JEE Main · Physics · Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
Matter Waves: JEE Main previous year questions
55 questions in the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, in 8 of 8 years. Pattern: Asked most years. 13 came in 2024–26. Here is how it is asked and which ideas come back.
- Questions
- 55
- in 52 of 108 shifts
- Years asked
- 8/8
- last asked 2026
- Weighted estimate
- 0.4
- model; history: 0.5 a shift on average, typically 0.4–0.6
Key findings
- 01
Asked in 8 of 8 years with analysed shifts and in 52 of 108 shifts: 55 questions, #47 of 196 topics. It came in every year with analysed shifts.
- 02
37% of its questions since 2020 tested an idea no earlier year had asked; 25 repeated an idea from the year before.
- 03
The most repeated idea is Wavelength Ratios of Different Particles, asked 15 times in 15 shifts (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026), most often as “ratio of de broglie wavelengths”.
- 04
JEE Main has asked 20 of the 56 ideas in this topic; 32 have never been asked, directly or inside another question.
- 05
Mostly asked as single correct (84%); 11% need a numerical answer, 56% are easy and 0% hard.
- 06
The skill tested most is calculation (42%), then application (20%).
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.
Raw count: 2017: 1 in 1 shift · 2020: 7 in 12 shifts · 2021: 17 in 24 shifts · 2022: 11 in 24 shifts · 2023: 6 in 12 shifts · 2024: 6 in 18 shifts · 2025: 3 in 8 shifts · 2026: 4 in 9 shifts.
- Up to 2023
- 0.6
- a shift, of 25
- Since 2024
- 0.4
- -0.2
- Usual gap
- 1.3 yrs
- between years asking it
- Shifts with it
- 52/108
- 48% of analysed shifts
Revise first
- Wavelength Ratios of Different Particles · asked 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026
- Basic Wavelength-Momentum Relation · asked 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026
- Wavelength from Accelerating Potential · asked 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026
How it is asked
Difficulty, format and skill
Across all 55 questions on Matter Waves since 2017.
Difficulty
QUESTIONS- Easy31 · 56%
- Medium24 · 44%
- Hard0 · 0%
Format
SHARE- Single correct · 46 Q84%
- Numerical value · 6 Q11%
- Diagram based · 1 Q2%
- Two statements · 1 Q2%
- Assertion–reason · 1 Q2%
Skill tested
SHARE- Calculation · 23 Q42%
- Application · 11 Q20%
- Conceptual · 10 Q18%
- Multi-step · 9 Q16%
- Data or graph · 1 Q2%
- Recall · 1 Q2%
Repeats
New idea, or one asked before?
Each column is a year. Blue questions tested an idea no earlier year had asked; navy ones went back to an idea from an earlier year. 2017 is the first year, so everything in it counts as new. Heights are question counts, and Lumi analysed 1 to 24 shifts a year, so compare the split inside a column rather than heights across years.
- Idea asked for the first time
- Idea asked in an earlier year
Coverage of the topic
JEE Main has asked 20 of the 56 ideas in this topic. 32 have never been asked yet.
- Asked directly20 · 36%
- Touched inside another question4 · 7%
- Never asked32 · 57%
Ideas come from Lumi’s JEE syllabus map. A never-asked idea is not a safe skip: across all of JEE Main, 22% of questions since 2024 tested an idea no earlier year had asked.
Drill down
Chapter, idea, question
Every idea JEE Main tested in this topic, with its eight years. Open one to read the questions.
19 ideas inside
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
Every idea inside this topic
20 different ideas were tested; 9 came more than once.
ratio of de broglie wavelengths
Single correct · 15 shiftsorder/ranking of de broglie wavelengths
Single correct · 7 shiftsde broglie wavelength ratio from velocity change
Single correct · 5 shifts · 2 numericalpotential ratio from wavelength change
Single correct · 5 shifts · 1 numericaltime dependence of wavelength in field
Single correct · 3 shifts · 1 numericalratio of energies at same de broglie wavelength
Single correct · 3 shiftsde broglie wavelength of charge in field
Single correct · 2 shiftswavelength ratio of disintegration fragments
Single correct · 2 shiftsratio of electron to photon wavelength at same energy
Numerical value · 2 shifts · 1 numericalexpression for de broglie wavelength of photoelectron
Single correct · 1 shiftde broglie wavelength of charge in magnetic field
Single correct · 1 shiftgraph interpretation of de broglie wavelength
Diagram based · 1 shiftorder/ranking of de broglie wavelengths
Single correct · 1 shiftstatement i/ii on wave nature of electrons
Two statements · 1 shiftrelation between electron and photon wavelengths
Single correct · 1 shiftassertion-reason on electron microscope resolution
Assertion–reason · 1 shiftratio of position uncertainty for gases at same temperature
Single correct · 1 shiftelectron energy from diffraction maximum
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numericalde broglie wavelength of gas molecule
Single correct · 1 shiftratio of de broglie wavelengths after collision
Single correct · 1 shift
| Idea | Years asked | Times | Shifts | Format | Numerical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wavelength Ratios of Different Particlesratio of de broglie wavelengths | 15 | 15 | Single correctCalculation | – | |
| Wavelength from Kinetic Energyorder/ranking of de broglie wavelengths | 7 | 7 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Basic Wavelength-Momentum Relationde broglie wavelength ratio from velocity change | 5 | 5 | Single correctCalculation | 2 | |
| Wavelength from Accelerating Potentialpotential ratio from wavelength change | 5 | 5 | Single correctCalculation | 1 | |
| Time Rate of Change of Wavelengthtime dependence of wavelength in field | 3 | 3 | Single correctMulti-step | 1 | |
| Electron vs Photon (Same Wavelength)ratio of energies at same de broglie wavelength | 3 | 3 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Wavelength in E-Field as Function of Timede broglie wavelength of charge in field | 2 | 2 | Single correctMulti-step | – | |
| Wavelengths in Radioactive Decaywavelength ratio of disintegration fragments | 2 | 2 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Matter Wave vs Photon Energy Scalingratio of electron to photon wavelength at same energy | 2 | 2 | Numerical valueCalculation | 1 | |
| De Broglie Wavelength of Emitted Photoelectronsexpression for de broglie wavelength of photoelectron | 1 | 1 | Single correctMulti-step | – | |
| Wavelength in a Uniform Magnetic Fieldde broglie wavelength of charge in magnetic field | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Graphical Variation of Wavelength vs Momentumgraph interpretation of de broglie wavelength | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedData or graph | – | |
| Thermal De Broglie Wavelengthorder/ranking of de broglie wavelengths | 1 | 1 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Davisson-Germer Experiment Analysisstatement i/ii on wave nature of electrons | 1 | 1 | Two statementsConceptual | – | |
| Electron vs Photon (Same Energy)relation between electron and photon wavelengths | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Electron Specific Wavelength Formulaassertion-reason on electron microscope resolution | 1 | 1 | Assertion–reasonConceptual | – | |
| Wavelength Uncertainty via Heisenbergratio of position uncertainty for gases at same temperature | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Bragg's Law in Electron Diffractionelectron energy from diffraction maximum | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueCalculation | 1 | |
| Wavelength of Gas Molecule via V_rmsde broglie wavelength of gas molecule | 1 | 1 | Single correctCalculation | – | |
| Wavelength After Elastic Collisionratio of de broglie wavelengths after collision | 1 | 1 | Single correctMulti-step | – |
Times and shifts count every analysed shift. Across JEE Main, 78% of questions since 2024 went back to an idea an earlier year had asked; the rest were new. All repeated ideas
Every question
Matter Waves questions, year by year
The newest 40 show their opening words as they appeared in the official paper; older ones name the idea they tested. Open one for its options and the official answer.
JEE Main 20264 questions in 4 shifts
- 4 Apr, Shift 2Q44The de Broglie wavelength associated with an electron accelerated through a potential difference V is and the de Broglie…
Idea: Wavelength Ratios of Different Particles
EasySingle correct - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q35An electron of mass is moving in an electric field ( = constant ), with an initial velocity…
Idea: Wavelength in E-Field as Function of Time
MediumSingle correct - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q43An electron is travelling with a velocity in free space and when it enters a medium, its velocity is reduced by 20%. The de Broglie…
Idea: Basic Wavelength-Momentum Relation
EasySingle correct - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q47The de Broglie wavelength for an electron accelerated through the potential difference of volt is . When the potential…
Idea: Wavelength from Accelerating Potential
EasyNumerical value
JEE Main 20253 questions in 3 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 2Q33An electron with mass with an initial velocity enters a magnetic field…
Idea: Wavelength in a Uniform Magnetic Field
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 7 Apr, Shift 2Q43A photoemissive substance is illuminated with a radiation of wavelength so that it releases electrons with de-Broglie…
Idea: De Broglie Wavelength of Emitted Photoelectrons
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q50An electron is released from rest near an infinite non-conducting sheet of uniform charge density '' .The rate of change of…
Idea: Time Rate of Change of Wavelength
MediumNumerical value
JEE Main 20246 questions in 5 shifts
- 8 Apr, Shift 1Q44A proton and an electron are associated with same de-Broglie wavelength. The ratio of their kinetic energies is: (Assume…
Idea: Wavelength from Kinetic Energy
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q46A proton and an electron have the same de Broglie wavelength. If and be the kinetic energies of proton and electron…
Idea: Wavelength Ratios of Different Particles
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 9 Apr, Shift 1Q46A proton, an electron and an alpha particle have the same energies. Their de-Broglie wavelengths will be compared as :
Idea: Wavelength from Kinetic Energy
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 1 Feb, Shift 1Q46The de Broglie wavelengths of a proton and an particle are and respectively. The ratio of the velocities of…
Idea: Wavelength Ratios of Different Particles
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 1 Feb, Shift 1Q61According to the wave-particle duality of matter by de-Broglie, which of the following graph plot presents most appropriate relationship…
Idea: Graphical Variation of Wavelength vs Momentum
New ideaEasyDiagram based · figure - 29 Jan, Shift 1Q46The de-Broglie wavelength of an electron is the same as that of a photon. If velocity of electron is 25% of the velocity of light, then…
Idea: Electron vs Photon (Same Wavelength)
MediumSingle correct
JEE Main 20236 questions in 6 shifts
- 6 Apr, Shift 1Q35The kinetic energy of an electron, -particle and a proton are given as 4 K, 2 K and K respectively. The de-Broglie wavelength…
Idea: Wavelength from Kinetic Energy
MediumSingle correct - 8 Apr, Shift 1Q44Proton (P) and electron (e) will have same de-Broglie wavelength when the ratio of their momentum is (assume,…
Idea: Basic Wavelength-Momentum Relation
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 10 Apr, Shift 1Q46The de Broglie wavelength of a molecule in a gas at room temperature (300 K) is . If the temperature of the gas is increased to…
Idea: Thermal De Broglie Wavelength
New ideaEasySingle correct - 11 Apr, Shift 2Q45The ratio of the de-Broglie wavelengths of proton and electron having same Kinetic energy : (Assume )
Idea: Wavelength Ratios of Different Particles
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 12 Apr, Shift 1Q47A proton and an -particle are accelerated from rest by 2 V and 4 V potentials, respectively. The ratio of their de-Broglie…
Idea: Wavelength from Accelerating Potential
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 15 Apr, Shift 1Q45The de Broglie wavelength of an electron having kinetic energy E is . If the kinetic energy of electron becomes ,…
Idea: Wavelength from Kinetic Energy
EasySingle correct
JEE Main 202211 questions in 11 shifts
- 25 Jul, Shift 2Q37The ratio of wavelengths of proton and deuteron accelerated by potential and is . Then, the…
Idea: Wavelength Ratios of Different Particles
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 26 Jul, Shift 1Q83The wavelength of an electron and a neutron will become equal when the velocity of the electron is times the velocity of neutron. The…
Idea: Basic Wavelength-Momentum Relation
Asked the year beforeEasyNumerical value - 26 Jul, Shift 2Q40A nucleus of mass M at rest splits into two parts having masses and . The ratio of de Broglie…
Idea: Wavelengths in Radioactive Decay
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 27 Jul, Shift 1Q47An electron (mass m) with an initial velocity () is moving in an electric field …
Idea: Time Rate of Change of Wavelength
MediumSingle correct - 28 Jul, Shift 1Q47The equation nm can be used to find the de-Brogli wavelength of an electron. In this equation stands for :…
Idea: Wavelength from Accelerating Potential
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 30 Jul, Shift 2Q19The de Broglie wavelength associated with an electron, accelerated through a potential difference of 15056 V, is:
Idea: Wavelength from Accelerating Potential
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 25 Jun, Shift 1Q45Given below are two statements : Statement I : Davisson-Germer experiment establishes the wave nature of electrons. Statement II : If…
Idea: Davisson-Germer Experiment Analysis
New ideaEasyTwo statements - 25 Jun, Shift 2Q46A proton, a neutron, an electron and an -particle have same energy. If and are…
Idea: Wavelength Ratios of Different Particles
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 26 Jun, Shift 1Q47An electron with speed and a photon with speed c have the same de-Broglie wavelength. If the kinetic energy and momentum of electron…
Idea: Electron vs Photon (Same Wavelength)
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 27 Jun, Shift 1Q43An particle and a carbon 12 atom has same kinetic energy K. The ratio of their de-Broglie wavelengths…
Idea: Wavelength Ratios of Different Particles
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 28 Jun, Shift 1Q44The de Broglie wavelengths for an electron and a photon are and respectively. For the same kinetic energy of…
Idea: Electron vs Photon (Same Energy)
New ideaMediumSingle correct
JEE Main 202117 questions in 15 shifts
- 4 Aug, Shift 1Q52The wavelength of a tennis ball of mass 57 g travelling at 80 km h is ________ m. (Nearest integer) [Use : h =…
Idea: Basic Wavelength-Momentum Relation
Asked the year beforeEasyNumerical value - 26 Aug, Shift 2Q8The de-Broglie wavelength of a particle having kinetic energy E is . How much extra energy must be given to this particle so that…
Idea: Wavelength from Kinetic Energy
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 31 Aug, Shift 1Q4A moving proton and electron have the same de-Broglie wavelength. If K and P denote the K.E. and momentum respectively. Then choose the…
Idea: Wavelength Ratios of Different Particles
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 31 Aug, Shift 2Q19Consider two separate ideal gases of electrons and protons having same number of particles. The temperature of both the gases are same.…
Idea: Wavelength Uncertainty via Heisenberg
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 24 Feb, Shift 2Q16The de Broglie wavelength of a proton and -particle are equal. The ratio of their velocities is :
Idea: Wavelength Ratios of Different Particles
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 25 Feb, Shift 1Q12An particle and a proton are accelerated from rest by a potential difference of 200 V. After this, their de Broglie wavelengths…
Idea: Wavelength Ratios of Different Particles
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 25 Feb, Shift 2Q15An electron of mass and a proton of mass are moving with the same speed. The ratio of their de Broglie wavelength…
Idea: Wavelength Ratios of Different Particles
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 25 Feb, Shift 2Q30The wavelength of an X-ray beam is 10 Å. The mass of a fictitious particle having the same energy as that of the X-ray photons is…
Idea: Matter Wave vs Photon Energy Scaling
New ideaMediumNumerical value - 26 Feb, Shift 1Q18Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R. Assertion A : An electron…
Idea: Electron Specific Wavelength Formula
New ideaEasyAssertion–reason - 22 Jul, Shift 2Q10An electron of mass and a proton of mass are accelerated through the same potential difference. The ratio of…
Idea: Wavelength from Accelerating Potential
New ideaEasySingle correct - 25 Jul, Shift 1 · Q6Wavelength from Kinetic EnergyAsked the year beforeEasy
- 25 Jul, Shift 1 · Q7Wavelengths in Radioactive DecayNew ideaEasy
- 25 Jul, Shift 2 · Q19Electron vs Photon (Same Wavelength)New ideaEasy
- 16 Mar, Shift 2 · Q2Wavelength Ratios of Different ParticlesAsked the year beforeMedium
- 17 Mar, Shift 1 · Q18Matter Wave vs Photon Energy ScalingNew ideaMedium
- 18 Mar, Shift 1 · Q8Wavelength Ratios of Different ParticlesAsked the year beforeEasy
- 18 Mar, Shift 2 · Q7Wavelength Ratios of Different ParticlesAsked the year beforeMedium
JEE Main 20207 questions in 7 shifts
- 8 Jan, Shift 2 · Q18Wavelength in E-Field as Function of TimeNew ideaMedium
- 9 Jan, Shift 1 · Q17Wavelength from Kinetic EnergyNew ideaEasy
- 9 Jan, Shift 2 · Q18Time Rate of Change of WavelengthNew ideaMedium
- 2 Sep, Shift 2 · Q17Wavelength Ratios of Different ParticlesNew ideaMedium
- 4 Sep, Shift 1 · Q18Basic Wavelength-Momentum RelationNew ideaMedium
- 5 Sep, Shift 1 · Q25Bragg's Law in Electron DiffractionNew ideaMedium
- 6 Sep, Shift 2 · Q19Wavelength of Gas Molecule via V_rmsNew ideaMedium
JEE Main 20171 question in 1 shift
Questions from the official JEE Main Paper 1 shifts published by NTA (CBSE for 2017). Questions NTA dropped are left out. Topic and idea tags, counts and notes are Lumi’s.