COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION – UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
Category 1: Physical Sciences (Questions 1-30)
1. Which fundamental force is responsible for holding the nucleus of an atom
together?
A) Electromagnetic Force
B) Gravitational Force
C) Strong Nuclear Force
D) Weak Nuclear Force
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The strong nuclear force is the powerful force that overcomes the
electrostatic repulsion between protons and binds quarks together to form
protons and neutrons, holding the atomic nucleus together.
2. What is the SI unit of electric current?
A) Volt
B) Ohm
C) Ampere
D) Coulomb
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: The ampere (A) is the base unit of electric current in the International
System of Units (SI). It is defined by the flow of electric charge.
3. Which law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or
destroyed, only transformed?
A) Zeroth Law
B) First Law
C) Second Law
D) Third Law
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The First Law of Thermodynamics is a statement of the conservation of
energy. It posits that the total energy of an isolated system is constant, though it
can change forms.
4. What type of electromagnetic radiation has the longest wavelength?
A) Gamma Rays
B) X-rays
C) Ultraviolet Light
D) Radio Waves
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: On the electromagnetic spectrum, radio waves have the longest
wavelengths and lowest frequencies, while gamma rays have the shortest
wavelengths and highest frequencies.
5. Which subatomic particle has a negative charge?
A) Proton
,B) Neutron
C) Electron
D) Positron
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The electron is a subatomic particle with a negative elementary electric
charge. Protons are positive, and neutrons are neutral.
6. What is the chemical formula for table salt?
A) KCl
B) NaCl
C) CaCO3
D) HCl
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sodium chloride, commonly known as table salt, is an ionic compound
with the chemical formula NaCl, representing a 1:1 ratio of sodium and chloride
ions.
7. What is the process by which a solid changes directly into a gas?
A) Condensation
B) Evaporation
C) Sublimation
D) Deposition
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sublimation is the phase transition where a substance transitions from
a solid state directly to a gaseous state without passing through the liquid phase.
Dry ice (solid CO2) is a common example.
, 8. According to Newton's First Law, what happens to an object in motion?
A) It will eventually stop due to inertia.
B) It will remain in motion unless acted upon by a net external force.
C) It will accelerate at a constant rate.
D) It will move in a circular path.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Newton's First Law, or the Law of Inertia, states that an object at rest
stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in
the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
9. What is the name of the layer of the Earth's atmosphere that contains the
ozone layer?
A) Troposphere
B) Stratosphere
C) Mesosphere
D) Thermosphere
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The stratosphere is the second major layer of Earth's atmosphere, lying
above the troposphere. It contains the ozone layer, which absorbs most of the
Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.
10. Which of the following is a pure substance?
A) Air
B) Saltwater
C) Gold