JEE Main · Physics · Laws of Motion
Newton's Laws of Motion: JEE Main previous year questions
57 questions in the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, in 7 of 8 years. Pattern: Asked most years. 18 came in 2024–26. Here is how it is asked and which ideas come back.
- Questions
- 57
- in 50 of 108 shifts
- Years asked
- 7/8
- last asked 2026
- Weighted estimate
- 0.5
- model; history: 0.5 a shift on average, typically 0.4–0.7
Key findings
- 01
Asked in 7 of 8 years with analysed shifts and in 50 of 108 shifts: 57 questions, #44 of 196 topics. The years that asked it were 1.5 apart on average.
- 02
50% of its questions since 2020 tested an idea no earlier year had asked; 19 repeated an idea from the year before.
- 03
The most repeated idea is F=ma for Single Body, asked 9 times in 9 shifts (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026), most often as “position under constant force vector”.
- 04
JEE Main has asked 24 of the 53 ideas in this topic; 21 have never been asked, directly or inside another question.
- 05
Mostly asked as single correct (63%); 23% need a numerical answer, 53% are easy and 11% hard.
- 06
The skill tested most is calculation (39%), then multi-step (28%).
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: 0 in 12 shifts · 2021: 11 in 24 shifts · 2022: 20 in 24 shifts · 2023: 7 in 12 shifts · 2024: 11 in 18 shifts · 2025: 3 in 8 shifts · 2026: 4 in 9 shifts.
- Up to 2023
- 0.5
- a shift, of 25
- Since 2024
- 0.4
- 0.0
- Usual gap
- 1.5 yrs
- between years asking it
- Shifts with it
- 50/108
- 46% of analysed shifts
Recent framings
- numerical: friction coefficient in accelerating pulley system
- numerical: tension ratio in pulley system
- numerical: time to slide on accelerating wedge
Revise first
- F=ma for Single Body · asked 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
- Standard Atwood Machine · asked 2022, 2024, 2026
- Momentum Formulation (F = dp/dt) · asked 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
How it is asked
Difficulty, format and skill
Across all 57 questions on Newton's Laws of Motion since 2017.
Difficulty
QUESTIONS- Easy30 · 53%
- Medium21 · 37%
- Hard6 · 11%
Format
SHARE- Single correct · 36 Q63%
- Numerical value · 13 Q23%
- Diagram based · 6 Q11%
- Assertion–reason · 1 Q2%
- Two statements · 1 Q2%
Skill tested
SHARE- Calculation · 22 Q39%
- Multi-step · 16 Q28%
- Application · 14 Q25%
- Conceptual · 4 Q7%
- Diagram reading · 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 24 of the 53 ideas in this topic. 21 have never been asked yet.
- Asked directly24 · 45%
- Touched inside another question8 · 15%
- Never asked21 · 40%
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.
23 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
24 different ideas were tested; 10 came more than once.
position under constant force vector
Single correct · 9 shifts · 3 numericalnumber of bullets from average force
Single correct · 7 shiftsmass ratio from atwood acceleration
Single correct · 5 shiftshorizontal force for rope equilibrium
Single correct · 5 shifts · 1 numericalforce on floor for accelerating stacked blocks
Single correct · 4 shifts · 1 numericaltensions in strings connecting pulled blocks
Numerical value · 3 shifts · 2 numericalforce on system with string-pulley constraint
Diagram based · 3 shiftsforce by smooth incline on body in equilibrium
Diagram based · 2 shifts · 1 numericalfriction coefficient in accelerating pulley system
Numerical value · 2 shifts · 1 numericaltensions in strings supporting suspended weight
Numerical value · 2 shifts · 1 numericaltime to slide on accelerating wedge
Single correct · 1 shiftvelocity after constant force over time
Single correct · 1 shiftacceleration in pulley and incline system
Diagram based · 1 shiftforce by support on suspended chain and load
Single correct · 1 shiftassertion-reason on inertia
Assertion–reason · 1 shiftforce from velocity as function of position
Single correct · 1 shiftacceleration of block hit by water jet
Single correct · 1 shifthorizontal force holding block on incline
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numericalacceleration of chain over pulley
Single correct · 1 shiftrope tension for monkey climbing up and down
Single correct · 1 shifttension in string between balls on table
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numericalacceleration just after string is cut
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numericalfuel burn rate for given rocket acceleration
Single correct · 1 shiftdrag constant from energy decay
Single correct · 1 shift
| Idea | Years asked | Times | Shifts | Format | Numerical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F=ma for Single Bodyposition under constant force vector | 9 | 9 | Single correctCalculation | 3 | |
| Momentum Formulation (F = dp/dt)number of bullets from average force | 7 | 7 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Standard Atwood Machinemass ratio from atwood acceleration | 5 | 5 | Single correctCalculation | – | |
| Static Equilibriumhorizontal force for rope equilibrium | 5 | 5 | Single correctApplication | 1 | |
| Apparent Weight in Accelerating Framesforce on floor for accelerating stacked blocks | 4 | 4 | Single correctApplication | 1 | |
| Ideal String Tensiontensions in strings connecting pulled blocks | 3 | 3 | Numerical valueApplication | 2 | |
| Constrained Motionforce on system with string-pulley constraint | 3 | 3 | Diagram basedMulti-step | – | |
| Forces on a Smooth Inclineforce by smooth incline on body in equilibrium | 3 | 2 | Diagram basedMulti-step | 1 | |
| Pseudo Force Applicationfriction coefficient in accelerating pulley system | 2 | 2 | Numerical valueMulti-step | 1 | |
| Equilibrium of a String Junction (Knot)tensions in strings supporting suspended weight | 2 | 2 | Numerical valueApplication | 1 | |
| Wedge (Normal Contact) Constrainttime to slide on accelerating wedge | 1 | 1 | Single correctMulti-step | – | |
| Impulse from Force-Time Graphsvelocity after constant force over time | 1 | 1 | Single correctCalculation | – | |
| Movable Pulley Acceleration Formulaacceleration in pulley and incline system | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedMulti-step | – | |
| Static Tension in a Massive Stringforce by support on suspended chain and load | 1 | 1 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Newton's First Lawassertion-reason on inertia | 1 | 1 | Assertion–reasonConceptual | – | |
| Position-Dependent Force Integrationforce from velocity as function of position | 1 | 1 | Single correctCalculation | – | |
| Force Exerted by a Fluid Jetacceleration of block hit by water jet | 1 | 1 | Single correctCalculation | – | |
| Force Resolution on Inclined Planeshorizontal force holding block on incline | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueCalculation | 1 | |
| Hanging Chain on Smooth Tableacceleration of chain over pulley | 1 | 1 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Monkey Climbing Rope Problemsrope tension for monkey climbing up and down | 1 | 1 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Slipping Chain on a Smooth Tabletension in string between balls on table | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueMulti-step | 1 | |
| Instantaneous Acceleration: Cutting Springsacceleration just after string is cut | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueApplication | 1 | |
| Rocket Propulsion Thrustfuel burn rate for given rocket acceleration | 1 | 1 | Single correctCalculation | – | |
| Velocity-Dependent Force (Drag)drag constant from energy decay | 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
Newton's Laws of Motion 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 3 shifts
- 4 Apr, Shift 2Q28At , a body of mass 100 g starts moving under the influence of a force N. After 2 s its position is…
Idea: F=ma for Single Body
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q29Three masses kg, kg and kg are suspended from a fixed smooth frictionless pulley as shown in the figure…
Idea: Standard Atwood Machine
MediumSingle correct · figure - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q30A wedge with mass of 10 kg and all frictionless surfaces and the inclined surface making with horizontal. A block with…
Idea: Wedge (Normal Contact) Constraint
New ideaHardSingle correct · figure - 6 Apr, Shift 1Q29Two blocks ( and ) with respectively masses 2 kg and 1.5 kg are joined by a massless thread. These blocks are mounted on a…
Idea: Pseudo Force Application
HardSingle correct · figure
JEE Main 20253 questions in 3 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 2Q29A body of mass 1 kg is suspended with the help of two strings making angles as shown in figure. Magnitudes of tensions and ,…
Idea: Equilibrium of a String Junction (Knot)
EasySingle correct · figure - 7 Apr, Shift 2Q28An object with mass 500 g moves along -axis with speed m/s. The force acting on the object is :
Idea: F=ma for Single Body
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q27A body of mass 2 kg moving with velocity of enters into a constant force field of…
Idea: Impulse from Force-Time Graphs
New ideaEasySingle correct
JEE Main 202411 questions in 10 shifts
- 5 Apr, Shift 1Q33A wooden block of mass 5 kg rests on a soft horizontal floor. When an iron cylinder of mass 25 kg is placed on the top of the block, the…
Idea: Apparent Weight in Accelerating Frames
EasySingle correct - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q52Three blocks , , having masses 4 kg, 6 kg and 10 kg respectively are hanging from a smooth pulley using rope 1, 2 and 3 as…
Idea: Ideal String Tension
MediumNumerical value · figure - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q34A particle moves in - plane under the influence of a force such that its linear momentum is…
Idea: Momentum Formulation (F = dp/dt)
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 6 Apr, Shift 1Q32A light string passing over a smooth light pulley connects two blocks of masses and (where ). If the acceleration…
Idea: Standard Atwood Machine
MediumSingle correct - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q34A body of weight 200 N is suspended from a tree branch through a chain of mass 10 kg. The branch pulls the chain by a force equal to (if…
Idea: Static Tension in a Massive String
New ideaEasySingle correct - 9 Apr, Shift 1Q34A light unstretchable string passing over a smooth light pulley connects two blocks of masses and . If the acceleration of the…
Idea: Standard Atwood Machine
EasySingle correct - 9 Apr, Shift 2Q34A kg mass is suspended from the ceiling by a rope of length m. A horizontal force is applied at the mid point of the rope so…
Idea: Static Equilibrium
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct · figure - 1 Feb, Shift 2Q34A body of mass kg experiences two forces and…
Idea: F=ma for Single Body
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 30 Jan, Shift 1Q34All surfaces shown in figure are assumed to be frictionless and the pulleys and the string are light. The acceleration of the block of…
Idea: Movable Pulley Acceleration Formula
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure - 30 Jan, Shift 2Q33Three blocks , and are pulled on a horizontal smooth surface by a force of as shown in figure The tensions and…
Idea: Ideal String Tension
EasySingle correct · figure - 31 Jan, Shift 2Q33A light string passing over a smooth light fixed pulley connects two blocks of masses and . If the acceleration of the system…
Idea: Standard Atwood Machine
EasySingle correct · figure
JEE Main 20237 questions in 7 shifts
- 8 Apr, Shift 1Q36At any instant the velocity of a particle of mass is . If the force acting on…
Idea: F=ma for Single Body
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 10 Apr, Shift 2Q41Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R Assertion A : An electric fan…
Idea: Newton's First Law
New ideaEasyAssertion–reason - 11 Apr, Shift 1Q49An average force of 125 N is applied on a machine gun firing bullets each of mass 10 g at the speed of 250 m/s to keep it in position. The…
Idea: Momentum Formulation (F = dp/dt)
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 11 Apr, Shift 2Q35A body of mass moves along x-axis such that it's velocity varies with displacement x according to the relation…
Idea: Position-Dependent Force Integration
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 12 Apr, Shift 1Q45Three forces =10 N, =8 N, =6 N are acting on a particle of mass 5 kg. The forces and are applied…
Idea: Static Equilibrium
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 13 Apr, Shift 1Q35A bullet of 10 g leaves the barrel of gun with a velocity of 600 m/s. If the barrel of gun is 50 cm long and mass of gun is 3 kg, then…
Idea: Momentum Formulation (F = dp/dt)
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 15 Apr, Shift 1Q40The position vector of a particle related to time is given by The direction of…
Idea: Momentum Formulation (F = dp/dt)
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct
JEE Main 202220 questions in 16 shifts
- 25 Jul, Shift 1Q52Four forces are acting at a point P in equilibrium as shown in figure. The ratio of force to is where ______.
Idea: Static Equilibrium
Asked the year beforeEasyNumerical value · figure - 25 Jul, Shift 2Q35For a free body diagram shown in the figure, the four forces are applied in the 'x' and 'y' directions. What additional force must be…
Idea: Static Equilibrium
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct · figure - 26 Jul, Shift 1Q31Three masses kg, kg and kg are arranged in a system as shown in figure. All the surfaces are frictionless…
Idea: Constrained Motion
Asked the year beforeHardSingle correct · figure - 26 Jul, Shift 1Q48A monkey of mass 50 kg climbs on a rope which can withstand the tension (T) of 350 N. If monkey initially climbs down with an acceleration…
Idea: Monkey Climbing Rope Problems
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 26 Jul, Shift 2Q33A ball of mass 0.15 kg hits the wall with its initial speed of and bounces back without changing its initial speed.…
Idea: Momentum Formulation (F = dp/dt)
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 26 Jul, Shift 2Q48Two masses and are tied together at the two ends of a light inextensible string that passes over a frictionless pulley. When…
Idea: Standard Atwood Machine
New ideaEasyDiagram based · figure - 27 Jul, Shift 2Q34A block 'A' takes 2 s to slide down a frictionless incline of and length 'l', kept inside a lift going up with uniform velocity…
Idea: Forces on a Smooth Incline
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 27 Jul, Shift 2Q60Two inclined planes are placed as shown in figure. A block is projected from the Point A of inclined plane AB along its surface with a…
Idea: Forces on a Smooth Incline
New ideaMediumNumerical value · figure - 28 Jul, Shift 1Q34A balloon has mass of 10 g in air. The air escapes from the balloon at a uniform rate with velocity 4.5 cm/s. If the balloon shrinks in 5…
Idea: Momentum Formulation (F = dp/dt)
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 28 Jul, Shift 2Q4A uniform metal chain of mass m and length 'L' passes over a massless and frictionless pulley. It is released from rest with a part of its…
Idea: Hanging Chain on Smooth Table
New ideaMediumSingle correct · figure - 29 Jul, Shift 2Q44Two bodies of masses = 5 kg and = 3 kg are connected by a light string going over a smooth light pulley on a smooth inclined…
Idea: Forces on a Smooth Incline
New ideaEasyDiagram based · figure - 25 Jun, Shift 1Q60A force on an object of mass 100 g is N. The position of that object at t = 2 s is m after…
Idea: F=ma for Single Body
Asked the year beforeEasyNumerical value - 25 Jun, Shift 2Q53A block of mass 200 g is kept stationary on a smooth inclined plane by applying a minimum horizontal force as shown in…
Idea: Force Resolution on Inclined Planes
New ideaMediumNumerical value · figure - 26 Jun, Shift 1Q32A person is standing in an elevator. In which situation, he experiences weight loss ?
Idea: Apparent Weight in Accelerating Frames
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 26 Jun, Shift 2Q32In the arrangement shown in figure and are the accelerations of masses and respectively. Which of…
Idea: Constrained Motion
Asked the year beforeHardDiagram based · figure - 26 Jun, Shift 2 · Q53Slipping Chain on a Smooth TableNew ideaMedium
- 27 Jun, Shift 2 · Q51Equilibrium of a String Junction (Knot)New ideaMedium
- 28 Jun, Shift 1 · Q57Ideal String TensionNew ideaMedium
- 29 Jun, Shift 1 · Q41Force Exerted by a Fluid JetNew ideaMedium
- 29 Jun, Shift 2 · Q47Apparent Weight in Accelerating FramesAsked the year beforeEasy
JEE Main 202111 questions in 10 shifts
- 4 Aug, Shift 1 · Q22Instantaneous Acceleration: Cutting SpringsNew ideaEasy
- 4 Aug, Shift 2 · Q18Momentum Formulation (F = dp/dt)New ideaMedium
- 26 Aug, Shift 1 · Q16Rocket Propulsion ThrustNew ideaMedium
- 27 Aug, Shift 2 · Q5Constrained MotionNew ideaHard
- 31 Aug, Shift 1 · Q23Pseudo Force ApplicationNew ideaMedium
- 31 Aug, Shift 2 · Q3Static EquilibriumNew ideaEasy
- 26 Feb, Shift 1 · Q22F=ma for Single BodyNew ideaEasy
- 26 Feb, Shift 1 · Q23Apparent Weight in Accelerating FramesNew ideaEasy
- 26 Feb, Shift 2 · Q10F=ma for Single BodyNew ideaMedium
- 25 Jul, Shift 2 · Q6F=ma for Single BodyNew ideaEasy
- 16 Mar, Shift 2 · Q23F=ma for Single BodyNew ideaEasy
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.