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A particle moves with uniform acceleration along a straight line from rest. The percentage increase in displacement during the sixth’ second compared to that in the fifth second is about

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2018 Elementary Mathematics Previous Year Paper (04-Feb-2018)
The correct answer is

22%

Understanding Particle Motion with Uniform Acceleration

The problem describes a particle that starts from rest and moves along a straight line with uniform acceleration. We need to find the percentage increase in the displacement covered during the sixth second compared to the displacement covered during the fifth second.

Formula for Displacement in the n-th Second

For a particle moving with uniform acceleration, the displacement covered in the n-th second is given by the formula:

\( s_n = u + \frac{a}{2}(2n-1) \)

Where:

  • \( s_n \) is the displacement in the n-th second
  • \( u \) is the initial velocity
  • \( a \) is the uniform acceleration
  • \( n \) is the time in seconds (e.g., 5th second, 6th second)

Calculating Displacement in the Fifth Second

The particle starts from rest, so the initial velocity \( u = 0 \). For the fifth second, \( n = 5 \). Using the formula:

\( s_5 = 0 + \frac{a}{2}(2 \times 5 - 1) \)

\( s_5 = \frac{a}{2}(10 - 1) \)

\( s_5 = \frac{a}{2}(9) \)

\( s_5 = \frac{9a}{2} \)

So, the displacement during the fifth second is \( \frac{9a}{2} \).

Calculating Displacement in the Sixth Second

For the sixth second, \( n = 6 \). Using the same formula with \( u = 0 \):

\( s_6 = 0 + \frac{a}{2}(2 \times 6 - 1) \)

\( s_6 = \frac{a}{2}(12 - 1) \)

\( s_6 = \frac{a}{2}(11) \)

\( s_6 = \frac{11a}{2} \)

So, the displacement during the sixth second is \( \frac{11a}{2} \).

Calculating the Percentage Increase in Displacement

To find the percentage increase in displacement during the sixth second compared to the fifth second, we first calculate the increase in displacement:

Increase = \( s_6 - s_5 \)

Increase = \( \frac{11a}{2} - \frac{9a}{2} \)

Increase = \( \frac{11a - 9a}{2} \)

Increase = \( \frac{2a}{2} \)

Increase = \( a \)

The percentage increase is calculated using the formula:

\( \text{Percentage Increase} = \frac{\text{Increase}}{\text{Original Value}} \times 100\% \)

Here, the original value is the displacement in the fifth second (\( s_5 \)).

\( \text{Percentage Increase} = \frac{a}{s_5} \times 100\% \)

Substitute the value of \( s_5 \):

\( \text{Percentage Increase} = \frac{a}{\frac{9a}{2}} \times 100\% \)

\( \text{Percentage Increase} = \frac{a}{1} \times \frac{2}{9a} \times 100\% \)

\( \text{Percentage Increase} = \frac{2}{9} \times 100\% \)

\( \text{Percentage Increase} = \frac{200}{9} \% \)

Calculating the value:

\( \frac{200}{9} \approx 22.22\% \)

This value is closest to 22%.

Comparing with Options

The calculated percentage increase is approximately 22.22%. Let's compare this with the given options:

Option Value
1 11%
2 22%
3 33%
4 44%

The value 22.22% is closest to 22%.

Revision Table: Key Concepts in Uniformly Accelerated Motion

Concept Description Formula (starting from rest, u=0)
Displacement (total) Total distance covered in time \( t \) \( s = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2 \implies s = \frac{1}{2}at^2 \)
Velocity Rate of change of displacement \( v = u + at \implies v = at \)
Displacement in n-th second Distance covered specifically during the n-th second \( s_n = u + \frac{a}{2}(2n-1) \implies s_n = \frac{a}{2}(2n-1) \)
Uniform Acceleration Constant rate of change of velocity \( a = \text{constant} \)

Additional Information: Understanding Motion in Specific Seconds

It is important to distinguish between the total displacement after a certain time \(t\) and the displacement during a specific second (like the 5th or 6th second). The displacement during the n-th second is the difference between the total displacement after \(n\) seconds and the total displacement after \(n-1\) seconds.

\( s_n = s(n) - s(n-1) \)

Using the formula \( s(t) = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2 \), and with \( u = 0 \):

\( s(n) = \frac{1}{2}an^2 \)

\( s(n-1) = \frac{1}{2}a(n-1)^2 \)

So, \( s_n = \frac{1}{2}an^2 - \frac{1}{2}a(n-1)^2 \)

\( s_n = \frac{1}{2}a [n^2 - (n^2 - 2n + 1)] \)

\( s_n = \frac{1}{2}a [n^2 - n^2 + 2n - 1] \)

\( s_n = \frac{1}{2}a (2n - 1) \)

\( s_n = \frac{a}{2} (2n - 1) \)

This confirms the formula used for displacement in the n-th second when starting from rest. This method provides an alternative way to derive the formula and understand the concept of displacement in specific time intervals for uniformly accelerated motion.

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