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Topic Mass and weight
Asked 3 times across 3 UPSC exams over 41 years (1980–2021), peaking in 1980.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 1 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 1980
- Recurs across 3 years (1980–2021)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1980 → CDS 2015 → NDA 2021
How the concept evolved
Long-running — most appearances (2 of 3) predate 2016, and it still returns.
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.
NDA2021
Weight and mass of an object are defined with Newton's laws of motion. Which among the following is true ?
- A Weight is a constant of proportionality.
- B Mass is a constant of proportionality. ✓
- C Mass is not a constant of proportionality.
- D Weight is a universal constant.
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
CDS2015
Which one of the following statements is not correct?
- A Weight of a body is different on different planets.
- B Mass of a body on the earth, on the moon and in empty space is the same.
- C Weightlessness of a body occurs when the gravitational forces acting on it are counter-balanced.
- D Weight and mass of a body are equal at sea level on the surface of the earth. ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
CSE1980
Neil Armstrong was the first person to reach on the moon. While walking on the moon
- A His mass remained the same but weight increased
- B His mass remained the same but weight decreased ✓
- C His mass as well as weight decreased
- D His mass increased but weight remained the same
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
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