JEE Main · Physics · Gravitation
Orbital Mechanics: JEE Main previous year questions
54 questions in the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, in 7 of 8 years. Pattern: Asked most years. 13 came in 2024–26. Here is how it is asked and which ideas come back.
- Questions
- 54
- in 46 of 108 shifts
- Years asked
- 7/8
- last asked 2026
- Weighted estimate
- 0.3
- model; history: 0.4 a shift on average, typically 0.1–0.6
Key findings
- 01
Asked in 7 of 8 years with analysed shifts and in 46 of 108 shifts: 54 questions, #49 of 196 topics.
- 02
39% of its questions since 2020 tested an idea no earlier year had asked; 27 repeated an idea from the year before.
- 03
The most repeated idea is Orbital Time Period, asked 10 times in 10 shifts (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026), most often as “period ratio from mass and radius”.
- 04
JEE Main has asked 18 of the 60 ideas in this topic; 40 have never been asked, directly or inside another question.
- 05
Mostly asked as single correct (80%); 7% need a numerical answer, 54% are easy and 9% hard.
- 06
The skill tested most is calculation (43%), then conceptual (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: 0 in 1 shift · 2020: 5 in 12 shifts · 2021: 17 in 24 shifts · 2022: 8 in 24 shifts · 2023: 11 in 12 shifts · 2024: 10 in 18 shifts · 2025: 2 in 8 shifts · 2026: 1 in 9 shifts.
- Up to 2023
- 0.4
- a shift, of 25
- Since 2024
- 0.3
- -0.1
- Usual gap
- 1.0 yrs
- between years asking it
- Shifts with it
- 46/108
- 43% of analysed shifts
Revise first
- Orbital Time Period · asked 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026
- Escape Velocity · asked 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Energy of Orbiting Bodies · asked 2022, 2024, 2025
How it is asked
Difficulty, format and skill
Across all 54 questions on Orbital Mechanics since 2017.
Difficulty
QUESTIONS- Easy29 · 54%
- Medium20 · 37%
- Hard5 · 9%
Format
SHARE- Single correct · 43 Q80%
- Numerical value · 4 Q7%
- Two statements · 3 Q6%
- Assertion–reason · 1 Q2%
- Match the list · 1 Q2%
- Diagram based · 1 Q2%
- Other · 1 Q2%
Skill tested
SHARE- Calculation · 23 Q43%
- Conceptual · 11 Q20%
- Multi-step · 10 Q19%
- Application · 8 Q15%
- Recall · 1 Q2%
- Data or graph · 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 18 of the 60 ideas in this topic. 40 have never been asked yet.
- Asked directly18 · 30%
- Touched inside another question2 · 3%
- Never asked40 · 67%
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
Idea, year, question
Every idea JEE Main tested in this topic, with its eight years. Open one to read the questions.
- 2 Apr ’26 S1 · Q30A planet () is moving around the star of mass in the orbit of radius . Another planet () is moving around another star…
easySingle correct
- 4 Apr ’24 S2 · Q37Correct formula for height of a satellite from earths surface is:
mediumSingle correctAsked the year before
- 10 Apr ’23 S2 · Q37The time period of a satellite, revolving above earth's surface at a height equal to R will be (Given m/s, R = radius of…
mediumSingle correctAsked the year before
- 29 Jun ’22 S2 · Q40Read the question
easySingle correctAsked the year before
- 3 Aug ’21 S1 · Q28Read the question
easyNumerical valueAsked the year before
- 24 Feb ’21 S1 · Q5Read the question
easySingle correctAsked the year before
- 25 Feb ’21 S1 · Q6Read the question
mediumSingle correctAsked the year before
- 17 Mar ’21 S2 · Q4Read the question
easySingle correctAsked the year before
- 18 Mar ’21 S2 · Q5Read the question
mediumSingle correctAsked the year before
- 2 Sep ’20 S1 · Q6Read the question
mediumSingle correctNew idea
- 2 Apr ’26 S1 · Q30
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
18 different ideas were tested; 8 came more than once.
period ratio from mass and radius
Single correct · 10 shifts · 1 numericalescape velocity scaling with mass and radius
Single correct · 8 shiftsratio of quantity in two orbits
Single correct · 7 shiftsratio of quantity in two orbits
Single correct · 6 shifts · 1 numericalassertion-reason on kepler's second law
Single correct · 4 shiftskinetic energy of orbiting satellite
Single correct · 4 shifts · 1 numericalspeed of bodies in mutual circular orbit
Single correct · 3 shifts · 1 numericalorbit radius from period and planet mass
Single correct · 2 shiftsnew orbit radius from energy supplied
Single correct · 1 shiftratio of orbital angular momentum with radius
Single correct · 1 shiftstatement i/ii on gravity and earth rotation
Two statements · 1 shiftadditional speed to escape from orbit
Single correct · 1 shiftstatement pair on satellite energies
Two statements · 1 shiftmaximum height for projection below escape speed
Single correct · 1 shiftspeed of particles in mutual gravitational circular motion
Single correct · 1 shifttime period of oscillation in earth tunnel
Single correct · 1 shiftorbit type after inelastic collision of satellite
Single correct · 1 shiftfarthest distance after speed boost in circular orbit
Single correct · 1 shift
| Idea | Years asked | Times | Shifts | Format | Numerical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orbital Time Periodperiod ratio from mass and radius | 10 | 10 | Single correctCalculation | 1 | |
| Escape Velocityescape velocity scaling with mass and radius | 8 | 8 | Single correctCalculation | – | |
| Kepler's Lawsratio of quantity in two orbits | 7 | 7 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Orbital Velocityratio of quantity in two orbits | 6 | 6 | Single correctCalculation | 1 | |
| Areal Velocity and Angular Momentumassertion-reason on kepler's second law | 4 | 4 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Energy of Orbiting Bodieskinetic energy of orbiting satellite | 4 | 4 | Single correctCalculation | 1 | |
| Binary Star Systemsspeed of bodies in mutual circular orbit | 3 | 3 | Single correctCalculation | 1 | |
| Geostationary Satellitesorbit radius from period and planet mass | 2 | 2 | Single correctCalculation | – | |
| Work Done to Shift Orbitsnew orbit radius from energy supplied | 1 | 1 | Single correctMulti-step | – | |
| Angular Momentum Dependence on Radiusratio of orbital angular momentum with radius | 1 | 1 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Effect of Earth's Rotation on Launch Velocitystatement i/ii on gravity and earth rotation | 1 | 1 | Two statementsConceptual | – | |
| Escape from an Orbiting Stateadditional speed to escape from orbit | 1 | 1 | Single correctCalculation | – | |
| Kinetic to Potential Energy Ratiosstatement pair on satellite energies | 1 | 1 | Two statementsConceptual | – | |
| Maximum Height for Sub-Escape Projectionmaximum height for projection below escape speed | 1 | 1 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Multi-Star Polygonal Orbitsspeed of particles in mutual gravitational circular motion | 1 | 1 | Single correctMulti-step | – | |
| Oscillation in an Earth Tunneltime period of oscillation in earth tunnel | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Horizontal Projection Velocity Regimesorbit type after inelastic collision of satellite | 1 | 1 | Single correctMulti-step | – | |
| Velocity at Perigee and Apogeefarthest distance after speed boost in circular orbit | 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
Orbital Mechanics 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 20261 question in 1 shift
- 2 Apr, Shift 1Q30A planet () is moving around the star of mass in the orbit of radius . Another planet () is moving around another star…
Idea: Orbital Time Period
EasySingle correct
JEE Main 20252 questions in 2 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 2Q47A satellite of mass 1000 kg is launched to revolve around the earth in an orbit at a height of 270 km from the earth's surface. Kinetic…
Idea: Energy of Orbiting Bodies
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 7 Apr, Shift 2Q31Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A) : The radius…
Idea: Areal Velocity and Angular Momentum
EasyAssertion–reason
JEE Main 202410 questions in 10 shifts
- 4 Apr, Shift 2Q37Correct formula for height of a satellite from earths surface is:
Idea: Orbital Time Period
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q36Match List I with List II : List I List II (A) Kinetic energy of planet | (I) (B) Gravitation Potential energy of…
Idea: Energy of Orbiting Bodies
MediumMatch the list - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q37A satellite revolving around a planet in stationary orbit has time period 6 hours. The mass of planet is one-fourth the mass of earth. The…
Idea: Geostationary Satellites
MediumSingle correct - 8 Apr, Shift 1Q38Two planets A and B having masses and move around the sun in circular orbits of and radii respectively. If angular…
Idea: Kepler's Laws
Asked the year beforeHardSingle correct - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q36Two satellite A and B go round a planet in circular orbits having radii 4R and R respectively. If the speed of A is , the speed of B…
Idea: Orbital Velocity
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 9 Apr, Shift 1Q36An astronaut takes a ball of mass m from earth to space. He throws the ball into a circular orbit about earth at an altitude of …
Idea: Energy of Orbiting Bodies
MediumSingle correct - 9 Apr, Shift 2Q38A satellite of kg mass is revolving in circular orbit of radius . If J energy is supplied to the satellite,…
Idea: Work Done to Shift Orbits
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 1 Feb, Shift 2Q36A light planet is revolving around a massive star in a circular orbit of radius R with a period of revolution T. If the force of…
Idea: Kepler's Laws
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 30 Jan, Shift 2Q36Escape velocity of a body from earth is . If the radius of a planet be one-third the radius of earth and mass be one-sixth…
Idea: Escape Velocity
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 31 Jan, Shift 2Q36The mass of the moon is times the mass of a planet and its diameter is times the diameter of a planet. If…
Idea: Escape Velocity
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct
JEE Main 202311 questions in 9 shifts
- 6 Apr, Shift 2Q35Choose the incorrect statement from the following:
Idea: Kepler's Laws
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 8 Apr, Shift 1Q35Given below are two statements: Statement I: If E be the total energy of a satellite moving around the earth, then its potential energy…
Idea: Kinetic to Potential Energy Ratios
New ideaEasyTwo statements - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q37The orbital angular momentum of a satellite is L, when it is revolving in a circular orbit at height h from earth surface. If the distance…
Idea: Angular Momentum Dependence on Radius
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 10 Apr, Shift 1Q34Two satellites of masses and revolve around the earth in circular orbits of radii & respectively. The ratio of orbital…
Idea: Orbital Velocity
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 10 Apr, Shift 2Q36Given below are two statements: Statement I : Rotation of the earth shows effect on the value of acceleration due to gravity (g) Statement…
Idea: Effect of Earth's Rotation on Launch Velocity
New ideaEasyTwo statements - 10 Apr, Shift 2Q37The time period of a satellite, revolving above earth's surface at a height equal to R will be (Given m/s, R = radius of…
Idea: Orbital Time Period
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 11 Apr, Shift 2Q33A space ship of mass is launched into a circular orbit close to the earth surface. The additional velocity to…
Idea: Escape from an Orbiting State
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 12 Apr, Shift 1Q31Two satellites A and B move round the earth in the same orbit. The mass of A is twice the mass of B. The quantity which is same for the…
Idea: Orbital Velocity
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 12 Apr, Shift 1Q36The ratio of escape velocity of a planet to the escape velocity of earth will be:- Given: Mass of the planet is 16 times mass of earth and…
Idea: Escape Velocity
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 13 Apr, Shift 2Q35Given below are two statements: Statement I : For a planet, if the ratio of mass of the planet to its radius increases, the escape…
Idea: Escape Velocity
Asked the year beforeEasyTwo statements - 15 Apr, Shift 1Q36Two identical particles each of mass 'm' go round a circle of radius under the action of their mutual gravitational attraction. The…
Idea: Binary Star Systems
MediumSingle correct
JEE Main 20228 questions in 8 shifts
- 27 Jul, Shift 1Q36Two satellites A and B, having masses in the ratio 4:3, are revolving in circular orbits of radii 3r and 4r respectively around the earth.…
Idea: Energy of Orbiting Bodies
New ideaEasySingle correct - 27 Jul, Shift 2Q36A body of mass m is projected with velocity in vertically upward direction from the surface of the earth into space. It is…
Idea: Maximum Height for Sub-Escape Projection
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 30 Jul, Shift 2Q5The time period of X planet of our solar system is 8 years. The distance of earth from the sun is m. The distance of…
Idea: Kepler's Laws
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 24 Jun, Shift 2Q32The distance between Sun and Earth is R. The duration of year if the distance between Sun and Earth becomes 3R will be :
Idea: Kepler's Laws
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 25 Jun, Shift 2Q55Two satellites and are revolving in circular orbits around a planet with radius = 3200 km and = 800 km respectively.…
Idea: Orbital Velocity
Asked the year beforeEasyNumerical value - 28 Jun, Shift 1Q35Two planets A and B of equal mass are having their period of revolutions and such that…
Idea: Kepler's Laws
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 29 Jun, Shift 1Q44The escape velocity of a body on a planet 'A' is . The escape velocity of the body on another planet 'B', whose…
Idea: Escape Velocity
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 29 Jun, Shift 2Q40The time period of a satellite revolving around earth in a given orbit is 7 hours. If the radius of orbit is increased to three times its…
Idea: Orbital Time Period
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct
JEE Main 202117 questions in 11 shifts
- 3 Aug, Shift 1Q28The time period of a satellite of earth is 10 hours. If the separation between the earth and the satellite is increased to 16 times the…
Idea: Orbital Time Period
Asked the year beforeEasyNumerical value - 3 Aug, Shift 2Q6A particle is projected from the mid-point of the line joining two fixed particles each of mass in free space. If the separation…
Idea: Escape Velocity
Asked the year beforeHardSingle correct - 3 Aug, Shift 2Q26Two particles of equal mass 'm' go round a circle of radius under the action of their mutual gravitational attraction. The speed of…
Idea: Binary Star Systems
New ideaMediumNumerical value - 4 Aug, Shift 2Q16The distance of an equatorial satellite from the centre of Earth which is always above a certain place on the Earth’s surface is -
Idea: Geostationary Satellites
New ideaEasySingle correct - 24 Feb, Shift 1Q2Two stars of masses m and 2m at a distance d rotate about their common centre of mass in free space. The period of revolution is :
Idea: Binary Star Systems
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 24 Feb, Shift 1Q3Four identical particles of equal masses 1 kg made to move along the circumference of a circle of radius 1 m under the action of their own…
Idea: Multi-Star Polygonal Orbits
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 24 Feb, Shift 1Q5Consider two satellites and with periods of revolution 1 hr. and 8 hr. respectively revolving around a planet in circular…
Idea: Orbital Time Period
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 25 Feb, Shift 1Q6Two satellites A and B of masses 200 kg and 400 kg are revolving round the earth at height of 600 km and 1600 km respectively. If …
Idea: Orbital Time Period
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct · figure - 26 Feb, Shift 1 · Q3Areal Velocity and Angular MomentumNew ideaEasy
- 26 Feb, Shift 1 · Q8Oscillation in an Earth TunnelNew ideaMedium
- 22 Jul, Shift 2 · Q12Escape VelocityAsked the year beforeHard
- 25 Jul, Shift 1 · Q19Areal Velocity and Angular MomentumNew ideaEasy
- 17 Mar, Shift 2 · Q4Orbital Time PeriodAsked the year beforeEasy
- 18 Mar, Shift 1 · Q14Kepler's LawsNew ideaEasy
- 18 Mar, Shift 2 · Q3Orbital VelocityAsked the year beforeMedium
- 18 Mar, Shift 2 · Q5Orbital Time PeriodAsked the year beforeMedium
- 18 Mar, Shift 2 · Q10Areal Velocity and Angular MomentumNew ideaEasy
JEE Main 20205 questions in 5 shifts
- 9 Jan, Shift 1 · Q5Horizontal Projection Velocity RegimesNew ideaHard
- 9 Jan, Shift 2 · Q7Escape VelocityNew ideaEasy
- 2 Sep, Shift 1 · Q6Orbital Time PeriodNew ideaMedium
- 3 Sep, Shift 1 · Q5Velocity at Perigee and ApogeeNew ideaHard
- 4 Sep, Shift 2 · Q6Orbital VelocityNew ideaEasy
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.