JEE Main · Physics ↓ Falling

Kinematics appeared 38 times across 3 years — 4.4% of Physics. This question is from One-Dimensional Motion Curves.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 8 16 14 38

Which of the following curves possibly represent one-dimensional motion of a particle? (A)
Phase vs time plot for Q7 (A)
Displays graph A showing phase varying over time, graph B showing velocity versus displacement, graph C showing velocity versus negative time, and graph D showing distance versus time.
(B)
Phase vs time plot for Q7 (A)
Displays graph A showing phase varying over time, graph B showing velocity versus displacement, graph C showing velocity versus negative time, and graph D showing distance versus time.
(C)
Phase vs time plot for Q7 (A)
Displays graph A showing phase varying over time, graph B showing velocity versus displacement, graph C showing velocity versus negative time, and graph D showing distance versus time.
(D)
Phase vs time plot for Q7 (A)
Displays graph A showing phase varying over time, graph B showing velocity versus displacement, graph C showing velocity versus negative time, and graph D showing distance versus time.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

For realistic physical motion in one dimension:

  • Time t can never be negative during a normal positive time sequence, and cannot flow backwards.
  • Total distance covered can never decrease over time.
  • A particle cannot have two different values of position or velocity at the exact same instant of time.
Core Logic

Let us analyze each curve:

  • Curve (A) (Phase φ vs Time t): Represents φ = kt + C, which is a valid linear relationship of phase over time (e.g., in Simple Harmonic Motion x = A (kt + C)). (Valid)
  • Curve (B) (Velocity v vs Displacement x): A closed loop, which represents symmetric harmonic-type oscillation. For example, v² + ω² x² = const (ellipse) is a perfectly physically valid 1D SHM velocity-displacement phase portrait. (Valid)
  • Curve (C) (Velocity vs Time): The curve enters into the negative time quadrant. Time cannot go backwards or exist in negative values relative to starting sequence in standard physical scenarios. (Invalid)
  • Curve (D) (Total Distance vs Time): Represents total distance increasing over time. Total distance is a non-decreasing function of time (d(d)/dt ≥ 0). Thus, this curve is physically valid. (Valid)
Step 1: Conclusion

Therefore, curves A, B, and D possibly represent physical one-dimensional motion. The correct option is (1).

Pattern Recognition

Quick check for graph validity:

  • Time cannot run backwards (ruling out C).
  • Total distance can never decrease (D is valid because it strictly goes upwards).
  • v vs x can be circular/elliptical in SHM (B is valid).
Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Motion in a Straight Line

More Kinematics Previous-Year Questions — Page 6

Q60 jee_main_2024_01_february_morning Kinematics
A particle is moving in one dimension (along x-axis) under the action of a variable force. It's initial position was 16~m right of origin. The variation of its position (x) with time (t) is given as x = -3t³ + 18t² + 16t where x is in m and t is in s. The velocity of the particle when its acceleration becomes zero is _______ m/s.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 52 to 52

Solution

Related Formula

Velocity via first derivative of position:

v = (dx)/(dt)

Acceleration via derivative of velocity:

a = (dv)/(dt) = (d²x)/(dt²)
Core Logic

Given x(t) = -3t³ + 18t² + 16t. Differentiate once to find velocity v(t):

v = (dx)/(dt) = -9t² + 36t + 16

Differentiate again to find acceleration a(t):

a = (dv)/(dt) = -18t + 36
Step 1: Find the Time When Acceleration is Zero

Set the acceleration equation to zero:

-18t + 36 = 0 18t = 36 t = 2~s
Step 2: Calculate Velocity at Target Time

Substitute t = 2~s back into the velocity function:

v(2) = -9(2)² + 36(2) + 16 v(2) = -36 + 72 + 16 = 36 + 16 = 52~ms⁻¹

Note on original structural text step matching: The original calculation step text features a minor print truncation (v = -9t² + 36 + 16), but explicitly evaluates out to the correct total of 52~m/s.

Pattern Recognition

Inflection point tracking: Finding where acceleration equals zero is mathematically identical to finding the maximum velocity point on the curve.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Motion in a Straight Line

Q47 jee_main_2024_29_january_evening Kinematics of Linear Motion
A particle is moving in a straight line. The variation of position x as a function of time t is given as x = (t³ - 6t² + 20t + 15) m. The velocity of the body when its acceleration becomes zero is:
  • A. 4 m/s
  • B. 8 m/s
  • C. 10 m/s
  • D. 6 m/s

Solution

Related Formula

The relationship between position x, velocity v, and acceleration a is given by differentiation with respect to time t:

v = (dx)/(dt) a = (dv)/(dt)
Core Logic

Given position:

x = t³ - 6t² + 20t + 15

Differentiating once to find velocity v:

v = (dx)/(dt) = 3t² - 12t + 20

Differentiating again to find acceleration a:

a = (dv)/(dt) = 6t - 12
Step 1: Determine Time when Acceleration is Zero

Set the acceleration to zero:

a = 0 6t - 12 = 0 t = 2 seconds

So, the acceleration becomes zero at t = 2 s.

Step 2: Calculate Velocity at this Time

Substitute t = 2 s into the velocity equation:

v = 3(2)² - 12(2) + 20 v = 3(4) - 24 + 20 v = 12 - 24 + 20 = 8 m/s

Thus, the velocity is 8 m/s.

Pattern Recognition

Sees: displacement function of degree 3 → acceleration is linear in time. The zero of a linear function of form At - B = 0 is easily calculated, and substituting back resolves to a basic quadratic.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Motion in a Straight Line

Q31 jee_main_2024_27_jan_morning Velocity and Acceleration in Two Dimensions
Position of an ant (S in metres) moving in Y-Z plane is given by S = 2t² j + 5 k (where t is in seconds). The magnitude and direction of velocity of the ant at t = 1 s will be:
  • A. 16 m/s in y-direction
  • B. 4 m/s in x-direction
  • C. 9 m/s in z-direction
  • D. 4 m/s in y-direction

Solution

Related Formula
v = d Sdt
Core Logic

Differentiating the position vector with respect to time gives the velocity vector:

v = (d)/(dt)(2t² j + 5 k) = 4t j
Step 1: Evaluation at given time

Substitute t = 1 s into the velocity expression:

v = 4(1) j = 4 j m/s
Pattern Recognition

Constant term vectors (like 5 k) drop out during differentiation. The resulting velocity only has a component along the j direction, confirming motion purely parallel to the y-axis at that instant.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Kinematics

Q51 jee_main_2024_27_jan_morning Motion in a Plane with Constant Acceleration
A particle starts from the origin at t = 0 with a velocity 5 i m/s and moves in the x-y plane under the action of a force which produces a constant acceleration of (3 i + 2 j) m/s². If the x-coordinate of the particle at that instant is 84 m, then the speed of the particle at this time is √(a) m/s. The value of a is ______.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 673 to 673

Solution

Related Formula
vₓ² - uₓ² = 2 aₓ x vy = uy + ay t
Core Logic

Analyze the motion along the x-axis first to find the final x-velocity component (uₓ = 5 m/s, aₓ = 3 m/s², x = 84 m):

vₓ² - 5² = 2(3)(84) vₓ² - 25 = 504 vₓ² = 529 vₓ = 23 m/s
Step 1: Compute time interval

Using the velocity relation along the x-axis:

vₓ = uₓ + aₓ t 23 = 5 + 3t 3t = 18 t = 6 s
Step 2: Evaluate y-axis velocity component

Since uy = 0 and ay = 2 m/s², calculate vy at t = 6 s:

vy = 0 + 2(6) = 12 m/s
Step 3: Total net speed calculation
v² = vₓ² + vy² = 23² + 12² = 529 + 144 = 673 v = √(673) m/s

Comparing this with √(a) yields a = 673.

Pattern Recognition

Splitting coordinates explicitly isolates vector calculation lines cleanly, optimizing equation selections relative to independent components.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Kinematics

Q jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning Projectile Motion
A ball rolls off the top of a stairway with horizontal velocity u. The steps are 0.1 ~m high and 0.1 ~m wide. The minimum velocity u with which that ball just hits the step 5 of the stairway will be √(x) ~ms⁻¹ where x = ________ [use g = 10 ~m/s²].
Numerical Answer. Answer: 2 to 2

Solution

Related Formula

For a projectile fired horizontally from height h with speed u:

Horizontal Range R = u · t Vertical Displacement h = (1)/(2) g t²
Core Logic

To just clear step 4 and land on the tread of step 5, the flight trajectory must pass beyond the outer corner boundary vertex of the 4th step.

Therefore, net horizontal distance required to cross 4 complete steps is:

R = 4 × 0.1 ~m = 0.4 ~m

Similarly, net vertical fall matching the top of the 4th step level is:

h = 4 × 0.1 ~m = 0.4 ~m

Trajectory diagram of a ball clearing step corners on a staircase grid for Q52
Trajectory diagram of a ball clearing step corners on a staircase grid for Q52

Step 1: Determine Time of Flight

Using the vertical kinematic equation:

0.4 = (1)/(2) × 10 × t² 0.4 = 5 t² t² = (0.4)/(5) = 0.08 ~s²
Step 2: Determine Velocity

Using the horizontal path equation:

R = u · t R² = u² · t²

Substituting range and time values:

(0.4)² = u² × 0.08 0.16 = u² × 0.08 u² = (0.16)/(0.08) = 2 u = √(2) ~m/s
Step 3: Extract x

Matching the parameter form u = √(x), we find:

x = 2

Pattern Recognition

To clear the n-th step, the projectile must safely pass the outer point of step (n-1). Treat the geometric coordinates of corners as bounding constraints (x = (n-1)w, y = (n-1)h) to configure kinematics instantaneously.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Motion in a Plane

More Kinematics Questions — jee_main_2025_03_april_morning

Practice all Kinematics previous-year questions →

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