JEE Main · Physics · Thermodynamics
Thermodynamic Processes: JEE Main previous year questions
52 questions in the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, in 7 of 8 years. Pattern: Asked most years. 21 came in 2024–26. Here is how it is asked and which ideas come back.
- Questions
- 52
- in 48 of 108 shifts
- Years asked
- 7/8
- last asked 2026
- Weighted estimate
- 0.5
- model; history: 0.4 a shift on average, typically 0.3–0.6
Key findings
- 01
Asked in 7 of 8 years with analysed shifts and in 48 of 108 shifts: 52 questions, #52 of 196 topics.
- 02
42% of its questions since 2020 tested an idea no earlier year had asked; 22 repeated an idea from the year before.
- 03
The most repeated idea is Adiabatic Process Analysis, asked 16 times in 15 shifts (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026), most often as “work done in adiabatic expansion”.
- 04
JEE Main has asked 16 of the 59 ideas in this topic; 38 have never been asked, directly or inside another question.
- 05
Mostly asked as single correct (50%); 17% need a numerical answer, 42% are easy and 8% hard. It went up from 0.3 to 0.6 questions a shift since 2024.
- 06
The skill tested most is conceptual (25%), then calculation (23%).
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: 7 in 12 shifts · 2021: 12 in 24 shifts · 2022: 8 in 24 shifts · 2023: 4 in 12 shifts · 2024: 11 in 18 shifts · 2025: 7 in 8 shifts · 2026: 3 in 9 shifts.
- Up to 2023
- 0.3
- a shift, of 25
- Since 2024
- 0.6
- 0.3
- Usual gap
- 1.0 yrs
- between years asking it
- Shifts with it
- 48/108
- 44% of analysed shifts
Recent framings
- numerical: final volume in adiabatic piston compartments
- order/ranking of work in isothermal processes
- ratio of heat, energy change and work in isobaric process
Revise first
- Adiabatic Process Analysis · asked 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
- Cyclic Process Work · asked 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Isothermal Process Analysis · asked 2021, 2023, 2025
How it is asked
Difficulty, format and skill
Across all 52 questions on Thermodynamic Processes since 2017.
Difficulty
QUESTIONS- Easy22 · 42%
- Medium26 · 50%
- Hard4 · 8%
Format
SHARE- Single correct · 26 Q50%
- Diagram based · 11 Q21%
- Numerical value · 9 Q17%
- Match the list · 4 Q8%
- Other · 1 Q2%
- Two statements · 1 Q2%
Skill tested
SHARE- Conceptual · 13 Q25%
- Calculation · 12 Q23%
- Data or graph · 10 Q19%
- Multi-step · 8 Q15%
- Application · 4 Q8%
- Recall · 4 Q8%
- 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 16 of the 59 ideas in this topic. 38 have never been asked yet.
- Asked directly16 · 27%
- Touched inside another question5 · 8%
- Never asked38 · 64%
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.
13 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
16 different ideas were tested; 8 came more than once.
work done in adiabatic expansion
Single correct · 15 shifts · 1 numericalnet work in cyclic process on p-v diagram
Diagram based · 7 shifts · 2 numericaladiabatic temperature ratio from length ratio
Numerical value · 5 shifts · 3 numericaltrue statement selection on molar heat capacity from graph
Diagram based · 5 shifts · 2 numericalmatch list on thermodynamic processes
Diagram based · 3 shiftsmatch list on thermodynamic processes
Match the list · 3 shiftsconvert cycle between thermodynamic diagrams
Diagram based · 3 shiftsthermodynamic quantities for free expansion
Numerical value · 2 shifts · 1 numericalratio of heat, energy change and work in isobaric process
Single correct · 1 shiftorder/ranking of work in isothermal processes
Single correct · 1 shiftgraph interpretation of p-t lines for densities
Diagram based · 1 shifttrue statement selection on p-v processes
Single correct · 1 shiftwork done in adiabatic compression of gas
Single correct · 1 shiftorder of work in isothermal adiabatic isobaric expansion
Single correct · 1 shifttype of process in sudden gas expansion
Single correct · 1 shiftcompare internal energy and work from p-v diagram
Diagram based · 1 shift
| Idea | Years asked | Times | Shifts | Format | Numerical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adiabatic Process Analysiswork done in adiabatic expansion | 16 | 15 | Single correctCalculation | 1 | |
| Cyclic Process Worknet work in cyclic process on p-v diagram | 7 | 7 | Diagram basedData or graph | 2 | |
| Adiabatic T-V and P-T Relationsadiabatic temperature ratio from length ratio | 5 | 5 | Numerical valueApplication | 3 | |
| Polytropic Process Analysistrue statement selection on molar heat capacity from graph | 5 | 5 | Diagram basedCalculation | 2 | |
| Isobaric Process Analysismatch list on thermodynamic processes | 3 | 3 | Diagram basedData or graph | – | |
| Isothermal Process Analysismatch list on thermodynamic processes | 3 | 3 | Match the listRecall | – | |
| Indicator Diagram Conversionsconvert cycle between thermodynamic diagrams | 3 | 3 | Diagram basedData or graph | – | |
| Free Expansion of Ideal Gasthermodynamic quantities for free expansion | 2 | 2 | Numerical valueConceptual | 1 | |
| Heat Fractions in Isobaric Processesratio of heat, energy change and work in isobaric process | 1 | 1 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Work Comparison in Gas Compressionsorder/ranking of work in isothermal processes | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Isochoric Process Analysisgraph interpretation of p-t lines for densities | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedData or graph | – | |
| P-V Curve Slopestrue statement selection on p-v processes | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Adiabatic Work Evaluationwork done in adiabatic compression of gas | 1 | 1 | Single correctCalculation | – | |
| Work Comparison in Gas Expansionsorder of work in isothermal adiabatic isobaric expansion | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Irreversible Adiabatic Processestype of process in sudden gas expansion | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| State vs. Path Functionscompare internal energy and work from p-v diagram | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedData or graph | – |
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
Thermodynamic Processes 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 20263 questions in 3 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 1Q33Heat is supplied to a diatomic gas at constant pressure. Then the ratio of is ______.
Idea: Heat Fractions in Isobaric Processes
New ideaEasySingle correct - 6 Apr, Shift 1Q55Arrange the following isothermal processes in order of the magnitude of the work (p V) involved between states 1 and 2. A. Expansion…
Idea: Work Comparison in Gas Compressions
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q30A cylinder with adiabatic walls is closed at both ends and is divided into two compartments by a frictionless adiabatic piston. Ideal gas…
Idea: Adiabatic Process Analysis
Asked the year beforeHardSingle correct
JEE Main 20257 questions in 7 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 1Q31In an adiabatic process, which of the following statements is true ?
Idea: Adiabatic Process Analysis
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 2 Apr, Shift 2Q32Identify the characteristics of an adiabatic process in a monoatomic gas. (A) Internal energy is constant. (B) Work done in the process is…
Idea: Adiabatic Process Analysis
Asked the year beforeMediumOther - 3 Apr, Shift 2Q33An ideal gas exists in a state with pressure , volume . It is isothermally expanded to 4 times of its initial…
Idea: Cyclic Process Work
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q33Match List - I with List - II. List - I List - II (A) Isobaric (I) (B) Isochoric (II) (C)…
Idea: Isobaric Process Analysis
Asked the year beforeEasyMatch the list - 7 Apr, Shift 1Q48An ideal gas has undergone through the cyclic process as shown in the figure. Work done by the gas in the entire cycle is _______…
Idea: Cyclic Process Work
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value · figure - 7 Apr, Shift 2Q34Match List - I with List - II. List - I | List - II (A) Isothermal | (I) (work done) (B) Adiabatic | (II) …
Idea: Isothermal Process Analysis
EasyMatch the list - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q33A monoatomic gas having is stored in a thermally insulated container and the gas is suddenly compressed to…
Idea: Adiabatic Process Analysis
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct
JEE Main 202411 questions in 9 shifts
- 4 Apr, Shift 1Q39P-T diagram of an ideal gas having three different densities (in three different cases) is shown in the figure.…
Idea: Isochoric Process Analysis
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q39A sample of gas at temperature is adiabatically expanded to double its volume. Adiabatic constant for the gas is . The…
Idea: Adiabatic Process Analysis
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q49During an adiabatic process, if the pressure of a gas is found to be proportional to the cube of its absolute temperature, then the ratio…
Idea: Adiabatic T-V and P-T Relations
MediumSingle correct - 9 Apr, Shift 1Q38A sample of mole gas at temperature T is adiabatically expanded to double its volume. If adiabatic constant for the gas is…
Idea: Adiabatic Process Analysis
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 9 Apr, Shift 1Q39The volume of an ideal gas () is changed adiabatically from litres to litres. The ratio of initial pressure to final…
Idea: Adiabatic Process Analysis
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 9 Apr, Shift 2Q36A real gas within a closed chamber at undergoes the cyclic process as shown in figure. The gas obeys equation for…
Idea: Cyclic Process Work
Asked the year beforeHardSingle correct · figure - 1 Feb, Shift 1Q38The pressure and volume of an ideal gas are related as (Constant). The work done when the gas is taken from state A…
Idea: Polytropic Process Analysis
MediumSingle correct - 1 Feb, Shift 1Q63Choose the correct option for free expansion of an ideal gas under adiabatic condition from the following :
Idea: Free Expansion of Ideal Gas
EasySingle correct - 30 Jan, Shift 1Q38Two thermodynamical processes are shown in the figure. The molar heat capacity for process A and B are and . The molar heat…
Idea: Polytropic Process Analysis
HardDiagram based · figure - 30 Jan, Shift 2Q38Choose the correct statement for processes & shown in figure.
Idea: P-V Curve Slopes
New ideaMediumSingle correct · figure - 31 Jan, Shift 1Q38The given figure represents two isobaric processes for the same mass of an ideal gas, then
Idea: Isobaric Process Analysis
EasySingle correct · figure
JEE Main 20234 questions in 4 shifts
- 10 Apr, Shift 1Q33Consider two containers A and B containing monoatomic gases at the same Pressure (P), Volume (V) and Temperature (T). The gas in A is…
Idea: Adiabatic Process Analysis
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 10 Apr, Shift 2Q34A gas is compressed adiabatically, which one of the following statement is NOT true.
Idea: Adiabatic Process Analysis
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 11 Apr, Shift 2Q34The Thermodynamic process, in which internal energy of the system remains constant is
Idea: Isothermal Process Analysis
EasySingle correct - 15 Apr, Shift 1Q33A thermodynamic system is taken through cyclic process. The total work done in the process is :
Idea: Cyclic Process Work
EasyDiagram based · figure
JEE Main 20228 questions in 7 shifts
- 25 Jul, Shift 1Q37A certain amount of gas of volume at C temperature and pressure expands isothermally until…
Idea: Adiabatic Process Analysis
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 26 Jul, Shift 1Q44A monoatomic gas at pressure P and volume V is suddenly compressed to one eighth of its original volume. The final pressure at constant…
Idea: Adiabatic Process Analysis
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 29 Jul, Shift 1Q53The pressure and density of diatomic gas changes suddenly to (>) and …
Idea: Adiabatic T-V and P-T Relations
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 27 Jun, Shift 2Q37For a perfect gas, two pressures P and P are shown in figure. The graph shows :
Idea: Isobaric Process Analysis
New ideaEasyDiagram based · figure - 28 Jun, Shift 1Q37Given below are two statements : Statement – I : When amount of an ideal gas undergoes adiabatic change from state…
Idea: Adiabatic Process Analysis
Asked the year beforeMediumTwo statements - 28 Jun, Shift 1Q844.0 L of an ideal gas is allowed to expand isothermally into vacuum until the total volume is 20 L. The amount of heat absorbed in this…
Idea: Free Expansion of Ideal Gas
New ideaEasyNumerical value - 29 Jun, Shift 2Q38Starting with the same initial conditions, an ideal gas expands from volume to in three different ways. The work done by the…
Idea: Work Comparison in Gas Expansions
New ideaEasySingle correct - 30 Jun, Shift 1Q41A sample of monoatomic gas is taken at initial pressure of 75 kPa. The volume of the gas is then compressed from 1200 to…
Idea: Adiabatic Work Evaluation
New ideaMediumSingle correct
JEE Main 202112 questions in 11 shifts
- 3 Aug, Shift 1Q53An ideal monoatomic gas traverses the cycle ABCD as shown below in the figure. The work done during the cycle is PV. The value of …
Idea: Cyclic Process Work
New ideaEasyNumerical value · figure - 31 Aug, Shift 2Q22A sample of gas with is taken through an adiabatic process in which the volume is compressed from 1200 cm to 300…
Idea: Adiabatic Process Analysis
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 24 Feb, Shift 1Q9n mole of a perfect gas undergoes a cyclic process ABCA (see figure) consisting of the following processes. A → B : Isothermal expansion…
Idea: Cyclic Process Work
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure - 24 Feb, Shift 1Q10Match List I with List II. List I | List II (a) Isothermal | (i) Pressure constant (b) Isochoric | (ii) Temperature constant (c) Adiabatic…
Idea: Isothermal Process Analysis
New ideaEasyMatch the list - 24 Feb, Shift 2Q5If one mole of an ideal gas at is allowed to expand reversibly and isothermally (A to B) its pressure is reduced to one-half…
Idea: Cyclic Process Work
New ideaHardDiagram based · figure - 25 Feb, Shift 1Q29In a certain thermodynamical process, the pressure of a gas depends on its volume as . The work done when the temperature changes…
Idea: Polytropic Process Analysis
New ideaMediumNumerical value - 25 Feb, Shift 2Q5Thermodynamic process is shown below on a P-V diagram for one mole of an ideal gas. If then the ratio of temperature…
Idea: Polytropic Process Analysis
New ideaEasyDiagram based · figure - 26 Feb, Shift 2 · Q23Polytropic Process AnalysisNew ideaMedium
- 25 Jul, Shift 1 · Q20Adiabatic T-V and P-T RelationsAsked the year beforeEasy
- 17 Mar, Shift 2 · Q19Indicator Diagram ConversionsAsked the year beforeMedium
- 18 Mar, Shift 1 · Q4Adiabatic Process AnalysisAsked the year beforeMedium
- 18 Mar, Shift 2 · Q9Adiabatic Process AnalysisAsked the year beforeEasy
JEE Main 20207 questions in 7 shifts
- 8 Jan, Shift 1 · Q8Indicator Diagram ConversionsNew ideaMedium
- 9 Jan, Shift 1 · Q7Indicator Diagram ConversionsNew ideaMedium
- 9 Jan, Shift 2 · Q21Adiabatic T-V and P-T RelationsNew ideaMedium
- 2 Sep, Shift 1 · Q22Adiabatic T-V and P-T RelationsNew ideaMedium
- 3 Sep, Shift 1 · Q7Irreversible Adiabatic ProcessesNew ideaEasy
- 4 Sep, Shift 2 · Q9Adiabatic Process AnalysisNew ideaEasy
- 5 Sep, Shift 1 · Q8State vs. Path FunctionsNew ideaMedium
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.