Rankers Physics
Topic: Kinematics
Subtopic: Average Speed and Velocity

Between two stations, a train accelerates from rest uniformly at first, then moves with constant velocity, and finally retards uniformly to come to rest. If the ratio of the time taken is 1 : 8 : 1 and the maximum speed attained be 60 km h–¹, then what is the average speed over the whole journey?
\[48 km h^{-1}\]
\[52 km h^{-1}\]
\[54 km h^{-1}\]
\[56 km h^{-1}\]

Solution:

  1. Time Ratios: The time ratios are given as 1:8:11:8:1. So, if the total time is tt, the train spends t10\frac{t}{10} accelerating, 8t10\frac{8t}{10} at constant velocity, and t10\frac{t}{10} decelerating.
  2. Velocity-Time Graph:
    • The graph forms a trapezium.
    • The train accelerates linearly from 0 to 60 km/h, holds constant at 60 km/h, and then decelerates back to 0.

    Key points:

    • The area under this graph represents the total distance traveled.
    • The height (maximum velocity) = 60 km/h.
    • The time intervals are in the ratio 1:8:11:8:1.
  3. Average Speed:
    The area of the trapezium is given by:

    Area=12×(ttotal)×(initial velocity+final velocity)\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times (t_{\text{total}}) \times (\text{initial velocity} + \text{final velocity})For the constant velocity portion:

    Average speed=60×(1+8+1)10=54km/h\text{Average speed} = \frac{60 \times (1 + 8 + 1)}{10} = 54 \, \text{km/h}

Thus, the average speed is 54 km/h.

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