Motion in a Plane — Class 11 MCQs with Answers
Class 11 CBSE Physics · Chapter 4
66 practice questions · 22 Easy · 22 Medium · 22 Hard · Updated
Practise the most important Class 11 CBSE Physics questions from Chapter 4, "Motion in a Plane". You get 6 timed quizzes made from 66 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 22 Easy, 22 Medium and 22 Hard. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that set top scorers in CBSE & Maharashtra HSC Board exams, JEE Main, MHT-CET, JEE Advanced and NEET UG apart.
To score well in "Motion in a Plane", focus on numericals, derivations and applying concepts. Each MCQ here is timed and uses exam-style marking (+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped). This trains you to stay accurate under time pressure, as real papers need. Every question has a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson. It is the fastest way to fix gaps before a test.
Use this chapter for focused revision. Start with the Easy set to check your basics on Motion in a Plane, then move to Medium and Hard to practise applying them. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically. This chapter also adds to your overall Class 11 Physics mastery score. 13 sample questions are solved in full below, with the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.
Key concepts: Motion in a Plane (Class 11 Physics)
Extending kinematics to two dimensions using vectors: addition by the triangle and parallelogram laws, resolution into components, the scalar and vector products, projectile motion as two independent one-dimensional motions, and uniform circular motion with its centripetal acceleration.
- Scalars and vectors
- A scalar is fully specified by magnitude alone; a vector needs both magnitude and direction and must obey the triangle law of addition.
- Triangle and parallelogram law
- Two vectors add head-to-tail along a triangle, or equivalently as the diagonal of the parallelogram they span. Both give the same resultant.
- Resolution into components
- Any vector can be split into perpendicular components, A cos θ along one axis and A sin θ along the other, which can then be handled independently.
- Unit vector
- A vector of magnitude one that carries only direction, written  = A/|A|. The Cartesian unit vectors î, ĵ and k̂ define the coordinate axes.
Motion in a Plane — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 11 Physics)
13 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation. The other 53 are timed and scored when you sign in.
- Q1Easy
Which is a scalar?
A.VelocityB.ForceC.DisplacementD.Mass✓ CorrectAnswer: D. Mass
Explanation: A scalar has magnitude only, no direction: mass = 5 kg needs no direction to specify it. Velocity, force and displacement all need direction too, so they are vectors, not scalars.
- Q2Easy
Maximum range of projectile (same speed) at angle:
A.30°B.60°C.45°✓ CorrectD.90°Answer: C. 45°
Explanation: Range R = u² sin2θ/g is maximum when sin2θ = 1, i.e., 2θ = 90°, so θ = 45°. At 30° or 60° sin2θ = √3/2 ≈ 0.87 < 1, giving a shorter range.
- Q3Easy
Centripetal acceleration:
A.gB.v²r outwardC.2v² inwardD.v²/r toward center✓ CorrectAnswer: D. v²/r toward center
Explanation: Centripetal acceleration has magnitude v²/r and always points toward the centre of the circle — it continuously turns the velocity, unlike an outward radial push, which would fling the body away.
- Q4Easy
A vector has:
A.Magnitude onlyB.Magnitude and direction✓ CorrectC.Direction onlyD.NeitherAnswer: B. Magnitude and direction
Explanation: A vector is defined by both magnitude and direction — e.g. a displacement of 5 m east needs both numbers. Giving only the 5 m magnitude or only the east direction alone does not fix the vector.
- Q5Easy
Projectile motion is motion under:
A.Gravity alone (no air resistance assumed)✓ CorrectB.FrictionC.No forceD.Any forceAnswer: A. Gravity alone (no air resistance assumed)
Explanation: Projectile motion is defined as motion of a body under gravity alone, with air resistance neglected — the only force acting is mg downward, unlike friction-driven or force-free motion.
- Q6Medium
Two perpendicular vectors of magnitude 3 and 4. Resultant:
A.7B.5✓ CorrectC.1D.12Answer: B. 5
Explanation: For perpendicular vectors, resultant magnitude follows Pythagoras: R = √(3² + 4²) = √25 = 5. Simply adding 3 + 4 = 7 ignores that they act at 90°, not along the same line.
- Q7Medium
Maximum height of projectile (u, θ):
A.u² / (2g)B.u² / gC.u² sin²θ / (2g)✓ CorrectD.u sinθ / gAnswer: C. u² sin²θ / (2g)
Explanation: Maximum height depends only on the vertical component u sinθ: using v² = u² − 2gh with v = 0 at the top gives H = u² sin²θ/(2g). Using the full u² without the sinθ factor overcounts the height.
- Q8Medium
Object moves in a circle of radius 2 m with speed 4 m/s. Centripetal acceleration:
A.2 m/s²B.4 m/s²C.16 m/s²D.8 m/s²✓ CorrectAnswer: D. 8 m/s²
Explanation: Centripetal acceleration a = v²/r = (4 m/s)²/(2 m) = 16/2 = 8 m/s², squaring the speed before dividing by the radius. Dividing 4/2 = 2 m/s² instead skips the required squaring of v.
- Q9Medium
A · B = ?
A.|A| |B| cos θ✓ CorrectB.|A| |B| sin θC.A + BD.A − BAnswer: A. |A| |B| cos θ
Explanation: The scalar (dot) product is defined as A·B = |A||B| cosθ, where θ is the angle between the vectors — it returns a number, not a vector, unlike the cross product |A||B| sinθ.
- Q10Medium
u = 20 m/s, θ = 30°. Time of flight (g = 10):
A.1 sB.2 s✓ CorrectC.4 sD.0.5 sAnswer: B. 2 s
Explanation: Time of flight T = 2u sinθ/g = 2(20)(sin30°)/10 = 2(20)(0.5)/10 = 2 s, using sin30° = 0.5. Dropping the factor of 2 for the return trip would give the shorter, wrong value 1 s.
- Q11Hard
Dot product of perpendicular vectors:
A.|A||B|B.NegativeC.0✓ CorrectD.|A|+|B|Answer: C. 0
Explanation: Dot product A·B = |A||B| cosθ; for perpendicular vectors θ = 90° and cos90° = 0, so A·B = 0 regardless of the magnitudes — it never equals |A||B| or their sum.
- Q12Hard
In uniform circular motion, acceleration is:
A.Centripetal (v²/r), directed to centre✓ CorrectB.Tangential onlyC.ZeroD.Radial outwardAnswer: A. Centripetal (v²/r), directed to centre
Explanation: In uniform circular motion speed is constant but direction changes, producing centripetal acceleration a = v²/r directed toward the centre, not outward — that inward pull bends the path into a circle.
- Q13Hard
Stone tied to string moves in horizontal circle of radius 1 m at 2 rev/s. Centripetal acceleration:
A.8π²B.4π²C.16π² m/s²✓ CorrectD.π²Answer: C. 16π² m/s²
Explanation: Angular velocity ω = 2πf = 2π(2 rev/s) = 4π rad/s. Centripetal acceleration a = ω²r = (4π)²(1 m) = 16π² m/s². Forgetting to square ω before multiplying by r gives only 4π² instead.
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Start this chapter free →Motion in a Plane — FAQs
What are the key concepts in Class 11 Physics Motion in a Plane?+
Extending kinematics to two dimensions using vectors: addition by the triangle and parallelogram laws, resolution into components, the scalar and vector products, projectile motion as two independent one-dimensional motions, and uniform circular motion with its centripetal acceleration. Key ideas include Scalars and vectors, Triangle and parallelogram law, Resolution into components, Unit vector.
What does Class 11 Physics Chapter 4 (Motion in a Plane) cover on XamBaaz?+
It has 66 NCERT-based MCQs on "Motion in a Plane": 22 Easy, 22 Medium and 22 Hard. Together they make 6 timed quizzes, and you never get the same set twice. Every question has an instant explanation. They help you prepare for CBSE & Maharashtra HSC Board exams, JEE Main, MHT-CET, JEE Advanced and NEET UG.
Are these "Motion in a Plane" questions free to practise?+
Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "Motion in a Plane" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year on a launch offer until 1 December 2026. No chapter is charged separately.
How should I revise "Motion in a Plane" for the exam?+
Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium and Hard to practise applying them. There are 6 timed quizzes on this chapter, so you can come back for a fresh set instead of one you have seen. Read each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy until it stays high.
Are these "Motion in a Plane" MCQs available with answers?+
Yes. 13 sample questions are shown here in full, each with the correct option and a step-by-step "Why" explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.
Is there negative marking in the "Motion in a Plane" quizzes?+
Yes. The timed quizzes use exam-style marking: +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a skip, the same negative marking as JEE Main, JEE Advanced and NEET UG. MHT-CET and CBSE board papers have no negative marking. Our mocks for those are scored their way.
What are the important questions from Motion in a Plane (Class 11 Physics)?+
The questions that matter most test Scalars and vectors, Triangle and parallelogram law, Resolution into components, Unit vector. This page shows 13 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations; all 66 questions on the chapter are available as timed quizzes once you sign in.
Is there an online quiz for Motion in a Plane?+
Yes — Class 11 Physics Motion in a Plane has timed online quizzes at Easy, Medium and Hard levels, with instant scoring and a worked explanation on every question. The first quiz on the chapter is free.