Physics: Mechanics: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Science and Technology)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Physics: Mechanics (Science and Technology). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 2001Science and Technology · Physics: Mechanics
Q1. Consider the following statements: A simple pendulum is set into oscillation. Then: 1. The acceleration is zero when the bob passes through the mean position. 2. In each cycle the bob attains a given velocity twice. 3. Both acceleration and velocity of the bob are zero when it reaches its extreme position during the oscillation. 4. The amplitude of oscillation of the simple pendulum decreases with time. Which of these statements are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: At the mean position, the pendulum has maximum velocity and is moving in a straight line for an instant with no force along its path and hence producing zero acceleration.
Statement 2 is correct: In one complete oscillation, the bob passes through the mean position twice - once moving in each direction, hence attaining the maximum velocity twice in a complete oscillation.
Statement 3 is incorrect: At the extreme position, the bob has zero velocity as it stops for an instant before reversing the direction. However, at this point the acceleration is maximum because bob completely comes under the force of gravity and hence produces maximum acceleration.
Statement 4 is correct: In an ideal situation, due to air resistance and internal friction, the amplitude of oscillation decreases with time.
UPSC 2001Science and Technology · Physics: Mechanics
Q2. Which of the following distance-time graph (x-t) represents one-dimensional uniform motion?
Explanation
The motion of an object traveling in a straight line can be represented on a distance-time graph, with the shape of the graph depending on whether the motion is uniform (straight line) or non-uniform (curved line). Uniform motion represents a constant change in displacement per second. The distance time graph for uniform motion is a straight line, that is, equal distance is covered by the equal units of time.
Option (d) represents the graph where change in displacement per second is constant. Therefore, velocity is constant and hence it performs uniform motion.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2001
(c) 1, 2 and 4
2
2001
(d) x t
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Physics: Mechanics?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Physics: Mechanics (Science and Technology), asked from 1997 to 2004. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Physics: Mechanics?
Questions on Physics: Mechanics (Science and Technology) are available for 7 years, from 1997 to 2004. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
