Related Formula
For a body starting from rest (u = 0$u = 0$) with constant acceleration a$a$, displacement S$S$ in time t$t$ is:
S = (1)/(2) a t²$$S = \frac{1}{2} a t^2$$
Core Logic
Let the constant acceleration be a$a$.
- Displacement S₁$S_1$ covered in the first (p - 1)$(p - 1)$ seconds:
S₁ = (1)/(2) a (p - 1)²$$S_1 = \frac{1}{2} a (p - 1)^2$$
- Displacement S₂$S_2$ covered in the first p$p$ seconds:
S₂ = (1)/(2) a p²$$S_2 = \frac{1}{2} a p^2$$
Step 1: Express Net Displacement
Let the time taken to achieve a displacement of S₁ + S₂$S_1 + S_2$ be t$t$.
S₁ + S₂ = (1)/(2) a t²$$S_1 + S_2 = \frac{1}{2} a t^2$$
Substituting the expressions of S₁$S_1$ and S₂$S_2$:
(1)/(2) a (p - 1)² + (1)/(2) a p² = (1)/(2) a t²$$\frac{1}{2} a (p - 1)^2 + \frac{1}{2} a p^2 = \frac{1}{2} a t^2$$
Step 2: Solve for Time
Dividing the entire equation by (1)/(2)a$\frac{1}{2}a$:
(p - 1)² + p² = t²$$(p - 1)^2 + p^2 = t^2$$
p² - 2p + 1 + p² = t²$$p^2 - 2p + 1 + p^2 = t^2$$
t² = 2p² - 2p + 1$$t^2 = 2p^2 - 2p + 1$$
t = √(2p² - 2p + 1) ~s$$t = \sqrt{2p^2 - 2p + 1} \mathrm{~s}$$
Pattern Recognition
When dealing with equations of motion from rest, notice that displacement scales quadratically with time (S ∝ t²$S \propto t^2$). This means if displacement sums up (Sₜ = S₁ + S₂$S_t = S_1 + S_2$), the corresponding times will add in quadrature: t = √(t₁² + t₂²)$t = \sqrt{t_1^2 + t_2^2}$.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: Motion in a Straight Line