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Sunday, 25 October

JEE Main · Physics · Class 11

Oscillations: JEE Main previous year questions

89 questions in 71 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
89
in 71 of 108 shifts · 8 of 8 years
Average a shift
0.7
of 25 Physics · 0.5 since 2024 -0.2
Typical range
0.3–0.8
questions a shift; fewest 0.3, most 1.2
Weighted estimate
0.6
model, recent years count more · about 2.6 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 Oscillations

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
89in 71 of 108 shifts
Study plan gives it
11 hover 12 months; 9 h over 6
Study this chapter →

Ideas asked most often

  1. Velocity and Accel vs Position6×
  2. Collinear Superposition of SHMs6×
  3. Phasor Diagram Technique5×
  4. SHM Definition and Force Law5×
  5. Springs in Parallel5×

114 of the 168 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, 29% 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

Oscillations at a glance

  1. 01

    71%

    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

    68%

    of the 168 ideas in Lumi's map of the chapter have not been asked or touched on in the shifts analysed.

  3. 03

    34%

    of its questions asked for a numerical answer, 1.1 times the Physics average.

  4. 04

    3%

    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.

0240.8’170.3’201.2’210.6’220.8’230.6’240.3’250.8’26

Raw count: 2017: 1 in 1 shift · 2020: 3 in 12 shifts · 2021: 35 in 24 shifts · 2022: 17 in 24 shifts · 2023: 12 in 12 shifts · 2024: 12 in 18 shifts · 2025: 2 in 8 shifts · 2026: 7 in 9 shifts.

Kind of question

SHARE OF QUESTIONS
  • Numerical answer34%
  • Calculation17%
  • Application16%
  • Diagram based10%
  • Conceptual9%
  • Data or graph7%
  • Multi-step6%
  • Match the list1%
  • Two statements1%

Most common asks: time period of mass between two springs (2); time period of pendulum in accelerating lift (1); identify position-momentum curve for shm (1).

Profile

This chapter in numbers

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

Rank, all JEE chapters
#61
of 70 by weighted estimate
Rank in Physics
#24
of 28 chapters
Share of Physics
2.7%
of its questions, all shifts analysed
Busiest year
2021
1.2 questions a shift
Year to year
Some swing
varies by about 0.3 questions a shift
Long-run direction
-0.02
questions a shift, per year
Easy questions
48%
3% rated hard
Numerical answer
34%
1.1× the Physics rate
With a figure
26%
graph, diagram or structure
Study time
11 h
9 h on a 6-month plan
Marks per study hour
0.23
#44 of 70 chapters
Foundation for others
60%
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
  • 20203
  • 202135
  • 202217
  • 202312
  • 202412
  • 20252
  • 20267
  • Easy
  • Medium
  • Hard

What it asks you to do

SHARE OF QUESTIONS
  • Calculation45%
  • Application20%
  • Multi-step15%
  • Conceptual10%
  • Data or graph9%
  • Diagram reading1%

Coverage

How much of the chapter JEE Main has used

We split the chapter into 168 ideas. In the 108 shifts analysed, JEE Main built a question around 43 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
43
Touched on in a question
11
Never asked
114

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.

’17’20’21’22’23’24’25’26
022+questions in that year’s analysed shifts, shaded per shift
  • SHM Equations

    As a topic: 57 questions in 7 of 8 years, most often single correct, 37% numerical answer.

  • Energy in SHM

    As a topic: 21 questions in 7 of 8 years, most often single correct, 33% numerical answer.

  • Pendulums

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

  • Fluid Statics

    As a topic: 19 questions in 6 of 8 years, most often single correct, 26% 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 · 61%222106725

    21 ideas inside

    • OpenRepeated6 · 11%22
    • OpenRepeated5 · 9%3
    • OpenRepeated5 · 9%2
    • OpenRepeated5 · 9%3
    • OpenRepeated4 · 7%2
    • OpenRepeated4 · 7%2
    • OpenRepeated4 · 7%2
    • OpenRepeated4 · 7%
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • Open2 · 4%2
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
  • Open21 · 24%7254
  • Open13 · 15%55
  • 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, 42 different ideas were tested; 22 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 89 Oscillations 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 20267 questions

  1. 2 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q45The equation of motion of a particle is given by x=asin⁡(50t+π3)x = a\sin\left(50t + \frac{\pi}{3}\right) cm. The particle will come to rest at time…MediumSingle correct
  2. 4 Apr 2026, Shift 1 · Q48The velocity of a particle executing simple harmonic motion along xx-axis is described as v2=50−x2v^2=50-x^2, where xx represents…EasyNumerical value
  3. 4 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q35A uniform disc of radius RR and mass MM is free to oscillate about the axis AA as shown in the figure. For small oscillations the time…MediumDiagram basedHas a figure
  4. 5 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q35Match List - I with List - II. List - I A. sin⁡2ωt\sin^2\omega t B. sin⁡3(2ωt)\sin^3(2\omega t) C. sin⁡(ωt)+cos⁡(πωt)\sin(\omega t)+\cos(\pi\omega t) D.…HardMatch the list
  5. 6 Apr 2026, Shift 1 · Q37A particle is executing simple harmonic motion. Its amplitude is AA and time period is 5 sec. The time required by it to move from x=Ax=A…EasySingle correct
  6. 6 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q36A spring stretches by 2 mm when it is loaded with a mass of 200 g. From equilibrium position the mass is further pulled down by 2 mm and…MediumSingle correct
  7. 8 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q37The frequency of oscillation of a mass mm suspended by a spring is v1v_1. If the length of the spring is cut to half, the same mass…EasySingle correct

JEE Main 20252 questions

  1. 2 Apr 2025, Shift 1 · Q33A particle is subjected to two simple harmonic motions as : x1=7sin⁡5tx_1=\sqrt{7}\sin5t cm and x2=27sin⁡(5t+π3)x_2=2\sqrt{7}\sin\left(5t+\frac{\pi}{3}\right)…MediumSingle correct
  2. 3 Apr 2025, Shift 1 · Q36Two blocks of masses m and M, (M>m)(M > m), are placed on a frictionless table as shown in figure. A massless spring with spring constant k…HardOtherHas a figure

JEE Main 202412 questions

  1. 4 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q50In simple harmonic motion, the total mechanical energy of given system is EE. If mass of oscillating particle PP is doubled then the new…EasySingle correctHas a figure
  2. 4 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q56The displacement of a particle executing SHM is given by x=10sin⁡(wt+π3)mx = 10\sin\left(wt + \frac{\pi}{3}\right)m. The time period of motion is 3.14…EasyNumerical value
  3. 6 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q52A particle is doing simple harmonic motion of amplitude 0.06 m and time period 3.14 s. The maximum velocity of the particle is __________…EasyNumerical value
  4. 8 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q54An object of mass 0.2 kg executes simple harmonic motion along x axis with frequency of (25π)\left(\frac{25}{\pi}\right) Hz. At the position…MediumNumerical value
  5. 9 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q54The position, velocity and acceleration of a particle executing simple harmonic motion are found to have magnitudes of 44 m,…MediumNumerical value
  6. 9 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q57A particle of mass 0.500.50 kg executes simple harmonic motion under force F=−50 (Nm−1)xF=-50\ (Nm^{-1})x. The time period of oscillation is…EasyNumerical value
  7. 1 Feb 2024, Shift 2 · Q54A mass mm is suspended from a spring of negligible mass and the system oscillates with a frequency f1f_1. The frequency of oscillations…EasyNumerical value
  8. 27 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q54A particle executes simple harmonic motion with an amplitude of 4 cm. At the mean position, velocity of the particle is 10 cm/s. The…MediumNumerical value
  9. 29 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q54When the displacement of a simple harmonic oscillator is one third of its amplitude, the ratio of total energy to the kinetic energy is…EasyNumerical value
  10. 30 Jan 2024, Shift 2 · Q60A simple pendulum is placed at a place where its distance from the earth's surface is equal to the radius of the earth. If the length of…MediumNumerical value
  11. 31 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q54A particle performs simple harmonic motion with amplitude AA. Its speed is increased to three times at an instant when its displacement…MediumNumerical value
  12. 31 Jan 2024, Shift 2 · Q54The time period of simple harmonic motion of mass MM in the given figure is παM5k\pi\sqrt{\frac{\alpha M}{5k}}, where the value of α\alpha…MediumNumerical valueHas a figure

JEE Main 202312 questions

  1. 6 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q43A mass m is attached to two strings as shown in figure. The spring constants of two springs are K1K_1 and K2K_2. For the frictionless…EasyDiagram basedHas a figure
  2. 6 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q60A simple pendulum with length 100 cm and bob of mass 250 g is executing S.H.M. of amplitude 10 cm. The maximum tension in the string is…MediumNumerical value
  3. 8 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q32For particle PP revolving round the centre OO with radius of circular path rr and angular velocity ω\omega, as shown in below figure,…MediumSingle correctHas a figure
  4. 10 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q31A particle executes S.H.M. of amplitude A along xx-axis. At t=0t = 0, the position of the particle is x=A2x = \frac{A}{2} and it moves along…EasySingle correct
  5. 10 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q32For a periodic motion represented by the equation y=sin⁡ωt+cos⁡ωty = \sin \omega t + \cos \omega t the amplitude of the motion isEasySingle correct
  6. 10 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q51A rectangular block of mass 5 kg attached to a horizontal spiral spring executes simple harmonic motion of amplitude 1 m and time period…EasyNumerical value
  7. 11 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q42The variation of kinetic energy (KE) of a particle executing simple harmonic motion with the displacement (xx) starting from mean…EasyDiagram basedHas a figure
  8. 12 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q40A particle is executing simple harmonic motion (SHM). The ratio of potential energy and kinetic energy of the particle when its…EasySingle correct
  9. 13 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q40Which graph represents the difference between total energy and potential energy of a particle executing SHM vs it's distance from mean…MediumDiagram basedHas a figure
  10. 13 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q57At a given point of time the value of displacement of a simple harmonic oscillator is given as y=Acos⁡(30∘)y = A\cos(30^\circ). If amplitude is 40…MediumNumerical value
  11. 13 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q40A particle executes SHM of amplitude A. The distance from the mean position when its's kinetic energy becomes equal to its potential…EasySingle correct
  12. 15 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q31In a linear Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) (A) Restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement. (B) The acceleration and…EasyOther

JEE Main 202217 questions

  1. 25 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q39In figure (A), mass '2 m' is fixed on mass 'm' which is attached to two springs of spring constant k. In figure (B), mass 'm' is attached…MediumDiagram basedHas a figure
  2. 26 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q42When a particle executes Simple Hormonic Motion, the nature of graph of velocity as a function of displacement will be :EasySingle correct
  3. 26 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q60As per given figures, two springs of spring constants kk and 2k2k are connected to mass mm. If the period of oscillation in figure (a)…MediumNumerical valueHas a figure
  4. 27 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q57A mass 0.9 kg, attached to a horizontal spring, executes SHM with an amplitude A1A_1. When this mass passes through its mean position,…MediumNumerical value
  5. 28 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q25The potential energy of a particle of mass 4 kg in motion along the xx-axis is given by U = 4(1 – cos 4xx) J. The time period of the…MediumNumerical value
  6. 29 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q39The time period of oscillation of a simple pendulum of length L suspended from the roof of a vehicle, which moves without friction down an…MediumSingle correct
  7. 29 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q57The metallic bob of simple pendulum has the relative density 5. The time period of this pendulum is 10 s. If the metallic bob is immersed…MediumNumerical value
  8. 30 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q9Effective Gravity Effects · Easy · Single correct
  9. 30 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q26Velocity and Accel vs Position · Medium · Numerical value
  10. 24 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q36Velocity and Accel vs Position · Easy · Single correct
  11. 26 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q38Effective Gravity Effects · Easy · Single correct
  12. 27 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q45Phase and Initial Conditions · Easy · Single correct
  13. 27 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q40Velocity and Accel vs Time · Easy · Single correct
  14. 27 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q54Standard Time Fractions in SHM · Medium · Numerical value
  15. 28 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q33Perpendicular Superposition (Lissajous) · Easy · Single correct
  16. 29 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q54Energy Change from Instantaneous Impulse · Medium · Numerical value
  17. 29 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q42Simple Pendulum Period · Easy · Single correct

JEE Main 202135 questions

  1. 3 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q1Phasor Diagram Technique · Easy · Single correct
  2. 3 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q2Phasor Diagram Technique · Medium · Single correct · has a figure
  3. 3 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q5Torsional Pendulum Time Period · Medium · Single correct · has a figure
  4. 4 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q11SHM of a Floating Body · Medium · Single correct
  5. 4 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q17General Solution of SHM · Easy · Single correct
  6. 4 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q19Phase Space Energy Ellipse · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  7. 26 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q3Thermal Expansion Effects on Clocks · Medium · Single correct
  8. 26 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q24Collinear Superposition of SHMs · Easy · Numerical value
  9. 27 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q9Energy-Time Graphs in SHM · Medium · Single correct · has a figure
  10. 27 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q27Collinear Superposition of SHMs · Easy · Numerical value
  11. 31 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q22Maximum Kinetic and Potential Energy Equivalence · Easy · Numerical value
  12. 31 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q10Pendulum in Fluids · Medium · Single correct
  13. 31 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q12Average Energy Values · Easy · Other
  14. 24 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q11Mass Dropped at Mean Position · Medium · Single correct · has a figure
  15. 24 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q7Springs in Parallel · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  16. 24 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q8Velocity vs Position Graph · Easy · Single correct
  17. 25 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q3Simple Pendulum Period · Easy · Single correct
  18. 25 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q4SHM Definition and Force Law · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  19. 25 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q7Springs in Parallel · Easy · Diagram based · has a figure
  20. 25 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q8Phase and Initial Conditions · Medium · Single correct
  21. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q11Springs in Series · Easy · Single correct
  22. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q5Seconds Pendulum · Easy · Two statements
  23. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q16Phase Space Trajectory (v vs x) · Easy · Single correct
  24. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q22General Solution of SHM · Medium · Numerical value
  25. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q29Velocity and Accel vs Position · Easy · Numerical value
  26. 22 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q9Phase and Initial Conditions · Medium · Single correct · has a figure
  27. 22 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q20Simple Pendulum Period · Easy · Single correct
  28. 25 Jul 2021, Shift 1 · Q22Two-Body Oscillator Reduced Mass · Medium · Numerical value · has a figure
  29. 25 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q10Fractional Energy Displacements · Easy · Single correct
  30. 16 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q6Damped Amplitude Decay · Medium · Single correct
  31. 17 Mar 2021, Shift 1 · Q16Fractional Energy Displacements · Easy · Single correct
  32. 17 Mar 2021, Shift 1 · Q28Springs in Series · Easy · Numerical value · has a figure
  33. 17 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q6Springs in Parallel · Easy · Single correct
  34. 18 Mar 2021, Shift 1 · Q25Phasor Diagram Technique · Medium · Numerical value
  35. 18 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q12SHM Definition and Force Law · Medium · Single correct

JEE Main 20203 questions

  1. 2 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q2Velocity and Accel vs Time · Medium · Other · has a figure
  2. 3 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q9Mass Dropped at Mean Position · Medium · Single correct
  3. 6 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q10Non-SHM Periodic Functions · Hard · Single correct

JEE Main 20171 question

  1. 2 Apr 2017 (offline) · Q12Energy-Time Graphs in SHM · Medium · 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

All JEE Main chaptersJEE Main Physics analysisStudy plan