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Sunday, 25 October

JEE Main · Physics · Class 11

Gravitation: JEE Main previous year questions

123 questions in 99 of the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, asked in 8 of 8 years. Here is what this chapter tests and how.

Study this chapter
Questions
123
in 99 of 108 shifts · 8 of 8 years
Average a shift
0.9
of 25 Physics · 0.7 since 2024 -0.4
Typical range
0.6–1.2
questions a shift; fewest 0.5, most 1.5
Weighted estimate
0.9
model, recent years count more · about 3.4 marks
  • Typical range (fact)
  • Average a shift (fact)
  • Weighted estimate (model)

Questions are counted per shift, out of the 25 each subject has, in the shifts Lumi analysed; papers that offered 30 a subject (2017, 2021–2024) are scaled to 25. Typical range: the middle six of the eight years (2017, 2020–2026), leaving out the single highest and lowest year. The average and the range are historical fact. The weighted estimate is a model: each year's share, with recent years counting more (half-life three years), and chapters NTA dropped from the syllabus set near zero. It is a guide to effort, not a forecast of the paper.

What to do

How to spend time on Gravitation

Priority

Must do

One of the 11 Physics chapters that together held the first half of Physics questions in the 108 shifts analysed. How bands are set

Past questions
123in 99 of 108 shifts
Study plan gives it
15 hover 12 months; 11 h over 6
Study this chapter →

Ideas asked most often

  1. Orbital Time Period10×
  2. Escape Velocity and Potential Relation8×
  3. Escape Velocity8×
  4. Kepler's Laws7×
  5. Orbital Velocity6×

79 of the 115 ideas in Lumi’s map of this chapter have not been asked or touched in the shifts analysed. Of its idea-tagged questions from 2024 on, 19% tested an idea not asked in an earlier year, so learn the whole chapter, not just the list above.

Within each subject, chapters in NTA's 2026 syllabus are ranked by their average questions a shift over all 8 years analysed (history, not the model). Going down that list, the chapters that together held the first half of the subject's questions are Must do; the next ones, up to 80%, are Should do; the rest are Lower priority.

Key findings

Gravitation at a glance

  1. 01

    81%

    of its 21 questions from 2024 on that Lumi matched to an idea tested one JEE Main had asked in an earlier year; 100% came from a topic asked in an earlier year.

  2. 02

    69%

    of the 115 ideas in Lumi's map of the chapter have not been asked or touched on in the shifts analysed.

  3. 03

    11%

    of its questions asked for a numerical answer, 0.3 times the Physics average.

  4. 04

    10%

    of its questions were rated hard, against 5% across all Physics questions in the same shifts.

Questions a shift, year by year

Out of the 25 Physics questions in a shift. Years differ in how many shifts Lumi analysed, so each year is scaled to one shift.

0240.8’171’201.2’210.9’221.5’231’240.5’250.6’26

Raw count: 2017: 1 in 1 shift · 2020: 12 in 12 shifts · 2021: 33 in 24 shifts · 2022: 25 in 24 shifts · 2023: 22 in 12 shifts · 2024: 21 in 18 shifts · 2025: 4 in 8 shifts · 2026: 5 in 9 shifts.

Kind of question

SHARE OF QUESTIONS
  • Calculation39%
  • Multi-step17%
  • Application11%
  • Numerical answer11%
  • Conceptual8%
  • Two statements3%
  • Assertion–reason3%
  • Diagram based3%
  • Recall, single correct2%
  • Data or graph2%
  • Match the list1%

Most common asks: ratio of quantity in two orbits (3); weight on planet from mass and density (2); length of seconds pendulum at altitude (2).

Profile

This chapter in numbers

Where it ranks, how steady it is, and what it costs to study.

Rank, all JEE chapters
#47
of 70 by weighted estimate
Rank in Physics
#14
of 28 chapters
Share of Physics
3.7%
of its questions, all shifts analysed
Busiest year
2023
1.5 questions a shift
Year to year
Some swing
varies by about 0.3 questions a shift
Long-run direction
-0.03
questions a shift, per year
Easy questions
49%
10% rated hard
Numerical answer
11%
0.3× the Physics rate
With a figure
8%
graph, diagram or structure
Study time
15 h
11 h on a 6-month plan
Marks per study hour
0.23
#36 of 70 chapters
Foundation for others
53%
of its ideas are used in other chapters

Difficulty, year by year

Each question rated easy, medium or hard. Each bar is that year’s split, so years compare directly; the number is the questions in that year’s analysed shifts (1 to 24 shifts a year).

  • 20171
  • 202012
  • 202133
  • 202225
  • 202322
  • 202421
  • 20254
  • 20265
  • Easy
  • Medium
  • Hard

What it asks you to do

SHARE OF QUESTIONS
  • Calculation46%
  • Multi-step21%
  • Conceptual15%
  • Application12%
  • Data or graph3%
  • Recall2%

Coverage

How much of the chapter JEE Main has used

We split the chapter into 115 ideas. In the 108 shifts analysed, JEE Main built a question around 28 of them. Most of the chapter has never been the main idea of a question, so past questions alone leave most of it out.

Asked as the main idea
28
Touched on in a question
8
Never asked
79

Topics

What repeats, topic by topic

This chapter's questions per topic in each year's analysed shifts. The number is the count; the shade is scaled to one shift, so a year with more analysed shifts (1 to 24 a year) does not look darker. 39 questions had no close topic in Lumi's map and count for the chapter only.

’17’20’21’22’23’24’25’26
017+questions in that year’s analysed shifts, shaded per shift
  • Orbital Mechanics

    As a topic: 54 questions in 7 of 8 years, most often single correct, 7% numerical answer.

  • Gravitational Potential

    As a topic: 23 questions in 7 of 8 years, most often single correct, 22% numerical answer.

  • Pendulums

    As a topic: 17 questions in 5 of 8 years, most often single correct, 18% numerical answer.

  • Circular Motion

    As a topic: 38 questions in 6 of 8 years, most often single correct, 18% numerical answer.

Drill down

Topic, idea, question

Open a topic to see every idea JEE Main tested inside it, then open an idea to read the questions. Each row shows its 8 years.

  • Open54 · 44%517811102

    18 ideas inside

    • OpenRepeated10 · 19%5
    • OpenRepeated8 · 15%222
    • OpenRepeated7 · 13%32
    • OpenRepeated6 · 11%2
    • OpenRepeated4 · 7%3
    • OpenRepeated4 · 7%2
    • OpenRepeated3 · 6%2
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
  • Open23 · 19%393322
  • Open4 · 3%22
  • Open1 · 1%
  • Open1 · 1%
  • Open1 · 1%

Squares are the 8 years with analysed shifts, 2017 to 2026. A number is the questions that year when there is more than one; the shade is scaled to one shift, so a year with more analysed shifts (1 to 24 a year) does not look darker. Share is of the level above.

Ideas

The exact ideas JEE Main has asked

Inside the topics, 32 different ideas were tested; 16 came more than once. These are the repeats, then the ideas new since 2024.

Dots are the 8 years with analysed shifts, 2017 to 2026.

Every question

All 123 Gravitation questions

Newest first, shift by shift. The newest 40 show their opening words; older ones name the idea they tested. Each opens with its options and the official answer.

JEE Main 20265 questions

  1. 2 Apr 2026, Shift 1 · Q30A planet (P1P_1) is moving around the star of mass 2M2M in the orbit of radius RR. Another planet (P2P_2) is moving around another star…EasySingle correct
  2. 2 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q31If a body of mass 1 kg falls on the earth from infinity, it attains velocity (v) and kinetic energy (k) on reaching the surface of earth.…MediumSingle correct
  3. 4 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q30The height in terms of radius of the earth (RR), at which the acceleration due to gravity becomes g9\frac g9, where gg is acceleration…EasySingle correct
  4. 5 Apr 2026, Shift 1 · Q28When one moves from a point 16 km below the earth's surface to a point 16 km above the earth's surface. The change in gg is approximately…MediumSingle correct
  5. 5 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q32A body of mass mm is taken from the surface of earth to a height equal to twice the radius of earth (ReR_e). The increase in potential…EasySingle correct

JEE Main 20254 questions

  1. 2 Apr 2025, Shift 2 · Q47A satellite of mass 1000 kg is launched to revolve around the earth in an orbit at a height of 270 km from the earth's surface. Kinetic…MediumNumerical value
  2. 3 Apr 2025, Shift 1 · Q46Three identical spheres of mass m, are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of length aa. When released, they interact only…HardNumerical value
  3. 4 Apr 2025, Shift 2 · Q29An object is kept at rest at a distance of 3R above the earth's surface where R is earth's radius. The minimum speed with which it must be…MediumSingle correct
  4. 7 Apr 2025, Shift 2 · Q31Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A) : The radius…EasyAssertion–reason

JEE Main 202421 questions

  1. 4 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q36A metal wire of uniform mass density having length L and mass M is bent to form a semicircular arc and a particle of mass m is placed at…HardSingle correct
  2. 4 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q35A 90 kg body placed at 2R distance from surface of earth experiences gravitational pull of : (R = Radius of earth, g = 10 m s−2^{-2})EasySingle correct
  3. 4 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q37Correct formula for height of a satellite from earths surface is:MediumSingle correct
  4. 5 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q36Match List I with List II : List I List II (A) Kinetic energy of planet | (I) −GMma-\frac{GMm}{a} (B) Gravitation Potential energy of…MediumMatch the list
  5. 5 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q40A simple pendulum doing small oscillations at a place R height above earth surface has time period of T1=4T_1 = 4 s. T2T_2 would be it's…MediumSingle correct
  6. 5 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q41In hydrogen like system the ratio of coulombian force and gravitational force between an electron and a proton is in the order of :EasySingle correct
  7. 5 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q37A satellite revolving around a planet in stationary orbit has time period 6 hours. The mass of planet is one-fourth the mass of earth. The…MediumSingle correct
  8. 6 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q33To project a body of mass m from earth's surface to infinity, the required kinetic energy is (assume, the radius of earth is RER_E, g =…EasySingle correct
  9. 6 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q37Assuming the earth to be a sphere of uniform mass density, a body weighed 300 N on the surface of earth. How much it would weigh at R/4R/4…EasySingle correct
  10. 8 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q38Two planets A and B having masses m1m_1 and m2m_2 move around the sun in circular orbits of r1r_1 and r2r_2 radii respectively. If angular…HardSingle correct
  11. 8 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q36Two satellite A and B go round a planet in circular orbits having radii 4R and R respectively. If the speed of A is 3v3v, the speed of B…EasySingle correct
  12. 9 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q36An astronaut takes a ball of mass m from earth to space. He throws the ball into a circular orbit about earth at an altitude of 318.5318.5…MediumSingle correct
  13. 9 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q38A satellite of 10310^3 kg mass is revolving in circular orbit of radius 2R2R. If 104R6\frac{10^4R}{6} J energy is supplied to the satellite,…MediumSingle correct
  14. 1 Feb 2024, Shift 1 · Q36If R is the radius of the earth and the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of earth is g = π2\pi^2 m/s2^2, then the length of the…MediumSingle correct
  15. 1 Feb 2024, Shift 2 · Q36A light planet is revolving around a massive star in a circular orbit of radius R with a period of revolution T. If the force of…MediumSingle correct
  16. 27 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q36The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of earth is g. If the diameter of earth reduces to half of its original value and mass…EasySingle correct
  17. 29 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q36At what distance above and below the surface of the earth a body will have same weight. (take radius of earth as RR.)MediumSingle correct
  18. 30 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q36The gravitational potential at a point above the surface of earth is −5.12×107 J/kg-5.12\times10^{7}\ \mathrm{J/kg} and the acceleration due to…MediumSingle correct
  19. 30 Jan 2024, Shift 2 · Q36Escape velocity of a body from earth is 11.2 km/s11.2\ km/s. If the radius of a planet be one-third the radius of earth and mass be one-sixth…EasySingle correct
  20. 31 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q36Four identical particles of mass mm are kept at the four corners of a square. If the gravitational force exerted on one of the masses by…EasySingle correct
  21. 31 Jan 2024, Shift 2 · Q36The mass of the moon is 1144\frac{1}{144} times the mass of a planet and its diameter is 116\frac{1}{16} times the diameter of a planet. If…EasySingle correct

JEE Main 202322 questions

  1. 6 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q49Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R. Assertion A : Earth has atmosphere…EasyAssertion–reason
  2. 6 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q50A planet has double the mass of the earth. Its average density is equal to that of the earth. An object weighing W on earth will weigh on…MediumSingle correct
  3. 6 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q35Choose the incorrect statement from the following:EasySingle correct
  4. 6 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q36The weight of a body on the surface of the earth is 100 N. The gravitational force on it when taken at a height , from the surface of…EasySingle correct
  5. 8 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q35Given below are two statements: Statement I: If E be the total energy of a satellite moving around the earth, then its potential energy…EasyTwo statements
  6. 8 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q38The weight of a body on the earth is 400 N400\ \mathrm{N}. Then weight of the body when taken to a depth half of the radius of the earth will…EasySingle correct
  7. 8 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q36The acceleration due to gravity at height hh above the earth if h≪Rh \ll R (Radius of earth) is given byEasySingle correct
  8. 8 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q37The orbital angular momentum of a satellite is L, when it is revolving in a circular orbit at height h from earth surface. If the distance…MediumSingle correct
  9. 10 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q34Two satellites of masses mm and 3m3m revolve around the earth in circular orbits of radii rr & 3 r3\,r respectively. The ratio of orbital…EasySingle correct
  10. 10 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q37Assuming the earth to be a sphere of uniform mass density, the weight of a body at a depth d=R2d = \frac{R}{2} from the surface of earth, if…EasySingle correct
  11. 10 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q36Effect of Earth's Rotation on Launch Velocity · Easy · Two statements
  12. 10 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q37Orbital Time Period · Medium · Single correct
  13. 11 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q46Open the question · Easy · Single correct
  14. 11 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q33Escape from an Orbiting State · Medium · Single correct
  15. 11 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q37Potential of Solid Sphere · Medium · Single correct
  16. 12 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q31Orbital Velocity · Easy · Single correct
  17. 12 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q36Escape Velocity · Easy · Single correct
  18. 13 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q36Escape Velocity and Potential Relation · Easy · Single correct
  19. 13 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q35Escape Velocity · Easy · Two statements
  20. 13 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q37Open the question · Easy · Single correct
  21. 15 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q35Exact Potential Energy Change at Large Heights · Medium · Single correct
  22. 15 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q36Binary Star Systems · Medium · Single correct

JEE Main 202225 questions

  1. 25 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q36Open the question · Medium · Single correct
  2. 25 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q43Seconds Pendulum · Medium · Single correct
  3. 25 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q46Open the question · Easy · Single correct
  4. 26 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q46Open the question · Easy · Single correct
  5. 26 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q38Maximum Height Using Exact Potential · Medium · Single correct
  6. 27 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q36Energy of Orbiting Bodies · Easy · Single correct
  7. 27 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q36Maximum Height for Sub-Escape Projection · Medium · Single correct
  8. 28 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q35Open the question · Easy · Single correct
  9. 28 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q6Simple Pendulum Period · Medium · Single correct
  10. 29 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q52Open the question · Medium · Numerical value
  11. 29 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q42Exact Potential Energy Change at Large Heights · Easy · Single correct
  12. 30 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q5Kepler's Laws · Easy · Single correct
  13. 24 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q40Open the question · Easy · Single correct
  14. 24 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q32Kepler's Laws · Easy · Single correct
  15. 25 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q35Open the question · Easy · Single correct
  16. 25 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q55Orbital Velocity · Easy · Numerical value
  17. 26 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q36Open the question · Easy · Diagram based · has a figure
  18. 26 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q35Open the question · Medium · Assertion–reason
  19. 27 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q37Open the question · Easy · Two statements
  20. 27 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q36Potential Energy of Systems · Medium · Single correct · has a figure
  21. 28 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q35Kepler's Laws · Easy · Single correct
  22. 28 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q36Open the question · Easy · Single correct
  23. 29 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q44Escape Velocity · Easy · Single correct
  24. 29 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q40Orbital Time Period · Easy · Single correct
  25. 30 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q33Open the question · Easy · Single correct

JEE Main 202133 questions

  1. 3 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q28Orbital Time Period · Easy · Numerical value
  2. 3 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q6Escape Velocity · Hard · Single correct
  3. 3 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q26Binary Star Systems · Medium · Numerical value
  4. 3 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q30Open the question · Hard · Numerical value
  5. 4 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q12Open the question · Medium · Single correct
  6. 4 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q16Geostationary Satellites · Easy · Single correct
  7. 26 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q15Potential of Spherical Shell · Easy · Other
  8. 27 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q24Potential Energy of Systems · Hard · Numerical value · has a figure
  9. 27 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q6Potential of Spherical Shell · Medium · Single correct
  10. 31 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q17Escape Velocity and Potential Relation · Medium · Single correct
  11. 31 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q6Open the question · Medium · Single correct
  12. 24 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q2Binary Star Systems · Medium · Single correct
  13. 24 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q3Multi-Star Polygonal Orbits · Medium · Single correct
  14. 24 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q5Orbital Time Period · Easy · Single correct
  15. 24 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q4Centrifugal Pseudo-Force · Medium · Single correct
  16. 25 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q1Escape Velocity and Potential Relation · Easy · Assertion–reason
  17. 25 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q6Orbital Time Period · Medium · Single correct · has a figure
  18. 25 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q20Potential Inside a Spherical Cavity · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  19. 25 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q22Maximum Height Using Exact Potential · Medium · Numerical value
  20. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q3Areal Velocity and Angular Momentum · Easy · Other
  21. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q4Open the question · Hard · Diagram based · has a figure
  22. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q8Oscillation in an Earth Tunnel · Medium · Single correct
  23. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q26Open the question · Medium · Numerical value · has a figure
  24. 22 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q12Escape Velocity · Hard · Single correct
  25. 25 Jul 2021, Shift 1 · Q19Areal Velocity and Angular Momentum · Easy · Single correct
  26. 25 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q7Open the question · Easy · Single correct
  27. 16 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q21Gravitational Binding Energy · Medium · Numerical value
  28. 17 Mar 2021, Shift 1 · Q26Escape Velocity and Potential Relation · Easy · Numerical value
  29. 17 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q4Orbital Time Period · Easy · Single correct
  30. 18 Mar 2021, Shift 1 · Q14Kepler's Laws · Easy · Single correct
  31. 18 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q3Orbital Velocity · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  32. 18 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q5Orbital Time Period · Medium · Single correct
  33. 18 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q10Areal Velocity and Angular Momentum · Easy · Single correct

JEE Main 202012 questions

  1. 8 Jan 2020, Shift 1 · Q5Open the question · Medium · Single correct · has a figure
  2. 8 Jan 2020, Shift 2 · Q22Escape Velocity and Potential Relation · Medium · Numerical value
  3. 9 Jan 2020, Shift 1 · Q5Horizontal Projection Velocity Regimes · Hard · Single correct
  4. 9 Jan 2020, Shift 2 · Q7Escape Velocity · Easy · Single correct
  5. 2 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q6Orbital Time Period · Medium · Single correct
  6. 2 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q5Open the question · Medium · Single correct
  7. 3 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q5Velocity at Perigee and Apogee · Hard · Single correct
  8. 3 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q5Open the question · Hard · Single correct
  9. 4 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q5Potential-Field Relation · Medium · Single correct
  10. 4 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q6Orbital Velocity · Easy · Single correct
  11. 5 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q5Open the question · Medium · Single correct
  12. 6 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q6Potential at the Neutral Point · Hard · Single correct

JEE Main 20171 question

  1. 2 Apr 2017 (offline) · Q7Open the question · Easy · Single correct · has a figure

Questions from the official JEE Main papers published by NTA. Chapter, topic and idea tags, counts and notes are Lumi’s. Pattern: Asked most years.

More Physics, Class 11

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