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The Waves NEET previous year questions are important for aspirants preparing for Physics. Every year, around 2-4 questions are asked from this chapter in NEET, making it a high-value yet manageable topic. The questions mainly test concepts like the Doppler effect, beats, standing waves in strings, and organ pipes. Solving previous year papers helps students understand the exact type of problems asked in the exam.
According to the NEET UG 2026 marking scheme, candidates will be awarded 4 marks for each correct answer in the examination.
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This article provides year-wise and topic-wise Waves NEET PYQs with detailed solutions. Students can also check weightage trends for analysis. With structured practice and analysis, aspirants can score well from this chapter and improve their overall Physics marks in the NEET exam.
The chapter Waves includes all the important topics that are transverse waves and longitudinal waves, the speed of a wave, the Doppler effect, and the superposition of waves. Many NEET aspirants find this difficult, but with regular practice and previous year NEET questions, it becomes easy. This chapter also provides a foundation for wave optics and Modern Physics in Class 12, hence it is a high-scoring topic in NEET.
The table below shows the number of waves questions that have appeared in NEET exam over the last 11 years:
Year | Total Questions | Easy | Medium | Hard |
2015 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
2016 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2017 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
2018 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2019 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
2020 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
2021 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
2022 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
2023 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
2024 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Understanding the difficulty level of Waves questions helps students prepare strategically:
Difficulty Level | Percentage of Questions |
Easy | 30% |
Medium | 55% |
Hard | 15% |
Here are the key concepts, as per the Waves NEET chapter-wise PYQ, that NEET aspirants must focus on
Concept | Description |
Wave Motion | Propagation of disturbances in a medium or vacuum. |
Types of Waves | Transverse and longitudinal waves, examples include light waves and sound waves. |
Wave Equation | General wave equation: v = fλ (wave speed = frequency × wavelength). |
Sound Waves | Longitudinal mechanical waves require a medium for propagation. |
Doppler Effect | Frequency changes due to relative motion between the source and observer. |
Superposition Principle | Interference and formation of standing waves. |
Beats | Formation of periodic variations in sound due to frequency differences. |
Resonance | Amplification of a wave occurs when the frequency matches the natural frequency. |
Here are some NEET previous year waves questions for practice. After completing the concepts, aspirants can check their preparation by attempting these questions:
Ques:1 What is the relation between velocity (v), frequency (f), and wavelength (λ) of a wave? (NEET 2024) (Difficulty: Easy)
Options:
v = f/λ
v = λ/f
v = fλ
v = 1/fλ
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Answer:
The wave equation is given by v = fλ, where v is the wave velocity, f is the frequency, and λ is the wavelength. This equation is fundamental in wave mechanics. Hence, the correct answer is option (3).
Ques:2 In the Doppler effect, if the source moves towards a stationary observer, the frequency of the sound wave: (Difficulty: Medium)
Options:
Increases
Decreases
Remains the same
First increases, then decreases
Answer:
When the source moves towards a stationary observer, the apparent frequency increases due to wave compression. This is given by the Doppler Effect formula: f′=fv+vov−vs where v is the speed of sound and v_s is the speed of the source. Hence, the correct answer is option (1).
Ques:3 The fundamental frequency of an open organ pipe is given by: (Difficulty: Medium)
Options:
v/2L
v/L
2v/L
v/4L
Answer:
For an open organ pipe, the fundamental frequency is given by f = v/2L, where L is the length of the pipe. Hence, the correct answer is option (1).
Ques:4 What happens when two sound waves of nearly equal frequencies interfere? Difficulty: Medium)
Options:
Beats are formed
The frequency increases
The amplitude decreases
No effect is observed
Answer:
When two sound waves of slightly different frequencies interfere, beats are formed. The beat frequency is given by f beat = f1 - f2. Hence, the correct answer is option (1).
Ques: 5 The speed of sound is maximum in which of the following? (Difficulty: Medium)
Options:
Solids
Liquids
Gases
Vacuum
Answer:
The speed of sound is maximum in solids, followed by liquids and then gases, due to the high elasticity and density of solids. Sound cannot travel in a vacuum, as it requires a medium. Hence, the correct answer is option (1).
To prepare the Waves chapter for NEET Physics effectively, students should focus on the following points:
Waves is a high-value topic under NEET Physics. Through studying wave motion, the Doppler effect, and sound waves and solving past year NEET problems, students can improve their performance. Pay attention to important formulas, practice numericals, and try mock tests to enhance accuracy and speed. Keep practising, and you'll ace Waves in NEET 2026.
On Question asked by student community
Hello Akanksha
It is possible to complete the syllabus within 4 months with discipline and clear plan. You need to be consistent everyday.
•In the first month you can complete
Units & measurement, motion in 1d and 2d, laws of motion, work power energy
Some basic concepts of chemistry, atomic
Hello,
The application process for NEET UG 2026 state quota seats in Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Puducherry is expected to begin in July 2026, after the NEET 2026 results are announced in June 2026. The exact dates are announced by each state's respective counselling authority.
I hope it will clear
HELLO,
Below i am providing you the link through which you will be able to download the NEET previous year question papers with Solutions PDF
Here is the link :- https://medicine.careers360.com/articles/neet-question-paper
Through the link you can easily download and access the 5 year question papers for NEET with solutions.
Hope
Hello Vandana. For a lot of previous year questions its better to get MTGs previous year question booklet for all three subjects. As it has chapter wise detailed previous year questions for atleast previous 36 years. Or just download the soft copy of the book if you can find one
Hello Nisha. No IIT JAM and NEET are not the same level the reason is quite simple.
NEET is an exam for students after class 12th who want to become doctor. The questions are asked only from the class 11th and 12th syllabus of physics, chemistry and biology. The concepts
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