JEE Properties of Solids and Liquids PYQs
JEE Properties of Solids and Liquids PYQs are previous year questions covering elasticity, fluid pressure, buoyancy, viscosity, surface tension and capillary action. Solving them helps you understand how solids deform under forces, how pressure varies within fluids and how liquids behave during flow or at their surfaces.
To solve these JEE Questions, first identify the physical process involved: stretching, compression, shearing, fluid equilibrium, fluid flow or a surface effect. Then list the given quantities and check the conditions of the relevant formula. For example, elastic moduli describe deformation within the linear elastic range, while Stokes’ law applies to slow flow around a small sphere.
This blog provides a downloadable PYQ PDF, a formula PDF, a quick-reference table and common mistakes to avoid. When revising JEE Mains Physics Important Chapters, use this chapter to strengthen your application of force, pressure and energy concepts across solid and fluid mechanics.
JEE Properties of Solids and Liquids Important PYQs PDF
Download the Top 50 JEE Properties of Solids and Liquids PYQs PDF below for chapter-wise practice. Attempt each question independently before checking the solution, and review whether an error came from the concept, formula selection, unit conversion or calculation.
During revision, focus on stress and strain, elastic moduli, hydrostatic pressure, Pascal’s law, buoyancy, continuity, Bernoulli’s principle, viscosity and surface tension. Draw a labelled diagram for problems involving fluid levels, capillary tubes, stretched wires or forces on immersed objects.
After practising individual topics, solve JEE Advanced previous papers to work through questions that connect these concepts with other areas of Physics. Follow this with a JEE Advanced mock test to assess your accuracy, question selection and time management across the paper.
Important Formulas for JEE Properties of Solids and Liquids PYQs
The key Properties of Solids and Liquids Formulas for JEE cover elastic deformation, pressure, buoyancy, fluid flow, viscosity and surface effects. Learn what each quantity represents and when each equation applies. In particular, distinguish gauge pressure from absolute pressure and account for the number of liquid surfaces in surface tension problems.
Download the formula PDF below for revision. The table lists the main equations along with their conditions and meanings.
| Concept | Formula | Condition or Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Longitudinal Stress | $$\sigma = \frac{F}{A}$$ | Axial force divided by the original cross-sectional area |
| Longitudinal Strain | $$\varepsilon = \frac{\Delta L}{L}$$ | Change in length divided by original length; dimensionless |
| Young’s Modulus | $$Y = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon} = \frac{FL}{A\Delta L}$$ | For longitudinal deformation in the linear elastic range |
| Bulk Modulus | $$K = -\frac{\Delta P}{\Delta V/V}$$ | The negative sign accounts for volume decreasing when pressure increases |
| Shear Modulus | $$G = \frac{F/A}{\Delta x/L}$$ | For small shear deformation; F acts parallel to the surface |
| Elastic Energy Stored in a Stretched Wire | $$U = \frac{1}{2}F\Delta L$$ | For gradual stretching from zero extension in the linear elastic range |
| Pressure | $$P = \frac{F_{\perp}}{A}$$ | Normal force per unit area for uniform pressure |
| Hydrostatic Pressure | $$P = P_0 + \rho gh$$ | At depth h below a surface at pressure P₀, for a fluid of constant density |
| Buoyant Force | $$F_B = \rho_{\text{fluid}}gV_{\text{displaced}}$$ | Equals the weight of fluid displaced by the immersed part of the object |
| Equation of Continuity | $$A_1v_1 = A_2v_2$$ | For steady incompressible flow through a stream tube, using cross-sectional average speeds |
| Bernoulli’s Equation | $$P + \frac{1}{2}\rho v^2 + \rho gh = \text{constant}$$ | Along a streamline for steady, incompressible, non-viscous flow with no energy added or removed |
| Surface Tension Force | $$F = S\ell$$ | For one surface, when the force acts along the measured direction; a soap film on a movable wire gives F = 2Sℓ |
| Capillary Rise or Depression | $$h = \frac{2S\cos\theta}{\rho gr}$$ | For a narrow circular tube of radius r; θ is measured through the liquid, with gas density neglected |
| Excess Pressure Inside a Liquid Drop | $$\Delta P = \frac{2S}{r}$$ | For a spherical drop with one liquid-gas interface |
| Excess Pressure Inside a Soap Bubble | $$\Delta P = \frac{4S}{r}$$ | For a thin spherical soap bubble with two surfaces of approximately equal radius |
| Viscous Force Magnitude | $$F = \eta A\left|\frac{dv}{dy}\right|$$ | For a Newtonian fluid; use F = ηAv/d when the velocity gradient is uniform |
| Stokes’ Law | $$F_D = 6\pi\eta rv$$ | Drag on a sphere moving slowly relative to a viscous fluid at very low Reynolds number, away from boundaries |
| Terminal Speed of a Sphere | $$v_t = \frac{2r^2(\rho_s-\rho_f)g}{9\eta}$$ | For a sphere settling under gravity when Stokes’ law applies and density ρₛ exceeds fluid density ρբ |
Here, A is area, L is original length, ΔL is extension, ρ is density, S is surface tension and η is dynamic viscosity. In the terminal-speed formula, ρs and ρf represent the densities of the sphere and fluid respectively. The symbol r represents the radius specified in each problem.
Stress, pressure and elastic moduli have SI units of pascals. Strain has no unit, surface tension is measured in N/m, and dynamic viscosity is measured in Pa·s. Convert radii, diameters, areas and volumes to consistent units before substituting values.
Top 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid in JEE Properties of Solids and Liquids PYQs
The main mistakes in this chapter involve confusing stress with strain, choosing the wrong elastic modulus, overlooking units or surface counts, ignoring the contact angle and applying fluid-flow equations without checking their assumptions.
Mixing up stress and strain
Stress measures force per unit area, while strain measures fractional deformation. For a stretched wire, use its original length and cross-sectional area. If the diameter is given, calculate the area using A = πd²/4 rather than treating the diameter as the radius.
Using the wrong elastic modulus
Use Young’s modulus for longitudinal deformation, bulk modulus for volume change under uniform pressure and shear modulus for a change in shape due to tangential forces. Apply a constant stress-to-strain ratio only within the linear elastic range.
Ignoring units and the number of liquid surfaces
Keep surface tension in N/m and dynamic viscosity in Pa·s. Count the interfaces before calculating surface tension forces or excess pressure: a liquid drop has one interface, while a soap bubble has two. This changes the numerical factor in the formula.
Forgetting the angle of contact in capillary action
Retain cosθ unless the contact angle is specified or can be taken as zero. A contact angle below 90° gives capillary rise, while an angle above 90° gives depression. Also, use the tube’s internal radius rather than its diameter.
Applying flow equations without checking the conditions
Laminar flow has an orderly structure, while turbulent flow involves irregular velocity fluctuations. Do not apply the standard Bernoulli equation across regions with significant viscous energy loss, or use Stokes’ law for a sphere moving rapidly through a fluid. Check the assumptions before choosing the equation.
List of JEE Properties of Solids and Liquids PYQs
Here is a short set of JEE-style properties of solids and liquids questions for practice. These include common question types from elasticity, pressure, viscosity, and surface tension. Solving them regularly can help you become faster and more confident.
Question 1
A spherical body of radius r and density $$\sigma$$ falls freely through a viscous liquid having density $$\rho$$ and viscosity $$\eta$$ and attains a terminal velocity $$\upsilon_{0}$$. Estimated maximum error in the quantity $$\eta$$ is: (Ignore errors associated with $$\sigma,\rho$$ and g, gravitational acceleration)
correct answer:- 1
Question 2
The terminal velocity of a metallic ball of radius 6 mm in a viscous fluid is 20 cm/s. The terminal velocity of another ball of same material and having radius 3 mm in the same fluid will be ________ cm/ s.
correct answer:- 5
Question 3
Water flows through a horizontal tube as shown in the figure. The difference in height between the water colunms in vertical tubes is 5 cm and the area of cross-sections at A and B are $$6cm^{2}$$ and $$3cm^{2}$$ respectively. The rate of flow will be ____ $$cm^{3/s}$$. $$(take g=10m/s^{2})$$

correct answer:- 1
Question 4
Given below are two statements:
Statement I : Pressure of a fluid is exerted only on a solid surface in contact as the fluid-pressure does not exist everywhere in a still fluid.
Statement II: Excess potential energy of the molecules on the surface of a liquid, when compared to interior, results in surface tension.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below
correct answer:- 4
Question 5
Sixty four rain drops of radius 1 mm each falling down w-ith a terminal velocity of 10 cm/s coalesce to fonn a bigger drop. The terminal velocity of bigger drop is_____cm/s
correct answer:- 160
Question 6
A cubical block of density $$\rho_{b}= 600kg/m^{3}$$ floats in a liquid of density $$\rho_{e}= 900kg/m^{3}$$. If the height of block is H = 8.0 cm then height of the submerged part is ________ cm.
correct answer:- 4
Question 7
A soap bubble of surface tension 0.04 N/m is blown to a diameter of 7 cm. If (15000 - x) $$\mu J$$ of work is done in blowing it further to make its diameterl4 cm, then the value of x is_____.
$$\left(\pi=22/7\right)$$
correct answer:- 11304
Question 8
Water drops fall from a tap on the floor, 5 m below, at regular intervals of time, the first drop strikes the floor when the sixth drop begins to fall. The height at which the fourth drop will be from ground, at the instant when the first drop strikes the ground is _____ m.
$$(g=10m/s^{2}$$
correct answer:- 3
Question 9
A small metallic sphere of diameter 2 mm and density $$10.5 g/cm ^{3}$$ is dropped in glycerine having viscosity 10 Poise and density $$1.5 g/cm^{3}$$ respectively. The terminal velocity attained by the sphere is __ $$cm/s$$.
$$(\pi=\frac{22}{7} \text { and } g=m/s^{2})$$
correct answer:- 2
Question 10
A ball of radius r and density $$\rho$$ dropped through a viscous liquid of density $$\sigma$$ and viscosity $$\eta$$ attains its terminal velocity at time t, given by $$t= A \rho^{a}r^{b}\eta^{c}\sigma^{d}$$, where A is a constant and a, b, c and d are integers. The value of $$\frac{b+c}{a+d}$$ is _________.
correct answer:- 1
Question 11
A small rigid spherical ball of mass M is dropped in a long vertical tube containing glycerine. The velocity of the ball becomes constant after some time. If the density of glycerine is half of the density of the ball, then the viscous force acting on the ball will be (consider g as acceleration due to gravity)
correct answer:- 4
Question 12

A tube of length L is shown in the figure. The radius of cross section at the point (1) is 2 cm and at the point (2) is 1 cm , respectively. If the velocity of water entering at point (1) is 2 m/s, then velocity of water leaving the point (2) will be
correct answer:- 4
Question 13
A tube of length 1 m is filled completely with an ideal liquid of mass 2 M , and closed at both ends. The tube is rotated uniformly in horizontal plane about one of its ends. If the force exerted by the liquid at the other end is F then angular velocity of the tube is $$\sqrt{\frac{F}{\alpha M}}$$ in SI unit. The value of $$\alpha$$ is __________.
correct answer:- 1
Question 14
Two soap bubbles of radius 2 cm and 4 cm , respectively, are in contact with each other. The radius of curvature of the common surface, in cm , is ________ .
correct answer:- 4
Question 15
Water flows in a horizontal pipe whose one end is closed with a valve. The reading of the pressure gauge attached to the pipe is $$P_{1}$$. The reading of the pressure gauge falls to $$P_{2}$$ when the valve is opened. The speed of water flowing in the pipe is proportional to
correct answer:- 4
Question 16
An air bubble of radius 1.0 mm is observed at a depth of 20 cm below the free surface of a liquid having surface tension $$0.095 J/m^{2}$$ and density $$10^{3}kg/m^{3}$$. The difference between pressure inside the bubble and atmospheric pressure is _____$$N/m^{2}.(\text{ take }g=10m/s^{2})$$
correct answer:- 2190
Question 17
The amount of work done to break a big water drop of radius $$' R '$$ into 27 small drops of equal radius is $$10\,J.$$ The work done required to break the same big drop into 64 small drops of equal radius will be:
correct answer:- 1
Question 18
An air bubble of radius $$0.1\,cm$$ lies at a depth of $$20\,cm$$ below the free surface of a liquid of density $$1000\,kg/m^3.$$ If the pressure inside the bubble is $$2100\,N/m^2$$ greater than the atmospheric pressure, then the surface tension of the liquid in SI unit is $$(g=10\,m/s^2):$$
correct answer:- 2
Question 19
In the experiment for measurement of viscosity $$'\eta'$$ 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 $$\eta$$ will change. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
correct answer:- 3
Question 20
In a hydraulic lift, the surface area of the input piston is $$6 cm^{2}$$ and that of the output piston is $$1500 cm^{2}$$. If 100 N force is applied to the input piston to raise the output piston by 20 cm, then the work done is _______ kJ.
correct answer:- 5
Question 21
A 400 g solid cube having an edge of length 10 cm floats in water. How much volume of the cube is outside the water ? (Given : density of water $$= 1000 kg m^{-3}$$)
correct answer:- 2
Question 22
A plane is in level flight at constant speed and each of its two wings has an area of $$40$$ m$$^2$$. If the speed of the air is $$180$$ km h$$^{-1}$$ over the lower wing surface and $$252$$ km h$$^{-1}$$ over the upper wing surface, the mass of the plane is ________kg. (Take air density to be $$1$$ kg m$$^{-3}$$ and $$g = 10$$ m s$$^{-2}$$)
correct answer:- 9600
Question 23
Given below are two statements :
Statement (I) : Viscosity of gases is greater than that of liquids.
Statement (II) : Surface tension of a liquid decreases due to the presence of insoluble impurities. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :
correct answer:- 2
Question 24
The reading of pressure metre attached with a closed pipe is $$4.5 \times 10^4$$ N m$$^{-2}$$. On opening the valve, water starts flowing and the reading of pressure metre falls to $$2.0 \times 10^4$$ N m$$^{-2}$$. The velocity of water is found to be $$\sqrt{V}$$ m s$$^{-1}$$. The value of $$V$$ is _____.
correct answer:- 50
Question 25
In a test experiment on a model aeroplane in wind tunnel, the flow speeds on the upper and lower surfaces of the wings are $$70$$ m s$$^{-1}$$ and $$65$$ m s$$^{-1}$$ respectively. If the wing area is $$2$$ m$$^2$$, the lift of the wing is _______ N. (Given density of air $$= 1.2$$ kg m$$^{-3}$$)
correct answer:- 810
Question 26
A small steel ball is dropped into a long cylinder containing glycerine. Which one of the following is the correct representation of the velocity time graph for the transit of the ball?
correct answer:- 2
Question 27
A small spherical ball of radius $$r$$, falling through a viscous medium of negligible density has terminal velocity $$v$$. Another ball of the same mass but of radius $$2r$$, falling through the same viscous medium will have terminal velocity:
correct answer:- 1
Question 28
Mercury is filled in a tube of radius $$2$$ cm up to a height of $$30$$ cm. The force exerted by mercury on the bottom of the tube is _____ N. (Given, atmospheric pressure $$= 10^5$$ Nm$$^{-2}$$, density of mercury $$= 1.36 \times 10^4$$ kg m$$^{-3}$$, $$g = 10$$ m s$$^{-2}$$, $$\pi = \frac{22}{7}$$)
correct answer:- 177
Question 29

A hydraulic press containing water has two arms with diameters as mentioned in the figure. A force of $$10$$ N is applied on the surface of water in the thinner arm. The force required to be applied on the surface of water in the thicker arm to maintain equilibrium of water is ______ N.
correct answer:- 1000
Question 30
A small ball of mass $$m$$ and density $$\rho$$ is dropped in a viscous liquid of density $$\rho_0$$. After sometime, the ball falls with constant velocity. The viscous force on the ball is :
correct answer:- 4
Question 31
Correct Bernoulli's equation is (symbols have their usual meaning) :
correct answer:- 2
Question 32
A cube of ice floats partly in water and partly in kerosene oil. The ratio of volume of ice immersed in water to that in kerosene oil (specific gravity of Kerosene oil $$= 0.8$$, specific gravity of ice $$= 0.9$$)

correct answer:- 1
Question 33
Small water droplets of radius 0.01 mm are formed in the upper atmosphere and falling with a terminal velocity of 10 cm/s. Due to condensation, if 8 such droplets are coalesced and formed a larger drop, the new terminal velocity will be _____ cm/s.
correct answer:- 40
Question 34
A sphere of relative density $$\sigma$$ and diameter $$D$$ has concentric cavity of diameter $$d$$. The ratio of $$\frac{D}{d}$$, if it just floats on water in a tank is :
correct answer:- 2
Question 35
A spherical ball of radius $$1 \times 10^{-4} \text{ m}$$ and density $$10^5 \text{ kg/m}^3$$ falls freely under gravity through a distance $$h$$ before entering a tank of water. If after entering in water the velocity of the ball does not change, then the value of $$h$$ is approximately: (The coefficient of viscosity of water is $$9.8 \times 10^{-6} \text{ N s/m}^2$$)
correct answer:- 2
Question 36
The strain-stress plot for materials A, B, C and D is shown in the figure. Which material has the largest Young's modulus?

correct answer:- 4
Question 37
Two wires A and B made of different materials of lengths 6.0 cm and 5.4 cm, respectively and area of cross sections $$3.0\times 10^{-5}m^{2}\text{ and }4.5\times 10^{-5}m^{2}$$, respectively are stretched by the same magnitude under a given load. The ratio of the Young's modulus of A to that of B is x : 3. The value of x is ___ .
correct answer:- 4
Question 38
The increase in pressure required to decrease the volume of a water sample by $$0.2%$$ is $$P \times10^5\,Nm^{-2}.$$ Bulk modulus of water is $$2.15\times10^9\,Nm^{-2}.$$ The value of $$P$$ is $$\underline{\hspace{2cm}}.$$
correct answer:- 43
Question 39
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R Assertion A:A sound wave has higher speed in solids than gases. Reason R: Gases have higher value of Bulk modulus than solids. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below
correct answer:- 2
Question 40
The fractional compression $$(\frac{\Delta V}{V})$$ of water at the depth of 2.5 km below the sea level is ______%.Given, the Bulk modulus of water $$= 2\times 10^{9}Nm^{-2}$$, density of water $$= 10^{3}kgm^{-3}$$, acceleration due to gravity $$= g =10 m s^{-2}$$.
correct answer:- 1
Question 41
In an experiment with photoelectric effect, the stopping potential,
correct answer:- 4
Question 42
The volume contraction of a solid copper cube of edge length 10 cm , when subjected to a hydraulic pressure of $$7 \times 10^{6}Pa$$, would be ____ $$mm^{3}$$. (Given bulk modulus of copper $$= 1.4 \times 10^{11} Nm^{-2}$$)
correct answer:- 50
Question 43
One end of a metal wire is fixed to a ceiling and a load of 2 kg hangs from the other end. A similar wire is attached to the bottom of the load and another load of 1 kg hangs from this lower wire. Then the ratio of longitudinal strain of upper wire to that of the lower wire will be [Area of cross section of wire = $$0.005 \text{ cm}^2$$, $$Y = 2 \times 10^{11} \text{ N m}^{-2}$$ and $$g = 10 \text{ m s}^{-2}$$]
correct answer:- 3
Question 44
If average depth of an ocean is $$4000$$ m and the bulk modulus of water is $$2 \times 10^9 \text{ N m}^{-2}$$, then fractional compression $$\frac{\Delta V}{V}$$ of water at the bottom of ocean is $$\alpha \times 10^{-2}$$. The value of $$\alpha$$ is _______, (Given, $$g = 10 \text{ m s}^{-2}, \rho = 1000 \text{ kg m}^{-3}$$)
correct answer:- 2
Question 45
Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A) : The property of body, by virtue of which it tends to regain its original shape when the external force is removed, is Elasticity.
Reason (R) : The restoring force depends upon the bonded inter atomic and inter molecular force of solid.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :
correct answer:- 3
Question 46
A wire of length $$L$$ and radius $$r$$ is clamped at one end. If its other end is pulled by a force $$F$$, its length increases by $$l$$. If the radius of the wire and the applied force both are reduced to half of their original values keeping original length constant, the increase in length will become:
correct answer:- 4
Question 47
Two metallic wires $$P$$ and $$Q$$ have same volume and are made up of same material. If their area of cross sections are in the ratio $$4 : 1$$ and force $$F_1$$ is applied to $$P$$, an extension of $$\Delta l$$ is produced. The force which is required to produce same extension in $$Q$$ is $$F_2$$. The value of $$\frac{F_1}{F_2}$$ is ______.
correct answer:- 16
Question 48
Young's modulus of material of a wire of length $$L$$ and cross-sectional area $$A$$ is $$Y$$. If the length of the wire is doubled and cross-sectional area is halved then Young's modulus will be:
correct answer:- 3
Question 49
Each of three blocks $$P$$, $$Q$$ and $$R$$ shown in figure has a mass of $$3 \text{ kg}$$. Each of the wire $$A$$ and $$B$$ has cross-sectional area $$0.005 \text{ cm}^2$$ and Young's modulus $$2 \times 10^{11} \text{ N m}^{-2}$$. Neglecting friction, the longitudinal strain on wire $$B$$ is $$\_\_\_\_ \times 10^{-4}$$. (Take $$g = 10 \text{ m s}^{-2}$$)

correct answer:- 2
Question 50
The depth below the surface of sea to which a rubber ball be taken so as to decrease its volume by $$0.02\%$$ is _____ m. (Take density of sea water $$= 10^3 \text{ kg m}^{-3}$$, Bulk modulus of rubber $$= 9 \times 10^8 \text{ N m}^{-2}$$, and $$g = 10 \text{ m s}^{-2}$$)
correct answer:- 18
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