If you are preparing for the TNPSC General Science section, this TNPSC Physics Motion Test is a good place to begin. Many questions in TNPSC Physics are based on basic concepts such as force, motion, SI units, and balanced and unbalanced forces. This Physics Motion test gives you a chance to check how well you understand these fundamentals through exam-oriented MCQs. Practice these Motion TNPSC Questions carefully and strengthen your preparation for the Group 4 Physics section and other TNPSC examinations.
Note: Attempt all 20 questions and click Submit Test to check your score and correct answers. Detailed explanations for every question are provided below the quiz for revision and concept understanding.
Choose the next test, revise the complete Motion chapter, or reading the detailed explanations.
All Test Questions Detailed Explanations – TNPSC Physics Motion Test 1
This TNPSC Physics Motion Test covers the fundamental concepts of motion that are important for the TNPSC General Science syllabus. The test includes questions on rest and motion, reference point, change in position, characteristics of motion, types of motion such as linear, circular, rotational, oscillatory, periodic, and random motion, SI units related to motion, measuring instruments used in motion experiments, and practical applications of motion. These Physics Motion questions help candidates strengthen their understanding of key concepts and practice Motion TNPSC Questions in an exam-oriented format for TNPSC Physics and Group 4 Physics preparation.
TNPSC Physics Motion Test 1 – All Questions Detailed Explanations
1. Motion is defined as the
Answer: C. Change in position of an object with time
Motion occurs when the position of an object changes with time relative to a reference point. If an object changes its location with respect to a fixed point, it is said to be in motion. Time is an essential factor in describing motion because the change in position must occur over a period of time.
Quick Revision
- Motion = change in position with time
- A reference point is necessary to identify motion
- Time is an essential factor in describing motion
- Motion may occur in different types of paths
Real-Life Example : A bus travelling from one stop to another changes its position with time, so it is in motion.
2. An object is said to be at rest if it
Answer: B. Remains at the same position relative to a reference point
An object is considered to be at rest when its position does not change with respect to a chosen reference point. Rest and motion are relative concepts, which means the same object may appear at rest to one observer and in motion to another observer depending on the reference point.
Quick Revision
- Rest means no change in position
- A reference point is required
- Rest and motion are relative
- Position remains constant with respect to the chosen observer
Real-Life Example : A book placed on a table remains at rest with respect to the table and the room around it.
3. To describe the motion of an object, it is essential to have a
Answer: C. Reference point
A reference point is required to determine whether an object is in motion or at rest. Motion can only be described by comparing the position of an object with respect to a fixed point. Without a reference point, it is impossible to identify a change in position.
Quick Revision
- Motion is relative to a reference point
- Position is compared with a fixed point
- A reference point helps identify motion
- Motion cannot be described without comparison
Real-Life Example : A passenger sitting in a moving bus appears at rest relative to the bus but in motion relative to a person standing on the road.
4. Which of the following is an example of linear motion?
Answer: A. A car moving on a straight road
Linear motion occurs when an object moves along a straight path. The direction of motion remains along a straight line, and the object changes its position continuously with time.
Quick Revision
- Linear motion occurs along a straight path
- Direction remains along a straight line
- Position changes continuously
- Straight-road motion is a common example
Real-Life Example : A train moving on a straight railway track exhibits linear motion.
5. The motion of a merry-go-round is an example of
Answer: C. Circular motion
Circular motion is the motion of an object along a circular path around a fixed centre. Every point on the merry-go-round moves around the central axis while maintaining a constant distance from the centre.
Quick Revision
- Circular motion follows a circular path
- Motion occurs around a fixed centre
- Distance from the centre remains constant
- Merry-go-round motion is circular
Real-Life Example : The hands of a clock move in a circular path around the centre of the clock.
6. Which of the following shows rotational motion?
Answer: C. A spinning top
Rotational motion occurs when an object rotates about its own axis. In this type of motion, every point of the object moves around the axis of rotation.
Quick Revision
- Rotational motion is about an object’s own axis
- Every point rotates around the axis
- Axis of rotation remains fixed
- Spinning objects show rotational motion
Real-Life Example : A ceiling fan rotates about its central shaft.
7. The motion of a playground swing is
Answer: B. Oscillatory motion
Oscillatory motion is the repeated to-and-fro motion of an object about its mean position. A playground swing moves forward and backward repeatedly, making it a classic example of oscillatory motion.
Quick Revision
- Oscillatory motion is to-and-fro motion
- Motion occurs about the mean position
- The motion repeats continuously
- A swing is a common oscillatory example
Real-Life Example : A pendulum in a clock moves to and fro about its mean position.
8. Motion that repeats itself after equal intervals of time is called
Answer: C. Periodic motion
Periodic motion is any motion that repeats after equal intervals of time. The object returns to the same position and repeats the same motion pattern regularly.
Quick Revision
- Periodic motion repeats regularly
- Equal time intervals are important
- The motion pattern repeats
- A pendulum shows periodic motion
Real-Life Example : The revolution of the Earth around the Sun is a periodic motion.
9. Which of the following exhibits random motion?
Answer: A. Flying mosquito
Random motion occurs when an object moves in an irregular and unpredictable manner. A flying mosquito frequently changes its speed and direction, so its path cannot be predicted easily.
Quick Revision
- Random motion is irregular
- Direction changes unpredictably
- Speed may also change
- Flying insects often show random motion
Real-Life Example : The movement of dust particles in air is often irregular and unpredictable.
10. The SI unit of length used in the study of motion is
Answer: C. Metre
The metre (m) is the SI unit of length and is used to measure displacement, distance, and other length-related quantities in motion. All SI units are internationally accepted for scientific measurements.
Quick Revision
- SI unit of length = metre (m)
- Used to measure distance and displacement
- Standard international unit
- Motion measurements use SI units
Real-Life Example : The length of a playground is measured in metres.
11. Which of the following is NOT essential to describe motion?
Answer: D. Colour of the object
Motion is described using position, time, and a reference point. The colour of an object does not affect its motion or the measurement of motion in physics.
Quick Revision
- Position is essential
- Time is essential
- A reference point is essential
- Colour has no role in describing motion
Real-Life Example : A red car and a blue car moving at the same speed have the same motion characteristics regardless of their color.
12. Motion is observed due to a change in
Answer: B. Position
Motion is identified by observing a change in the position of an object relative to a reference point. If the position remains unchanged, the object is considered to be at rest.
Quick Revision
- Motion depends on change in position
- A reference point is required
- Position determines rest or motion
- No change in position means rest
Real-Life Example : A walking person changes position continuously with respect to buildings and trees nearby.
13. Which type of motion is exhibited by the Earth rotating about its axis?
Answer: C. Rotational motion
Rotational motion occurs when an object rotates about its own axis. The Earth spins continuously around an imaginary axis passing through the North and South Poles, producing day and night. Every point on the Earth rotates around this axis.
Quick Revision
- Rotational motion occurs about an object’s own axis
- The Earth rotates about its axis
- Rotation causes day and night
- Axis of rotation remains fixed
Real-Life Example : A spinning globe demonstrates rotational motion.
14. The movement of a sewing machine needle is an example of
Answer: B. Oscillatory motion
A sewing machine needle moves repeatedly up and down about a mean position. This repeated to-and-fro motion is called oscillatory motion. The motion occurs continuously during the operation of the machine.
Quick Revision
- Oscillatory motion is repeated to-and-fro motion
- Motion occurs about a mean position
- The motion repeats continuously
- Sewing machine needles show oscillatory motion
Real-Life Example : The vibration of a tuning fork is also an oscillatory motion.
15. Which of the following is an example of periodic motion?
Answer: B. Motion of a pendulum
Periodic motion repeats itself after equal intervals of time. A pendulum returns to the same position after a fixed time interval, making it a classic example of periodic motion.
Quick Revision
- Periodic motion repeats regularly
- Equal time intervals are important
- A pendulum is a standard example
- Periodic motion has a repeating pattern
Real-Life Example : The oscillation of a pendulum clock is periodic.
16. Which branch of Physics deals with the study of motion and the forces acting on objects?
Answer: B. Mechanics
Mechanics is the branch of physics that studies the motion of objects and the forces acting on them. It includes concepts such as displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, and the laws of motion.
Quick Revision
- Mechanics studies motion and forces
- It includes the laws of motion
- Force affects the motion of objects
- Motion analysis is a part of mechanics
Real-Life Example : Vehicle design and engineering applications use principles of mechanics.
17. Which instrument is commonly used to measure time in motion experiments?
Answer: B. Stopwatch
A stopwatch is used to measure time intervals accurately during motion experiments. Time measurement is essential for calculating speed, velocity, and acceleration.
Quick Revision
- Stopwatch measures time intervals
- Time is essential in motion calculations
- Used in laboratory experiments
- Helps determine speed and acceleration
Real-Life Example : Athletes’ running times are commonly measured using a stopwatch.
18. Which of the following motions is commonly observed in the blades of a windmill?
Answer: A. Rotational motion
Windmill blades rotate continuously about a fixed central axis. Since the blades spin around their own axis, the motion is rotational.
Quick Revision
- Windmill blades rotate about a fixed axis
- The motion is rotational
- Circular path is produced during rotation
- Rotation converts wind energy into useful energy
Real-Life Example : The blades of an electric fan also show rotational motion.
19. Which of the following is an application of the study of motion?
Answer: A. Designing transportation systems
The study of motion helps engineers design roads, vehicles, railways, and traffic systems. Concepts such as speed, acceleration, and force are important in transportation planning and vehicle safety.
Quick Revision
- Motion is applied in transportation engineering
- Vehicle design uses motion principles
- Traffic planning depends on motion analysis
- Speed and force are important practical concepts
Real-Life Example : Speed limits and braking distances are determined using principles of motion.
20. Which of the following statements about motion is correct?
Answer: C. An object may exhibit more than one type of motion simultaneously.
An object can show more than one type of motion at the same time. For example, a rolling wheel moves forward while also rotating about its own axis. Therefore, translational and rotational motions can occur simultaneously.
Quick Revision
- More than one type of motion can occur together
- Rolling objects show multiple motions
- Motion depends on the movement of the object
- Translational and rotational motions can occur simultaneously
Real-Life Example : A bicycle wheel moving along the road exhibits both translational and rotational motion.
Quick recap of Motion Test 1
- An object can exhibit more than one type of motion simultaneously.
- Motion is the change in position with time.
- Rest means no change in position relative to a reference point.
- A reference point is essential to describe motion.
- Linear motion occurs along a straight path.
- Circular motion occurs around a fixed centre.
- Rotational motion occurs about an object’s own axis.
- Oscillatory motion is repeated to-and-fro motion.
- Periodic motion repeats at equal intervals of time.
- Random motion has no fixed path or direction.
- The SI unit of length is metre (m).
- Mechanics is the branch of physics that studies motion and forces.
- A stopwatch is used to measure time in motion experiments.
- Windmill blades exhibit rotational motion.
- Motion principles are applied in transportation and engineering.
Reference Material
For fundamental concepts of motion and force used in TNPSC General Science preparation, refer to the NCERT Class 9 Science chapter “Describing Motion Around Us.”
