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General ScienceMediumAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2026, GK

An object is launched horizontally from a height of 45 m above the ground with a speed of 10 m/s. The time at which the object will hit the ground is : (Take g = 10 m/s²)

  1. A.6 s
  2. B.4 s
  3. C.3 s
  4. D.2 s

Correct answer

C. 3 s

Explanation

The correct answer is C, 3 s. For an object launched horizontally, the time of fall depends only on the height, because its starting vertical speed is zero.

The horizontal speed of 10 m/s does not change how fast the object falls; it only decides how far it travels sideways. Vertically, the object starts from rest and falls freely, so h = ½gt². Putting h = 45 m and g = 10 m/s² gives 45 = 5t², so t² = 9 and t = 3 s. In those 3 seconds it also moves 10 × 3 = 30 m horizontally, which is its range.

Option A, 6 s, is wrong: it would need a fall of 180 m. Option B, 4 s, is wrong: that fall is 80 m. Option D, 2 s, is wrong: that fall is only 20 m.

Exam tip: horizontal launch, time of flight t = √(2h/g), independent of the horizontal speed; range = speed × t.

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Q2.General ScienceAsked in: NDA · NDA-II 2021, GATMedium

Imagine a current-carrying straight conductor with magnetic field of lines in anti-clockwise direction. Then the direction of current is determined by

  1. A.the Right-Hand Thumb rule and it would be in the downward direction.
  2. B.the Left-Hand Thumb rule and it would be in the downward direction.
  3. C.the Right-Hand Thumb rule and it would be in the upward direction.
  4. D.the Left-Hand Thumb rule and it would be in the upward direction.
Show answer
Correct answer: C. the Right-Hand Thumb rule and it would be in the upward direction.

For a straight wire, the right-hand thumb rule links the current to the circular field lines around it. Hold the wire in the right hand with the thumb along the current; the curled fingers then show the direction of the magnetic field lines, which form concentric circles around the wire.

Q3.General ScienceAsked in: NDA · NDA-II 2023, GATEasy

Which one of the following statements is true for sound waves propagating in air?

  1. A.Sound is an electromagnetic wave and transverse in nature
  2. B.Sound is a mechanical wave and longitudinal in nature
  3. C.Sound is a mechanical wave and transverse in nature
  4. D.Sound is an electromagnetic wave and longitudinal in nature
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Sound is a mechanical wave and longitudinal in nature

Sound needs a material medium to travel, and in air its particles vibrate back and forth along the direction the wave moves.

Q5.General ScienceAsked in: NDA · NDA-I 2017, GATHard

Which one of the following statements is correct about the magnification of an optical microscope?

  1. A.Magnification increases with the increase in focal length of eyepiece
  2. B.Magnification increases with the increase in focal length of objective
  3. C.Magnification does not depend upon the focal length of eyepiece
  4. D.Magnification decreases with the increase in focal length of eyepiece
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Magnification decreases with the increase in focal length of eyepiece

A compound microscope magnifies more when both its lenses have short focal lengths. In a compound microscope the objective forms a real, enlarged image, and the eyepiece magnifies it further like a simple magnifier.