First slide
Average Velocity
Question

A toy car with charge q moves on a frictionless horizontal plane surface under the influence of a uniform electric field E. Due to the force q E, its velocity increases from 0 to 6 ms-1 in one second duration. At that instant, the direction of the field is reversed. The car continues to move for two more seconds under the influence of this field. The average velocity and the average speed of the toy car between 0 to 3 s are respectively  

Moderate
Solution

According to the question, 
For the time duration 0 < t < Is, the velocity increase from 0 to 6 ms-1.
As the direction of field has been reversed, for 1 < t < 2 s, the velocity firstly decreases from 6 ms-1 to 0.
Then, for 2 < t < 3 s; as the field strength is same; the magnitude of acceleration would be same, but velocity increases from 0 to - 6 ms-1.

Acceleration of the car,

               |a|=v-ut=6-01=6 ms-2

The displacement of the particle is given as

              s=ut+12at2

For t = 0 to t = 1 s,

             u=0,a=+6 ms-2s1=0+12×6×(1)2=3 m

For t = 1 s to t = 2 s,

             u = 6 ms-1,  a = -6 ms-2

      s2=6×1-12×6×(1)2=6-3=3 m

For t = 2 s to t = 3 s,

             u=0,a=-6 ms-2s3=0-12×6×(1)2=-3 m

  Net displacement,
            s = s1 + s2 + s3 = 3 m + 3 m - 3 m = 3 m
Hence, average velocity

            = net displacement  total time =33=1 ms-1

Total distance travelled, d = 9 m
Hence, average speed

              = total distance  total time =93=3 ms-1

Alternate Method
Given condition can be represented through graph also as shown below.

   Displacement in three seconds
            = Area under the graph
            = Area of  OAO' + Area of AO'B - Area of BCD

                                      =12×1×6+12×1×6-12×6×1=3 m

     Average velocity =33=1 ms-1

Total distance travelled, d = 9m

    Average velocity  =93=3 ms-1

Get Instant Solutions
When in doubt download our app. Now available Google Play Store- Doubts App
Download Now
Doubts App