Are you aiming for a top engineering college and looking to crack JEE Mains with a high score? Physics is a subject that often challenges many students, but with the right strategy and focus, it’s completely possible to excel. The key lies in understanding the most important chapters and mastering the concepts that frequently appear in the exam. JEE Mains Physics is all about problem-solving, applying concepts, and managing your time effectively.
By targeting high-weightage chapters like Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electrostatics, Optics, and Modern Physics, you can increase your chances of scoring well. Whether you’re struggling with concepts or simply looking for a structured approach, this guide will provide you with essential tips and insights into the most critical chapters. Get ready to boost your Physics preparation and step confidently towards your JEE Mains goal!
Overview of JEE Mains
JEE Mains is an entrance exam for admission to undergraduate engineering programs in India. The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and is held twice a year, typically in January and April. It is a computer-based test that consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and numerical-based questions. JEE Mains assesses a student’s knowledge and problem-solving skills in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
JEE Mains Exam Structure and Pattern
The JEE Mains exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and serves as the entrance test for various undergraduate engineering courses. It is held twice a year, and students can appear for both sessions.
| Features | Details |
| Exam mode | Online (Computer based) |
| Number of sections and subjects | 3 (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) |
| Duration of exam | 3 hours (180 minutes)4 hours for PwD candidates |
| Type of questions | MCQs: 4 options with only 1 correct optionNumerical Value Questions: Questions whose answers are to be filled in as a numerical value |
| Section A (MCQ) | Mathematics: 20Physics: 20Chemistry: 20 |
| Section B (Numerical Value) | Mathematics: 5Physics: 5Chemistry: 5In Section B, candidates have to attempt all five questions from each section. |
| Total questions | 75 |
| JEE Mains Total Marks | 300 marks |
| Language of paper | Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu in addition to Hindi, English, and Gujarati |
The exam consists of three subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Each subject is divided into two parts:
- Part 1: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Part 2: Numerical Value-based Questions
The exam consists of a total of 75 questions, with 25 questions in each subject. Each question is worth 4 marks, and incorrect answers result in a deduction of 1 mark. The total marks for the exam are 300.
The exam duration is 3 hours. The distribution of questions and marks is as follows:
- Physics: 25 questions
- Chemistry: 25 questions
- Mathematics: 25 questions
JEE Mains is conducted in online mode, and candidates must complete the exam within the given time frame. The exam is objective in nature, with questions based on the syllabus prescribed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for classes 11 and 12.
Most Important Chapters For JEE Mains Physics
Based on an analysis of previous years’ JEE Mains exam patterns, certain chapters consistently carry higher weightage, while others are less frequently tested. Understanding this distribution helps in prioritizing your preparation effectively. Focusing more on high-weightage chapters ensures that you maximize your score, while giving adequate attention to low-weightage chapters helps you cover the entire syllabus. Below is a table showing the chapters with high and low weightage, based on past exam trends.
JEE Mains Physics Chapter Wise Weightage
| Chapters | Total Questions | Weightage |
| Current Electricity | 3 | 9.90% |
| Magnetic Effect of Current and Magnetism | 2 | 6.60% |
| Alternating Current | 2 | 6.60% |
| Kinetic Theory of Gases & Thermodynamics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Kinematics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Work, Energy, and Power | 2 | 6.60% |
| Laws of Motion | 2 | 6.60% |
| Centre Of Mass | 2 | 6.60% |
| Rotational Dynamics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Modern Physics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Wave Optics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Electrostatics | 1 | 3.30% |
| Capacitors | 1 | 3.30% |
| Simple Harmonic Motion | 1 | 3.30% |
| Sound Waves | 1 | 3.30% |
| Elasticity | 1 | 3.30% |
| Error in Measurement | 1 | 3.30% |
| Circular Motion | 1 | 3.30% |
| Electromagnetic Waves | 1 | 3.30% |
| Semiconductors | 1 | 3.30% |
Important Topics for JEE Mains Physics
| Chapter | Concepts |
| Physics and Measurement | Physical quantity |
| System of unit | |
| Practical units | |
| Dimension, Frequency, angular frequency, angular velocity, velocity gradient,Work, Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy, Torque, Momentum, Impulse , Angular momentum, Angular impulse | |
| Dimensionless Quantities,Heat, Latent heat , Specific heat capacity and Temperature,Permittivity of free space and dielectric constant (k),Magnetic Field ,Permeability of free space, Magnetic flux and self inductance | |
| Application of Dimensional analysis (I)- To find dimension of physical constant,Application of Dimensional analysis (II)- To convert a physical quantity from one system to other,Application of Dimensional analysis (V)- As a research tool to derive new relations | |
| Significant figures | |
| Errors of measurements,Error in sum and Error in difference of two physical quantities,Error in product and Error in division of two physical quantities,Error in quantity raised to some power | |
| Work Energy and Power | Nature of Work Done |
| Work done by variable force | |
| Kinetic energy | |
| Potential energy, Potential energy curve | |
| Law of Conservation of Energy | |
| Power | |
| Types of collision | |
| Perfectly Elastic Head on Collision,Perfectly elastic oblique collision,Head on inelastic collision,Perfectly inelastic collision,Collision Between Bullet and Vertically Suspended Block | |
| Rotational Motion | Center of mass |
| Position of centre of mass for solid cone | |
| Motion of the centre of mass | |
| Equations of Linear Motion and Rotational Motion. | |
| Torque | |
| Moment of inertia of a Rod | |
| Moment of inertia for uniform rectangular lamina | |
| Parallel and Perpendicular Axis theorem | |
| Moment of inertia of a RING | |
| Moment of inertia of a DISC | |
| Moment of inertia of a SOLID SPHERE | |
| Angular Momentum | |
| Conservation Of angular momentum | |
| Properties of Solids and Liquids | Stokes’ law & Terminal Velocity |
| Surface energy | |
| Excess pressure inside a liquid drop & soap bubble | |
| Thermal stress and thermal strain | |
| Heat | |
| Basics of conduction | |
| Stress and it’s types | |
| Hooke’s law | |
| Work done in stretching a wire | |
| Rise of liquid in a capillary tube | |
| Variation of pressure | |
| Flow of fluids | |
| Equation of Continuity | |
| Applications of Bernoulli’s Theorem(I) | |
| Viscosity | |
| Kinetic theory of Gases | States of matter |
| Gas laws(I) | |
| Ideal gas equation | |
| Various types of speeds of ideal gases | |
| Kinetic energy of ideal gas | |
| Specific heat of a gas | |
| Mayer’s formula | |
| Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating currents | Magnetic flux |
| Faraday’s law of induction | |
| Motional Electromotive force(I),Motional Electromotive force(II),Energy consideration in Motional Emf,Motional Electromotive force(III),Motional Electromotive force(IV) | |
| AC voltage applied to an inductor | |
| AC voltage applied to a capacitor | |
| Induced Electric field | |
| Series LR circuit | |
| Time Varying Magnetic field | |
| Series RC circuit | |
| Self inductance | |
| Series LCR circuit | |
| Resonance in Series LCR circuit | |
| Mutual Inductance,Mutual Inductance for two coaxial long solenoids,Mutual Inductance for a pair of concentric coils | |
| Quality factor | |
| Power in an AC circuit | |
| Energy stored in an inductor | |
| Transformers | |
| Experimental skills | To compare emf of two given primary cells using potentiometer |
| To measure the thickness of the given sheet using screw gauge | |
| To measure the diameter of small spherical cylindrical body using Vernier Callipers | |
| Kinematics | Vector addition and Vector Subtraction |
| Uniform circular motion | |
| Speed and velocity | |
| Kinematics graphs | |
| Equation of motions | |
| Projectile Motion | |
| Relative Velocity | |
| Laws of motion | Common forces in mechanics |
| Equilibrium of concurrent forces | |
| Newton’s First law of motion | |
| Newton’s Second and Third Law of motion | |
| Acceleration of Block on Smooth Inclined Plane | |
| Motion of Block in Contact | |
| Motion of blocks when connected with string | |
| Motion of connected blocks over pulley | |
| Rocket Propulsion | |
| Kinetic Friction | |
| Static Friction | |
| Acceleration of block against friction | |
| Centripetal Force and Centrifugal Force | |
| Spring Force | |
| Skidding of Vehicle on a Level Road | |
| Banking of Road | |
| Gravitation | Newton’s law of Gravitation |
| Acceleration due to gravity (g),Variation in ‘g’ due to height,Variation in ‘g’ due to Rotation of earth | |
| Gravitational field Intensity,Gravitational field due to Point mass | |
| Gravitational Potential due to Uniform solid sphere | |
| Gravitational Potential Energy (U) | |
| Work Done Against Gravity | |
| Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion | |
| Escape Velocity | |
| Orbital Velocity of Satellite | |
| Time period and energy of a satellite | |
| Oscillations and Waves | Spring System,Oscillations in combination of springs |
| Simple pendulum | |
| Propagation of sound wave | |
| General equation of travelling | |
| Standing longitudinal wave | |
| Sine wave travelling on string | |
| Speed of transverse wave on a string | |
| Beats | |
| Composition of two SHM- part 2 | |
| Damped Harmonic motion | |
| Doppler Effect | |
| Standing waves,Standing wave in a string fixed at both ends | |
| Energy in SHM | |
| Simple harmonic as projection of circular motion | |
| Simple harmonic motion,Equations of motions of SHM | |
| Terms associated with SHM | |
| Electrostatics | Coulomb’s Law |
| Electric field | |
| Electric field lines | |
| Electric field due to uniformly charged disc | |
| Dipole in Uniform electric field | |
| Gauss law,Applications of Gauss Law(I),Applications of Gauss Law(II),Applications of Gauss Law(IV),Applications of Gauss Law(V) | |
| Electric flux(I) | |
| Electric potential | |
| Relation between electric field and potential | |
| Capacitor | |
| Electric potential due to continuous charge distribution(I) | |
| Electric flux through cone or disc | |
| Electric potential due to continuous charge distribution(II) | |
| Equipotential surface | |
| Parallel plate capacitor | |
| Electrostatic Potential energy | |
| Combination of capacitors | |
| Energy stored in capacitor | |
| Dielectrics | |
| Current Electricity | Current Density |
| Drift Velocity | |
| Ohms Law | |
| Resistance and Resistivity | |
| Series grouping of Resistance | |
| Cell and Emf of a cell | |
| Current Given by a Cell | |
| Series and Parallel Grouping of cell | |
| Emf of a cell when the cell is charging and discharging and Open circuit and Short circuit | |
| Kirchhoff first law | |
| Kirchhoff’s second law | |
| KCL, KVL, Conservation of charge and Energy and introduction to Galvanometer | |
| Ammeter | |
| Voltmeter | |
| Wheatstone’s bridge | |
| Meter Bridge | |
| Determine the internal resistance of a cell | |
| Faraday’s laws of electrolysis | |
| Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism | Magnetic Field due to current in straight wire |
| Magnetic Field due to circular current loop | |
| Magnetic field on the axis of circular current loop | |
| Apllication of Ampere’s law (I),Application of Ampere’s law (II) | |
| Force on a moving charge in magnetic field | |
| Solenoid | |
| Motion of a charged particle in uniform magnetic field(I) | |
| Magnetic field lines | |
| Bar magnet as an equivalent solenoid | |
| Magnetic force on a current carrying conductor | |
| Lorentz force | |
| Force between two parallel current carrying infinite wires | |
| Dipole in a uniform magnetic field | |
| Torque on a rectangular current loop in a uniform magnetic field,Circular current loop as magnetic dipole | |
| Magnetisation and magnetic intensity | |
| Moving coil galvanometer | |
| Hysteresis curve | |
| Electromagnetic Waves | Displacement current |
| Nature of Electromagnetic Waves | |
| Energy Density and Intensity of EM waves | |
| Electromagnetic spectrum | |
| Optics | Spherical mirrors |
| Mirror formula | |
| Refraction Through A Glass Slab | |
| Refraction Through A Prism 1,Dispersion Of Light 1 | |
| Refraction | |
| Real depth and Apparent depth | |
| Total Internal Reflection | |
| Lens Maker’s formula | |
| Power of lens and mirror | |
| Magnification in Lenses | |
| Combination of thin lens in contact,Lenses at a distance | |
| Astronomical Telescope | |
| Polarization of light | |
| Malus’ Law | |
| Interference of light waves- 1,Interference of light waves- 2 | |
| Fraunhofer diffraction by a single slit | |
| Young’s double slit experiment -1,Young’s double slit experiment- 2 | |
| YDSE with thin slab | |
| Compound Microscope | |
| Thin film interference | |
| Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation | Electron Emission |
| Photon theory of light | |
| Wave nature of matter,De-broglie wavelength of an electron | |
| Davisson-Germer Experiment | |
| Photoelectric effect,Graphs in Photoelectric effect | |
| Photons emitted by a source per second,Intensity of radiation,Photon Flux | |
| Atoms And Nuclei | Bohr’s Model of hydrogen atom,Radius of orbit and velocity of electron |
| Energy of electron in nth orbit,Energy level for Hydrogen | |
| Line spectra of hydrogen atom | |
| Mass-energy equivalence and Nuclear binding energy,Binding Energy Per Nucleon,Nuclear Force and Stability | |
| De-broglie’s explanation of Bohr’s second postulate | |
| Effect of Nucleus motion on Energy | |
| Law of radioactivity decay | |
| Atomic Collision | |
| Characteristic X-Rays | |
| Continuous X-ray | |
| Radioactivity – (I),Radioactivity – (II) | |
| Nuclear fission | |
| Electronic devices | Electric Conductivity |
| Extrinsic Semiconductor(II) | |
| Zener diode | |
| Characteristics of a P-N junction,Semiconductor Diode(II) | |
| Junction Transistor | |
| Transistor as a device | |
| Classification of solids on the basis of Band theory | |
| Optoelectronic junction devices (I) | |
| Thermodynamics | Adiabatic process |
| Second Law of Thermodynamics | |
| Entropy | |
| Carnot Engine | |
| Cyclic and Non cyclic process | |
| Isobaric process | |
| Refrigerator or Heat Pump | |
| Introduction to Thermodynamics | |
| Thermodynamic variables and equation of state | |
| Heat, Internal energy and Work in Thermodynamics | |
| First law of Thermodynamics |
Important Tips for JEE Mains Physics Preparation
Preparing for JEE Mains Physics requires strategic planning and focused effort. Physics requires both conceptual clarity and problem-solving skills. Unlike some other subjects, Physics involves a lot of application-based learning, which means that mere rote memorization won’t be enough. Here are some essential tips to help you prepare effectively:
1) Master the Basics First
Before diving into solving complex problems, ensure you have a clear understanding of the foundational concepts. Physics is a subject that builds upon itself, meaning that without a strong grasp of the basics, it becomes very difficult to understand advanced topics.
Start with the fundamental chapters from the NCERT textbooks, which are considered the primary source for JEE preparation. These chapters lay the groundwork for more advanced problems. Topics like Newton’s Laws of Motion, Kinematics, and Work-Energy Theorem are crucial, as they form the base for almost all areas in mechanics.
For instance, a deep understanding of Newton’s laws can help you tackle problems in topics such as friction, rotational motion, and even fluid mechanics. Similarly, understanding basic concepts in electricity and magnetism will help you in solving problems in electrostatics, circuits, and electromagnetism.
2) Focus on Important Topics
JEE Mains Physics covers a wide range of topics, but some chapters are more frequently tested than others. It’s essential to prioritize your preparation based on the weightage of the chapters in the exam. Some chapters like Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electrostatics, Optics, and Modern Physics have a higher probability of appearing in the exam. Here’s a quick breakdown of the important topics and their typical weightage in JEE Mains:
- Mechanics (25-30% weightage): This includes Kinematics, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Work, Energy and Power, Rotational Motion, Gravitation, and Fluid Mechanics. These chapters are highly conceptual and involve a lot of problem-solving, so practicing these regularly is key.
- Electrostatics and Magnetism (15-20% weightage): Concepts like Coulomb’s Law, Electric Field, Capacitance, and Magnetic Effects of Current are critical here.
- Optics (5-10% weightage): This includes Ray Optics, Refraction, Diffraction, and Polarization. Optics often contains straightforward problems once you understand the fundamental principles.
- Thermodynamics (8-10% weightage): A vital chapter that often contains direct questions about laws of thermodynamics, heat engines, and entropy.
- Modern Physics (10-15% weightage): This includes Atomic Physics, Nuclear Physics, and the Photoelectric Effect. These topics tend to have more conceptual questions.
By focusing your efforts on these high-weightage topics while not ignoring the others, you can improve your overall score in Physics.
3) Practice Regularly and Solve Mock Tests
Physics is a subject where consistent practice is crucial. Unlike subjects that rely more on theoretical knowledge, Physics requires you to apply concepts to solve problems. This means that no matter how well you understand a concept, you need to practice regularly to enhance your problem-solving skills. Start by solving simple problems from each topic, and as you get more comfortable, move on to more complex questions. Use a mix of resources to practice:
- Previous Year’s JEE Mains Questions: These are invaluable in helping you understand the exam pattern, types of questions, and difficulty level.
- Practice Papers and Mock Tests: Regularly solving mock tests will not only help you familiarize yourself with the time pressure of the actual exam but will also help you identify your strengths and weaknesses.
- Books with Practice Problems: Books like H.C. Verma’s Concepts of Physics and D.C. Pandey’s Understanding Physics offers both theory and practice problems with varying levels of difficulty.
Time yourself while solving problems to improve your speed and accuracy. Try to identify the areas where you make frequent mistakes, and spend more time revising and practicing those topics. For highly effective and focused practice, Phodu Club’s JEE Mains Test Series is highly recommended.This is an excellent resource to improve your speed, accuracy, and overall exam strategy.
4) Use Conceptual Learning for Problem Solving
Physics isn’t just about memorizing formulas; it’s about understanding the underlying principles behind them. Focus on developing a conceptual understanding of each topic. For example, when studying Mechanics, understand the physical meaning of concepts like acceleration, force, and energy, and how they relate to each other. This will help you solve problems without relying on brute-force memorization of formulas.
Additionally, make sure you understand the derivations behind important formulas. Instead of simply memorizing them, try to derive them from the basic principles of Physics. This approach will not only strengthen your grasp on the topic but will also make it easier to remember formulas during the exam.
5) Stay Organized with a Study Plan
Creating a well-structured study plan is essential to ensure that you cover all topics systematically. A study plan will help you stay focused, keep track of your progress, and avoid the stress of last-minute preparation. Here’s how you can structure your study plan for Physics:
- Divide your time wisely: Allocate more time to topics with higher weightage, but don’t ignore the smaller chapters. Make sure to schedule regular revision periods.
- Set daily and weekly goals: Break down your goals into smaller, manageable chunks. For example, focus on completing a certain number of practice problems or understanding one chapter per week.
- Incorporate regular breaks: Physics can be mentally exhausting, so take short breaks between study sessions to refresh your mind and prevent burnout.
- Revision: Schedule weekly revision sessions to ensure that you retain what you’ve learned. Physics involves a lot of problem-solving, so revising formulas, concepts, and problem-solving methods regularly will keep them fresh in your mind.
6) Use the Right Resources
In addition to your NCERT textbooks, make use of reference books and online resources to enhance your preparation. Some recommended books for Physics include:
Best Physics Books for JEE Mains
| Best Physics Book for JEE Main | Book will be best for |
| NCERT for Class XI and XII | Fundamental concepts and understanding of theory |
| Concepts of physics (Vol. 1 and 2) by H.C Verma | Quality problems on all topics |
| Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick & walker | Concepts of all the topics |
| Understanding Physics by D C Pandey (Arihant Publications): Set of books forElectricity & MagnetismMechanics (Vol. 1 & 2)Optics & Modern PhysicsWaves & Thermodynamics | Explanation, Derivation and question set of quality solved/unsolved problems |
| Problems in General Physics by I.E Irodov | Practicing problems |
| Understanding physics by Freedman and Young | Explanation, theory of all topics |
| Problems in physics by SS Krotov | Practicing problems |
| Problems and solution of Physics by Shashi Bhushan Tiwari | For practising problems and studying detailed solutions. |
Online platforms like YouTube also offer excellent tutorials and video lectures that can help you visualize complex concepts. Websites like Physics Galaxy and Khan Academy can be helpful for breaking down difficult topics into simple, understandable steps.
7) Stay Positive and Keep the End Goal in Mind
The journey to cracking JEE Mains can be tough, but maintaining a positive attitude is crucial. There will be times when you feel demotivated or frustrated with the pace of your progress, but remember that perseverance is key.
Keep reminding yourself of your ultimate goal – securing a seat in a top engineering college. Stay focused, and celebrate small victories along the way. A positive mindset will keep you motivated through the challenges of preparation.
Conclusion
Cracking JEE Mains Physics may seem challenging, but with the right focus and consistent effort, you can definitely succeed. By mastering key chapters like Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electrostatics, Optics, and Modern Physics, you’ll be well on your way to a strong performance. Remember, understanding the core concepts and practicing regularly are the keys to building confidence and problem-solving skills. Stay disciplined, work smart, and make sure to revise frequently. With these strategies in place, you’ll not only boost your Physics score but also set yourself up for success in the overall JEE Mains exam. Stay positive, stay focused, and keep pushing forward—your dream engineering college is within reach!
