CDS 2026 (I) General Knowledge, question 11

Topic: Physics

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Q11

Which one of the following statements qualitatively explains the second law of motion ?

  1. (a) The rate of change of angular momentum of a body is equal to the applied force.
  2. (b) The rate of change of displacement of a body is directly proportional to the applied force.
  3. (c) The rate of change of acceleration of a body is directly proportional to the applied force.
  4. (d) The rate of change of momentum of a body is equal to the applied force.Correct answer

Solution.

Answer: (d) The rate of change of momentum of a body is equal to the applied force.

  1. Newton’s second law relates the net external force to the rate of change of linear momentum.
  2. For constant mass, this reduces to force = mass × acceleration.
  3. Rate of change of angular momentum is associated with torque, not force.