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Physics PYQ

IAS SciencePhysics previous year questions with solutions.

Browse by Year

Physics at a glance

Questions per year

98 across 23 years

Difficulty mix

98 total
  • easy30 · 31%
  • medium68 · 69%

Subtopic-wise weightage

Breakdown of the 98 Physics questions tagged to a subtopic, by year — darker cells mean more questions.

SubtopicWeightageTotal20262024202320222021201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996
Basic Concepts
22.4%
22111133221142
Ray Optics And Wave Optics
14.3%
142113322
Astronomy And Space Science
12.2%
12111111111111
Heat And Thermodynamics
11.2%
11111143
Electromagnetic Waves
8.2%
81112111
Sound
7.1%
72212
Atomic And Nuclear Physics
6.1%
611211
Current Electricity
6.1%
611121
Developments In Physics
4.1%
41111
Magnetism And Matter
4.1%
41111
Communication Systems
1.0%
11
Heating & Cooling Of Atmosphere
1.0%
11
Semiconductor Electronics
1.0%
11
Standards And Units
1.0%
11
All subtopics9812223422113743455111010268
FewerMore questions

All Physics Questions (98)

Which of the following statements with regard to stealth technology is/are correct? 1. Stealth objects have a very small radar cross-section and are coated with Radar Absorbing Material. 2. Stealth objects can be detected using specific frequencies. 3. Stealth objects are coated with metamaterials to increase the scattering of electromagnetic radiation. Select the answer using the code given below:

2026
medium
mcq

Consider the following activities : 1. Identification of narcotics on passengers at airports or in aircraft 2. Monitoring of precipitation 3. Tracking the migration of animals In how many of the above activities can the radars be used ?

2024
medium
mcq

Consider the following statements : 1. Statement-I : Giant stars live much longer than dwarf stars. 2. Statement-II : Compared to dwarf stars, giant stars have a greater rate of nuclear reactions. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?

2024
medium
mcq

Consider the following statements : 1. In a seismograph, P waves are recorded earlier than S waves. 2. In P waves, the individual particles vibrate to and fro in the direction of wave propagation whereas in S waves, the particles vibrate up and down at right angles to the direction of wave propagation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

2023
medium
mcq

Consider the following pairs: Objects in space | Description 1. Cepheids | Giant clouds of dust and gas in space 2. Nebulae | Stars which brighten and dim periodically 3. Pulsars | Neutron stars that are formed when massive stars run out of fuel and collapse How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

2023
medium
mcq

Which one of the following is the context in which the term "qubit" is mentioned ?

2022
medium
mcq

If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth ? 1. GPS and navigation systems could fail. 2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions. 3. Power grids could be damaged. 4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth. 5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet. 6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed. 7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

2022
medium
mcq

Which one of the following is a reason why astronomical distances are measured in light-years?

2021
medium
mcq

In a pressure cooker, the temperature at which the food is cooked depends mainly upon which of the following? 1. Area of the hole in the lid 2. Temperature of the flame 3. Weight of the lid Select the correct answer using the code given below.

2021
medium
mcq

With reference to street-lighting, how do sodium lamps differ from LED lamps? 1. Sodium lamps produce light in 360 degrees but it is not so in the case of LED lamps. 2. As street-lights, sodium lamps have longer life span than LED lamps. 3. The spectrum of visible light from sodium lamps is almost monochromatic while LED lamps offer significant colour advantages in street-lighting. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

2021
medium
mcq

Ball bearings are used in bicycles, cars, etc., because

2013
easy
mcq

The known forces of nature can be divided into four classes, viz., gravity, electromagnetism, weak nuclear force and strong nuclear force. With reference to them, which one of the following statements is not correct?

2013
medium
mcq

Consider the following phenomena: 1. Size of the sun at dusk 2. Colour of the sun at dawn 3. Moon being visible at dawn 4. Twinkle of stars in the sky 5. Polestar being visible in the sky Which of the above are optical illusions?

2013
medium
mcq

Rainbow is produced when sunlight falls on drops of rain. Which of the following physical phenomena are responsible for this? 1. Dispersion 2. Refraction 3. Internal reflection Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

2013
medium
mcq

Electrically charged particles from space travelling at speeds of several hundred km/sec can severely harm living beings if they reach the surface of the Earth. What prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth?

2012
medium
mcq

Consider the following statements: If there were no phenomenon of capillarity 1. it would be difficult to use a kerosene lamp 2. one would not be able to use a straw to consume a soft drink 3. the blotting paper would fail to function 4. the big trees that we see around would not have grown on the Earth Which of the statements given above are correct?

2012
medium
mcq

The surface of a lake is frozen in severe winter, but the water at its bottom is still liquid. What is the reason ?

2011
medium
mcq

An artificial satellite orbiting around the Earth does not fall down. This is so because the attraction of Earth 1. does not exist at such distance 2. is neutralized by the attraction of the moon 3. provides the necessary speed for its steady motion 4. provides the necessary acceleration for its motion

2011
easy
mcq

India-based Neutrino Observatory is included by the Planning Commission as a mega science project under the 11th Five-Year Plan. In this context, consider the following statements: 1. Neutrinos are charge-less elementary particles that travel close to the speed of light. 2. Neutrinos are created in nuclear reactions of beta decay. 3. Neutrinos have a negligible, but non-zero mass. 4. Trillions of neutrinos pass through the human body every second. Which of the statements given above are correct?

2010
medium
mcq

Which one of the following planets has the largest number of natural satellites or moons?

2009
easy
mcq

Consider the following statements: 1. Albedo of an object determines its visual brightness when viewed with reflected light. 2. Albedo of Mercury is much greater than the albedo of the Earth. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

2008
medium
mcq

Assertion (A): Radio waves bend in a magnetic field. Reason (R): Radio waves are electromagnetic in nature. Codes:

2008
medium
mcq

Who among the following scientists shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with his son?

2008
medium
mcq

Four wires of same material and of dimensions as under are stretched by a load of same magnitude separately. Which one of them will be elongated maximum?

2007
medium
mcq