Properties of Bulk Matter

1. In a capillary tube, water rises to a height of 4 cm. If the

cross-sectional area of the tube were one-fourth, water
would have risen to a height of -
(a) 2 cm (b) 4 cm (c) 8 cm (d) 16 cm
Answer: (c)
h = 2Trdg
cos θ
⇒ r1 h1 = r2 h2 and A = 2 π r2 ⇒ r α A
∴ A1 h1 = A2 h2
⇒ A ×4 = A
4
× h2
⇒ h2 = 8 cm

2. A capillary tube (P) is dipped in water. Another identical

tube (Q) is dipped in a soap water solution. Which of the
following shows the relative nature of the liquids columns
in the two tubes?
P Q P Q

(a) (b)
P Q P Q

(c) (d)
Answer: (b)
Meniscus will be concave from upside and in soap solution
it should decrease.

1
3. A coaxial cylinder made of glass is immersed in liquid of
surface tension ‘S’. Radius of inner and outer surface of
cylinder are R1 and R2 respectively. Height till which
liquid will rise is (Density of liquid is ρ)-
(a) R2Sρg (b) R2Sρg (c) (R −SR )ρg (d) (R −2SR )ρg
2 1 2 1 2 1

Answer: (d)

Net upward force = 2 R2S + 2R1 S contact angle = 0°

∴ Capillary rise is given by
h = π2(πRS(R− R+ R)ρg) = (R −2SR )ρg
2
1
2
2

2 1 2 1

4. A conical pipe shown in figure have a water drop. The drop

will tend to move towards -

(a) tapered end (b) wider end

(c) in any direction (d) no tendency to move
Answer: (a)
Excess pressure is directed towards centre of curvature and
inversely proportional to radius of curvature.

2
5. The work done to get 'n' smaller equal size spherical drops
from a bigger size spherical drop of water is proportional to
-
(a) n 1 –1
2/3
(b) n1 –1 (c) n1/3 –1
1/ 3
(D) n4/3 – 1
Answer: (c)
4
3
πR3
= n × 4
3
πr 3
or r = R
n1/ 3

Now work done = increase in area × surface tension

= (4πr2n – 4πR2) × T =  R2
n

4π 2 / 3 n − R 2  × T

∝ (n1/3 – 1)
 

6. What is the velocity v of a metallic ball of radius r falling

in a tank of liquid at the instant when its acceleration is one
half that of a freely falling body? (The densities of metal and
of liquid are ρ and σ respectively and the viscosity
coefficient of the liquid is η) -
(a) r9 ηg (ρ – 2σ) (b) r9 ηg (2ρ – σ)
2 2

(c) r 2g
9η
(ρ – σ) (d) 2r 2 g
9η
(ρ – σ)
Answer: (c)
η= 2r 2  ρ – σ  g 
   
9  V  2 

So, V = r 2 g (ρ – σ)
9η

3
7. A newtonion fluid fills the clearance between a shaft and a
sleeve. When a force of 800 N is applied to the shaft,
parallel to the sleeve, the shaft attains a speed of 2 cm/s. If
a force of 2.4 kN is applied instead, the shaft would move
with a speed of -
(a) 2 cm/s (b) 15 cm/s (c) 6 cm/s (d) None of
these
Answer: (c)
F = ηA dv
F1
F2
= v1
v2

800
2400
= 2
v2

v2 = 6 cm/s

8. Viscosity is closely related to -

(a) friction (b) adhesive molecular force
(c) cohesive molecular force (d) Barnoulli's theorem
Answer: (a)
Viscous force is a opposing force.

9. Two solid spherical balls of radius r1 & r2 (r2 < r1), of

density σ are tied up with a string and released in a viscous
liquid of lesser density ρ and coefficient of viscosity η,
with the string just taut as shown. The terminal velocity of
spheres is-

4
 r1

r2

(a) 2 r22 g
9 η
(σ − ρ) (b) 2 r12 g
9 η
(σ − ρ) (c) 2 (r13 + r23 ) (σ − ρ)g
9 r1 + r2 η
(d) 2 (r13 − r23 ) (σ − ρ)g
9 r1 − r2 η

Answer: (c)
at terminal velocity net force is zero.
6πη(r1 + r2) VT+ 43 π (r13+r23)ρg= 43 π (r13 + r23) σg

10. With the increase in temperature viscosity of a liquid -

(a) increases (b) decreases (c) remain same (d) None
Answer: (b)
With increase of temperature, free flow of liquid increase,
hence viscosity decrease.

11. Two elastic rods are joined between fixed supports as

shown in the figure. Condition for no change in the lengths
of individual rods with the increase of temperature is –
(α1,α2 = linear expansion coefficient, A1, A2 = Area of
rods, Y1,Y2 = young modulus )
α1,A1,Y1 α ,A ,Y
2 2 2

L1 L2

(a) A1
A2
= α1Y1
α 2 Y2
(b) A1
A2
= L1α1Y1
L 2α 2 Y2
(c) A1
A2
= L 2α 2 Y2
L1α1Y1
(d) A1
A2
= α 2 Y2
α1Y1

5
Answer: (d)
Since tension in the two rods will be same, hence
A1Y1 α1∆θ = A2Y2α2∆θ
⇒ A1Y1α1 = A2Y2α2

12. A wire of length '2m' is clamped horizontally between two

fixed support. A mass m = 5 kg is hanged from middle of
wire. The vertical depression in wire in equilibrium is
(young modulus of wire = 2.4 × 109 N/m2, cross-sectional
area = 1 cm2) -
(a) 4.68 cm (b) 1.52 cm (c) 1.12 cm (d) 0.58 cm

Answer: (a)
2a
θ
x

T T

mg

equation 2T sin θ = mg
⇒ 2. YA  x sin θ. sin θ = mg

 a 

x2
⇒ 2YA
x. = mg
a a2
1/ 3 1/ 3

⇒ x=  a 3 mg 

 2YA 
 = 

1 m × 5 kg × 10 m / s 2
9 2

–4 2 
 2 × (2.4 × 10 N / m ) × 10 m 
= 4.68 cm

6
13. A gas undergoes a process in which the pressure and
volume are related by VPn = constant. The bulk modulus of
the gas is –
(a) nP (b) P1/n (c) P/n (d) Pn
Answer: (c)
VPn = (V + ∆V)(P + ∆P)n
VPn = VPn 1 + ∆VV  1 + n ∆PP 
   

∴ ∆V
V
=–n ∆P
P

K=– ∆P
∆V / V
= P
n

14. The adjacent graph shows the extension (∆l) of a wire of

length λ m suspended from the top of a roof at one end and
with a load W connected to the other end. If the cross-
sectional area of the wire is 10–6 m2, calculate the Young’s
modulus of the material of the wire –
∆(× 10–4 m)

4
3

W(N)
20 40 60 80

(a) 2 × 1011 N/m2 (b) 2 × 10–11 N/m2

(c) 3 × 1012 N/m2 (d) 2 × 1013 N/m2
7
Answer: (a)
∆λ =  YA  .W
 
 

i.e., graph is a straight line passing through origin

(as shown in question also), the slope of which is YA 
.
∴ Slope =   
 
 YA 

∴Y= 
 
 1 
  =  1. 0 
 
–6 
(80 – 20)
= 2.0 × 1011 N/m2.
A  slope   10  ( 4 – 1) × 10 – 4

15. Two wires of equal length and cross-section are suspended

as shown. Their Young’s modulii are Y1 and Y2
respectively. The equivalent Young’s modulus will be –

(a) Y1 + Y2 (b) Y1 + Y2
2
(c) Y1Y2
Y1 + Y2
(d) Y1Y2

Answer: (b)

l, A l, A l, 2A
Y1 Y2 Y

Equivalent spring constant of a wire is given by

K = YA
l

Keq = K1 + K2
or Y(2l A) = Y1lA + Y2 A
l

8
 or Y = Y1 + Y2
2

16. Two wires are made of the same material and have the
same volume. However wire 1 has cross-sectional area A
and wire 2 has cross-sectional area 3A. if the length of wire
1 increases by ∆x on applying force F, how much force is
needed to stretch wire 2 by the same amount ?
(a) F (b) 4 F (c) 6 F (d) 9 F
Answer: (d)
 ∆x =
F.L
A.Y

∴ F= Y.A.∆x
L
………..(1)
Volume = A.L. = A'L' = constant
⇒ AL = 3AL'
⇒ L' = L/3 ……… (2)
From equation (1)
F'
F
= AA' . LL' = 3 × 3
⇒ F' = 9F
So, option (D) is correct.

17. In a wire stretched by hanging a weight from its end, the

elastic potential energy per unit volume in terms of
longitudinal strain σ and modulus of elasticity Y is -
(a) Yσ 2
2
(b) Yσ
2
(c) 2Yσ 2
2
(d) Y 2σ
2

9
Answer: (a)
Energy density = 1
2
× stress × strain,
Y= stress
σ
or stress = Yσ ,
∴ Energy density = 12 Yσ × σ = Yσ 2
2

18. A ball falling in a lake of 200 m shows a decrease of 0.1%

in its volume. The Bulk modulus of elasticity of the
material of the ball is -
(take g =10 m/s2)
(a) 109 N/m2 (b) 2 × 109 N/m2
(c) 3 ×109 N/m2 (d) 4 × 109 N/m2
Answer: (b)
∆P = hdg = 200 × 103 ×10 = 2 × 106 N/m2
K= ∆P
=
2 × 10 6
∆V / V .1 / 100
= 2 × 10 9 N / m 2

19. What is the Young's modulus of elasticity for a perfectly

rigid body ?
(a) infinity (b) zero (c) 1 (d) – 1
Answer: (a)
Since strain is zero therefore Y is infinite.

10
20. The rubber cord catapult has a cross-section area 1 mm2
and total unstretched length 10 cm. It is stretched to 12 cm
and then released to project a stone of mass 5 gm. Taking
Young’s modulus Y of rubber as 5 × 108 N/m2, the velocity
of projection will be -
(a) 20 cm/s (b) 20 m/s (c) 2 m/s (d) none of
these
Answer: (b)
P.E. = Y2 (strain)2 (AL) = K.E. = 12 mv2
v = strain Y
m
AL

5 × 108
= 2
× 10 – 6 × 0.1 = 20 m/s
10 5 × 10 – 3

21. A U-tube in which the cross-sectional area of the limb on

the left is one quarter, the limb on the right contains
mercury (density 13.6 g/cm3). The level of mercury in the
narrow limb is at a distance of 36 cm from the upper end of
the tube. What will be the rise in the level of mercury in the
right limb if the left limb is filled to the top with water

(a) 1.2 cm (b) 2.35 cm

(c) 0.56 cm (d) 0.8 cm

11
Answer: (c)
If the rise of level in the right limb be x cm. the fall of level
of mercury in left limb be 4x cm because the area of cross
section of right limb is 4 times as that of left limb.
∴ Level of water in left limb is (36 + 4x) cm.

Now equating pressure at interface of Hg and water (at A' B')

(36 + 4x) × 1× g= 5x × 13.6 × g

By solving we get x = 0.56 cm.

22. A homogeneous solid cylinder of length L (L < H / 2) . Cross-

sectional area A / 5 is immersed such that it floats with its
axis vertical at the liquid-liquid interface with length L / 4 in
the denser liquid as shown in the fig. The lower density
liquid is open to atmosphere having pressure P . Then 0

density D of solid is given by

(a) 5
4
d (b) 4
5
d (c) d (d) d
5

Answer: (a)
Weight of cylinder = upthrust due to both liquids
A 3  A L
V × D × g=  × L  × d × g +  ×  × 2d × g
5 4   5 4

12
 ⇒  A5 × L  × D × g =A × L 4× d × g ⇒ D5 = 4d 5
∴D = d
4
 

23. A uniform cube is subjected to volume compression. If

each side is decreased by 1.5%, then bulk strain is
a) 0.045
b) 0.03
c) 0.45
d) 4.5

Answer: (a)
∆V 3∆L
Explanation: =
V L

24. A vessel contains oil (density = 0.8 gm/cm3) over mercury

(density = 13.6 gm/cm3). A homogeneous sphere floats with
half of its volume immersed in mercury and the other half
in oil. The density of the material of the sphere in gm/cm3 is
(a) 3.3 (b) 6.4 (c) 7.2 (d) 12.8

Answer: (c)

As the sphere floats in the liquid. Therefore its weight will

be equal to the upthrust force on it
Weight of sphere
13
 =
4 3
3
πR ρg …(i)
Upthrust due to oil and mercury
=
2
3
3 2
πR × σ g + πR σ g
3
oil …(ii)
3
Hg

Equating (i) and (ii)

4 2 2
πR3 ρg = πR3 0.8g + πR3 × 13.6g ⇒ 2=
ρ 0.8 + 13.6
= 14.4 ⇒=
ρ 7.2
3 3 3

25. A body floats in a liquid contained in a beaker. The whole

system as shown falls freely under gravity. The upthrust on
the body due to the liquid is

(a) Zero
(b) Equal to the weight of the liquid displaced
(c) Equal to the weight of the body in air
(d) Equal to the weight of the immersed position of the
body.

Answer: (a)
Upthrust Vρliquid (g − a)
=

where, a = downward acceleration,

V = volume of liquid displaced
But for free fall a = g ∴ Upthrust = 0

14
26. A liquid is kept in a cylindrical vessel which is being
rotated about a vertical axis through the centre of the
circular base. If the radius of the vessel is r and angular
velocity of rotation is ω , then the difference in the heights
of the liquid at the centre of the vessel and the edge is
r 2 ω2 ω2
(a) rω
2g
(b) 2g
(c) 2grω (d) 2gr 2

Answer: (b)

From Bernoulli's theorem,

1 2 1
PA + PB + dv B2 + dghB
dv A + dghA =
2 2

Here, hA = hB
1 2 1
∴ PA + dv A = PB + dv B2
2 2
1
⇒ PA − P
=B
2
d[v B2 − v 2A ]

Now, v A = 0, v B = rω and PA − PB =
hdg
r 2 ω2
∴ hdg =
1 2 2
2
dr ω or h=
2g

27. Water is filled in a cylindrical container to a height of 3m.

The ratio of the cross-sectional area of the orifice and the
beaker is 0.1. The square of the speed of the liquid coming
out from the orifice is (g = 10 m/s2)

15
 (a) 50 m2/s2 (b) 50.5 m2/s2
(c) 51 m2/s2 (d) 52 m2/s2
Answer: (a)
Let A = cross-section of tank
a = cross-section hole
V = velocity with which level decreases
v = velocity of efflux

From equation of continuity av = AV ⇒ V =

av
A

By using Bernoulli's theorem for energy per unit volume

Energy per unit volume at point A
= Energy per unit volume at point B
1 2 1
P + ρgh + ρV = P + 0 + ρv 2
2 2
2gh 2 × 10 × (3 − 0.525)
⇒
=v2 = 2
=
1 − (0.1)2
50(m/sec)2
a
1−  
A

28. A block of volume V and density  is floating in a liquid

of density 3 filled in a vessel. Now the vessel starts falling
freely with acceleration g. Then the volume of block inside
the liquid in the condition is
a) V

16
 b) V
3
c) Arbitrary
d) Zero
Answer: (c)
Explanation: In a freely falling vessel, upthrust = 0.

29. The Poisson’s ratio of a material is 0.20. If a longitudinal

strain of 4 × 10–3 is caused, by what percentage will the
volume change?
a) 0.16%
b) 0.24%
c) 0.50%
d) 0.08%
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Longitudinal strain = 4 × 10–3 = 0.4%
Lateral strain =  × 0.4% = 0.08%
Volumetric strain = 0.4% – 2 × 0.08%
= 0.24%

30. There are two identical small holes of area of cross-section

a on the opposite sides of a tank containing a liquid of
density ρ . The difference in height between the holes is h.
Tank is resting on a smooth horizontal surface. Horizontal
force which will has to be applied on the tank to keep it in
equilibrium is

17
 (a) ghρa (b) 2gh
ρa
(c) 2ρagh (d) ρgh
a

Answer: (c)

Net force (reaction) = F

= FB −=
FA
dpB dp A
dt
−
dt
= av Bρ × v B − av A ρ × v A

∴ (
a v B2 − v 2A
F =ρ ) …(i)
According to Bernoulli's theorem
1 2 1
pA + ρv A + ρgh = pB + ρv B2 + 0
2 2
1
⇒ 2
( )
ρ v B2 − v 2A =
ρgh ⇒ v B2 − v 2A =
2gh

From equation (i), F

= 2aρgh.

31. A block of ice floats on a liquid of density 1.2in a beaker

then level of liquid when ice completely melt
(a)Remains same (b) Rises
(c) Lowers (d) (a), (b) or (c)
Answer: (b)
The volume of liquid displaced by floating ice V = σM D
L

Volume of water formed by melting ice, VF =

M
σW

18
 If σ1 > σ W , then,
M
<
M
σL σ W
i.e. VD < VF

i.e. volume of liquid displaced by floating ice will be lesser

than water formed and so the level if liquid will rise.

32. A tank 5 m high is half filled with water and then is filled to
the top with oil of density 0.85 g/cm3. The pressure at the
bottom of the tank, due to these liquids is
(a) 1.85 g/cm2 (b) 89.25 g/cm2
(c) 462.5 g/cm2 (d) 500 g/cm2
Answer: (c)
Pressure at the bottom= P (h d + h d )
g
cm
1 1 2 2 2

g
= [250 × 1 + 250 × 0.85]
= 250 [1.85]
cm2
g
= 462.5
cm2

33. Two substances of densities ρ and ρ are mixed in equal 1 2

volume and the relative density of mixture is 4. When they

are mixed in equal masses, the relative density of the
mixture is 3. The values of ρ and ρ are 1 2

(a) ρ =6 and ρ =2
1 2 (b) ρ =3 and ρ =5 1 2

(c) ρ =12 and ρ =4

1 2 (d) None of these
Answer: (a)
When substances are mixed in equal volume then density
ρ1 + ρ2
= = 4
2

⇒ρ 1 + ρ2 =8 ....... (i)

19
 When substances are mixed in equal masses then density
2ρ1ρ2
= = 3
ρ1 + ρ2

⇒ 2ρ ρ = 3(ρ + ρ ) .......(ii)
1 2 1 2

By solving (i) and (ii) we get ρ1 =6 and ρ2 =2 .

34. A spherical water bubble of radius R is formed in the air

where atmospheric pressure is P0. Surface tension of water
is T. Then
a) Pressure inside the bubble is P0 + 4T
R
b) Surface potential energy is 8R2T
c) Surface potential energy is 4R2T
d) Both (a) & (b)

Answer: (d)
Explanation:
4T
Excess pressure =
R
4T
So, Pin = P0 +
R
Surface energy = 2 × surface area × surface tension
v = 8R2T

35. Two different liquids are flowing in two tubes of equal

radius. The ratio of coefficients of viscosity of liquids is
52:49 and the ratio of their densities is 13:1, then the ratio
of their critical velocities will be
(a) 4 : 49 (b) 49 : 4 (c) 2 : 7 (d) 7 : 2
Answer: (a)
20
 Critical velocity v = NR
η
ρr

⇒ v1 η1 ρ2 52 1
= × = × =
4
v 2 η2 ρ1 49 13 49
.

36. Two capillary tubes of same radius r but of lengths l1 and l2

are fitted in parallel to the bottom of a vessel. The pressure
head is P. What should be the length of a single tube that
can replace the two tubes so that the rate of flow is same as
before
(a) l + l
1 2 (b) l1 + l1 (c) l l+l l (d) l +1 l 12

1 2 1 2 1 2

Answer: (c)
For parallel combination 1
=
1
+
1
Reff R1 R2
πr 4 πr 4 πr 4
⇒ = +
8ηl 8ηl1 8ηl2
⇒ 1 1 1
= +
l l1 l2
∴l =
l1l2
l1 + l2

37. A capillary tube is attached horizontally to a constant head

arrangement. If the radius of the capillary tube is increased
by 10% then the rate of flow of liquid will change nearly by
(a) + 10% (b) + 46% (c) – 10% (d) – 40%
Answer: (b)
4
V2  r2 
V=
Pπr 4
8 ηl
⇒ = 
V1  r1 
4

⇒  110 
V2 = V1 =
100  V=
1(1.1)
4
1.4641V
 

21
 ∆V V2 − V1 1.4641V − V
= =
V V
= 0.46 or 46%
V
.

38. Two stretched membranes of area 2 cm2 and 3 cm2 are placed
in a liquid at the same depth. The ratio of pressures on them
is
(a) 1 : 1 (b) 2 : 3 (c) 3 : 2 (d) 22 : 32
Answer: (a)
Pressure is independent of area of cross section

39. A piston of cross-section area 100 cm2 is used in a

hydraulic press to exert a force of 107 dynes on the water.
The cross-sectional area of the other piston which supports
an object having a mass 2000 kg. is
(a) 100 cm2 (b) 109cm2
(c) 2 × 104cm2 (d) 2 × 1010cm2
Answer: (c)
107 2000 × 103 × 103
P1 =P2 ⇒
F1 F
= 2
A1 A 2
⇒ 102
=
A2

∴ A 2= 2 × 104 cm2 =
(g 980 ≈ 103 cm/s2 )

40. Under a constant pressure head, the rate of flow of liquid

through a capillary tube is V. If the length of the capillary is
doubled and the diameter of the bore is halved, the rate of
flow would become

22
 (a) V / 4 (b) 16 V (c) V / 8 (d) V / 32
Answer: (d)
Rate of flow under a constant pressure head,
4 4
r4 V2  r2  l1  1  1
V=
πpr 4
8ηl
⇒ V∝
l
⇒ =   × = ×
V1  r1  l2  2  2
V1 V
⇒ V
=2 =
32 32

41. A water drop of radius r falls in viscous air with terminal

momentum p. If such 8 drops merge to form single drop, then
terminal momentum of this single drop in same medium will be
a) p
b) 8p
c) 16p
d) 32p

Answer: (d)
Explanation:
vT  r2
pT r5
5
p1  r 
= 
p2  2r 
p2 = 32p

42. For an elastic material, minimum and maximum value of

Poisson’s ratio will be respectively
a) –1 and 1
b) 0 and 1
c) –0.5 and 1
23
 d) –1 and 0.5

Answer: (d)
Explanation:
–1 <  < 0.5

43. Water enters through end A with speed v and leaves

1

through end B with speed v of a cylindrical tube AB. The

2

tube is always completely filled with water. In case I tube is

horizontal and in case II it is vertical with end A upwards
and in case III it is vertical with end B upwards. We have
v = v for
1 2

(a) Case I (b) Case II (c) Case III (d) Each case
Answer: (d)
This happens in accordance with equation of continuity and
this equation was derived on the principle of conservation
of mass and it is true in every case, either tube remain
horizontal or vertical.

44. A manometer connected to a closed tap reads 3.5 × 105

N/m2. When the valve is opened, the reading of manometer
falls to 3.0 × 105 N/m2, then velocity of flow of water is
(a) 100 m/s (b) 10 m/s (c) 1 m/s (d) 10 10 m/s
Answer: (b)
Bernoulli's theorem for unit mass of liquid
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 P 1 2
+ v =
ρ 2
constant
As the liquid starts flowing, it pressure energy decreases
1 2 P1 − P2 1 3.5 × 105 − 3 × 105
v = = ⇒ v2 ⇒ v2
2 ρ 2 103
2 × 0.5 × 105
= ⇒ v 2= 100 ⇒ v= 10 m / s
103

45. A large tank filled with water to a height ‘h’ is to be

emptied through a small hole at the bottom. The ratio of
time taken for the level of water to fall from h to h2 and
from h
2
to zero is
(a) 2 (b) 1
(c) 2 −1 (d) 1
2 2 −1

Answer: (c)
Time taken for the level to fall from H to H'
A 2 
=t H − H' 
A0 g  

According to problem- the time taken for the level to fall

2  h
from h to=
h
2
t 1
A
A0
 h−
g 

2 

and similarly time taken for the level to fall from h

2
to zero
1
1−
A 2  h  t 2 =
=t2  − 0 ∴ 1 = 2 − 1.
A0 g  2  t2 1
−0
2

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