Home / Topic / Kinetic theory of gases
Topic Kinetic theory of gases
Asked 2 times across 2 UPSC exams over 4 years (2019–2023), peaking in 2019.
Key insights
- Most tested in CDS — 1 of 2 PYQs
- Most asked in 2019
- Recurs across 2 years (2019–2023)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2019 → GEO 2023
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (2 of 2) are since 2016.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
GEO2023
When the temperature of a gas increases, the average speed of its molecules
- A remains the same
- B decreases
- C increases ✓
- D either increases or decreases depending on the gas
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
CDS2019
For an ideal gas, which one of the following statements does not hold true?
- A The speed of all gas molecules is same. ✓
- B The kinetic energies of all gas molecules are not same.
- C The potential energy of the gas molecules is zero.
- D There is no interactive force between the molecules.
✓ Correct answer: (A)
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 →