Topic Momentum
Asked 8 times across 3 UPSC exams over 12 years (2014–2026), peaking in 2026.
Key insights
- Most tested in NDA — 4 of 8 PYQs
- Most asked in 2026
- Recurs across 5 years (2014–2026)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2014 → CAPF 2022 → NDA 2023
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (7 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.
CDS2026
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. ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
NDA2026
A person jumps from a height on soft sand. Which one of the following is the correct reason for less likely injury to the person?
- A The sand exerts no reaction force.
- B The sand reduces the change in momentum.
- C The sand increases the impact time. ✓
- D The sand increases the momentum.
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
NDA2026
The force-time (F-t) graph of a 10 kg moving object is shown below. What is the final speed of the object?
- A 0
- B 15 m/s
- C 30 m/s
- D 40 m/s ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
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