ICSE Class 9 Physics Mock Test with Answers
Test your understanding of measurements, motion, force, fluids, heat, light, sound, electricity and magnetism through an interactive 80-mark practice paper.
Syllabus Coverage
Complete Class 9 revision across the major Physics units
Instructions
Read these before starting the test
- Section A contains 15 multiple-choice questions carrying 1 mark each.
- In Section B, answer any eight of the ten questions. Each question carries 2 marks.
- Answer all questions in Sections C and D.
- Use g = 9.8 m/s2 unless a different value is stated.
- Show formula, substitution, unit and final answer in every numerical problem.
- Draw neat and labelled diagrams wherever required.
Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions
15 questions x 1 mark = 15 marks
Section B: Very Short Answer Questions
Answer any 8 questions x 2 marks = 16 marks
16. Define least count. State the least count of a standard metre scale.
17. Write two differences between distance and displacement.
18. A runner covers 150 m in 30 s. Calculate the average speed.
19. Why does a standing passenger tend to fall backward when a stationary bus starts suddenly?
20. Calculate the force required to produce an acceleration of 3 m/s2 in a body of mass 6 kg.
21. Why are dams made thicker near the bottom?
22. Define relative density. Does it have a unit?
23. Explain why water pipes may burst when water freezes inside them.
24. State any two characteristics of the image formed by a plane mirror.
25. A charge of 180 C passes through a conductor in 90 s. Find the electric current.
Section C: Short Answer Questions
7 questions x 3 marks = 21 marks
26. Describe how the time period of a simple pendulum can be measured accurately using a stopwatch.
27. A car increases its velocity uniformly from 10 m/s to 25 m/s in 5 s. Calculate: (a) acceleration, and (b) distance travelled.
28. State Newton's third law of motion. Explain how it helps a person to walk.
29. State Archimedes' principle. A 2 kg object immersed in water displaces 1.5 kg of water. Calculate its apparent weight in water.
30. Explain the anomalous expansion of water between 0°C and 4°C. Mention one consequence in nature.
31. An object is placed between two plane mirrors inclined at 90°. How many images are formed? Briefly explain the result.
32. Classify sounds of frequencies 15 Hz, 500 Hz and 30,000 Hz as infrasonic, audible or ultrasonic. State one application of ultrasonic sound.
Section D: Long Answer and Numerical Questions
4 questions x 7 marks = 28 marks
33. (a) A Vernier callipers has a least count of 0.01 cm. The main scale reading is 2.3 cm and the sixth Vernier division coincides with a main-scale mark. Find the measured length. (b) A screw gauge has pitch 0.5 mm and 50 divisions on its circular scale. Find its least count. If the main-scale reading is 5.5 mm and the 28th circular-scale division coincides with the reference line, find the measured diameter. (c) State one precaution while taking either measurement.
34. A 1000 kg vehicle starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at 1.5 m/s2 for 8 s. Calculate: (a) final velocity, (b) distance travelled, (c) net force acting on it, and (d) momentum after 8 s.
35. Water of density 1000 kg/m3 is stored in a tank. (a) Calculate the liquid pressure at a depth of 6 m. (b) Find the force exerted by this pressure on an area of 0.025 m2. (c) State the principle used in hydraulic machines and name one application.
36. (a) A charge of 600 C flows through a conductor in 4 minutes. Calculate the current. (b) Compare the directions of conventional current and electron flow in an external circuit. (c) Describe the construction of a simple electromagnet and state one use. (d) Define a magnetic neutral point.
Answers and Explanations
Open each answer only after completing the corresponding question.
Section A Answer Key
1. B 2. C 3. B 4. C 5. C
6. C 7. B 8. B 9. D 10. D
11. C 12. B 13. B 14. C 15. B
16. Least count
Least count is the smallest value that a measuring instrument can measure directly. The least count of a standard metre scale is 1 mm, which is equal to 0.1 cm.
17. Distance and displacement
- Distance is the total length of the actual path travelled, while displacement is the shortest straight-line change from the initial position to the final position.
- Distance is a scalar quantity, while displacement is a vector quantity.
18. Average speed
Average speed = distance / time
Average speed = 150 m / 30 s = 5 m/s.
19. Passenger falling backward
When the bus starts suddenly, the feet move forward with the bus but the upper part of the body tends to remain at rest due to inertia of rest. Therefore, the passenger appears to fall backward.
20. Force calculation
F = ma
F = 6 kg x 3 m/s2 = 18 N.
21. Thickness of a dam
Liquid pressure increases with depth according to p = hρg. The lower part of a dam experiences greater pressure, so it is made thicker to withstand the larger force.
22. Relative density
Relative density is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of water at 4°C. It has no unit because it is a ratio of two quantities with the same unit.
23. Water pipes bursting
Water expands when it freezes. In a closed pipe, this increase in volume produces a large outward pressure on the pipe wall, which may cause the pipe to crack or burst.
24. Plane-mirror image
Any two: the image is virtual, erect, of the same size as the object, laterally inverted, and formed as far behind the mirror as the object is in front of it.
25. Electric current
I = Q / t
I = 180 C / 90 s = 2 A.
26. Measuring the time period of a pendulum
- Give the bob a small displacement and release it gently without a push.
- Measure the time taken for a sufficiently large number of complete oscillations, such as 20, using a stopwatch.
- Divide the total time by the number of oscillations: T = total time / number of oscillations. Repeating the measurement and taking the average reduces random error.
27. Uniformly accelerated car
Given: u = 10 m/s, v = 25 m/s, t = 5 s.
a = (v - u) / t
a = (25 - 10) / 5 = 3 m/s2.
s = ut + (1/2)at2
s = (10 x 5) + (1/2 x 3 x 52) = 50 + 37.5 = 87.5 m.
28. Newton's third law and walking
Newton's third law states that whenever one body exerts a force on another body, the second body exerts an equal and opposite force on the first body. While walking, the foot pushes the ground backward. The ground exerts an equal forward frictional force on the foot, moving the person forward.
29. Archimedes' principle and apparent weight
Archimedes' principle states that a body wholly or partially immersed in a fluid experiences an upward force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced.
Actual weight = 2 x 9.8 = 19.6 N.
Upthrust = weight of displaced water = 1.5 x 9.8 = 14.7 N.
Apparent weight = 19.6 - 14.7 = 4.9 N.
30. Anomalous expansion of water
When water is heated from 0°C to 4°C, it contracts instead of expanding, so its density increases. At 4°C its density is maximum. Above 4°C, water expands normally on heating and its density decreases. In winter, lakes freeze first at the surface while denser water at about 4°C remains below, allowing aquatic life to survive.
31. Images between perpendicular mirrors
For two plane mirrors inclined at 90°, three images are formed for an object placed symmetrically between them. One image is formed by each mirror and the third results from successive reflection in both mirrors.
32. Sound-frequency classification
- 15 Hz: infrasonic
- 500 Hz: audible sound
- 30,000 Hz: ultrasonic
One application of ultrasound is medical imaging. Other valid examples include SONAR, detecting internal cracks in metal and ultrasonic cleaning.
33. Vernier callipers and screw gauge
(a) Vernier callipers
Measured length = main-scale reading + (coinciding division x least count)
= 2.3 cm + (6 x 0.01 cm) = 2.3 cm + 0.06 cm = 2.36 cm.
(b) Screw gauge
Least count = pitch / number of circular-scale divisions
Least count = 0.5 mm / 50 = 0.01 mm.
Measured diameter = 5.5 mm + (28 x 0.01 mm) = 5.5 mm + 0.28 mm = 5.78 mm.
(c) Precaution: Check for zero error before measurement and apply the correct zero correction if needed. Also avoid excessive pressure while using the screw gauge.
34. Vehicle under uniform acceleration
Given: m = 1000 kg, u = 0, a = 1.5 m/s2, t = 8 s.
(a) Final velocity
v = u + at
v = 0 + 1.5 x 8 = 12 m/s.
(b) Distance travelled
s = ut + (1/2)at2
s = 0 + (1/2 x 1.5 x 82) = 0.75 x 64 = 48 m.
(c) Net force
F = ma = 1000 x 1.5 = 1500 N.
(d) Momentum
p = mv = 1000 x 12 = 12,000 kg m/s.
35. Pressure and hydraulic machines
Given: ρ = 1000 kg/m3, h = 6 m, g = 9.8 m/s2.
(a) Liquid pressure
p = hρg
p = 6 x 1000 x 9.8 = 58,800 Pa.
(b) Force on the given area
F = pA
F = 58,800 x 0.025 = 1470 N.
(c) Hydraulic machines work on Pascal's law: pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted equally and undiminished in all directions. One application is a hydraulic press, hydraulic lift or hydraulic brake.
36. Current and electromagnetism
(a) Current
Time = 4 minutes = 240 s.
I = Q / t
I = 600 / 240 = 2.5 A.
(b) In the external circuit, conventional current is taken from the positive terminal to the negative terminal. Electron flow is in the opposite direction, from the negative terminal to the positive terminal.
(c) A simple electromagnet is made by winding insulated copper wire around a soft-iron core and connecting the coil to a cell. Current through the coil magnetises the core. Uses include electric bells, relays, cranes for lifting iron and magnetic door locks.
(d) A magnetic neutral point is a point where the magnetic field of a magnet and Earth's horizontal magnetic field are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, so the resultant magnetic field is zero.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick guidance for using this mock test
Is this an official CISCE Class 9 Physics paper?
No. It is an independent syllabus-aligned mock test created for practice. The exact paper pattern and marking scheme used by a school may differ.
Which chapters are covered in this mock test?
The paper covers measurements, one-dimensional motion, laws of motion, pressure and upthrust, heat and energy, reflection of light, sound, current electricity and magnetism.
What is the suggested time for this paper?
The suggested practice time is 120 minutes. Students may adjust the time according to their school's examination format.
How should I use the answer section?
Complete the full paper first. Then open the answers, compare each step, identify weak chapters and reattempt the questions you answered incorrectly.
Can I print the question paper without the answers?
Yes. Use the Print Question Paper button. It hides the answer section and other interactive controls while printing.
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