Home / Topic / Kinetic energy
Topic Kinetic energy
Asked 8 times across 4 UPSC exams over 7 years (2019–2026), peaking in 2022.
Key insights
- Most tested in CDS — 3 of 8 PYQs
- Most asked in 2022
- Recurs across 6 years (2019–2026)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2019 → NDA 2021 → CAPF 2022 → GEO 2022
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (8 of 8) are since 2016.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
NDA2026
A particle is moved from point X to point Y under a force field. The work done depends only on the initial and final speeds. Which one of the following is correct?
- A The force is conservative.
- B The net work equals the change in kinetic energy. ✓
- C The force is constant.
- D The velocity must always increase.
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
NDA2024
There is a ball of mass 320 g. It has 625 J potential energy when released freely from a height. The speed with which it will hit the ground is
- A 62.5 m/s ✓
- B 2.0 m/s
- C 50 m/s
- D 40 m/s
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
CAPF2022
If the linear momentum of a moving object changes by two times, then its kinetic energy will change by a factor of
- A 2
- B 4 ✓
- C 6
- D 8
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
Study how UPSC repeats — not just the papers
₹199 / 1 year · Founding Member
Full access unlocks the three things no PYQ PDF gives you:
① Cross-exam learning — see the same idea recur across CSE, CAPF, CDS and NDA.
② Topic evolution — how each idea is framed, year by year.
③ Question intelligence — every PYQ + answer, linked to related concepts and similar questions.
e.g. Round Table Conference: CDS 2017 → CSE 2017 → … → CAPF 2024
15 days free, no card required — then ₹199 for 1 year.
Start your 15-day free trial →