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Topic Lorentz force
Asked 3 times across 2 UPSC exams over 3 years (2020–2023), peaking in 2023.
Key insights
- Most tested in NDA — 2 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2023
- Recurs across 2 years (2020–2023)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
NDA 2020 → CDS 2023
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (3 of 3) 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.
CDS2023
A charged particle moves through a magnetic field B with a velocity v. Which one of the following statements is true for the force (F) experienced by the particle ?
- A F is maximum when v and B are parallel to each other.
- B F is maximum when v and B are anti-parallel to each other.
- C F is maximum when v and B are perpendicular to each other. ✓
- D The force F is independent of the angle between v and B.
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
NDA2023
What will happen if a collection of positive and negative charges are passed at a high speed through a magnetic field which is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the charges ? (Assume that both kind of charges are NOT going to recombine)
- A Both kind of charges will stop moving
- B Positive charges and negative charges will separate out ✓
- C Positive charges will stop but negative charges will continue moving uninterrupted
- D Both kind of charges will keep moving uninterrupted
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
NDA2020
Consider the following image : A proton enters a magnetic field at right angles to it, as shown above. The direction of force acting on the proton will be
- A to the right
- B to the left
- C out of the page
- D into the page ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
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