Related Formula
v = u + at$v = u + at$
s = ut + (1)/(2)at²$$s = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2$$
Snth = u + (a)/(2)(2n - 1)$$S_{n^{\text{th}}} = u + \frac{a}{2}(2n - 1)$$
Core Logic
Let the velocity at time t$t$ be u$u$. The time interval Δ t = (t+1) - t = 1 ~s$\Delta t = (t+1) - t = 1 \mathrm{~s}$. The increase in velocity over 1 second is exactly the acceleration a$a$. The displacement in that 1-second interval acts as the (t+1)th$(t+1)^{\text{th}}$ second displacement equation.
Step 1: Determine Acceleration
Increase in velocity Δ v = 50 ~m/s$\Delta v = 50 \mathrm{~m/s}$ in 1 ~s$1 \mathrm{~s}$.
v = u + at$v = u + at$
u + 50 = u + a(1) ⇒ a = 50 ~m/s²$$u + 50 = u + a(1) \Rightarrow a = 50 \mathrm{~m/s^2}$$
Step 2: Determine Velocity 'u' at time t
Displacement in the 1-second interval from t$t$ to t+1$t+1$ is 125 ~m$125 \mathrm{~m}$.
Using s = ut' + (1)/(2)at'²$s = ut' + \frac{1}{2}at'^2$ where t' = 1 ~s$t' = 1 \mathrm{~s}$:
125 = u(1) + (1)/(2)a(1)²$$125 = u(1) + \frac{1}{2}a(1)^2$$
125 = u + (50)/(2)$$125 = u + \frac{50}{2}$$
125 = u + 25 ⇒ u = 100 ~m/s$$125 = u + 25 \Rightarrow u = 100 \mathrm{~m/s}$$
Step 3: Distance in the next second
We need the distance travelled in the (t+2)th$(t+2)^{\text{th}}$ second, which corresponds to the 1-second interval starting with an initial velocity equal to the velocity at t+1$t+1$.
Alternatively, we can use the nth$n^{\text{th}}$ second formula directly by re-indexing. The velocity at start of this interval is unew = u + a = 100 + 50 = 150 ~m/s$u_{new} = u + a = 100 + 50 = 150 \mathrm{~m/s}$.
Distance S₁ₛₜ$S_{1\text{st}}$ using new parameters:
s = 150(1) + (1)/(2)(50)(1)² = 150 + 25 = 175 ~m$$s = 150(1) + \frac{1}{2}(50)(1)^2 = 150 + 25 = 175 \mathrm{~m}$$
Or using PDF logic from base u$u$ with n=2$n=2$ (since n=1$n=1$ was t+1th$t+1^{\text{th}}$):
S2nd = u + (a)/(2)[2n - 1] = 100 + 25[4 - 1] = 100 + 75 = 175 ~m$$S_{2^{\text{nd}}} = u + \frac{a}{2}[2n - 1] = 100 + 25[4 - 1] = 100 + 75 = 175 \mathrm{~m}$$
Pattern Recognition
For 1-second interval mechanics, Δ v$\Delta v$ directly yields a$a$. The displacement equation simplifies gracefully to s = uₛₜₐᵣₜ + a/2$s = u_{start} + a/2$.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: Motion in a Straight Line