An object is projected with kinetic energy K from a point A at an angle 60° with the horizontal. The ratio of the difference in kinetic energies points B and C to that at point A (see figure), in the absence of air friction is :
Projectile Motion diagram for Q39 - JEE Main 2026 Morning
Parabolic path of a projectile marked with start A, peak B, and end C.

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula
K = (1)/(2)mu² Kₓ = (1)/(2)m(u θ)² = K ² θ
Core Logic

For a projectile with no air resistance, horizontal velocity remains constant. At the highest point (B), the vertical velocity is zero, so the kinetic energy is entirely due to the horizontal velocity. At point C, it hits the ground with the same speed as projected, restoring full kinetic energy.

Step 1: Find KE at distinct points
(KE)A = K = (1)/(2)mu²

At maximum height (B), velocity is vB = u 60° = (u)/(2).

(KE)B = (1)/(2)m((u)/(2))² = (1)/(4)((1)/(2)mu²) = (K)/(4)

At landing point (C), speed is identical to initial speed u.

(KE)C = K
Step 2: Calculate Ratio

The required ratio is between the difference in kinetic energies at points C and B, to that at point A:

Ratio = KC - KBKA Ratio = (K - (K)/(4))/(K) = ((3K)/(4))/(K) = (3)/(4)
Pattern Recognition

Sees: "KE at highest point" → Substitute K ² θ. For θ = 60°, 60° = 1/2, so KB = K/4. The difference with ground is 3K/4.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Motion in a Plane

Reference Study Guides

More Motion in a Plane 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 Motion in a Plane Questions — jee_main_2026_23_january_morning

Practice all Motion in a Plane previous-year questions →

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