Related Formula
The relationship between position x$x$, velocity v$v$, and acceleration a$a$ is given by differentiation with respect to time t$t$:
v = (dx)/(dt)$$v = \frac{dx}{dt}$$
a = (dv)/(dt)$$a = \frac{dv}{dt}$$
Core Logic
Given position:
x = t³ - 6t² + 20t + 15$$x = t^3 - 6t^2 + 20t + 15$$
Differentiating once to find velocity v$v$:
v = (dx)/(dt) = 3t² - 12t + 20$$v = \frac{dx}{dt} = 3t^2 - 12t + 20$$
Differentiating again to find acceleration a$a$:
a = (dv)/(dt) = 6t - 12$$a = \frac{dv}{dt} = 6t - 12$$
Step 1: Determine Time when Acceleration is Zero
Set the acceleration to zero:
a = 0 6t - 12 = 0 t = 2 seconds$$a = 0 \implies 6t - 12 = 0 \implies t = 2\text{ seconds}$$
So, the acceleration becomes zero at t = 2 s$t = 2\text{ s}$.
Step 2: Calculate Velocity at this Time
Substitute t = 2 s$t = 2\text{ s}$ into the velocity equation:
v = 3(2)² - 12(2) + 20$$v = 3(2)^2 - 12(2) + 20$$
v = 3(4) - 24 + 20$$v = 3(4) - 24 + 20$$
v = 12 - 24 + 20 = 8 m/s$$v = 12 - 24 + 20 = 8\text{ m/s}$$
Thus, the velocity is 8 m/s$8\text{ m/s}$.
Pattern Recognition
Sees: displacement function of degree 3 → acceleration is linear in time. The zero of a linear function of form At - B = 0$At - B = 0$ is easily calculated, and substituting back resolves to a basic quadratic.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: Motion in a Straight Line