Saturday, 6 February 2016

Universal Gravitational Constant G: History of Physics for JSTSE Class 9

Universal Gravitational Constant G: History of Physics for JSTSE Class 9

Newton (1643-1727), Cavendish (1731-1810)

Newton published the law of gravitation in 1687. It may be stated as:

Gravitational force is proportional to the the product of the masses of the two bodies and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. In mathematical form,

F = G  m1 m2 / R2

The gravitational constant G was determined in 1797-98 by Cavendish with the help of a torsion balance. 

G = 6.67 X 10-11 N m2 kg-2


  • G is a fundamental physical constant.
  • The numerical value of G depends on the system of units used
  • G is a universal constant because it has the same value for any two bodies everywhere 



Thursday, 4 February 2016

JSTSE 2015-16 Mechanics Questions


JSTSE 2015-16 Mechanics Questions held on 31 Jan 2016

(JSTSE General Science consists of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics of Class 9. Further we have divided Physics into conventional sections of Mechanics, Heat and Sound Waves for convenience of aspirants. This year Mechanics' presence was significant as 28 questions were from Mechanics out of total 40 questions.) 



1.       A particle is thrown in vertically upward direction from the surface of earth. Its velocity-time graph will be-


2.       An object starting from rest acquires a velocity V in time T. The instantaneous power developed at time t is proportional to:

(1)     (V/T) t
(2)    V2t2/T
(3)    (V2/T2) t
(4)    V2 t2/T2
3.       Newton’s second law of Motion:

(1)    Defines the force
(2)    Measures the force
(3)    Measures the momentum

(4)    Measures the impulse


4.       Impulse is equal to:

(1)    Area under F-t graph
(2)    Rate of change of force with time
(3)    Rate of change of momentum
(4)    Impact of force 

5.       Dyne-cm is the unit of:-

(1)    Work
(2)    Power
(3)    Momentum
(4)    Impulse

6.       Mass of earth in terms of g, G and R (radius of earth) is

(1)    GR/g
(2)    gR2/G
(3)    g2R/G
(4)    Gg/R

7.       Period of a simple pendulum at the centre of earth is

(1)    0
(2)    2
(3)    1
(4)    Infinite

8.       An object is moved 32 km vertically upward from the surface of earth. Percentage change in its weight will be
(1)    1%
(2)    2%
(3)    3%
(4)    4%

9.       A body is just floating in a homogeneous liquid. The body is just pressed down and released, it will:
(1)    Start oscillating
(2)    Sink to bottom
(3)    Come to same position immediately
(4)    Come to initial position slowly

10.       A body is moving unidirectionally under constant power. Its displacement is proportional to

(1)    t1/2
(2)    t
(3)    t3/2
(4)    t2

11.       The momentum of an object decreases by 20%. The percentage decrease in its kinetic energy

(1)    8
(2)    18
(3)    36
(4)    40

12.       The ratio of kinetic energy of two bodies is 4:1 and ratio of their momentum is 1:1. The ratio of their masses s:-

(1)    4:1
(2)    1:1
(3)    1:2
(4)    1:4

13.       The variation of gravitational force between two bodies versus distance between them:-


14.       Earth revolves around sun as:-

At which point its linear velocity is maximum

(1)    A
(2)    B
(3)    C
(4)    D

15.       When a body is projected in space there is an increase in is ____________

(1)    Kinetic energy
(2)    Potential energy
(3)    Momentum
(4)    Mass

16.       Two cylinders A and B of mass m each and radius r and 2r respectively are placed on a smooth horizontal surface vertically. The ratio of pressures exerted by them respectively on the surface is:

(1)    1:2
(2)    2:1
(3)    4:1
(4)    1:8

17.       Three holes A, B, and C of equal size are drilled in an iron drum filled with water, at vertical distances 10 cm, 40 cm & 60 cm from its bottom respectively, from which hole the water reaches the farthest distance:-

(1)    A
(2)    B
(3)    C
(4)    All A,B and C equal

18.       Which of the following statement(s) is/are true about universal gravitational                   constant G?
A.      Value of ‘G’ is same everywhere
B.      Its value is same in all systems of units
C.      Its value was first found by Henry Cavendish
Code:-
(1)    A and B only
(2)    B and C only
(3)    A and C only
(4)    All A,B and C

19.       Which of the following is not used as lubricant in machines and engines?

(1)    Graphite
(2)    Air cushion
(3)    Mobil
(4)    Crude Oil

20.       The drag exerted by fluids depends on
A.      Shape of the object
B.      Nature of the fluid
C.      Speed of the object with respect to the fluid
               Code;
(1)    A and B only
(2)    B and C only
(3)    A and C only
(4)    All A,B and C

22.       Which of the following is not used as lubricant in machines and engines?

(1)    Graphite
(2)    Air cushion
(3)    Mobil
(4)    Crude Oil

23.       The drag exerted by fluids depends on
A.      Shape of the object
B.      Nature of the fluid
C.      Speed of the object with respect to the fluid
               Code;
(1)    A and B only
(2)    B and C only
(3)    A and C only
(4)    All A,B and C

24.       Two cars A and B moving with uniform velocities of 60 kmph and 80 kmph respectively are at points X and Y on a straight road 420 km apart. If the cars meet at a point P between X and Y the ratio of the distances XP and PY is:
                                 (Assuming that cars are moving in opposite directions)
(1)    7:5
(2)    3:4
(3)    6:7
(4)    7:6

25.       In the equations of  motion, S=at+bt2, S and t have the SI unit m ans s respectively, then the SI units of a and b respectively are:-

(1)    ms-2, ms-1
(2)    ms-1, ms-2
(3)    ms-1, ms-1
(4)    ms-2, ms-2

26.       An object starts moving from rest with a uniform acceleration of 4 ms-2 . The distances travelled by it in 6th, 7th and 8th seconds of its journey respectively are in the ratio:

(1)    6:7:8
(2)    36:49:64
(3)    11:13:15
(4)    121:169:225

27.       Two stones with masses m1 and m2 (m1>m2) were thrown vertically upwards from ground with velocity u1 and u2 respectively. The time period for which they remained in air are:
(1)    u1/m1 g  and u2/m2 g respectively
(2)    u1 m1/g and u2 m2/g respectively
(3)    2m1/g and 2m2/g respectively
(4)    2u1/g and 2u2/g respectively

28.       The volume of 50 g of a solid substance X is 20 cm3 and that of 25 g of another solid substance Y is 25 cm3. If these two solids are immersed in a liquid ofdensity 0.875 g/cm3 (both X and Y are insoluble in given liquid). Then-

(1)    X will sink, Y will float
(2)    X will sink, Y will remain submerged in the liquid
(3)    Both X and Y will sink
(4)    Both X and Y will float

Note: Solution to selected problems will be provided soon.