Odisha BSE HSC General Science study materials
Odisha BSE HSC General Science study resources

Odisha BSE HSC General Science practice questions

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Question 1Physics

A ray of light falls on a plane mirror travelling along the normal to its surface. What is the angle of reflection?

  1. 90°
  2. 0° Correct answer.
  3. 180°
  4. 45°

Explanation

The angle of incidence is measured between the incident ray and the normal, so a ray travelling along the normal has an angle of incidence of 0°. By the law of reflection the angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence, hence it is also 0°, and the ray retraces its path back along the normal.

Question 2Physics

In an electric circuit, which quantity is the same through every resistor connected in series?

  1. Potential difference
  2. Electric current Correct answer.
  3. Resistance
  4. Electric power

Explanation

A series circuit provides only one continuous path, so the same charge passes any cross-section in a given time and the current is identical through every element. The potential difference divides in proportion to the resistances, while resistance and power dissipated may differ from one resistor to another.

Question 3Physics

The ability of the human eye to change the focal length of its lens so that objects at different distances are focused sharply on the retina is called

  1. scattering of light
  2. persistence of vision
  3. power of accommodation Correct answer.
  4. near point adjustment

Explanation

The ciliary muscles change the curvature, and therefore the focal length, of the eye lens so that nearby and distant objects are both focused on the retina. This ability is termed the power of accommodation, and it weakens with age, producing presbyopia.

Question 4Physics

Light travels from air into a glass block of refractive index 1.5. If the speed of light in air is 3 × 10^8 m/s, what is its speed inside the glass?

  1. 4.5 × 10^8 m/s
  2. 1.5 × 10^8 m/s
  3. 2.0 × 10^8 m/s Correct answer.
  4. 3.0 × 10^8 m/s

Explanation

The refractive index is the ratio n = c/v, where c is the speed in vacuum or air and v the speed in the medium. Rearranging gives v = c/n = (3 × 10^8 m/s) ÷ 1.5 = 2.0 × 10^8 m/s. Light always slows down on entering an optically denser medium.

Question 5Physics

A wire of resistance 12 Ω is cut into three equal pieces and the three pieces are connected in parallel. What is the resistance of the combination?

  1. 36 Ω
  2. 4 Ω
  3. 12 Ω
  4. 1.33 Ω Correct answer.

Explanation

Cutting the wire into three equal lengths gives each piece one-third of the original resistance, that is 4 Ω. Three 4 Ω resistors in parallel obey 1/R = 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 = 3/4, so R = 4/3 Ω ≈ 1.33 Ω. A parallel combination is always smaller than the smallest individual resistance.

Question 6Physics

A long straight wire carries a steady current vertically upward. According to the right-hand thumb rule, the magnetic field lines near the wire are

  1. in concentric circles around the wire Correct answer.
  2. along the wire but opposite to the current
  3. parallel to the wire and pointing upward
  4. in straight lines radiating from the wire

Explanation

If the right thumb points along the current, the curled fingers give the direction of the magnetic field. For a straight conductor the field lines are closed concentric circles lying in planes perpendicular to the wire, and the field strength decreases as the distance from the wire increases.

Question 7Physics

An electric iron of resistance 44 Ω is connected to a 220 V supply. What current does it draw?

  1. 9680 A
  2. 5 A Correct answer.
  3. 0.2 A
  4. 2.2 A

Explanation

Ohm's law states that I = V/R. Substituting V = 220 V and R = 44 Ω gives I = 220 ÷ 44 = 5 A. At this current the iron consumes VI = 220 × 5 = 1100 W of power.

Question 8Physics

In a windmill that generates electricity, the main energy conversion taking place is

  1. electrical energy to mechanical energy
  2. chemical energy to electrical energy
  3. solar energy to heat energy
  4. kinetic energy to electrical energy Correct answer.

Explanation

Moving air possesses kinetic energy, which turns the blades of the windmill and drives a generator. The generator then converts this mechanical motion into electrical energy. Since no fuel is burnt, wind is a renewable and non-polluting source of energy.

Question 9Physics

An object is placed 30 cm from a convex lens of focal length 20 cm. Which description of the image formed is correct?

  1. Real, inverted and twice as large as the object Correct answer.
  2. Virtual, inverted and half as large as the object
  3. Virtual, erect and twice as large as the object
  4. Real, erect and half as large as the object

Explanation

Using 1/v − 1/u = 1/f with u = −30 cm and f = +20 cm gives 1/v = 1/20 − 1/30 = 1/60, so v = +60 cm. A positive image distance means a real image formed on the far side of the lens. The magnification is m = v/u = 60/(−30) = −2, so the image is inverted and twice the size of the object.

Question 10Physics

A 100 W, 220 V bulb and a 60 W, 220 V bulb are connected in series across a 220 V supply. Which bulb glows more brightly and why?

  1. Neither bulb glows because the circuit is incomplete
  2. The 60 W bulb, because it has a higher resistance Correct answer.
  3. Both bulbs glow with equal brightness
  4. The 100 W bulb, because it has a lower resistance

Explanation

In a series connection the same current flows through both bulbs, so the power actually dissipated in each is I²R and the bulb of larger resistance glows brighter. The rated power gives R = V²/P, so the 60 W bulb has the greater resistance and therefore glows brighter, even though its rating is lower.

Question 11Physics

The SI unit of pressure is the

  1. pascal Correct answer.
  2. watt
  3. joule
  4. newton

Explanation

Pressure is defined as force acting normally per unit area, so its SI unit is the newton per square metre, which is given the name pascal. The newton is the unit of force, the joule is the unit of energy and the watt is the unit of power.

Question 12Physics

An object moves along a straight line with constant speed. Which statement about its acceleration is correct?

  1. Increasing steadily as the distance covered increases.
  2. Zero, because the velocity is constant. Correct answer.
  3. Positive, because the object is moving.
  4. Negative, because the speed is constant.

Explanation

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. For motion along a straight line with constant speed, the direction also remains unchanged, so velocity is constant and acceleration is zero.

Question 13Physics

An object is placed in front of a convex mirror. The image formed is always

  1. virtual, inverted and magnified
  2. real, inverted and magnified
  3. real, erect and of the same size
  4. virtual, erect and diminished Correct answer.

Explanation

A convex mirror diverges rays, and for any real object placed in front of it the reflected rays appear to come from a point behind the mirror. Therefore the image is always virtual, erect and diminished, whatever the object distance.

Question 14Physics

How much heat is needed to raise the temperature of 2 kg of water from 20°C to 30°C? (Specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J kg⁻¹ °C⁻¹)

  1. 8.4 × 10^4 J Correct answer.
  2. 1.68 × 10^5 J
  3. 8.4 × 10^3 J
  4. 4.2 × 10^4 J

Explanation

The heat required is Q = mcΔT. Here m = 2 kg, c = 4200 J kg⁻¹ °C⁻¹ and ΔT = 30 − 20 = 10 °C, so Q = 2 × 4200 × 10 = 84,000 J = 8.4 × 10^4 J.

Question 15Physics

A sound wave of frequency 500 Hz travels in air with a speed of 330 m/s. Its wavelength is

  1. 165 m
  2. 0.66 m Correct answer.
  3. 1.5 m
  4. 0.33 m

Explanation

For a wave, speed = frequency × wavelength, so wavelength = speed ÷ frequency. Substituting 330 m/s and 500 Hz gives λ = 330/500 = 0.66 m.

Question 16Physics

Two resistors of 6 Ω and 3 Ω are connected in parallel across a 6 V battery. What is the total current drawn from the battery?

  1. 2.0 A
  2. 0.67 A
  3. 3.0 A Correct answer.
  4. 1.0 A

Explanation

The parallel equivalent resistance is given by 1/R = 1/6 + 1/3 = 1/2, so R = 2 Ω. The total current is I = V/R = 6/2 = 3.0 A. Equivalently, the branch currents are 1 A and 2 A, giving 3 A.

Question 17Physics

Inside a long current-carrying solenoid, the magnetic field lines are

  1. zero at every point inside
  2. closed circles around the axis
  3. radially outward from the axis
  4. parallel lines along the axis Correct answer.

Explanation

Inside a long current-carrying solenoid the magnetic field is uniform and directed along its axis. The field lines there are therefore parallel straight lines, while outside they close through the ends like those of a bar magnet.

Question 18Physics

A pump lifts 200 kg of water per minute through a height of 10 m. Taking g = 10 m/s², the useful power of the pump is about

  1. 12000 W
  2. 200 W
  3. 2000 W
  4. 333 W Correct answer.

Explanation

Useful power equals work done per unit time. The pump lifts 200 kg through 10 m in 60 s, so work = mgh = 200 × 10 × 10 = 20,000 J and power = 20,000/60 ≈ 333 W.

Question 19Physics

An object is placed 15 cm in front of a concave mirror of focal length 10 cm. The image formed is

  1. virtual, erect and located 30 cm behind the mirror
  2. real, inverted and 6 cm from the mirror
  3. virtual, erect and 6 cm from the mirror
  4. real, inverted and 30 cm from the mirror Correct answer.

Explanation

Using the mirror formula with sign convention, f = −10 cm and u = −15 cm. Then 1/v = 1/f − 1/u = −1/10 + 1/15 = −1/30, so v = −30 cm. A negative image distance for a concave mirror means a real, inverted image 30 cm in front of the mirror.

Question 20Physics

At what height above the Earth's surface does the acceleration due to gravity become one-fourth of its value at the surface? (R = radius of Earth)

  1. 4R
  2. 2R
  3. R Correct answer.
  4. R/2

Explanation

The acceleration due to gravity at height h is g' = g(R/(R+h))². Setting g'/g = 1/4 gives R/(R+h) = 1/2, so R+h = 2R and h = R.

Question 21Physics

The coulomb (C) is the SI unit of which physical quantity?

  1. Electric current
  2. Electrical resistance
  3. Potential difference
  4. Electric charge Correct answer.

Explanation

Electric charge is measured in coulombs, where one coulomb is the charge that flows when a steady current of one ampere passes for one second (Q = It). The ampere, volt and ohm are the SI units of current, potential difference and resistance, so only charge fits the unit given.

Question 22Physics

A ringing electric bell is suspended inside a closed bell jar, and the air inside is gradually pumped out. The sound becomes fainter and finally cannot be heard at all. This observation shows that sound

  1. needs no material medium for propagation
  2. travels faster in air than in a vacuum
  3. is a transverse wave
  4. cannot travel through a vacuum Correct answer.

Explanation

Sound is a mechanical wave, so it can travel only through a material medium in which particles can vibrate and pass the disturbance on. When the air is removed, the number of particles available to carry the vibrations falls, and in a vacuum no sound is heard at all.

Question 23Physics

A bar magnet is suspended freely from a thread and allowed to come to rest. In which direction does it finally settle?

  1. Along the geographic north-south direction Correct answer.
  2. East-west
  3. Vertically, with its north pole pointing down
  4. In any random direction, since no force acts on it

Explanation

A freely suspended bar magnet behaves like a compass needle because the Earth itself acts as a large magnet with poles near the geographic poles. The magnet therefore settles along the magnetic meridian, with its north pole pointing towards geographic north.

Question 24Physics

A metallic wire of resistance 10 Ω is stretched uniformly until its length is doubled, its volume remaining unchanged. What is the new resistance of the wire?

  1. 40 Ω Correct answer.
  2. 5 Ω
  3. 20 Ω
  4. 10 Ω

Explanation

Resistance is given by R = ρL/A. Stretching keeps the volume L × A constant, so when the length doubles the area of cross-section becomes half, and R becomes ρ(2L)/(A/2) = 4R. With R = 10 Ω, the new resistance is 40 Ω.

Question 25Physics

An electric heater draws a current of 5 A when connected to a 220 V supply. What is the electrical energy consumed by the heater in 2 hours, expressed in kilowatt-hours?

  1. 0.22 kWh
  2. 2.2 kWh Correct answer.
  3. 22 kWh
  4. 2200 kWh

Explanation

The power of the heater is P = VI = 220 V × 5 A = 1100 W, which equals 1.1 kW. Energy in kilowatt-hours is power in kW multiplied by time in hours, so 1.1 × 2 = 2.2 kWh.

Question 26Physics

A ray of light falls obliquely on one face of a rectangular glass slab and passes out through the opposite face. Which statement about the emergent ray is correct?

  1. It emerges parallel to the incident ray Correct answer.
  2. It emerges permanently bent towards the normal
  3. It emerges along the normal at the second face
  4. It is totally internally reflected at the second face

Explanation

At the first face the ray bends towards the normal on entering the denser glass, and at the second face it bends away from the normal by an equal amount because the two faces are parallel. The emergent ray is therefore parallel to the incident ray, shifted sideways by a small lateral displacement.

Question 27Physics

A student can read a book held close to the eyes but cannot see the letters on the blackboard clearly. Which defect of vision does the student have, and which lens corrects it?

  1. Presbyopia, corrected by a bifocal lens
  2. Myopia, corrected by a concave lens Correct answer.
  3. Astigmatism, corrected by a cylindrical lens
  4. Hypermetropia, corrected by a convex lens

Explanation

Difficulty in seeing distant objects clearly while near vision remains good is myopia, or short-sightedness, in which the eye lens converges light too strongly and the image forms in front of the retina. A concave, diverging lens of suitable power spreads the rays slightly so that the image is pushed back onto the retina.

Question 28Physics

A person claps loudly in front of a distant cliff and hears the echo after 0.6 s. If the speed of sound in air is 340 m/s, how far is the cliff from the person?

  1. 51 m
  2. 340 m
  3. 102 m Correct answer.
  4. 204 m

Explanation

The sound has to travel to the cliff and back, so the distance covered in 0.6 s is twice the distance to the cliff. Thus 2d = 340 × 0.6 = 204 m, and the distance d is 204/2 = 102 m.

Question 29Physics

A 3 Ω resistor and a 6 Ω resistor are joined in parallel, and this combination is connected in series with a 4 Ω resistor across a 12 V battery. What is the current through the 6 Ω resistor?

  1. 0.33 A
  2. 0.67 A Correct answer.
  3. 2 A
  4. 1.33 A

Explanation

The parallel pair has resistance (3 × 6)/(3 + 6) = 2 Ω, so the total resistance of the circuit is 2 + 4 = 6 Ω and the battery current is 12/6 = 2 A. This current produces a potential difference of 2 A × 2 Ω = 4 V across the parallel section, so the current through the 6 Ω resistor is 4/6 ≈ 0.67 A.

Question 30Physics

Two thin lenses of powers +5 D and −2 D are placed in contact with each other. What are the focal length and the nature of the combination?

  1. 14.3 cm, converging
  2. 33.3 cm, diverging
  3. 33.3 cm, converging Correct answer.
  4. 20 cm, converging

Explanation

For thin lenses in contact, the powers add: P = (+5 D) + (−2 D) = +3 D. The focal length is f = 1/P = 1/3 m ≈ 33.3 cm, and since the net power is positive, the combination behaves as a converging lens.

Question 31Physics

The SI unit of electric resistance is the

  1. ohm Correct answer.
  2. ampere
  3. volt
  4. watt

Explanation

Resistance is the opposition offered by a conductor to the flow of electric current. The SI unit of resistance is the ohm, which is defined as the resistance of a conductor when a potential difference of one volt produces a current of one ampere.

Question 32Physics

For a normal human eye, the least distance of distinct vision is about

  1. 250 cm
  2. 2.5 cm
  3. 25 cm Correct answer.
  4. 2.5 m

Explanation

The least distance of distinct vision is the closest distance at which a normal eye can see an object clearly without undue strain. For a normal adult human eye, this distance is about 25 cm.

Question 33Physics

The pitch of a musical note produced by a vibrating string depends on its

  1. speed
  2. frequency Correct answer.
  3. amplitude
  4. wavelength

Explanation

Pitch is the sensation that distinguishes a shrill sound from a grave sound, and it is determined by frequency. A higher frequency gives a higher pitch, whereas amplitude mainly controls the loudness of the note.

Question 34Physics

A car starts from rest and moves with a uniform acceleration of 2 m/s² for 5 s. The distance covered by the car in this interval is

  1. 100 m
  2. 10 m
  3. 50 m
  4. 25 m Correct answer.

Explanation

Using s = ut + ½at² with u = 0, a = 2 m/s² and t = 5 s gives s = ½ × 2 × 25 = 25 m. The final speed of the car would be 10 m/s, but the question asks for the distance travelled.

Question 35Physics

The weight of a body of mass 10 kg on the surface of the Moon, where acceleration due to gravity is 1.6 m/s², is

  1. 10 N
  2. 160 N
  3. 98 N
  4. 16 N Correct answer.

Explanation

Weight is the gravitational force acting on a body and is calculated as W = mg. On the Moon, W = 10 kg × 1.6 m/s² = 16 N, whereas the same mass would weigh about 98 N on the Earth.

Question 36Physics

The kinetic energy of a body of mass 2 kg moving with a speed of 3 m/s is

  1. 9 J Correct answer.
  2. 6 J
  3. 18 J
  4. 3 J

Explanation

Kinetic energy is given by KE = ½mv². Substituting m = 2 kg and v = 3 m/s gives KE = ½ × 2 × 9 = 9 J.

Question 37Physics

The heat required to melt 1 kg of ice at 0°C completely into water at 0°C is (latent heat of fusion of ice = 336 kJ/kg)

  1. 336 kJ Correct answer.
  2. 3.36 kJ
  3. 3360 kJ
  4. 33.6 kJ

Explanation

During melting, the temperature remains constant at 0°C, so the heat absorbed is Q = mL. For 1 kg of ice, Q = 1 kg × 336 kJ/kg = 336 kJ.

Question 38Physics

A 4 Ω resistor and an 8 Ω resistor are connected in series with a 12 V battery. The potential difference across the 4 Ω resistor is

  1. 8 V
  2. 12 V
  3. 6 V
  4. 4 V Correct answer.

Explanation

In series, the total resistance is 4 Ω + 8 Ω = 12 Ω, so the current is I = V/R = 12/12 = 1 A. The potential difference across the 4 Ω resistor is V = IR = 1 × 4 = 4 V.

Question 39Physics

A concave lens of focal length 15 cm forms a virtual image 10 cm from the lens on the same side as the object. The distance of the object from the lens is

  1. 60 cm
  2. 6 cm
  3. 30 cm Correct answer.
  4. 15 cm

Explanation

For a concave lens both the focal length and the virtual image distance are taken as negative in the lens formula. Using 1/v − 1/u = 1/f with v = −10 cm and f = −15 cm gives u = −30 cm, so the object is 30 cm from the lens.

Question 40Physics

A straight conductor of length 10 cm carrying a current of 2 A is placed at right angles to a uniform magnetic field of 0.5 T. The force acting on the conductor is

  1. 0.01 N
  2. 1 N
  3. 10 N
  4. 0.1 N Correct answer.

Explanation

The magnetic force on a current-carrying straight conductor is F = BIL sin θ. Here θ = 90°, so F = 0.5 T × 2 A × 0.10 m = 0.1 N.

Question 41Physics

The mirror used as a rear-view mirror in vehicles is a

  1. convex mirror Correct answer.
  2. cylindrical mirror
  3. concave mirror
  4. plane mirror

Explanation

A convex mirror always forms a diminished, erect virtual image and has a wider field of view, so it shows more traffic behind the vehicle. A plane mirror gives an image of the same size but a narrower field. Concave mirrors can form magnified or inverted images depending on object distance and are not used for this purpose.

Question 42Physics

A ball is thrown vertically upwards. At the highest point of its path, the acceleration of the ball is

  1. zero
  2. 9.8 m/s² upward
  3. 9.8 m/s² downward Correct answer.
  4. equal to velocity

Explanation

At the highest point the velocity becomes zero, but the acceleration due to gravity continues to act on the ball. Its magnitude is about 9.8 m/s² and its direction is vertically downward throughout the flight. The vanishing of velocity does not make the acceleration zero.

Question 43Physics

A sound wave of frequency 200 Hz travels in air with a speed of 340 m/s. The wavelength of the sound wave is

  1. 0.85 m
  2. 3.40 m
  3. 1.70 m Correct answer.
  4. 0.59 m

Explanation

The wave equation v = fλ gives λ = v/f. Substituting v = 340 m/s and f = 200 Hz gives λ = 340/200 = 1.70 m. Frequency and speed are independent properties here, so the wavelength is fixed by their ratio.

Question 44Physics

An object is placed between the pole and the principal focus of a concave mirror. The image formed by the mirror is

  1. real, inverted and magnified
  2. real, inverted and diminished
  3. virtual, erect and diminished
  4. virtual, erect and magnified Correct answer.

Explanation

When the object lies within the focal length of a concave mirror, the reflected rays diverge and meet only when produced behind the mirror. The image is therefore virtual, erect and larger than the object, as in a shaving mirror. Beyond the focus, the image would be real and inverted.

Question 45Physics

Two resistors of 4 Ω and 12 Ω are connected in parallel. The equivalent resistance of the combination is

  1. 8 Ω
  2. 16 Ω
  3. 48 Ω
  4. 3 Ω Correct answer.

Explanation

For two resistors in parallel, 1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2 = 1/4 + 1/12 = 3/12 + 1/12 = 4/12, so R = 3 Ω. The equivalent resistance of a parallel combination is always smaller than the smallest individual resistance.

Question 46Physics

An electric bulb is marked 100 W, 220 V. The resistance of its filament when it operates at the rated voltage is

  1. 22 Ω
  2. 2.2 Ω
  3. 484 Ω Correct answer.
  4. 2200 Ω

Explanation

The rated power P and voltage V are related to resistance by P = V²/R, so R = V²/P. Substituting gives R = (220)²/100 = 48400/100 = 484 Ω. This is the resistance when the bulb glows at its normal brightness.

Question 47Physics

A body of mass 2 kg is raised vertically through a height of 5 m. Taking g = 10 m/s², the gain in gravitational potential energy is

  1. 50 J
  2. 100 J Correct answer.
  3. 10 J
  4. 200 J

Explanation

The gain in gravitational potential energy is ΔPE = mgh. Substituting m = 2 kg, g = 10 m/s² and h = 5 m gives ΔPE = 2 × 10 × 5 = 100 J. The result is independent of the path taken if the body moves slowly.

Question 48Physics

At what temperature do the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales show the same numerical reading?

  1. 32°
  2. 0°
  3. −40° Correct answer.
  4. −32°

Explanation

The conversion formula is F = (9/5)C + 32. Setting F = C gives C = (9/5)C + 32, so −(4/5)C = 32 and C = −40. Thus −40 °C equals −40 °F.

Question 49Physics

A convex lens of focal length 20 cm forms a real image that is three times the size of the object. The distance of the object from the lens is

  1. 20.0 cm
  2. 30.0 cm
  3. 60.0 cm
  4. 26.7 cm Correct answer.

Explanation

For a real image, magnification m = v/u = 3, so v = 3u. Using the lens formula 1/f = 1/v + 1/u gives 1/20 = 1/(3u) + 1/u = 4/(3u), hence u = 80/3 ≈ 26.7 cm. The image distance is then 80 cm on the other side.

Question 50Physics

A uniform wire of resistance R is cut into three equal parts, and the three pieces are joined in parallel. The equivalent resistance of the combination is

  1. 9R
  2. 3R
  3. R/9 Correct answer.
  4. R/3

Explanation

Cutting the wire into three equal parts makes each piece have resistance R/3, since resistance is proportional to length. Three such resistors in parallel give 1/Req = 3/(R/3) = 9/R, so Req = R/9. The parallel combination is therefore much smaller than any single piece.