Free Quantum Theory and Radiation MCQs with Answers

147 Quantum Theory and Radiation MCQs from Physics, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

Quantum theory treats electromagnetic radiation as packets of energy called photons, with energy proportional to frequency through E equals hf. The topic covers Planck's hypothesis, photon momentum, the photoelectric effect, threshold frequency, work function and wave particle duality, distinguishing quantised energy exchange from classical continuous radiation.

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Moderate
  • A. continuously in any amount
  • B. in discrete packets called quanta, each of energy hf
  • C. only as heat
  • D. only by solids

Explanation: Planck found that black body radiation could only be explained if the energy came in multiples of hf, where h is Planck's constant and f…

Correct answer: in discrete packets called quanta, each of energy hf
Fairly easy
  • A. hf
  • B. h divided by f
  • C. hc
  • D. mc squared only

Explanation: Energy is Planck's constant multiplied by frequency, equivalently hc divided by wavelength, so shorter wavelength means more energetic…

Correct answer: hf
  • A. electrons are slowed down suddenly on striking a metal target
  • B. a metal is heated to a very high temperature
  • C. light is passed through a prism
  • D. a nucleus decays

Explanation: Fast electrons decelerating in the target emit a continuous spectrum of X rays known as bremsstrahlung, and knocking out inner shell…

Correct answer: electrons are slowed down suddenly on striking a metal target
  • A. reflects all radiation falling on it
  • B. absorbs all radiation falling on it and is also the best possible emitter
  • C. emits no radiation at all
  • D. is black in colour at all temperatures

Explanation: A perfect absorber must also be a perfect emitter at the same temperature, otherwise it could not stay in thermal equilibrium with its…

Correct answer: absorbs all radiation falling on it and is also the best possible emitter
  • A. gets longer
  • B. gets shorter
  • C. stays the same
  • D. becomes infinite

Explanation: Wien's displacement law says the peak wavelength is inversely proportional to absolute temperature, which is why heated iron glows dull…

Correct answer: gets shorter
  • A. 2 eV
  • B. 20 eV
  • C. 0.2 eV
  • D. 200 eV

Explanation: Using the convenient result that photon energy in electron volts is about 1240 divided by the wavelength in nanometres, 1240 over 600…

Correct answer: 2 eV
  • A. decreases
  • B. increases relative to an observer at rest
  • C. stays exactly the same
  • D. becomes zero

Explanation: The relativistic factor grows without limit as the speed approaches c, so the effective mass rises and an infinite force would be needed…

Correct answer: increases relative to an observer at rest
  • A. mass and energy are different names for one physical quantity that can be converted between forms
  • B. mass can never be converted to energy
  • C. energy has no mass
  • D. c is a variable

Explanation: Because c squared is so large, a tiny loss of mass releases an enormous quantity of energy, which is exactly what happens in nuclear…

Correct answer: mass and energy are different names for one physical quantity that can be converted between forms
  • A. Green
  • B. White
  • C. Blue
  • D. Black

Explanation: If a black body emits all visible colours with suitable intensities, their additive combination is perceived as white light.

Correct answer: White
  • A. Dilates
  • B. Contracts
  • C. Constant
  • D. Uniform

Explanation: Special relativity predicts time dilation: a clock moving relative to an observer is measured to run more slowly, so the time interval…

Correct answer: Dilates
  • A. E=mc²
  • B. E=hf
  • C. E=m²c
  • D. E=mv²

Explanation: Einstein's mass-energy relation states that the energy equivalent of mass m is E = mc², where c is the speed of light in m/s.

Correct answer: E=mc²
  • A. Exude
  • B. Reflect
  • C. Absorb
  • D. None of these

Explanation: A black body is an ideal absorber that absorbs all incident electromagnetic radiation, regardless of wavelength or direction.

Correct answer: Absorb
  • A. Potential energy
  • B. Rest energy
  • C. Chemical energy
  • D. Nuclear energy

Explanation: Matter has rest energy because a body of mass m possesses energy E = mc² even when it is not moving.

Correct answer: Rest energy
  • A. Quantum theory
  • B. General theory of relativity
  • C. Special theory of relativity
  • D. None of these

Explanation: The relation E = mc² follows from special relativity, which treats mass and energy as equivalent forms of the same physical quantity.

Correct answer: Special theory of relativity
  • A. G
  • B. h
  • C. M
  • D. E

Explanation: The prefix mega represents 10^6 and its SI symbol is capital M. The likely mistake is choosing G, which is the symbol for giga and…

Correct answer: M
  • A. protons
  • B. positrons
  • C. electrons
  • D. photons

Explanation: Thermions are electrons emitted from a heated metal surface when thermal energy gives them enough energy to overcome the surface potential…

Correct answer: electrons
  • A. 10-4 sec
  • B. 10-5 sec
  • C. 10-3 sec
  • D. 10-8 sec

Explanation: A metastable state has an unusually long lifetime, typically about 10^-3 s, compared with an ordinary excited state of roughly 10^-8 s…

Correct answer: 10-3 sec
  • A. Metal stable state
  • B. Normal state
  • C. Inverted population
  • D. All the above

Explanation: When more atoms occupy the upper energy level than the lower level, the condition is called population inversion, which is necessary for…

Correct answer: Inverted population
  • A. Stimulated
  • B. Absorbed
  • C. Cause X-ray emission
  • D. Cause laser production

Explanation: In the normal energy state, most atoms are in the lower level, so an incident photon with the correct energy is absorbed to raise an atom…

Correct answer: Absorbed
  • A. It does emit radiation
  • B. Its size as compare to proton and neutron is very small
  • C. No antiparticle of electron is present
  • D. The velocity of electron must be very high according to uncertainty principle

Explanation: If an electron were confined inside a nucleus of extremely small size, the uncertainty principle would require a very large uncertainty in…

Correct answer: The velocity of electron must be very high according to uncertainty principle

Quantum Theory and Radiation MCQs: common questions

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