OAT Physics Practice Test 2024 Untimed with Explanation

OAT Physics Practice Test 2024 Untimed 40 Questions and Answers with Explanation. Try our free Optometry Admission Test (OAT) Physics online quiz for better OAT test prep. The Physics section of the OAT requires substantial knowledge of testable concepts and equations as well as strategic testing skills.

The Physics Practice Test is devoted entirely to content relevant to this section of the OAT exam. What it tests: Units and Vectors, Linear Kinematics, Statics, Dynamics, Rotational Motion, Energy and Momentum, Simple Harmonic Motion, Waves, Fluid Statics, Thermal Energy and Thermodynamics, Electrostatics, D.C. Circuits, and Optics.

Table of Contents

OAT Physics Practice Test 2024

Physics averages 75 seconds per question, but different question types use less or more time depending on the level of calculation required.

Test Name	OAT Practice Test 2024
Test Purpose	Admission into optometry schools
Subject	Physics
Sub Test	Physics
Sample Questions	40
Time Limit	N/A

Units and Vectors

Which of the following is a scalar quantity?

(A) Velocity
(B) Force
(C) Acceleration
(D) Temperature
(E) Displacement

View Answer

Answer: (D) Temperature Explanation: Scalar quantities have only magnitude, while vector quantities have both magnitude and direction. Temperature is a scalar quantity.

What is the resultant of two vectors that are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction?

(A) Zero
(B) Twice the magnitude of one vector
(C) Half the magnitude of one vector
(D) A vector perpendicular to the original vectors
(E) A vector equal to the original vectors

View Answer

Answer: (A) Zero Explanation: Two vectors that are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction cancel each other out, resulting in a net vector of zero.

Linear Kinematics

An object is moving with a constant velocity. What is the net force acting on the object?

(A) Zero
(B) Constant and non-zero
(C) Increasing
(D) Decreasing
(E) Equal to the gravitational force

View Answer

Answer: (A) Zero Explanation: If an object is moving with constant velocity, it means there is no net force acting on it according to Newton’s first law of motion.

A car accelerates uniformly from rest to a speed of 20 m/s in 10 seconds. What is the car’s acceleration?

(A) 2 m/s²
(B) 4 m/s²
(C) 10 m/s²
(D) 20 m/s²
(E) 0.5 m/s²

View Answer

Answer: (A) 2 m/s² Explanation: Acceleration is the change in velocity divided by the time taken. Here, acceleration = (20 m/s – 0 m/s) / 10 s = 2 m/s².

Statics

What condition must be met for an object to be in static equilibrium?

(A) The net force must be zero
(B) The net torque must be zero
(C) Both net force and net torque must be zero
(D) The net velocity must be zero
(E) The net acceleration must be zero

View Answer

Answer: (C) Both net force and net torque must be zero Explanation: For an object to be in static equilibrium, the sum of all forces and the sum of all torques acting on it must be zero.

Dynamics

According to Newton’s second law, what is the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration?

(A) F = m/a
(B) F = ma
(C) F = a/m
(D) F = m²a
(E) F = ma²

View Answer

Answer: (B) F = ma Explanation: Newton’s second law states that the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration (F = ma).

What is the force of gravity acting on a 10 kg object near the surface of the Earth? (Use g = 9.8 m/s²)

(A) 9.8 N
(B) 98 N
(C) 980 N
(D) 10 N
(E) 0.98 N

View Answer

Answer: (B) 98 N Explanation: The force of gravity can be calculated using F = mg. Here, F = 10 kg * 9.8 m/s² = 98 N.

Rotational Motion

What is the angular velocity of a wheel rotating at 60 revolutions per minute (rpm)?

(A) π rad/s
(B) 2π rad/s
(C) 4π rad/s
(D) 6π rad/s
(E) 8π rad/s

View Answer

Answer: (B) 2π rad/s Explanation: Angular velocity (ω) can be calculated using ω = 2π * (revolutions per second). Here, ω = 2π * (60/60) = 2π rad/s.

Energy and Momentum

What is the kinetic energy of a 5 kg object moving at a speed of 10 m/s?

(A) 25 J
(B) 50 J
(C) 100 J
(D) 250 J
(E) 500 J

View Answer

Answer: (D) 250 J Explanation: Kinetic energy (KE) is given by KE = 0.5 * m * v². Here, KE = 0.5 * 5 kg * (10 m/s)² = 250 J.

What is the momentum of a 3 kg object moving at a velocity of 4 m/s?

(A) 3 kg·m/s
(B) 7 kg·m/s
(C) 12 kg·m/s
(D) 15 kg·m/s
(E) 20 kg·m/s

View Answer

Answer: (C) 12 kg·m/s Explanation: Momentum (p) is given by p = m * v. Here, p = 3 kg * 4 m/s = 12 kg·m/s.

Simple Harmonic Motion

What is the period of a pendulum with a length of 2 meters? (Use g = 9.8 m/s²)

(A) 1 s
(B) 2 s
(C) 3 s
(D) 4 s
(E) 5 s

View Answer

Answer: (B) 2 s Explanation: The period (T) of a pendulum is given by T = 2π * sqrt(L/g). Here, T = 2π * sqrt(2 m / 9.8 m/s²) ≈ 2 s.

Waves

What is the frequency of a wave with a wavelength of 0.5 meters and a speed of 2 m/s?

(A) 0.5 Hz
(B) 1 Hz
(C) 2 Hz
(D) 3 Hz
(E) 4 Hz

View Answer

Answer: (B) 1 Hz Explanation: Frequency (f) is given by f = v/λ. Here, f = 2 m/s / 0.5 m = 4 Hz.

Fluid Statics

What is the pressure exerted by a column of water 10 meters high? (Use ρ = 1000 kg/m³ and g = 9.8 m/s²)

(A) 9.8 kPa
(B) 98 kPa
(C) 980 kPa
(D) 9.8 Pa
(E) 98 Pa

View Answer

Answer: (B) 98 kPa Explanation: Pressure (P) is given by P = ρgh. Here, P = 1000 kg/m³ * 9.8 m/s² * 10 m = 98,000 Pa = 98 kPa.

Thermal Energy and Thermodynamics

What is the specific heat capacity of a substance if 500 J of energy raises the temperature of 2 kg of the substance by 5°C?

(A) 10 J/kg·°C
(B) 20 J/kg·°C
(C) 25 J/kg·°C
(D) 50 J/kg·°C
(E) 100 J/kg·°C

View Answer

Answer: (B) 20 J/kg·°C Explanation: Specific heat capacity (c) is given by c = Q / (mΔT). Here, c = 500 J / (2 kg * 5°C) = 20 J/kg·°C.

Electrostatics

What is the electric force between two charges of 1 C each, separated by a distance of 1 meter? (Use k = 8.99 x 10⁹ N·m²/C²)

(A) 8.99 x 10⁹ N
(B) 1.80 x 10⁹ N
(C) 2.25 x 10⁹ N
(D) 4.50 x 10⁹ N
(E) 5.00 x 10⁹ N

View Answer

Answer: (A) 8.99 x 10⁹ N Explanation: The electric force (F) is given by Coulomb’s law: F = k * |q₁ * q₂| / r². Here, F = 8.99 x 10⁹ N·m²/C² * (1 C * 1 C) / (1 m)² = 8.99 x 10⁹ N.

D.C. Circuits

What is the equivalent resistance of three 6-ohm resistors connected in series?

(A) 2 ohms
(B) 6 ohms
(C) 12 ohms
(D) 18 ohms
(E) 24 ohms

View Answer

Answer: (D) 18 ohms Explanation: The equivalent resistance (R) of resistors in series is the sum of their resistances. Here, R = 6 ohms + 6 ohms + 6 ohms = 18 ohms.

What is the current through a 10-ohm resistor connected to a 5 V battery?

(A) 0.2 A
(B) 0.5 A
(C) 1 A
(D) 1.5 A
(E) 2 A

View Answer

Answer: (B) 0.5 A Explanation: The current (I) is given by Ohm’s law: I = V / R. Here, I = 5 V / 10 ohms = 0.5 A.

Optics

What is the focal length of a lens with a power of 2 diopters?

(A) 0.5 m
(B) 1 m
(C) 2 m
(D) 4 m
(E) 5 m

View Answer

Answer: (A) 0.5 m Explanation: The focal length (f) is the reciprocal of the lens power (P): f = 1 / P. Here, f = 1 / 2 diopters = 0.5 m.

What is the image distance for an object placed 10 cm from a concave mirror with a focal length of 5 cm?

(A) 2.5 cm
(B) 5 cm
(C) 10 cm
(D) 15 cm
(E) 20 cm

View Answer

Answer: (C) 10 cm Explanation: Using the mirror equation (1/f = 1/do + 1/di), where do is the object distance and di is the image distance. Here, 1/5 cm = 1/10 cm + 1/di, solving for di gives di = 10 cm.

What is the speed of light in a medium with a refractive index of 1.5? (Use c = 3 x 10⁸ m/s)

(A) 1.5 x 10⁸ m/s
(B) 2 x 10⁸ m/s
(C) 2.5 x 10⁸ m/s
(D) 3 x 10⁸ m/s
(E) 4 x 10⁸ m/s

View Answer

Answer: (B) 2 x 10⁸ m/s Explanation: The speed of light in a medium (v) is given by v = c / n. Here, v = 3 x 10⁸ m/s / 1.5 = 2 x 10⁸ m/s.

Additional Questions

Which physical quantity is described as the product of mass and velocity?

(A) Energy
(B) Momentum
(C) Force
(D) Power
(E) Work

View Answer

Answer: (B) Momentum Explanation: Momentum is defined as the product of an object’s mass and its velocity (p = mv).

What is the work done by a force of 20 N moving an object 5 meters in the direction of the force?

(A) 10 J
(B) 50 J
(C) 100 J
(D) 200 J
(E) 250 J

View Answer

Answer: (C) 100 J Explanation: Work done (W) is given by W = force * distance. Here, W = 20 N * 5 m = 100 J.

Which law states that the total energy in a closed system remains constant?

(A) Newton’s first law
(B) Newton’s second law
(C) Law of conservation of momentum
(D) Law of conservation of energy
(E) Hooke’s law

View Answer

Answer: (D) Law of conservation of energy Explanation: The law of conservation of energy states that the total energy in a closed system remains constant; energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transformed.

What is the change in internal energy of a system that does 50 J of work and absorbs 30 J of heat?

(A) -20 J
(B) 20 J
(C) 50 J
(D) -50 J
(E) 80 J

View Answer

Answer: (A) -20 J Explanation: According to the first law of thermodynamics, ΔU = Q – W. Here, ΔU = 30 J – 50 J = -20 J.

What is the relationship between pressure and volume in Boyle’s Law?

(A) Directly proportional
(B) Inversely proportional
(C) Not related
(D) Exponentially proportional
(E) Logarithmically proportional

View Answer

Answer: (B) Inversely proportional Explanation: Boyle’s Law states that the pressure and volume of a gas are inversely proportional, provided the temperature remains constant (P ∝ 1/V).

What is the formula for calculating the gravitational potential energy of an object?

(A) PE = 0.5mv²
(B) PE = mgh
(C) PE = Fd
(D) PE = 0.5kx²
(E) PE = qV

View Answer

Answer: (B) PE = mgh Explanation: Gravitational potential energy (PE) is calculated using PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is gravitational acceleration, and h is height above a reference point.

What is the acceleration due to gravity on Earth?

(A) 8.9 m/s²
(B) 9.8 m/s²
(C) 10.8 m/s²
(D) 11.8 m/s²
(E) 12.8 m/s²

View Answer

Answer: (B) 9.8 m/s² Explanation: The standard acceleration due to gravity on Earth’s surface is approximately 9.8 m/s².

Which of the following describes the first law of thermodynamics?

(A) Energy cannot be created or destroyed
(B) Entropy of an isolated system always increases
(C) For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
(D) Energy is proportional to mass times the speed of light squared
(E) The total momentum of an isolated system is conserved

View Answer

Answer: (A) Energy cannot be created or destroyed Explanation: The first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed (conservation of energy).

What is the specific heat capacity of water?

(A) 2.1 J/g·°C
(B) 3.6 J/g·°C
(C) 4.2 J/g·°C
(D) 5.0 J/g·°C
(E) 6.4 J/g·°C

View Answer

Answer: (C) 4.2 J/g·°C Explanation: The specific heat capacity of water is approximately 4.2 J/g·°C, which means it takes 4.2 joules of energy to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius.

Which of the following is true about the speed of sound in different media?

(A) Fastest in gases
(B) Fastest in liquids
(C) Fastest in solids
(D) Same in all media
(E) Depends only on temperature

View Answer

Answer: (C) Fastest in solids Explanation: The speed of sound is fastest in solids, followed by liquids, and slowest in gases due to differences in molecular density and elasticity.

What is the power dissipated by a resistor with a resistance of 5 ohms and a current of 2 A?

(A) 5 W
(B) 10 W
(C) 15 W
(D) 20 W
(E) 25 W

View Answer

Answer: (E) 25 W Explanation: The power (P) dissipated by a resistor is given by P = I²R. Here, P = (2 A)² * 5 ohms = 4 * 5 = 20 W.

Which of the following describes the relationship between pressure and temperature in Gay-Lussac’s Law?

(A) Directly proportional
(B) Inversely proportional
(C) Exponentially proportional
(D) Linearly proportional
(E) Not related

View Answer

Answer: (A) Directly proportional Explanation: Gay-Lussac’s Law states that the pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature, provided the volume remains constant (P ∝ T).

What is the equivalent capacitance of three 10 µF capacitors connected in parallel?

(A) 3.3 µF
(B) 10 µF
(C) 15 µF
(D) 20 µF
(E) 30 µF

View Answer

Answer: (E) 30 µF Explanation: The equivalent capacitance (C) of capacitors in parallel is the sum of their capacitances. Here, C = 10 µF + 10 µF + 10 µF = 30 µF.

What is the voltage across a 4-ohm resistor with a current of 3 A flowing through it?

(A) 4 V
(B) 7 V
(C) 10 V
(D) 12 V
(E) 15 V

View Answer

Answer: (D) 12 V Explanation: The voltage (V) across a resistor can be found using Ohm’s Law: V = I * R. Here, V = 3 A * 4 ohms = 12 V.

Which principle explains why a boat floats in water?

(A) Pascal’s Principle
(B) Bernoulli’s Principle
(C) Archimedes’ Principle
(D) Newton’s Third Law
(E) Conservation of Energy

View Answer

Answer: (C) Archimedes’ Principle Explanation: Archimedes’ Principle states that an object submerged in a fluid experiences a buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced, which explains why a boat floats.

What is the wavelength of a sound wave with a frequency of 500 Hz traveling at a speed of 340 m/s?

(A) 0.68 m
(B) 1.36 m
(C) 3.40 m
(D) 6.80 m
(E) 17.0 m

View Answer

Answer: (A) 0.68 m Explanation: The wavelength (λ) can be calculated using λ = v / f. Here, λ = 340 m/s / 500 Hz = 0.68 m.

What type of image is formed by a convex lens when the object is placed at a distance greater than twice the focal length?

(A) Virtual and upright
(B) Virtual and inverted
(C) Real and upright
(D) Real and inverted
(E) No image

View Answer

Answer: (D) Real and inverted Explanation: A convex lens forms a real and inverted image when the object is placed beyond twice the focal length.

What is the principle behind the operation of hydraulic systems?

(A) Archimedes’ Principle
(B) Bernoulli’s Principle
(C) Pascal’s Principle
(D) Newton’s First Law
(E) Conservation of Momentum

View Answer

Answer: (C) Pascal’s Principle Explanation: Pascal’s Principle states that a change in pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted undiminished throughout the fluid, which is the principle behind hydraulic systems.

What is the resistance of a wire with a resistivity of 1.7 x 10⁻⁸ Ω·m, a length of 2 m, and a cross-sectional area of 1 x 10⁻⁶ m²?

(A) 0.034 Ω
(B) 0.34 Ω
(C) 1.7 Ω
(D) 3.4 Ω
(E) 34 Ω

View Answer

Answer: (A) 0.034 Ω Explanation: The resistance (R) of a wire is given by R = ρL / A. Here, R = (1.7 x 10⁻⁸ Ω·m) * (2 m) / (1 x 10⁻⁶ m²) = 0.034 Ω.

What is the work done by a force of 10 N moving an object 3 meters in the direction of the force?

(A) 10 J
(B) 20 J
(C) 30 J
(D) 40 J
(E) 50 J

View Answer

Answer: (C) 30 J Explanation: Work done (W) is given by W = force * distance. Here, W = 10 N * 3 m = 30 J.

See also:

OAT Practice Test 2024 With Study Guide (Free PDF)

Untimed Tests with Explanation