JEE Main · Physics ↓ Falling

Laws of Motion appeared 34 times across 3 years — 3.9% of Physics. This question is from Newton Second Law Applications.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 9 10 15 34

A balloon and its content having mass M is moving up with an acceleration 'a'. The mass that must be released from the content so that the balloon starts moving up with an acceleration '3a' will be : (Take 'g' as acceleration due to gravity) [cite: 174, 175]

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

By Newton's second law of motion, the net upward force acting on an accelerating balloon system is given by:

Fbuoyant - mtotal g = mtotal a
Core Logic

Let F be the constant buoyant force acting upward on the balloon.

Case 1 (Initial upward acceleration) :

F - M g = M a F = M(g + a)

Case 2 (After releasing mass x) : The new total mass becomes (M - x), and its acceleration increases to 3a:

F - (M - x)g = (M - x)3a

Substitute the value of F from Case 1 into Case 2 [cite: 836, 839]:

M(g + a) - (M - x)g = (M - x)3a M g + M a - M g + x g = 3 M a - 3 x a M a + x g = 3 M a - 3 x a x(g + 3a) = 2 M a x = (2 M a)/(3a + g)
Step 1: Visual Context

The free-body force layout for both accelerating phases is shown below:

Newton Second Law Applications free body diagrams for Q20
Newton Second Law Applications free body diagrams for Q20

Newton Second Law Applications free body diagrams for Q20
Newton Second Law Applications free body diagrams for Q20

Pattern Recognition

Since the upward buoyant force is completely determined by the balloon's volume, it remains constant. Expressing this constant force in terms of the initial conditions allows you to quickly solve for mass changes when acceleration states vary.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Laws of Motion

Reference Study Guides

More Laws of Motion Previous-Year Questions

Q31 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning Force and Acceleration
A 4 kg mass moves under the influence of a force F = (4t³ i - 3t j) N where t is the time in second. If mass starts from origin at t = 0, the velocity and position after t = 2s will be:
  • A. v = 3 i +(3)/(2) j, r = (6)/(5) i + j
  • B. v = 4 i -(3)/(2) j, r = (8)/(5) i - j
  • C. v = 4 i +(5)/(2) j, r = (8)/(5) i +2 j
  • D. v = 4 i -(3)/(2) j, r = (6)/(5) i - j

Solution

Related Formula
a = Fm v = ∫ a dt r = ∫ v dt
Core Logic

Given F = 4t³ i - 3t j and mass m = 4 kg. Acceleration:

a = Fm = 4t³ i - 3t j4 = t³ i - (3)/(4)t j
Step 1: Calculating Velocity

Velocity is the integral of acceleration with v(0) = 0:

v = ∫ ( t³ i - (3)/(4)t j ) dt = (t⁴)/(4) i - (3)/(8)t² j

At t = 2 s:

v(2) = ((2)⁴)/(4) i - (3)/(8)(2)² j = 4 i - (3)/(2) j
Step 2: Calculating Position

Position is the integral of velocity with r(0) = 0:

r = ∫ v dt = ∫ ( (t⁴)/(4) i - (3)/(8)t² j ) dt r = (t⁵)/(20) i - (3)/(24)t³ j = (t⁵)/(20) i - (t³)/(8) j

At t = 2 s:

r(2) = ((2)⁵)/(20) i - ((2)³)/(8) j = (32)/(20) i - (8)/(8) j = (8)/(5) i - j
Pattern Recognition

Recognize F → a → v → r means consecutive integrations. Because the initial state is from rest at origin, we don't have to worry about constants of integration.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Laws of Motion Class 11 Physics: Kinematics

Q43 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening Circular Motion
A large drum having radius R is spinning around its axis with angular velocity ω, as shown in figure. The minimum value of ω so that a body of mass M remains stuck to the inner wall of the drum, taking the coefficient of friction between the drum surface and mass M is μ, is :
Spinning drum with mass M for Q43 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Large drum of radius R spinning about its vertical axis with mass M stuck to the inner wall.
  • A. √((μ g)/(R))
  • B. √((2g)/(μ R))
  • C. √((g)/(2μ R))
  • D. √((g)/(μ R))

Solution

Related Formula

N = Mω² R

fmax = μ N

f = Mg

Core Logic

Free body diagram for spinning drum Q43 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Large drum of radius R spinning about its vertical axis with mass M stuck to the inner wall.

For the mass M to remain stuck to the inner wall and not slide down, the upward frictional force must balance the downward gravitational force. f = Mg The normal force N providing the friction is generated by the centrifugal effect (or provides the centripetal acceleration): N = Mω² R The condition for no sliding is that required friction cannot exceed the maximum static friction: Mg ≤ μ N

Step 1: Final Conclusion

Substitute N into the inequality:

Mg ≤ μ (Mω² R) g ≤ μ ω² R ω² ≥ (g)/(μ R)

For minimum angular velocity:

ωmin = √((g)/(μ R))
Pattern Recognition

In a "rotor" ride setup, gravity is opposed by friction, and the normal force is solely centripetal. Equating μ Fc to mg always yields the minimum spin limit.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Laws of Motion

Q28 jee_main_2026_23_january_evening Motion on Inclined Plane
A block is sliding down on an inclined plane of slope θ and at an instant t = 0 this block is given an upward momentum so that it starts moving up on the inclined surface with velocity u . The distance (S) travelled by the block before its velocity become zero, is ____. (g = gravitational acceleration)
  • A. (u²)/(4g θ)
  • B. (2u²)/(g θ)
  • C. u²√(2)g θ
  • D. (u²)/(2g θ)

Solution

Related Formula

v² = u² + 2as

Core Logic

Motion on Inclined Plane diagram for Q28 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Motion on Inclined Plane diagram for Q28 - JEE Main 2026 Evening

Since the surface is frictionless (implied as no friction coefficient is given), the only force along the incline opposing the upward motion is the component of gravity, mg θ.

Acceleration a = -g θ.

Step 1: Apply Kinematic Equation

Using the third equation of motion: V² = U² + 2as

Set final velocity V = 0:

0 = u² - 2(g θ) S S = (u²)/(2g θ)
Pattern Recognition

For upward motion on a smooth incline, deceleration is purely g θ. The stopping distance is always u² / 2a.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Laws of Motion Class 11 Physics: Kinematics

Q36 jee_main_2026_24_january_morning Spring Force
A spring of force constant 15 N/m is cut into two pieces. If the ratio of their length is 1:3, then the force constant of smaller piece is ____ N/m
  • A. 15
  • B. 20
  • C. 60
  • D. 45

Solution

Related Formula
K = constant K ∝ (1)/( )
Core Logic

Spring cut into pieces diagram
Spring cut into pieces diagram

The spring of total length is cut into two parts with a length ratio of 1:3. The lengths of the two pieces are: ₁ = (1)/(4) (smaller piece) ₂ = (3)/(4) (larger piece)

Step 1: Calculate Spring Constant of Smaller Piece

Since K = K' ', for the smaller piece:

K = K' (( )/(4))

K' = 4K Given K = 15 N/m:

K' = 4 × 15 = 60 N/m
Pattern Recognition

Spring constant is inversely proportional to spring length. Cutting a spring to 1/n of its length increases its stiffness by a factor of n.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Laws of Motion

Q49 jee_main_2026_24_january_morning Friction
In the given figure the blocks A, B and C weigh 4 kg, 6 kg and 8 kg respectively. The co-efficient of sliding friction between any two surfaces is 0.5. The force F required to slide the block C with constant speed is ____ N. (Used g = 10 m/s²)
Stacked blocks with friction and string
Three stacked blocks A, B, C with an external pulling force F applied to C.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 210 to 210

Solution

Related Formula

fk = μk N

Fₙₑₜ = 0 (for constant speed)
Core Logic

Free body diagram for stacked blocks
Three stacked blocks A, B, C with an external pulling force F applied to C.

Since C moves with constant speed, a=0, meaning net force is zero. For block A (4 kg) over B, sliding friction fA = μ (mA)g = 0.5 × 4 × 10 = 20 N. For block B (6 kg) over C, the normal force includes block A. NB = (mA + mB)g = 100 N. Friction on B from C is fB = 0.5 × 100 = 50 N. For block C (8 kg) over ground, normal force is total weight NC = (mA + mB + mC)g = 180 N. Friction on C from ground is fC = 0.5 × 180 = 90 N.

Step 1: Force Balance Equations

For block B to move relative to A and C (assuming standard string configuration where pulling C left causes B to be dragged right relative to C via pulley): The tension T on B balances friction from A and C:

T = fA + fB = 20 + 50 = 70 N

For block C moving left, the force F must overcome friction from ground, friction from B, and the tension T attached to it (depending on pulley setup. If pulley is on wall, string pulls C right): Assuming standard setup where string connects B and C around wall pulley:

F = fC + fB + T F = 90 + 50 + 70 = 210 N
Pattern Recognition

In multi-block pulley systems, pulling the bottom block accumulates all nested friction forces. The bottom block fights the ground, the block above it, AND the tension of the string anchoring the block above it.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Laws of Motion

More Laws of Motion Questions — jee_main_2025_28_jan_evening

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