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Sunday, 25 October

JEE Main · Chemistry · Class 12

Surface Chemistry: JEE Main previous year questions

This chapter is not in NTA's JEE Main 2026 syllabus. It had 68 questions in the shifts Lumi analysed; they are kept here for reference.

Questions
68
in 67 of 108 shifts · 5 of 8 years
Average a shift
0.5
of 25 Chemistry · 0.0 since 2024 -0.8
Typical range
0.0–0.8
questions a shift; fewest 0.0, most 1.0
Syllabus
Dropped
NTA JEE Main 2026 syllabus
  • 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.

Key findings

Surface Chemistry at a glance

  1. 01

    59%

    of the 90 ideas in Lumi's map of the chapter have not been asked or touched on in the shifts analysed.

  2. 02

    22%

    of its questions asked for a numerical answer, 0.7 times the Chemistry average.

  3. 03

    0%

    of its questions were rated hard, against 6% across all Chemistry questions in the same shifts.

Questions a shift, year by year

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

0240.8’171’200.8’210.7’220.7’230’240’250’26

Raw count: 2017: 1 in 1 shift · 2020: 12 in 12 shifts · 2021: 24 in 24 shifts · 2022: 21 in 24 shifts · 2023: 10 in 12 shifts · 2024: 0 in 18 shifts · 2025: 0 in 8 shifts · 2026: 0 in 9 shifts.

Kind of question

SHARE OF QUESTIONS
  • Conceptual29%
  • Numerical answer22%
  • Match the list13%
  • Recall, single correct10%
  • Diagram based7%
  • Application6%
  • Assertion–reason6%
  • Data or graph3%
  • Calculation2%
  • Two statements2%

Most common asks: adsorption from freundlich log plot (3); match list on colloids (2); definition recall (2).

Profile

This chapter in numbers

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

Syllabus
Dropped
NTA JEE Main 2026
Last asked
2023
Share of Chemistry
2.0%
of its questions, all shifts analysed
Busiest year
2020
1.0 questions a shift
Year to year
Swings a lot
varies by about 0.4 questions a shift
Long-run direction
-0.12
questions a shift, per year
Easy questions
49%
0% rated hard
Numerical answer
22%
0.7× the Chemistry rate
With a figure
15%
graph, diagram or structure
Foundation for others
12%
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
  • 202124
  • 202221
  • 202310
  • 2024
  • 2025
  • 2026
  • Easy
  • Medium
  • Hard

What it asks you to do

SHARE OF QUESTIONS
  • Conceptual38%
  • Recall25%
  • Calculation19%
  • Data or graph10%
  • Application6%
  • Diagram reading1%

Coverage

How much of the chapter JEE Main has used

We split the chapter into 90 ideas. In the 108 shifts analysed, JEE Main built a question around 29 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
29
Touched on in a question
8
Never asked
53

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. 8 questions had no close topic in Lumi's map and count for the chapter only.

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

    As a topic: 39 questions in 5 of 8 years, most often single correct, 8% numerical answer.

  • Adsorption

    As a topic: 31 questions in 5 of 8 years, most often single correct, 29% numerical answer.

  • Arrhenius Equation

    As a topic: 35 questions in 8 of 8 years, most often numerical value, 71% numerical answer.

  • d-Block Elements

    As a topic: 110 questions in 8 of 8 years, most often single correct, 27% numerical answer. Recent asks: statement I/II on coloured and diamagnetic ions; statement I/II on catalytic properties; count correct statements on d-block catalysts.

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.

  • Open37 · 54%713115

    16 ideas inside

    • OpenRepeated6 · 16%3
    • OpenRepeated5 · 14%22
    • OpenRepeated5 · 14%22
    • OpenRepeated4 · 11%2
    • OpenRepeated4 · 11%
    • OpenRepeated2 · 5%
    • OpenRepeated2 · 5%
    • Open1 · 3%
    • Open1 · 3%
    • Open1 · 3%
    • Open1 · 3%
    • Open1 · 3%
    • Open1 · 3%
    • Open1 · 3%
    • Open1 · 3%
    • Open1 · 3%
  • Open21 · 31%3864
  • 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, 25 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 68 Surface Chemistry 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 202310 questions

  1. 6 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q87For the adsorption of hydrogen on platinum, the activation energy is 30 kJ mol−1^{-1} and for the adsorption of hydrogen on nickel, the…MediumNumerical value
  2. 6 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q87The number of colloidal systems from the following, which will have 'liquid' as the dispersion medium, is ______________. Gem stones,…MediumNumerical value
  3. 8 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q63Which of the following represent the Freundlich adsorption isotherms? A. [graph: xm\frac{x}{m} vs pp] B. [graph: log⁡xm\log\frac{x}{m} vs…MediumDiagram basedHas a figure
  4. 8 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q87Coagulating value of the electrolytes AlCl3\mathrm{AlCl_3} and NaCl for As2S3\mathrm{As_2S_3} are 0.09 and 50.04 respectively. The coagulating…EasyNumerical value
  5. 10 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q63The enthalpy change for the adsorption process and micelle formation respectively areMediumSingle correct
  6. 10 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q63Ferric chloride is applied to stop bleeding because -EasySingle correct
  7. 11 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q87The number of correct statements about modern adsorption theory of heterogeneous catalysis from the following is ________ A. The catalyst…MediumNumerical value
  8. 12 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q64Four gases A, B, C and D have critical temperatures 5.3, 33.2, 126.0 and 154.3K respectively. For their adsorption on a fixed amount of…EasySingle correct
  9. 13 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q63What happens when a lyophilic sol is added to a lyophobic sol?EasySingle correct
  10. 15 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q8620 mL of 0.5 M NaCl is required to coagulate 200 mL of As2S3\mathrm{As_2S_3} solution in 2 hours. The coagulating value of NaCl is __________.EasyNumerical value

JEE Main 202221 questions

  1. 25 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q65Match List - I with List - II List - I (A) N2(g)+3H2(g)→2NH3(g)\mathrm{N_2(g)+3H_2(g)\rightarrow2NH_3(g)} (B)…MediumMatch the list
  2. 25 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q65For micelle formation, which of the following statements are correct ? A. Micelle formation is an exothermic process. B. Micelle formation…MediumOther
  3. 26 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q62Match List - I with List - II. List - I (Processes/Reactions) (A) 2SO2(g)+O2(g)→2SO3(g)2\mathrm{SO_2(g)} + \mathrm{O_2(g)} \rightarrow 2\mathrm{SO_3(g)} (B)…EasyMatch the list
  4. 26 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q65Given below are two statements: one is labelled as **Assertion A** and the other is labelled as **Reason R**. **Assertion A:** Finest gold…MediumAssertion–reason
  5. 27 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q64Given below are two statements. One is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R. Assertion A: Activated charcoal…MediumAssertion–reason
  6. 27 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q65Given below are two statements : one is labelled as **Assertion (A)** and the other is labelled as **Reason (R)**. **Assertion (A) :**…MediumAssertion–reason
  7. 28 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q64Match List - I with List - II. List - I (Reaction) | List - II (Catalyst) (A) 4NH3(g)+5O2(g)→4NO(g)+6H2O(g)\mathrm{4NH_3(g)+5O_2(g)\to4NO(g)+6H_2O(g)} | (I) NO(g)…EasyMatch the list
  8. 28 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q59Among the following the number of curves not in accordance with Freundlich adsorption isotherm is ________. (a) plot of log(x/m) (y-axis)…MediumNumerical valueHas a figure
  9. 29 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q63100 mL of 5% (w/v) solution of NaCl in water was prepared in 250 mL beaker. Albumin from the egg was poured into NaCl solution and stirred…MediumSingle correct
  10. 29 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q65Given below are the critical temperatures of some of the gases: | Gas | Critical temperature (K) | | He | 5.2 | | CH4\mathrm{CH_4} | 190.0…EasySingle correct
  11. 30 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q34Freundlich's adsorption isotherm (in terms of concentration) is given by the expression; xm=K⋅C1/n\frac{x}{m}=\mathrm{K}\cdot\mathrm{C}^{1/n}.…MediumOther
  12. 24 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q65Given below are two statements : Statement I : Emulsions of oil in water are unstable and sometimes they separate into two layers on…MediumTwo statements
  13. 24 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q85When 200 mL of 0.2 M acetic acid is shaken with 0.6 g of wood charcoal, the final concentration of acetic acid after adsorption is 0.1 M.…EasyNumerical value
  14. 25 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q62**Incorrect** statement for Tyndall effect is :EasySingle correct
  15. 27 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q64Match List - I with List - II. List - I (A) Lyophilic colloid (B) Emulsion (C) Positively charged colloid (D) Negatively charged colloid…EasyMatch the list
  16. 27 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q89[figure: graph with vertical axis log⁡xm\log\frac{x}{m} (arrow pointing up) and horizontal axis log⁡p\log p (arrow pointing right); a straight…MediumNumerical valueHas a figure
  17. 28 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q62The Zeta potential is related to which property of colloids ?EasySingle correct
  18. 28 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q65Match List - I with List - II : List - I | List - II (A) negatively charged sol | (I) Fe2O3⋅xH2O\mathrm{Fe_2O_3\cdot xH_2O} (B) macromolecular…EasyMatch the list
  19. 29 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q65Which of the following is a correct statement ?EasySingle correct
  20. 29 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q65A 42.12% (w/v) solution of NaCl causes precipitation of a certain sol in 10 hours. The coagulating value of NaCl for the sol is [Given:…MediumSingle correct
  21. 30 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q85100 mL of 0.3 M acetic acid is shaken with 0.8 g of wood charcoal. The final concentration of acetic acid in the solution after adsorption…MediumNumerical value

JEE Main 202124 questions

  1. 3 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q58200 mL of 0.85M acetic acid is shaken with 2g activated charcoal. The final concentration of the solution after adsorption is 0.75M. The…EasyNumerical value
  2. 3 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q58In an adsorption isotherm, it is seen that the graph of log⁡(xm)\log\left(\frac{x}{m}\right) vs log⁡P\log P, where PP is in atm, is a straight…MediumNumerical value
  3. 4 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q34Graph between log⁡xm\log\frac{x}{m}, ('x' is mass of gas adsorbed and 'm' is the mass of adsorbent) versus log P (P-pressure of gas adsorbed)…MediumDiagram basedHas a figure
  4. 4 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q31Match List-I with List-II : List-I : Examples of Colloids A. Paints B. Hair cream C. Whipped cream D. Cheese List-II : Type of Colloid I.…EasyMatch the listHas a figure
  5. 26 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q34Which one of the following is correct for the adsorption of a gas at a given temperature on a solid surface ?EasySingle correct
  6. 26 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q33The sol given below with negatively charged colloidal particles is :MediumSingle correct
  7. 27 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q34Tyndall effect is more effectively shown by :EasySingle correct
  8. 27 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q31Lyophilic sols are more stable than lyophobic sols because,EasySingle correct
  9. 31 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q34Select the graph that correctly describes the adsorption isotherms at two temperatures T1\mathrm{T_1} and T2\mathrm{T_2} (…MediumDiagram basedHas a figure
  10. 31 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q58Freundlich Isotherm Equation · Medium · Numerical value
  11. 24 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q32Freundlich Logarithmic Plot · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  12. 24 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q33Hardy-Schulze Rule · Easy · Single correct
  13. 25 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q34Freundlich Isotherm Equation · Easy · Single correct
  14. 25 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q33Lyophilic and Lyophobic Sols · Easy · Single correct
  15. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q58Open the question · Easy · Numerical value
  16. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q32Chemical Methods of Preparation · Medium · Single correct
  17. 22 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q33Predicting Sol Charge via Excess Reagent · Medium · Single correct
  18. 25 Jul 2021, Shift 1 · Q32Micelle Formation and CMC · Medium · Single correct
  19. 25 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q33Colloid Classification by State · Easy · Match the list
  20. 16 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q32Colligative Properties of Colloids · Easy · Single correct
  21. 17 Mar 2021, Shift 1 · Q32Colloid Classification by State · Easy · Single correct
  22. 17 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q33Hardy-Schulze Rule · Easy · Single correct
  23. 18 Mar 2021, Shift 1 · Q33Specific d-Block Industrial Catalysts · Medium · Match the list
  24. 18 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q33Open the question · Medium · Single correct

JEE Main 202012 questions

  1. 8 Jan 2020, Shift 1 · Q28Hardy-Schulze Rule · Medium · Single correct
  2. 8 Jan 2020, Shift 2 · Q26Open the question · Medium · Assertion–reason
  3. 9 Jan 2020, Shift 2 · Q29Open the question · Easy · Single correct · has a figure
  4. 2 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q28Bredig's Arc Method · Easy · Single correct
  5. 2 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q48Freundlich Logarithmic Plot · Medium · Numerical value
  6. 2 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q28Physisorption vs Chemisorption · Medium · Other
  7. 3 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q31Optical and Kinetic Properties · Easy · Single correct
  8. 3 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q26Micelle Formation and CMC · Medium · Single correct · has a figure
  9. 4 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q26Colloid Classification by State · Easy · Match the list
  10. 4 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q26Protective Colloids and Gold Number · Easy · Single correct
  11. 5 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q45Micelle Formation and CMC · Easy · Diagram based · has a figure
  12. 6 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q49Freundlich Logarithmic Plot · Medium · Numerical value

JEE Main 20171 question

  1. 2 Apr 2017 (offline) · Q34Optical and Kinetic Properties · Medium · Other

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 Chemistry, Class 12

All JEE Main chaptersJEE Main Chemistry analysisStudy plan