Introduction
Measurement of Length and Motion is one of the most frequently tested topics in the General Science section of competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, Railway, Banking, and various State PSC exams. Questions from this topic often appear in the form of unit conversions, definitions of physical quantities, instruments used for measurement, and the relationship between different units of length, speed, velocity, and acceleration.
This topic forms the foundation of Physics and is closely linked to everyday applications, which makes it a favourite among exam setters. Aspirants are frequently tested on concepts such as the SI unit of length (metre), instruments like the vernier caliper and screw gauge, and motion-related quantities such as speed, velocity, and acceleration. A clear understanding of these basics not only helps in answering direct questions but also builds the base for more advanced Physics topics like Force, Work, and Energy.
In this article, we have compiled 50+ important questions on Measurement of Length and Motion Gk, along with their answers, to help you revise this topic thoroughly and strengthen your preparation for the upcoming exams.
Q.1 What is the SI unit of length?
A) Centimetre
B) Metre
C) Kilometre
D) Millimetre
Answer: B) Metre (m)
Q.2 Which instrument is commonly used to measure the length of a small object?
A) Barometer
B) Thermometer
C) Ruler
D) Ammeter
Answer: C) Ruler
Q.3 What is the SI unit of distance?
A) Second
B) Metre
C) Kilogram
D) Newton
Answer: B) Metre (m)
Q.4 One kilometre is equal to how many metres?
A) 10 m
B) 100 m
C) 1,000 m
D) 10,000 m
Answer: C) 1,000 m
Q.5 One metre is equal to how many centimetres?
A) 10 cm
B) 50 cm
C) 100 cm
D) 1,000 cm
Answer: C) 100 cm
Q.6 One centimetre is equal to how many millimetres?
A) 2 mm
B) 5 mm
C) 10 mm
D) 100 mm
Answer: C) 10 mm
Q.7 Which instrument is used to measure very small lengths accurately?
A) Measuring tape
B) Vernier calipers
C) Metre scale
D) Compass
Answer: B) Vernier calipers
Q.8 Which instrument is used to measure the diameter of a thin wire accurately?
A) Metre scale
B) Measuring tape
C) Screw gauge
D) Stopwatch
Answer: C) Screw gauge
Q.9 What is the least count of a standard metre scale generally used in school laboratories?
A) 1 cm
B) 1 mm
C) 0.1 mm
D) 10 mm
Answer: B) 1 mm
Q.10 What is the approximate length of 1 inch in centimetres?
A) 1.54 cm
B) 2.54 cm
C) 3.54 cm
D) 4.54 cm
Answer: B) 2.54 cm
Q.11 Which of the following correctly represents the relationship between speed, distance and time?
A) Speed = Distance × Time
B) Speed = Distance ÷ Time
C) Speed = Time ÷ Distance
D) Speed = Distance + Time
Answer: B) Speed = Distance ÷ Time
Q.12 Which unit is most suitable for measuring the distance between two cities?
A) Millimetre
B) Centimetre
C) Metre
D) Kilometre
Answer: D) Kilometre
Q.13 Which unit is most suitable for measuring the thickness of a coin?
A) Kilometre
B) Metre
C) Centimetre
D) Millimetre
Answer: D) Millimetre
Q.14 Which of the following is the largest unit of length?
A) Millimetre
B) Centimetre
C) Metre
D) Kilometre
Answer: D) Kilometre
Q.15 What is the main purpose of using a standard unit of measurement?
A) To make measurements complicated
B) To obtain uniform measurements
C) To increase the length
D) To reduce the weight
Answer: B) To obtain uniform measurements
Q.16 Which of the following is a non-standard unit of length?
A) Metre
B) Centimetre
C) Footstep
D) Kilometre
Answer: C) Footstep
Q.17 A train travels 300 km in 5 hours. What is its average speed?
A) 30 km/h
B) 50 km/h
C) 60 km/h
D) 75 km/h
Answer: C) 60 km/h
Q.18 What is motion?
A) Change in mass
B) Change in temperature
C) Change in position with time
D) Change in colour
Answer: C) Change in position with time
Q.19 An object is said to be at rest when its position:
A) Changes continuously
B) Does not change with time relative to a reference point
C) Changes rapidly
D) Becomes zero
Answer: B) Does not change with time relative to a reference point
Q.20 Which of the following is an example of motion?
A) A parked car
B) A moving train
C) A stationary table
D) A book on a shelf
Answer: B) A moving train
Q.21 What is the SI unit of time?
A) Minute
B) Hour
C) Second
D) Day
Answer: C) Second (s)
Q.22 Which instrument is used to measure time intervals accurately?
A) Stopwatch
B) Barometer
C) Ammeter
D) Thermometer
Answer: A) Stopwatch
Q.23 Speed is defined as:
A) Distance × time
B) Distance ÷ time
C) Time ÷ distance
D) Distance + time
Answer: B) Distance ÷ time
Q.24 What is the SI unit of speed?
A) km/h
B) m/s
C) m/h
D) cm/s
Answer: B) m/s
Q.25 A car travels 100 metres in 10 seconds. What is its speed?
A) 5 m/s
B) 10 m/s
C) 20 m/s
D) 100 m/s
Answer: B) 10 m/s
Q.26 Which of the following is NOT a unit of length?
A) Metre
B) Centimetre
C) Kilometre
D) Second
Answer: D) Second
Q.27 Which of the following is a vector quantity?
A) Distance
B) Speed
C) Time
D) Displacement
Answer: D) Displacement
Q.28 What is displacement?
A) Total path travelled by an object
B) Shortest distance between initial and final positions with direction
C) Distance travelled per unit time
D) Change in speed only
Answer: B) Shortest distance between initial and final positions with direction
Q.29 What is the SI unit of displacement?
A) Metre
B) Second
C) m/s
D) Newton
Answer: A) Metre (m)
Q.30 Which quantity tells us how fast an object is moving?
A) Distance
B) Speed
C) Mass
D) Density
Answer: B) Speed
Q.31 What is the smallest measurement that can be accurately measured by a measuring instrument called?
A) Zero error
B) Least count
C) Range
D) Average value
Answer: B) Least count
Q.32 What is the SI unit of velocity?
A) m
B) m/s
C) km
D) s/m
Answer: B) m/s
Q.33 A body moving in a straight line with constant speed has:
A) Uniform motion
B) Circular motion
C) Oscillatory motion
D) Random motion
Answer: A) Uniform motion
Q.34 Motion in which an object covers equal distances in equal intervals of time is called:
A) Non-uniform motion
B) Uniform motion
C) Circular motion
D) Random motion
Answer: B) Uniform motion
Q.35 Motion in which an object covers unequal distances in equal intervals of time is called:
A) Uniform motion
B) Non-uniform motion
C) Periodic motion
D) Rotational motion
Answer: B) Non-uniform motion
Q.36 Which instrument is most suitable for measuring the diameter of a human hair?
A) Metre scale
B) Measuring tape
C) Screw gauge
D) Ruler
Answer: C) Screw gauge
Q.37 The motion of the hands of a clock around its centre is an example of:
A) Linear motion
B) Circular motion
C) Random motion
D) Oscillatory motion
Answer: B) Circular motion
Q.38 The motion of a car on a straight road is generally an example of:
A) Rectilinear motion
B) Circular motion
C) Oscillatory motion
D) Random motion
Answer: A) Rectilinear motion
Q.39 The motion of a spinning ceiling fan is an example of:
A) Rotational motion
B) Linear motion
C) Oscillatory motion
D) Random motion
Answer: A) Rotational motion
Q.40 Which type of motion repeats itself after equal intervals of time?
A) Random motion
B) Periodic motion
C) Non-uniform motion
D) Translational motion
Answer: B) Periodic motion
Q.41 When does the magnitude of distance equal the magnitude of displacement?
A) When an object moves along a straight line without changing direction
B) When an object moves in a circle
C) When an object returns to its starting point
D) When an object moves randomly
Answer: A) When an object moves along a straight line without changing direction
Q.42 What is acceleration?
A) Rate of change of distance
B) Rate of change of velocity
C) Rate of change of mass
D) Rate of change of length
Answer: B) Rate of change of velocity
Q.43 What is the SI unit of acceleration?
A) m/s
B) m/s²
C) km/h
D) m²/s
Answer: B) m/s²
Q.44 A runner completes 400 m in 50 seconds. What is the average speed?
A) 4 m/s
B) 6 m/s
C) 8 m/s
D) 10 m/s
Answer: C) 8 m/s
Q.45 If an object returns to its starting point, its displacement is:
A) Equal to distance
B) Zero
C) Maximum
D) Negative always
Answer: B) Zero
Q.46 If a body covers 200 metres in 20 seconds, its speed is:
A) 5 m/s
B) 10 m/s
C) 20 m/s
D) 40 m/s
Answer: B) 10 m/s
Q.47 A vehicle moving at 20 m/s travels for 5 seconds. What distance does it cover?
A) 25 m
B) 50 m
C) 100 m
D) 200 m
Answer: C) 100 m
Q.48 Which formula is used to calculate distance when speed and time are known?
A) Distance = Speed × Time
B) Distance = Speed ÷ Time
C) Distance = Time ÷ Speed
D) Distance = Speed + Time
Answer: A) Distance = Speed × Time
Q.49 Which formula is used to calculate time?
A) Time = Distance × Speed
B) Time = Distance ÷ Speed
C) Time = Speed ÷ Distance
D) Time = Distance + Speed
Answer: B) Time = Distance ÷ Speed
Q.50 1 m/s is approximately equal to:
A) 1.6 km/h
B) 2.6 km/h
C) 3.6 km/h
D) 4.6 km/h
Answer: C) 3.6 km/h
Q.51 Which of the following is an example of non-uniform motion?
A) A car moving at constant speed on a straight road
B) A train moving with constant velocity
C) A freely falling stone
D) A clock’s second hand moving regularly
Answer: C) A freely falling stone
Q.52 Which quantity can never be negative?
A) Distance
B) Displacement
C) Velocity
D) Acceleration
Answer: A) Distance
Q.53 The distance travelled by an object is always:
A) Less than or equal to the magnitude of displacement
B) Greater than or equal to the magnitude of displacement
C) Always zero
D) Always equal to displacement
Answer: B) Greater than or equal to the magnitude of displacement
Q.54 Which instrument is used to measure the length of a curved line?
A) Metre scale
B) Thread and ruler
C) Stopwatch
D) Vernier calipers
Answer: B) Thread and ruler
Q.55 Which of the following is the most suitable unit for measuring the thickness of a sheet of paper?
A) Kilometre
B) Metre
C) Centimetre
D) Millimetre
Answer: D) Millimetre
Conclusion
Measurement of Length and Motion is a scoring topic if prepared with clarity and consistent practice. The 50+ questions covered in this article represent the pattern and difficulty level commonly seen in UPSC, SSC, Railway, Banking, and State PSC examinations. Regular revision of these concepts, particularly units of measurement, conversion factors, and the formulas related to speed, velocity, and acceleration, will help you attempt such questions quickly and accurately in the exam hall.
We recommend practising these questions multiple times and attempting mock tests based on this topic to identify and strengthen any weak areas. Stay connected with us for more such topic-wise question sets to support your competitive exam preparation.
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