Verified Solution • 2025–26 Session moderate

QJEEAdv20Ph5037: JEE Advanced 2020 Physics - Class 11 JEEAdv20Ph5037 Solution: Starting at time t = 0 from the origin with speed 1 ms -1 , a…

Starting at time t = 0 from the origin with speed 1 ms-1, a particle follows a two-dimensional trajectory in the x-y plane so that its coordinates are related by the equation y=x22y = {{{x^2}} \over 2} . The x and y components of its acceleration are denoted by ax and ay, respectively. Then

Multiple Choice Options

  • A ax = 1 ms-2 implies that when the particle is at the origin, ay = 1 ms-2
  • B ax = 0 implies ay = 1 ms-2 at all times
  • C at t = 0, the particle's velocity points in the x-direction
  • D ax = 0 implies that at t = 1s, the angle between the particle's velocity and the x axis is 45 ∘^\circ

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

Given:

At time t=0t = 0 , the particle starts from the origin (0,0)(0, 0) with a speed of v=1 m/sv = 1\, \text{m/s} .

The particle moves along the path defined by y=x22y = \frac{x^2}{2} .


Understanding the Particle's Motion

Since the particle follows the path y=x22y = \frac{x^2}{2} , we can find relationships between its velocity and acceleration components.

1. Velocity Components

Let x(t)x(t) and y(t)y(t) be the particle's position as functions of time. Then:

y=x22y = \frac{x^2}{2}

Differentiate both sides with respect to time tt :

dydt=xdxdt\frac{dy}{dt} = x \frac{dx}{dt}

The velocity components are:

vx=dxdtv_x = \frac{dx}{dt}

vy=dydt=xvxv_y = \frac{dy}{dt} = x v_x

2. Acceleration Components

The acceleration components are:

ax=dvxdta_x = \frac{dv_x}{dt}

ay=dvydt=ddt(xvx)=vx2+xaxa_y = \frac{dv_y}{dt} = \frac{d}{dt}(x v_x) = v_x^2 + x a_x


Analyzing Each Option

Option A

Statement: ax=1 m/s2a_x = 1\, \text{m/s}^2 implies that when the particle is at the origin, ay=1 m/s2a_y = 1\, \text{m/s}^2 .

Verification:

At the origin x=0x = 0 , and from initial conditions, vx=1 m/sv_x = 1\, \text{m/s} .

Using the expression for aya_y :

ay=vx2+xax=(1 m/s)2+0×ax=1 m/s2a_y = v_x^2 + x a_x = (1\, \text{m/s})^2 + 0 \times a_x = 1\, \text{m/s}^2

Conclusion: Option A is true.


Option B

Statement: ax=0a_x = 0 implies ay=1 m/s2a_y = 1\, \text{m/s}^2 at all times.

Verification:

If ax=0a_x = 0 , then vx=constant=1 m/sv_x = \text{constant} = 1\, \text{m/s} .

Position along xx : x=vxt=tx = v_x t = t .

Then vy=xvx=t×1 m/s=t m/sv_y = x v_x = t \times 1\, \text{m/s} = t\, \text{m/s} .

Therefore, ay=dvydt=1 m/s2a_y = \frac{dv_y}{dt} = 1\, \text{m/s}^2 .

Conclusion: Option B is true.


Option C

Statement: At t=0t = 0 , the particle's velocity points in the xx -direction.

Verification:

The slope of the path is dydx=x\frac{dy}{dx} = x .

At x=0x = 0 , dydx=0\frac{dy}{dx} = 0 , meaning the path is horizontal.

Thus, vy=0v_y = 0 at t=0t = 0 , and vx=1 m/sv_x = 1\, \text{m/s} .

Conclusion: Option C is true.


Option D

Statement: ax=0a_x = 0 implies that at t=1 st = 1\, \text{s} , the angle between the particle's velocity and the xx -axis is 45∘45^\circ .

Verification:

With ax=0a_x = 0 , vx=1 m/sv_x = 1\, \text{m/s} .

At t=1 st = 1\, \text{s} , x=1 mx = 1\, \text{m} .

Then vy=xvx=1 m×1 m/s=1 m/sv_y = x v_x = 1\, \text{m} \times 1\, \text{m/s} = 1\, \text{m/s} .

The angle θ\theta between v⃗\vec{v} and the xx -axis is:

tan⁡θ=vyvx=1 m/s1 m/s=1  ⟹  θ=45∘\tan \theta = \frac{v_y}{v_x} = \frac{1\, \text{m/s}}{1\, \text{m/s}} = 1 \implies \theta = 45^\circ

Conclusion: Option D is true.


Final Answer

All options A, B, C, and D are true.

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