JEE Main · Physics ↓ Falling

Kinematics appeared 38 times across 3 years — 4.4% of Physics. This question is from Motion in Two Dimensions.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 8 16 14 38

A river is flowing from west to east direction with speed of 9~km~h⁻¹. If a boat capable of moving at a maximum speed of 27~km~h⁻¹ in still water, crosses the river in half a minute, while moving with maximum speed at an angle of 150° to direction of river flow, then the width of the river is:

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula
v⊥ = vbr θ w = v⊥ · t
Core Logic

Let the West-to-East river flow direction be along the positive x-axis. The boat's velocity relative to water is vbr = 27~km/h at an angle of 150° with respect to the river flow (which is 30° upstream from the perpendicular crossing line).

To find the width of the river, we only need the component of the boat's velocity perpendicular to the river bank (y-axis):

v⊥ = vbr (150°) = 27 (150°) = 27 × (1)/(2) = 13.5~km/h

Convert this velocity to SI units:

v⊥ = 13.5 × (5)/(18)~m/s = 3.75~m/s

Given the crossing time is half a minute (t = 30~s):

w = v⊥ · t = 3.75 × 30 = 112.5~m
Step 1: Final Conclusion

The width of the river is 112.5~m.

Pattern Recognition

In river-boat crossing problems, river velocity (vᵣ) only causes drift along the bank; it has zero impact on crossing time or the crossing width calculations when the angle is defined relative to the flow. Use the vertical velocity component exclusively.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Kinematics

Velocity components diagram
Velocity components diagram

More Kinematics Previous-Year Questions — Page 8

Q44 jee_main_2024_31_jan_evening Vector Algebra
If two vectors A and B having equal magnitude R are inclined at an angle θ, then
  • A. | A - B| = √(2)R ((θ)/(2))
  • B. | A + B| = 2R ((θ)/(2))
  • C. | A + B| = 2R ((θ)/(2))
  • D. | A - B| = 2R ((θ)/(2))

Solution

Related Formula

The magnitude of the resultant vector is given by:

| Rᵣₑₛ| = √(A² + B² + 2AB θ)
Core Logic

Let | A| = | B| = R. Then for vector addition:

| A + B| = √(R² + R² + 2R² θ)
Step 1: Simplify Addition Form
| A + B| = √(2R² (1 + θ))

Using the trigonometric identity 1 + θ = 2 ² ((θ)/(2)):

| A + B| = √(2R² × 2 ² ((θ)/(2))) = 2R ((θ)/(2))
Step 2: Cross-check Subtraction Form

For subtraction:

| A - B| = √(R² + R² - 2R² θ) | A - B| = √(2R² (1 - θ)) = √(2R² × 2 ² ((θ)/(2))) = 2R ((θ)/(2))

Checking options, only | A + B| = 2R ((θ)/(2)) is correctly paired in the choice list.

Pattern Recognition

Standard geometry shortcut: Addition of two equal vectors yields a cosine half-angle dependency. Subtraction yields a sine half-angle dependency. (+ → ), (- → ).

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Motion in a Plane

Q jee_main_2024_31_jan_morning Projectile Motion
A body starts falling freely from height H hits an inclined plane in its path at height h. As a result of this perfectly elastic impact, the direction of the velocity of the body becomes horizontal. The value of (H)/(h) for which the body will take the maximum time to reach the ground is
Numerical Answer. Answer: 2 to 2

Solution

Related Formula
t = √((2d)/(g))
Core Logic

Projectile Motion diagram for Q55 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
Projectile Motion diagram for Q55 - JEE Main 2024 Morning

The body falls freely from height H to height h. The distance fallen is (H - h). Time taken to fall this distance:

t₁ = √((2(H - h))/(g))

After elastic impact, the vertical velocity becomes zero (the entire velocity is directed horizontally). From height h, it now acts as a horizontal projectile. The time taken to reach the ground vertically from height h is:

t₂ = √((2h)/(g))

Total time of flight T = t₁ + t₂:

T = √((2(H - h))/(g)) + √((2h)/(g))
Step 2: Maximizing Time

To find the maximum time T, differentiate T with respect to h and equate to zero:

(dT)/(dh) = √((2)/(g)) ( -12√(H - h) + 12√(h) ) = 0 12√(h) = 12√(H - h) √(H - h) = √(h)

Squaring both sides: H - h = h H = 2h

(H)/(h) = 2
Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Kinematics

Q33 jee_main_2024_31_jan_morning Differentiation In Kinematics
The relation between time 't' and distance 'x' is t = α x² + β x, where α and β are constants. The relation between acceleration (a) and velocity (v) is:
  • A. a = -2α v³
  • B. a = -5α v⁵
  • C. a = -3α v²
  • D. a = -4α v⁴

Solution

Related Formula
v = (dx)/(dt) a = (dv)/(dt) = v(dv)/(dx)
Step 1: Differentiate with respect to time

Given the equation:

t = α x² + β x

Differentiating with respect to time t:

(dt)/(dt) = (d)/(dt)(α x² + β x) 1 = 2α x (dx)/(dt) + β (dx)/(dt) 1 = (2α x + β) v v = (2α x + β)⁻¹
Step 2: Calculate Acceleration

Now, acceleration a = (dv)/(dt). Differentiating v with respect to time t:

a = (d)/(dt) [ (2α x + β)⁻¹ ] a = -1(2α x + β)⁻² · (d)/(dt)(2α x + β) a = -(2α x + β)⁻² · (2α) (dx)/(dt)

Substitute v and (2α x + β)⁻² = v²:

a = -(v²) · (2α) · v a = -2α v³
Pattern Recognition

Standard kinematic shortcut: Whenever t = Ax² + Bx, v = (2Ax+B)⁻¹ and a = -2A v³. Memorizing this directly saves derivation time during the exam.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Kinematics

More Kinematics Questions — jee_main_2025_02_april_morning

Practice all Kinematics previous-year questions →

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