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Topic Static electricity
Asked 3 times across 2 UPSC exams over 2 years (2022–2024), peaking in 2024.
Key insights
- Most tested in NDA — 2 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2024
- Recurs across 2 years (2022–2024)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
NDA 2022 → CDS 2024
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (3 of 3) are since 2016.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CDS2024
Which one of the following is the most appropriate reason for aircraft being equipped with conducting tyres ?
- A They can transfer the charge accumulated on their surfaces during lightning
- B They can transfer the charge accumulated on their surfaces being rubbed by air particles
- C They can transfer the charge accumulated on their surfaces due to inflight operation of several engines
- D For preventing sparks while they land on the ground ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
NDA2024
Lightning is due to
- A The flow of charges between different parts of the cloud
- B The short-circuiting of charges between the upper and lower surfaces of the cloud
- C The collection of positively charged particles on the base and collection of negatively charged particles at the top of the cloud
- D The induction of positive charge on the ground below the negative charge at the base of the cloud ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
NDA2022
Why are the tyres of aircrafts made of conducting rubber?
- So that the charge accumulated on the aircraft in flight, by rubbing the air, can easily be transferred to ground on landing
- So that the charge accumulated due to the operation of various electronic equipments in the aircraft in flight can easily be transferred to ground on landing
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A 1 only ✓
- B 2 only
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
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