How to master Mechanics for JEE

Many of you would have started with mechanics by now (I mean class 11 people). New Nightmare right? (: P) But trust me, this is a field that many people hate and love until the time when your course is about to end. However, JEE has got a reputation for asking some really opinionated questions from mechanics. But don't worry, I'm here to guide you through step analysis of mechanics.

1. Kinematics

Be clear with Vectors and Basic Math, and you are done. Practice a lot in this step because you will have the initial practice of solving equations fast.

2. Newton's laws of motion

This may seem daunting to you, but don't worry, by the end of your course you will be really comfortable with it. Practice lots of questions. I cannot give it much importance. Practice completely with friction, strings, and concepts like pulse, normal force, circular motion, etc., until you are perfect.

3. Work Power Energy and Gravity

Make full practice of conserving energy. It is very important in physics. Gravity is linked to this. When solving gravitational questions, again refer to Energy Conservation and Kepler's Law. The work-energy theorem is another important concept. Make yourself comfortable with the subject.

4. Center of Mass and Momentum

One of the most difficult chapters after rotation. Walnut hard to crack. One step can be to try to remember all the concepts and equations. It helps a lot. Be thorough with vectors. Momentum conservation depends a lot on this. Collisions have some interesting problems. Be thorough with the main formulas. The conservation of Momentum and Energy is central here. Remember the COM positions of various objects. It will be very helpful in future. Remember some basic cases spring questions are common in collisions (small object, heavy object, equal mass, etc.). Be aware of springs in parallel / series and basic equations.

5. Rotation

This is a real tough nut, and JEE asks some very terrible questions from this section. It is tough and has got a good weightage. You have to give a good amount of time for this. It begins at the inertia of the moment. Get to know the MI of various standards objects, and stick to the derivatives altogether. If you ask some questions based on calculation of MI in JEE, it will help you. Then the discussion of angular velocity, rotational kinematics etc. is very easy with basic trigonometry and kinematics. Then comes torque, angular speed, etc. It seems hard, but it will naturally come to you over time if you are clear with NLM. Remember that there are only a few equations, T = I (alpha), and L = Iw. Try to remember these using correlation with NLM. Conservation of angular momentum is very important. A lot of questions are asked from this subject. Be clear with the axis of rotation and the point about which you are trying to preserve it. Will help in solving the problem on a large scale.

6. Simple Harmonic Motion

Another basic and important subject. Remember the derivation and equation of SHM. Remember the timeline formula. This last day will save a lot of time. Questions associated with finding the time period of any mechanical system are common. Be fully with them.

7. Fluid Dynamics and Elasticity

Not very important, but some easy questions come up to ensure. You do not want to miss them. The continuity equation, the variation of pressure with depth and the Bernoulli equation are important. Try to do some questions of surface tension as well (JEE has asked some very difficult questions from this topic). The elasticity has a graph of stress versus strain. Remember this well. These chapters have a set of long equations. Try to remember them. At least JEE (Main) may have some questions where you will need to evaluate the expression.

Preparation Preparation

So, it was. Coming to the preparation strategy, first listen to your coaching lecture / online lecture and do homework, and if you are in coaching then discuss in class. This will help you clean the mechanics.

Coming to books (and therefore self-study people as well) is the dev-book for HCV mechanics. Read every line (whether you are in coaching or not), understand everything and solve each question. Solutions are available anywhere on the internet that I think are not known (if they are copyrighted or something, be careful). Discuss with teachers. If you solve all the questions of mechanics honestly, nothing can stop you from becoming a Master of Mechanics. I also recommend to read NCERT. It gives a wonderful insight into the subject and will also prepare you for JEE (Main) and Board. If you need more objective practice, go for the DC Pandey Problem book. Deb Mukherjee's book is really good for conceptual questions. And then comes GOD- I.E. Irodov. This will prepare you for the Olympiad, and to face any question in JEE (Advanced). Solve this only when you have time and are done with the above stuff. Do it better during the holidays. But trust me, if you are aiming for the top 100 rank or so, Erodov will give you an upper edge.