MCQEasyJEE 2023Relative Motion

JEE Physics 2023 Question with Solution

A passenger sitting in a train A moving at 90km/h90 \, \text{km/h} observes another train B moving in the opposite direction for 8s8 \, \text{s}. If the velocity of the train B is 54km/h54 \, \text{km/h}, then the length of train B is:

  • A

    120m120 \, \text{m}

  • B

    200m200 \, \text{m}

  • C

    320m320 \, \text{m}

  • D

    80m80 \, \text{m}

Answer

Correct answer:B

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: Train A moves with speed 90km/h90 \, \text{km/h}, train B moves in the opposite direction with speed 54km/h54 \, \text{km/h}, and the observation time is 8s8 \, \text{s}.

Find: The length of train B.

Convert the given speeds into SI units:

VA=90km/h=25m/sV_A = 90 \, \text{km/h} = 25 \, \text{m/s} VB=54km/h=15m/sV_B = 54 \, \text{km/h} = 15 \, \text{m/s}

Since the trains are moving in opposite directions, the relative speed is:

VBA=VA+VB=25+15=40m/sV_{BA} = V_A + V_B = 25 + 15 = 40 \, \text{m/s}

For a passenger in train A, train B crosses with relative speed VBAV_{BA}, so:

t=VBAt = \frac{\ell}{V_{BA}}

Substitute the values:

8=408 = \frac{\ell}{40}

Hence,

=8×40=320m\ell = 8 \times 40 = 320 \, \text{m}

Therefore, the length of train B is 320m320 \, \text{m}. The working gives option C, although the solution incorrectly states option B.

Relative Speed Shortcut

Given: Opposite-direction motion of two trains and crossing time 8s8 \, \text{s}.

Find: Length of train B.

When two objects move in opposite directions, their relative speed is the sum of their speeds. Convert mentally:

  • 90km/h=25m/s90 \, \text{km/h} = 25 \, \text{m/s}
  • 54km/h=15m/s54 \, \text{km/h} = 15 \, \text{m/s}

So the relative speed is:

40m/s40 \, \text{m/s}

Now use:

length=relative speed×time\text{length} = \text{relative speed} \times \text{time}

Thus,

=40×8=320m\ell = 40 \times 8 = 320 \, \text{m}

Therefore, the correct option by calculation is C.

Common mistakes

  • Using the difference of speeds instead of the sum. This is wrong because the trains move in opposite directions, so relative speed increases. Add the speeds to get 25+15=40m/s25 + 15 = 40 \, \text{m/s}.

  • Not converting km/h\text{km/h} into m/s\text{m/s} before using time in seconds. This gives inconsistent units. First convert both speeds to SI units, then apply the crossing formula.

  • Confusing the situation with crossing of two full trains. Here a passenger observes only train B, so the distance covered in relative motion equals the length of train B only, not the sum of lengths of both trains.

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