JEE Circular Motion Questions

This page provides a focused collection of JEE Circular Motion Questions for students preparing for JEE Main and JEE Advanced. The PDF placed in the overview section contains selected questions along with detailed video solutions and explanations by IITians. These explanations help students understand the physical idea behind each problem, the forces involved, the equations required, and the steps used to arrive at the answer.Circular Motion questions can test much more than the basic formula for centripetal force. Problems may involve turning vehicles, vertical circles, banking of roads, tension, friction, angular velocity, non-uniform circular motion, and motion viewed from different reference frames. The question set therefore provides useful practice for applying concepts in different situations.

Question 1 JEE Mains

A cylindrical tube $$AB$$ of length $$l$$, closed at both ends contains an ideal gas of 1 mol having molecular weight $$M$$. The tube is rotated in a horizontal plane with constant angular velocity $$\omega$$ about an axis pe1pendicular to $$AB$$ and passing through the edge at end $$A$$ , as shown in the figure. If $$P_{A}$$ and $$P_{B}$$ are the pressures at $$A$$ and $$B$$ respectively, then
(Consider the temperature is same at all points in the tube)

Screenshot_33
Question 2 JEE Mains

Two circular discs, each of radius 10 cm are joined at their centres by a rod of length 30 cm and mass 600 gm as shown in the figure. If the mass of each disc is 600 gm and applied torque between the two discs is $$43\times 10^{5} dyne.cm$$. The angular acceleration of the discs about the given axis AB is_______$$rad/s^{2}$$.

Screenshot_60
Question 3 JEE Mains

A car moving with a speed of 54 km/h takes a turn of radius 20 m. A simple pendulum is suspended from the ceiling of the car. Determine the angle made by the string of the pendulum with the vertical during the turning. (Take $$g = 10$$ m/s$$^2$$)

Question 4 JEE Mains

Two small balls with masses m and 2m are attached to both ends of a rigid rod of length d and negligible mass. If angular momentum of this system is L about an axis (A) passing through its centre of mass and perpendicular to the rod then angular velocity of the system about A is :

Question 5 JEE Mains

A large drum having radius R is spinning around its axis with angular velocity $$\omega$$, as shown in figure. The minimum value of $$\omega$$ 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 as $$\mu$$, is :

38 Slot 2
Question 6 JEE Mains

When the position vector $$\overrightarrow{r}=x\widehat{i}+y\widehat{j}+z\widehat{k}$$ changes sign as $$-\overrightarrow{r}$$, which one of the following vector will not flip under sign change?

Question 7 JEE Mains

The pulley shown in the figure is made using a thin rim and two rods of length equal to the diameter of the rim. The rim and each rod have a mass of M. Two blocks of mass of M and m are attached to two ends of a light string passing over the pulley, which is hinged to rotate freely in vertical plane about its center. The magnitudes of the acceleration experienced by the blocks is ___________
(assume no slipping of string on pulley).

40 slot 2
Question 8 JEE Mains

A uniform bar of length 12 cm and mass 20m lies on a smooth horizontal table. Two point masses m and 2m are moving in opposite directions with same speed of $$\nu$$ and in the same plane as the bar, as shown in the figure below. These masses strike the bar simultaneously and get stuck to it. After collision the entire system is rotating with angular frequency $$\omega$$. The ratio of $$\nu$$ and $$\omega$$ is :

41
Question 9 JEE Mains

Two cars A and B each of mass $$10^{3}$$ kg are moving on parallel tracks separated by a distance of 10 m, in same direction with speeds 72 km/h and 36 km/h. The magnitude of angular momentum of car A with respect to car B is __________ J.s.

Question 10 JEE Mains

Given below are two statements:
Statement I : A satellite is moving around earth in the orbit very close to the earth surface. The time period of revolution of satellite depends upon the density of earth.
Statement II: The time period of revolution of the satellite is $$T= 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{R_{e}}{g}}$$ (for satellite very close to the earth surface), where $$R_{e}$$ radius of earth and g acceleration due to gravity. 

In the light of the above statements , choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Question 11 JEE Mains

Two masses 400 g and 350 g are suspended from the ends of a light string passing over a heavy pulley of radius 2 cm. When released from rest the heavier mass is observed to fall 81 cm in 9 s. The rotational inertia of the pulley is ___ $$kg.m^{2}$$.$$(g=9.8 m/s^{2})$$

Question 12 JEE Mains

A solid sphere of radius 10 cm is rotating about an axis which is at a distance 15cm from its centre. The radius of gyration about this axis is$$\sqrt{n}cm$$. The value of n is

Question 13 JEE Mains

A circular disc has radius $$R_{1}$$ and thickness $$T_{1}$$. Another circular disc made of the same material has radius $$R_{2} and thickness $$T_{2}. If the moment of inertia of both discs are same and $$ \frac{R_{1}}{R_{2}}=2 \text { then }\frac{T_{1}}{T_{2}}=\frac{1}{\alpha} $$. The value of $$\alpha$$ is__________.

Students should attempt the questions independently before watching the solutions. This makes it easier to identify whether the difficulty comes from understanding the motion, drawing the force diagram, choosing the correct equation, or handling the calculation.

ResourceWhat It Provides
JEE Circular Motion QuestionsPractice problems based on important concepts
Question PDFConvenient chapter-wise question practice
Video SolutionsDetailed step-by-step explanations
IITian GuidanceClear reasoning and problem-solving methods
Concept PracticeQuestions ranging from basic to advanced applications
Revision SupportUseful for JEE Main and JEE Advanced preparation

The PDF can be used after completing the chapter and can also form part of a wider JEE Study Material collection for Physics revision.

Important Circular Motion Topics for JEE

Circular Motion becomes easier when students understand how linear and angular quantities are connected. The direction of velocity, acceleration, and force must also be interpreted correctly because these quantities can change even when the speed remains constant.

The main topics to prepare are:

Circular Motion TopicWhat to Practise
Angular VariablesAngular displacement, velocity, and acceleration
Uniform Circular MotionConstant speed and centripetal acceleration
Centripetal ForceResultant force required for circular motion
Circular Motion on Horizontal SurfacesTension, friction, and normal reaction
Vertical Circular MotionTension and energy at different positions
Banking of RoadsSafe turning and banking angle
Conical PendulumAngular speed, tension, and angle
Friction in Circular MotionMaximum speed and limiting conditions
Non-Uniform Circular MotionRadial and tangential acceleration
Relative MotionCircular motion from different frames

A common source of errors is treating centripetal force as an additional force. It is actually the net force directed towards the centre of the circular path. Depending on the problem, this force may be supplied by tension, friction, gravity, normal reaction, or a combination of forces.

Students preparing the chapter through a structured course can revise the concepts first and then move to problem solving. Connecting Circular Motion with Newton's laws, work-energy, and friction is especially useful because many higher-level questions combine these concepts.

JEE Main & Advanced Circular Motion Weightage Analysis

The number of Circular Motion questions is not fixed in every JEE Main shift or JEE Advanced paper. The distribution and difficulty can change from one paper to another. Hence, chapter-wise weightage should be used to plan preparation rather than assuming a fixed number of questions.

Circular Motion is also connected to other Mechanics topics, which means a question may test several concepts within a single problem.

AreaTypical Applications
Uniform Circular MotionSpeed, angular velocity, and centripetal acceleration
Horizontal Circular MotionTension and friction-based problems
Vertical CircleMinimum speed, tension, and energy
BankingFrictionless and rough road conditions
Conical PendulumTension, angular velocity, and geometry
Non-Uniform MotionTangential and radial acceleration
Mixed MechanicsCircular motion with Newton's laws and energy

For JEE Main, practise direct numerical problems first and gradually include problems involving friction, tension, and banking. For JEE Advanced, focus on questions where the force or acceleration changes with position and where more than one concept must be used.

Students should also practise questions from JEE Mains Physics Important Chapters along with Circular Motion rather than studying every chapter in isolation. This helps build the cross-topic thinking needed for Mechanics problems.

Why Practice JEE Circular Motion Questions?

Circular Motion is a concept-driven topic where the diagram and physical interpretation are often more important than immediately selecting a formula. Regular practice helps students recognise the forces acting on an object and determine which component of the net force is responsible for its motion.

Solving JEE Circular Motion Questions helps students:

  • Understand the difference between speed and velocity in circular motion.
  • Identify radial and tangential components of acceleration.
  • Apply Newton's laws to curved paths.
  • Handle tension, friction, and normal reaction problems.
  • Build confidence in vertical-circle and banking questions.
  • Improve speed in multi-step numerical problems.

The most useful approach is to solve a problem first without looking at the explanation. Once you have attempted it, compare your diagram, assumptions, equations, and calculation with the solution.

Students following a JEE Mains Online Coaching program can use these chapter-wise questions as practice after completing the relevant lessons. They can also use the question set during revision before a full mock test to check whether the concepts are clear under time pressure.

Keep a record of questions that required multiple attempts. These problems often reveal specific weaknesses, such as incorrect force direction, confusion between (v) and (\omega), or failure to apply energy conservation at the correct stage.

Tips to Solve Circular Motion Questions Faster

A consistent process can make Circular Motion problems much quicker to solve. Instead of starting with formulas, first understand the geometry and identify the forces acting on the body.

1. Draw the motion clearly

Mark the centre of the circular path, the position of the object, the direction of velocity, and the forces acting on it. A clear sketch can immediately reveal which forces have radial components.

2. Separate radial and tangential effects

For circular motion, analyse the force towards the centre separately from any force responsible for changing the speed.

3. Revise the essential formulas

Concept

Formula

Angular Velocity

$$(\omega=\frac{v}{r})$$

Centripetal Acceleration

$$(a_c=\frac{v^2}{r}=\omega^2r)$$

Centripetal Force

$$(F_c=\frac{mv^2}{r})$$

Time Period

$$(T=\frac{2\pi}{\omega})$$

Frequency

$$(f=\frac{1}{T})$$

Banking Without Friction

$$(\tan\theta=\frac{v^2}{rg})$$

These relations should be revised regularly using you Formula Sheet, but make sure you understand the physical conditions under which each one is applicable.

4. Use energy conservation in vertical circles

When the speed changes with height, do not assume uniform speed. Use conservation of mechanical energy to relate the speed at different positions before applying the force equation.

5. Check the source of centripetal force

Ask which actual force or combination of forces provides the required inward net force. This prevents the common mistake of treating centripetal force as a separate force.

6. Practise different question types

Solve problems involving horizontal circles, vertical circles, friction, banking, conical pendulums, and non-uniform motion. Exposure to different setups makes it easier to recognise the correct approach during the exam.

After completing the chapter, review the questions you got wrong and identify whether the mistake came from the diagram, force analysis, formula selection, sign convention, or calculation. Regular practice with a JEE Mains Formula Sheet, chapter-wise questions, and mock-test revision can make Circular Motion problems much more systematic and manageable.

Frequently Asked Questions