CDS · General Knowledge · UPSC · 2016–2026

Physics — CDS General Knowledge PYQs

213 questions from this chapter, asked in 11 CDS exams between 2016–2026.

213questions

11CDS exams

2016–2026years covered

Questions asked per year

20269 Qs 202520 Qs 202416 Qs 202321 Qs 202221 Qs 202120 Qs 202023 Qs 201921 Qs 201823 Qs 201721 Qs 201619 Qs

Practice questions

Q1MCQ2026

Answer Logic

Which one of the following statements qualitatively explains the second law of motion ?

(A)The rate of change of angular momentum of a body is equal to the applied force.

(B)The rate of change of displacement of a body is directly proportional to the applied force.

(C)The rate of change of acceleration of a body is directly proportional to the applied force.

(D)The rate of change of momentum of a body is equal to the applied force.

Q2MCQ2026

Answer Logic

Which one of the following gives the triple point of water ?

(A)Temperature 273.16 K and Pressure 1 Pa

(B)Temperature 273.16 K and Pressure

6.11 \times 1 0^{- 3}

(C)Temperature 0 K and Pressure

1 0^{3}

(D)Temperature 373 K and Pressure

6.11 \times 1 0^{- 3}

Q3MCQ2026

Answer Logic

Which one among the following has the least coefficient of thermal conductivity ?

(A)

H_{2}

(B)

H_{2} O

(C)Cu

(D)Al

Q4MCQ2026

Answer Logic

An X-ray beam can be deflected by :

(A)An electric field

(B)A magnetic field

(C)An electric as well as a magnetic field

(D)Neither an electric field nor a magnetic field

Q5MCQ2026

Answer Logic

An object is placed at a distance of 15 cm in front of a concave mirror with a radius of curvature of 20 cm. Which one among the following statements is correct for the image formed ?

(A)The image is 30 cm from the mirror on the same side as the object.

(B)The image is formed at a distance of 30 cm behind the mirror.

(C)The image is 60 cm from the mirror on the same side as the object.

(D)The image is formed at a distance of 60 cm behind the mirror.

Q6MCQ2026

Answer Logic

Which one among the following statements regarding the electrical resistivity of a conducting wire is correct ?

(A)The resistivity of the conductor increases if the length of the wire is increased.

(B)The resistivity of the conductor decreases if the length of the wire is increased.

(C)The resistivity of the conductor remains the same if the length of the wire is changed.

(D)The resistivity of the conductor increases if the cross-sectional area of the wire is increased.

Q7MCQ2026

Answer Logic

Which one among the following statements related to electric cells is correct ?

(A)A primary cell is rechargeable.

(B)A secondary cell can be used only once.

(C)The emf of a battery is the power provided by the battery per unit current.

(D)The unit of emf is Joule.

Q8MCQ2026

Answer Logic

An object is launched horizontally from a height of 45 m above the ground with a speed of 10 m/s. The time at which the object will hit the ground is : (Take $g = 10$ m/s $^{2}$ )

(A)6 s

(B)4 s

(C)3 s

(D)2 s

Q9MCQ2026

Answer Logic

Consider the following statements regarding waves :

If the particles of a medium move along the direction of motion of the wave, the wave is called a longitudinal wave.
If the particles of a medium move perpendicular to the direction of motion of the wave, the wave is called a transverse wave.
Transverse waves may involve change in the shape of the medium, whereas longitudinal waves involve change in the density of the medium.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(A)1 and 2 only

(B)1 only

(C)2 and 3 only

(D)1, 2 and 3

Q10MCQ2025

Answer Logic

If your image appears to be erect, no matter how far you stand from a mirror, the mirror is likely to be :

(A)Plane

(B)Concave

(C)Convex

(D)Either plane or convex

Why practise Physics PYQs?

Physics has appeared in 11 CDS General Knowledge exams we track between 2016–2026. UPSC examiners consistently reuse concepts and question patterns from this topic — practising its previous year questions is the most reliable way to know exactly what to expect in your exam.

Physics — CDS General Knowledge PYQs

Questions asked per year

Practice questions

Why practise Physics PYQs?

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