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Sunday, 25 October

JEE Main · Physics · Class 11

Motion in a Plane: JEE Main previous year questions

99 questions in 77 of the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, asked in 7 of 8 years. Here is what this chapter tests and how.

Study this chapter
Questions
99
in 77 of 108 shifts · 7 of 8 years
Average a shift
0.7
of 25 Physics · 0.8 since 2024 0.2
Typical range
0.5–0.9
questions a shift; fewest 0.0, most 1.0
Weighted estimate
0.7
model, recent years count more · about 2.9 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 Motion in a Plane

Priority

Lower priority

One of the 7 Physics chapters that shared the last fifth of Physics questions in the 108 shifts analysed. How bands are set

Past questions
99in 77 of 108 shifts
Study plan gives it
12 hover 12 months; 9 h over 6
Study this chapter →

Ideas asked most often

  1. Ground-to-Ground Parameters19×
  2. Centripetal Acceleration6×
  3. Vector Component Resolution6×
  4. Trajectory Equation Application5×
  5. Complementary Angles Range and Ratios4×

130 of the 170 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, 35% 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

Motion in a Plane at a glance

  1. 01

    65%

    of its 26 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

    77%

    of the 170 ideas in Lumi's map of the chapter have not been asked or touched on in the shifts analysed.

  3. 03

    30%

    of its questions asked for a numerical answer, 1.0 times the Physics average.

  4. 04

    4%

    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.

0240’170.5’200.8’210.9’220.8’231’240.8’250.6’26

Raw count: 2017: 0 in 1 shift · 2020: 6 in 12 shifts · 2021: 23 in 24 shifts · 2022: 27 in 24 shifts · 2023: 11 in 12 shifts · 2024: 21 in 18 shifts · 2025: 6 in 8 shifts · 2026: 5 in 9 shifts.

Kind of question

SHARE OF QUESTIONS
  • Numerical answer30%
  • Calculation26%
  • Application14%
  • Multi-step11%
  • Conceptual7%
  • Diagram based7%
  • Assertion–reason2%
  • Match the list1%
  • Two statements1%

Most common asks: acceleration from position-dependent velocity (1); assertion-reason on projectile range and heights (1); rain speed relative to moving observer (1).

Profile

This chapter in numbers

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

Rank, all JEE chapters
#56
of 70 by weighted estimate
Rank in Physics
#20
of 28 chapters
Share of Physics
2.7%
of its questions, all shifts analysed
Busiest year
2024
1.0 questions a shift
Year to year
Some swing
varies by about 0.3 questions a shift
Long-run direction
+0.07
questions a shift, per year
Easy questions
48%
4% rated hard
Numerical answer
30%
1.0× the Physics rate
With a figure
11%
graph, diagram or structure
Study time
12 h
9 h on a 6-month plan
Marks per study hour
0.24
#31 of 70 chapters
Foundation for others
36%
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).

  • 2017
  • 20206
  • 202123
  • 202227
  • 202311
  • 202421
  • 20256
  • 20265
  • Easy
  • Medium
  • Hard

What it asks you to do

SHARE OF QUESTIONS
  • Calculation48%
  • Multi-step21%
  • Application18%
  • Conceptual10%
  • Data or graph1%
  • Diagram reading1%

Coverage

How much of the chapter JEE Main has used

We split the chapter into 170 ideas. In the 108 shifts analysed, JEE Main built a question around 31 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
31
Touched on in a question
9
Never asked
130

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. 21 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
  • Projectile Motion

    As a topic: 44 questions in 6 of 8 years, most often single correct, 27% numerical answer.

  • Kinematics in 2D

    As a topic: 20 questions in 5 of 8 years, most often single correct, 30% numerical answer.

  • Relative Velocity

    As a topic: 12 questions in 7 of 8 years, most often single correct, 25% 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.

  • Open44 · 44%5177654

    12 ideas inside

    • OpenRepeated19 · 43%6542
    • OpenRepeated5 · 11%22
    • OpenRepeated4 · 9%3
    • OpenRepeated4 · 9%
    • OpenRepeated4 · 9%2
    • Open2 · 5%2
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
  • Open18 · 18%34335
  • Open7 · 7%4
  • Open5 · 5%3
  • Open1 · 1%
  • 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; 13 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 99 Motion in a Plane 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 · Q28The velocity of a particle is given as v⃗=−xi^+2yj^−zk^\vec v=-x\hat i+2y\hat j-z\hat k m/s. The magnitude of acceleration at point (1,2,4)(1, 2, 4) is…MediumSingle correct
  2. 4 Apr 2026, Shift 1 · Q31The two projectiles are projected with the same initial velocities at the 15∘15^\circ and 30∘30^\circ with respect to the horizontal. The…EasySingle correct
  3. 4 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q29If xx and yy coordinates of a projectile as a function of time (tt) are given as 24t24t and 43.6t−4.9t243.6t-4.9t^2, respectively, then the angle…EasySingle correct
  4. 4 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q47A gun mounted on the ground fires bullets in all directions with same speed. The farthest distance the bullets could reach is 6.4 m. The…EasyNumerical value
  5. 8 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q31Two identical bodies, projected with the same speed at two different angles cover the same horizontal range RR. If the time of flight of…MediumSingle correct

JEE Main 20256 questions

  1. 2 Apr 2025, Shift 1 · Q29A river is flowing from west to east direction with speed of 9 km h−19\ \mathrm{km\,h^{-1}}. If a boat capable of moving at a maximum speed of…EasySingle correct
  2. 3 Apr 2025, Shift 1 · Q29The angle of projection of a particle is measured from the vertical axis as ϕ\phi and the maximum height reached by the particle is…MediumDiagram basedHas a figure
  3. 3 Apr 2025, Shift 2 · Q27A particle is projected with velocity uu so that its horizontal range is three times the maximum height attained by it. The horizontal…MediumSingle correct
  4. 7 Apr 2025, Shift 1 · Q31Two projectiles are fired from ground with same initial speeds from same point at angles (45∘+α)(45^\circ + \alpha) and (45∘−α)(45^\circ - \alpha)…MediumSingle correct
  5. 7 Apr 2025, Shift 2 · Q29A helicopter flying horizontally with a speed of 360 km/h at an altitude of 2 km, drops an object at an instant. The object hits the…EasySingle correct
  6. 8 Apr 2025, Shift 2 · Q30Two balls with same mass and initial velocity, are projected at different angles in such a way that maximum height reached by first ball…MediumSingle correct

JEE Main 202421 questions

  1. 4 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q32The co-ordinates of a particle moving in xx-yy plane are given by : x=2+4t, y=3t+8t2x = 2 + 4t,\ y = 3t + 8t^2. The motion of the particle is :EasySingle correct
  2. 4 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q51Two forces F⃗1\vec{F}_1 and F⃗2\vec{F}_2 are acting on a body. One force has magnitude thrice that of the other force and the resultant of…MediumNumerical value
  3. 5 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q32The angle between vector Q⃗\vec{Q} and the resultant of (2Q⃗+2P⃗)\left(2\vec{Q}+2\vec{P}\right) and (2Q⃗−2P⃗)\left(2\vec{Q}-2\vec{P}\right) is :EasySingle correct
  4. 5 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q32A man carrying a monkey on his shoulder does cycling smoothly on a circular track of radius 9 m and completes 120 resolutions in 3…EasySingle correct
  5. 5 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q51The maximum height reached by a projectile is 64 m. If the initial velocity is halved, the new maximum height of the projectile is…EasyNumerical value
  6. 6 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q53For three vectors A⃗=(−xi^−6j^−2k^)\vec{A} = (-x\hat{i} - 6\hat{j} - 2\hat{k}), B⃗=(−i^+4j^+3k^)\vec{B} = (-\hat{i} + 4\hat{j} + 3\hat{k}) and…EasyNumerical value
  7. 8 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q32A clock has 75 cm, 60 cm long second hand and minute hand respectively. In 30 minutes duration the tip of second hand will travel xx…EasySingle correct
  8. 8 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q51Three vectors OP→\overrightarrow{OP}, OQ→\overrightarrow{OQ} and OR→\overrightarrow{OR} each of magnitude AA are acting as shown in figure.…EasyNumerical valueHas a figure
  9. 8 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q32The angle of projection for a projectile to have same horizontal range and maximum height is :EasySingle correct
  10. 8 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q51A body of mass M thrown horizontally with velocity vv from the top of the tower of height H touches the ground at a distance of 100 m…MediumNumerical value
  11. 9 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q51If a⃗\vec{a} and b⃗\vec{b} makes an angle cos⁡−1(59)\cos^{-1}\left(\frac{5}{9}\right) with each other, then…MediumNumerical value
  12. 9 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q59The resultant of two vectors A⃗\vec{A} and B⃗\vec{B} is perpendicular to A⃗\vec{A} and its magnitude is half that of B⃗\vec{B}. The angle…MediumNumerical value
  13. 1 Feb 2024, Shift 1 · Q32A particle moving in a circle of radius R with uniform speed takes time T to complete one revolution. If this particle is projected with…MediumSingle correct
  14. 27 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q51A particle starts from origin at t = 0 with a velocity 5 i^5\,\hat{i} m/s and moves in xx-yy plane under action of a force which produces…MediumNumerical value
  15. 29 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q33If the radius of curvature of the path of two particles of same mass are in the ratio 3:4, then in order to have constant centripetal…EasySingle correct
  16. 29 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q51A ball rolls off the top of a stairway with horizontal velocity uu. The steps are 0.1 m high and 0.1 m wide. The minimum velocity uu…MediumNumerical value
  17. 30 Jan 2024, Shift 2 · Q32Projectiles A and B are thrown at angles of 45∘45^\circ and 60∘60^\circ with vertical respectively from top of a 400 m high tower. If their…HardSingle correct
  18. 30 Jan 2024, Shift 2 · Q51A vector has magnitude same as that of A⃗=3i^+4j^\vec{A} = 3\hat{i} + 4\hat{j} and is parallel to B⃗=4i^+3j^\vec{B} = 4\hat{i} + 3\hat{j}. The xx and yy…EasyNumerical value
  19. 31 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q51A body starts falling freely from height HH hits an inclined plane in its path at height hh. As a result of this perfectly elastic…HardNumerical value
  20. 31 Jan 2024, Shift 2 · Q32If two vectors A⃗\vec{A} and B⃗\vec{B} having equal magnitude RR are inclined at an angle θ\theta, thenEasySingle correct
  21. 31 Jan 2024, Shift 2 · Q51A body of mass 'mm' is projected with a speed 'uu' making an angle of 45∘45^\circ with the ground. The angular momentum of the body about…MediumNumerical value

JEE Main 202311 questions

  1. 6 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q39A particle is moving with constant speed in a circular path. When the particle turns by an angle 90∘90^\circ, the ratio of instantaneous…MediumSingle correct
  2. 6 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q47Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R. Assertion A : When a body is…EasyAssertion–reason
  3. 6 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q32As shown in the figure, a particle is moving with constant speed π\pi m/s. Considering its motion from A to B, the magnitude of the…MediumDiagram basedHas a figure
  4. 8 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q37Two forces having magnitude AA and A2\frac{A}{2} are perpendicular to each other. The magnitude of their resultant is:EasySingle correct
  5. 8 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q39Two projectiles A and B are thrown with initial velocities of 40 m/s40\ \mathrm{m/s} and 60 m/s60\ \mathrm{m/s} at angles 30∘30^\circ and…MediumSingle correct
  6. 8 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q39The trajectory of projectile, projected from the ground is given by y=x−x220y = x - \frac{x^2}{20}. Where xx and yy are measured in meter. The…MediumSingle correct
  7. 10 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q39The range of the projectile projected at an angle of 15∘15^\circ with horizontal is 50 m. If the projectile is projected with same velocity…EasySingle correct
  8. 10 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q38Two projectiles are projected at 30∘30^\circ and 60∘60^\circ with the horizontal with the same speed. The ratio of the maximum height…EasySingle correct
  9. 11 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q60Ground-to-Ground Parameters · Medium · Numerical value
  10. 11 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q39Instantaneous Projectile Velocity · Easy · Single correct
  11. 15 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q37Vector Component Resolution · Easy · Single correct

JEE Main 202227 questions

  1. 25 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q33Open the question · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  2. 25 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q48Ground-to-Ground Parameters · Easy · Single correct
  3. 26 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q49Ground-to-Ground Parameters · Easy · Single correct
  4. 26 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q51Trajectory Equation Application · Medium · Numerical value
  5. 26 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q31Ground-to-Ground Parameters · Easy · Single correct
  6. 26 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q51Scalar vs Vector Projection Distinction · Easy · Numerical value
  7. 27 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q60Ground-to-Ground Parameters · Medium · Numerical value
  8. 27 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q32Trajectory Equation Application · Medium · Single correct
  9. 28 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q32Horizontal Projection from Height · Easy · Single correct
  10. 28 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q51Open the question · Easy · Numerical value
  11. 28 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q22D Kinematics with Variable Acceleration via Calculus · Easy · Single correct
  12. 29 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q35Ground-to-Ground Parameters · Easy · Single correct
  13. 29 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q51Complementary Angles Range and Ratios · Medium · Numerical value
  14. 30 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q30Complementary Angles Range and Ratios · Medium · Numerical value
  15. 24 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q35Velocity Vector Angle as a Function of Time · Hard · Single correct
  16. 24 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q51Instantaneous Projectile Velocity · Medium · Numerical value
  17. 25 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q32Open the question · Easy · Single correct
  18. 25 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q33Open the question · Medium · Single correct
  19. 25 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q31Complementary Angles Range and Ratios · Medium · Assertion–reason
  20. 25 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q37Uniform Circular Motion · Easy · Single correct
  21. 26 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q51Relative Motion of Two Projectiles · Medium · Numerical value
  22. 27 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q31Instantaneous Projectile Velocity · Medium · Single correct
  23. 27 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q32Rain-Man Problems · Medium · Single correct
  24. 29 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q43Open the question · Easy · Single correct
  25. 29 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q50Height at Maximum Range · Easy · Single correct
  26. 30 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q31Projectile from a Moving Frame · Medium · Single correct
  27. 30 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q34Ground-to-Ground Parameters · Medium · Single correct

JEE Main 202123 questions

  1. 3 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q262D Collision Condition · Easy · Numerical value
  2. 3 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q8Trajectory Equation Application · Medium · Single correct
  3. 4 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q20Angular to Linear Kinematics Conversion · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  4. 4 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q23Open the question · Easy · Numerical value
  5. 26 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q18Vector Component Resolution · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  6. 26 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q5Observer-Dependent Trajectory Shapes · Easy · Single correct
  7. 26 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q7Open the question · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  8. 27 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q4Vector Component Resolution · Medium · Single correct · has a figure
  9. 27 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q4Ground-to-Ground Parameters · Easy · Single correct
  10. 31 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q19Horizontal Projection from Height · Medium · Single correct
  11. 31 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q5Open the question · Hard · Two statements
  12. 25 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q5Open the question · Easy · Diagram based · has a figure
  13. 25 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q24Open the question · Easy · Numerical value
  14. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q10Centripetal Acceleration · Medium · Single correct
  15. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q9Trajectory Equation Application · Easy · Single correct
  16. 22 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q11Open the question · Easy · Single correct
  17. 22 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q21Open the question · Medium · Numerical value
  18. 25 Jul 2021, Shift 1 · Q17Open the question · Medium · Match the list · has a figure
  19. 25 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q5Open the question · Medium · Single correct
  20. 16 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q16Vector Calculus for 2D Kinematics · Medium · Single correct
  21. 16 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q22River-Boat Drift Analysis · Easy · Numerical value
  22. 18 Mar 2021, Shift 1 · Q27River-Boat Drift Analysis · Easy · Numerical value
  23. 18 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q21Change in Momentum During Flight · Easy · Numerical value · has a figure

JEE Main 20206 questions

  1. 8 Jan 2020, Shift 1 · Q21Relative Velocity Vector Subtraction · Medium · Numerical value
  2. 8 Jan 2020, Shift 2 · Q2Vector Cross Products in Circular Motion · Easy · Single correct
  3. 9 Jan 2020, Shift 2 · Q2Independence of Axes · Easy · Single correct
  4. 9 Jan 2020, Shift 2 · Q4Inelastic Collisions · Medium · Single correct
  5. 4 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q3Vector Component Resolution · Easy · Single correct
  6. 6 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q2Rain Angle Shift with Observer Acceleration · Medium · Single correct

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

All JEE Main chaptersJEE Main Physics analysisStudy plan