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Topic Physical change
Asked 4 times across 3 UPSC exams over 10 years (2014–2024), peaking in 2014.
Key insights
- Most tested in CDS — 2 of 4 PYQs
- Most asked in 2014
- Recurs across 4 years (2014–2024)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2014 → GEO 2022 → NDA 2024
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (3 of 4) 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.
NDA2024
Which one among the following is an example of chemical change ?
- A Sublimation of camphor
- B Melting of ice
- C Heating of an iron rod
- D Mixing of NaOH and HCl ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
CDS2023
In which one of the following cases do both physical and chemical changes take place ?
- A Burning of candle ✓
- B Freezing of water
- C Cooking of food
- D Rusting of iron
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
GEO2022
Which one of the following is an example of physical change?
- A Flowering of plants
- B Clotting of blood
- C Cooking of food
- D Melting of ice ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
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