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Topic Potential energy
Asked 3 times across 2 UPSC exams over 8 years (2015–2023), peaking in 2023.
Key insights
- Most tested in CDS — 2 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2023
- Recurs across 2 years (2015–2023)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2015 → NDA 2023
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (2 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
The following diagram shows a pendulum at different positions. Which one of the following statement is true ?
- A The pendulum has minimum potential energy at positions P and T.
- B The pendulum has minimum potential energy at positions Q and S.
- C The pendulum has minimum potential energy at position R. ✓
- D The pendulum has same potential energy at all positions.
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
NDA2023
Two identical containers X and Y are connected at the bottom by a thin tube of negligible volume. Initially container X has a liquid filled up to height h in it and container Y is empty. When the valve is opened, both containers have equal amount of liquid in equilibrium. If the initial (before the valve is opened) potential energy of the liquid is P1 and the final potential energy is P2, then :
- A P1 = P2
- B P1 = 4P2
- C P1 = 2P2 ✓
- D P1 = 8P2
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
CDS2015
An object is raised to a height of 3 m from the ground. It is then allowed to fall on to a table 1 m high from ground level. In this context, which one among the following statements is correct ?
- A Its potential energy decreases by two-thirds its original value of total energy. ✓
- B Its potential energy decreases by one-third its original value of total energy.
- C Its kinetic energy increases by two-thirds, while potential energy increases by one-third.
- D Its kinetic energy increases by one-third, while potential energy decreases by one-third.
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
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