills, and prepare you effectively for exams. It also enhances your ability to quickly recall information under time constraints.

Q3. How can Class 10 Physics MCQs help in exam preparation?
MCQs are an excellent way to test your knowledge, as they help you quickly assess your understanding of the subject. Regular practice will help you identify weak areas, improve speed and accuracy, and enhance confidence during exams.

Q4. Are these MCQs based on the NCERT syllabus?
Yes, all the Class 10 Physics MCQs are designed based on the NCERT syllabus, ensuring they align with the topics taught in school.

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