Thermodynamics has consistently been a high-weightage topic in Physics, with 2-3 questions appearing in the JEE Main exam every year. PYQs reveal that the questions asked in this section are repetitive in nature. Therefore, students can easily secure sure-shot marks in Thermodynamics with a smart preparation strategy.
- Students can expect a mix of conceptual, numerical, and graph-based questions from the Thermodynamics chapter.
- To improve their speed and accuracy in the exam, they should practice questions from books by DC Pandey and HC Verma.
- Conceptual questions are often directly taken from the NCERT Physics Class 11 textbook.
Read More: Which Physics chapters have been removed from JEE Main
Most Important Thermodynamics Topics for JEE Mains 2026
- Thermodynamics is an easy-scoring chapter with an expected weightage ranging from 3% to 30%, depending on the topic.
- Questions based on the first and second laws of thermodynamics are considered high-weightage topics, accounting for approximately 10% to 30% of the questions in the JEE Main exam every year.
| Topic | Expected Weightage (%) |
|---|---|
| First Law of Thermodynamics | 25–30% |
| Thermodynamic Processes (Isothermal, Adiabatic, Isochoric, Isobaric) | 20–25% |
| Work Done in Different Processes | 15–20% |
| Specific Heat & Heat Capacity | 10–15% |
| Second Law of Thermodynamics | 10–15% |
| Carnot Engine & Refrigerator | 5–10% |
| Zeroth Law & Temperature Scale Basics | 3–5% |
Read Also: If you want to check your speed and accuracy, attempt the JEE Main Test Series on Thermodynamics
Ques: Which book is best for preparing for Thermodynamics for the JEE Main 2026 exam?
Ans: The NCERT Class 11 Physics textbook is essential for understanding the concepts of thermodynamics. If you want to go further and practice questions on all the high-weightage topics in thermodynamics, you can refer to these books:
- DC Pandey: Must for concept building
- HC Verma: Main practice book
- Cengage Physics (BM Sharma): Advanced-level numerical practice
Thermodynamics Weightage Trend: Last 5 Years Analysis
In Physics, questions are asked from topics such as the Zeroth Law, First Law, Second Law, and Heat Engines. The percentage weightage of Thermodynamics lies between 7% to 10% of the physics syllabus. Around 2-3 moderate-level questions are asked from this section.
| Year | Approx. Questions | % of Physics |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 10% |
| 2022 | 2-3 | 8-10% |
| 2023 | 3 | 10% |
| 2024 | 2-3 | 7-10% |
| 2025 | 3 | 10% |
| Year | Question Paper PDF | Solution PDF |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Download | Download |
| 2023 | Download | Download |
| 2022 | Download | Download |
| 2021 | Download | Download |
| 2020 | Download | Download |
Ques: Has Thermodynamics weightage in JEE Main increased or decreased over the years?
Ans: Based on the past five years, the percentage weightage of Thermodynamics in JEE Main has remained consistent at 7–10% or 2–3 questions (shift-wise) each year.
Read More: Do not waste your time on unverified sources; check the best physics books for JEE Main 2026
Reddit & Student Insights: What Aspirants Say About Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is a common topic in the Physics and Chemistry syllabus for the JEE Main. One user shared a statement on Reddit:
- “I feel like specific concepts on enthalpy and entropy are the most difficult concepts to understand in Thermodynamics, and not the mathematical foundations in particular”.
Source: Reddit User
Students consider thermodynamics an important topic in JEE Main, but the questions related to it are often quite difficult. A Reddit user's post reveals this:
- Thermodynamics is challenging because there are 2 main areas, and only one gets emphasized over the other. Those are the concepts and the math.
Source: Reddit User
Another user posted on Quora about the weightage of Thermodynamics in the JEE Main exam:
- Every topic in the JEE syllabus is important. Heat and Thermodynamics are definitely one of the most important topics.
Source: Quora User
| Thermodynamics JEE Main PYQ - 1 Mock Test | Thermodynamics JEE Main PYQ - 2 Mock Test | Thermodynamics JEE Main PYQ - 3 Mock Test |
How to Prepare Thermodynamics for JEE Main 2026 (Expert Strategy)
- Read NCERT Class 11 Chapter 12 thoroughly for the basics of heat, work, and laws.
- Focus on NCERT examples for processes and first law applications.
- Understand entropy and the second law from NCERT summaries.
- Practice the last 10 years of PYQs on Thermodynamics.
- Do not ignore graph-based questions, as they are frequently asked in the exam.
- Make a one or two-page sheet and write all important formulas on it. This will help you in last-minute revision.
Read More: Preparing Physics for JEE Main 2026? Follow this Monthly strategy to maximise your score.
Ques: Which chapter should I complete before Thermodynamics for better understanding?
Ans: To better understand thermodynamics physics, it is always recommended to complete a few chapters beforehand:
- Basic Mathematics (Differentiation, Integration, Logarithms)
- Work, Energy, and Power
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