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Q.Derive the relation analytically for uniformly accelerated motion along a straight line: S = ut + (1/2)at^2, where symbols have their usual meanings.

(OR)
Distinguish between Distance and Displacement.
Himachal HpboseHPBOSE Himachal Pradesh Class 11 Board Exam 2021Subjective· 2mImportance★★★★★
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The area under a velocity-time graph gives displacement; for uniformly accelerated motion (a straight-line v-t graph from u to v = u + at over time t), this area splits into a rectangle (ut) plus a triangle ((1/2)at^2), giving s = ut + (1/2)at^2.

Consider a body moving with uniform (constant) acceleration a along a straight line. Let its initial velocity (at t = 0) be u, and let its velocity at time t be v.

On a velocity-time graph, plot velocity (y-axis) against time (x-axis). Since acceleration is constant, this graph is a straight line starting at (0, u) and ending at (t, v), where v = u + at (the first equation of motion).

The displacement s in time t equals the area under this velocity-time graph between t = 0 and time t. This area is a trapezium, which can be split into:

  1. A rectangle of height u and width t, with area = u x t = ut (the distance that would be covered if the body moved at constant velocity u).

  2. A right-angled triangle sitting above the rectangle, with base t and height (v - u) = at, with area = (1/2) x base x height = (1/2) x t x at = (1/2)at^2.

Total displacement (total area):

s = ut + (1/2)at^2

This is the second equation of motion for uniformly accelerated motion in a straight line.

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