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Mechanical Properties of Fluids appeared 31 times across 3 years — 3.6% of Physics. This question is from Viscosity and Terminal Velocity.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 9 14 8 31

In the experiment for measurement of viscosity η of given liquid with a ball having radius R , consider following statements. A. Graph between terminal velocity V and R will be a parabola B. The terminal velocities of different diameter balls are constant for a given liquid. C. Measurement of terminal velocity is dependent on the temperature. D. This experiment can be utilized to assess the density of a given liquid. E. If balls are dropped with some initial speed, the value of η will change. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula
VT = (2)/(9) R² gη (d - ρ)
Core Logic

Let us check each statement sequentially:

Statement A: Since VT ∝ R², the graph between terminal velocity V and radius R is a quadratic curve, i.e., a parabola. (True)

Statement B: Different diameters imply different radii, hence terminal velocity will change. It is not constant. (False)

Statement C: Viscosity of a liquid is heavily temperature-dependent, hence VT changes with temperature. (True)

Statement D: Knowing the parameters allows calculation of liquid density ρ. (True)

Statement E: η is a material property of the fluid and does not change based on the initial dropping speed of the ball. (False)

Step 1: Final Conclusion

Statements A, C, and D are correct, which matches option (2).

Pattern Recognition

Terminal velocity problems rely entirely on parsing the proportional relations hidden in Stokes' Law formulation. Note that viscosity coefficient is an intrinsic characteristic parameter independent of kinematics.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Reference Study Guides

More Mechanical Properties of Fluids Previous-Year Questions — Page 2

Q45 jee_main_2026_23_january_evening Viscosity and Terminal Velocity
A small metallic sphere of diameter 2 mm and density 10.5 g/cm³ is dropped in glycerine having viscosity 10 Poise and density 1.5 g/cm³ respectively. The terminal velocity attained by the sphere is ____ cm/s. (π = (22)/(7) and g = 10 m/s²)
  • A. 2.0
  • B. 1.0
  • C. 3.0
  • D. 1.5

Solution

Related Formula
VT = (2r² g)/(9η) (ρb - ρ)
Core Logic

Given data: Radius r = 1 mm = 0.1 cm. Density of sphere ρb = 10.5 g/cm³. Density of liquid ρ = 1.5 g/cm³. Viscosity η = 10 Poise = 10 g/cm· s (since 1 Poise = 1 CGS unit of viscosity). Gravity g = 10 m/s² = 1000 cm/s² (Wait, standard gravity for CGS is 980, but the problem specifies g = 10 m/s² = 1000 cm/s²).

Step 1: Calculation in CGS Units
VT = (2)/(9) · ((0.1)² × 1000)/((10)) · (10.5 - 1.5) VT = (2)/(9) · (0.01 × 1000)/(10) · (9) VT = 2 · (10)/(10) · 1 VT = 2 cm/s
Pattern Recognition

Watch the units closely. Poise is the CGS unit for viscosity, so converting all values to CGS (cm, g, s) makes the calculation direct and prevents factor-of-10 errors common when mixing SI and CGS.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Q50 jee_main_2026_24_january_morning Terminal Velocity
Sixty four rain drops of radius 1 mm each falling down with a terminal velocity of 10 cm/s coalesce to form a bigger drop. The terminal velocity of bigger drop is ____ cm/s.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 160 to 160

Solution

Related Formula
VT = (2r² g)/(9η) (ρ - σ)

VT ∝ r²

Core Logic

Coalescing rain drops volume conservation
Coalescing rain drops volume conservation

When 64 small drops (radius R₁) coalesce to form a bigger drop (radius R₂), mass and volume are conserved.

64 ((4)/(3) π R₁³) = (4)/(3) π R₂³ R₂³ = 64 R₁³ R₂ = 4 R₁

Coalescing rain drops volume conservation
Coalescing rain drops volume conservation

Step 1: Terminal Velocity Ratio

Since terminal velocity VT ∝ R²:

((VT)₁)/((VT)₂) = ( (R₁)/(R₂) )² = ( (1)/(4) )² = (1)/(16)

Given (VT)₁ = 10 cm/s:

(10)/((VT)₂) = (1)/(16) (VT)₂ = 160 cm/s
Pattern Recognition

When N identical drops coalesce, the new radius is N1/3 times the old radius. Consequently, the new terminal velocity scales precisely as N2/3. For N=64, 642/3 = 16. Just multiply initial v by 16.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Q37 jee_main_2026_24_january_evening Buoyancy and Archimedes Principle
A cubical block of density ρb = 600 kg/m³ floats in a liquid of density ρₑ = 900 kg/m³ . If the height of block is H = 8.0 cm then height of the submerged part is ____ cm.
  • A. 7.3
  • B. 4.3
  • C. 6.3
  • D. 5.3

Solution

Related Formula
Fbuoyancy = Mg ρliquid Vsubmerged g = ρblock Vtotal g
Core Logic

For a floating block, the weight of the block equals the buoyant force exerted by the liquid.

M g = Fb

ρb × A × H × g = ρₑ × A × h × g
Step 1: Calculation
600 × 8 cm = 900 × h h = (600 × 8)/(900) h = (16)/(3) cm h ≈ 5.33 cm
Pattern Recognition

Submerged fraction is exactly the ratio of densities: (h)/(H) = ρobjectρfluid.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Q50 jee_main_2026_24_january_evening Surface Tension and Work Done
A soap bubble of surface tension 0.04 N/m is blown to a diameter of 7 cm. If (15000 - x) μJ of work is done in blowing it further to make its diameter 14 cm, then the value of x is ____. (π = 2 2 / 7)
Numerical Answer. Answer: 11304 to 11304

Solution

Related Formula
W = Δ U = S · Δ A

For a soap bubble with two surfaces:

Δ A = 2 × 4π (r₂² - r₁²)
Core Logic

Given: S = 0.04 N/m Initial diameter = 7 cm r₁ = 3.5 cm = 3.5 × 10⁻² m Final diameter = 14 cm r₂ = 7 cm = 7 × 10⁻² m

W = S × (8π r₂² - 8π r₁²)
Step 1: Compute the Work Done
W = 0.04 × 8π ((7²) - (3.5²)) × 10⁻⁴ W = 0.04 × 8 × (22)/(7) × (49 - 12.25) × 10⁻⁴ W = 0.04 × 2 × (22)/(7) × (147) × 10⁻⁴ × 4

Wait, the solution uses an alternate factorizing logic: 8π(49 - 12.25) = 8π(36.75) = 294π. Let's follow the PDF strictly:

W = 0.04 × 2 × (22)/(7) × 147 × 10⁻⁴ W = 3696 × 10⁻⁶ J = 3696
Step 2: Solve for x
3696 = 15000 - x x = 15000 - 3696 x = 11304
Pattern Recognition

A soap bubble has two free surfaces; always multiply area changes by 2 (W = 8π S Δ r²). Failing to account for both surfaces yields exactly half the answer, acting as a common trap.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Q4 jee_main_2025_02_april_evening Surface Tension and Surface Energy
Two water drops each of radius r coalesce to form a bigger drop. If T is the surface tension, the surface energy released in this process is:
  • A. 4π r² T [2 - 2(2)/(3)]
  • B. 4π r² T [2 - 2(1)/(3)]
  • C. 4π r² T [1 + √(2)]
  • D. 4π r² T [√(2) - 1]

Solution

Related Formula
  • Surface Energy:
U = T · A = T · (4π R²)
  • Conservation of Volume during coalescence of drops:
2 × ((4)/(3)π r³) = (4)/(3)π R³
Core Logic

When two drops of radius r coalesce into a single larger drop of radius R, volume is conserved:

R³ = 2r³ R = 21/3 r
  • Initial surface area of the two separate drops:
Aᵢ = 2 × 4π r² = 8π r²
  • Final surface area of the combined single drop:
Af = 4π R² = 4π (21/3 r)² = 4π r² 22/3
  • Surface energy released:
Δ E = Uᵢ - Uf = T(Aᵢ - Af) Δ E = T ( 8π r² - 4π r² 22/3 ) = 4π r² T [ 2 - 22/3 ]
Pattern Recognition

Sees: Coalescence of N identical drops. Trap: Forgetting to conserve volume first, or confusing initial and final surface areas. Shortcut: Energy released when N drops coalesce into one big drop is:

Δ E = 4π r² T [ N - N2/3 ]

Here, substituting N = 2 directly gives 4π r² T [ 2 - 22/3 ].

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids

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