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Physics Question 48 – JEE-MAIN 2025

The length of a light string is 1.4 m when the tension on it is 5 N. If the tension increases to 7 N, the length of the string is 1.56 m. The original length of the string is _______ m.

Understand that the string behaves elastically, meaning its extension is proportional to the applied tension.

Step 1: Formulate equations based on Hooke's Law✦ Active

According to Hooke's Law, the tension (F) in an elastic string is proportional to its extension (ΔL=L−L0), where L is the stretched length and L0 is the original length. Let k be the spring constant.

F=k(L−L0) For the first condition: 5 N=k(1.4 m−L0) (Equation 1) For the second condition: 7 N=k(1.56 m−L0) (Equation 2)
Step 2: Solve the system of equations for L0○ Expand

Divide Equation 1 by Equation 2 to eliminate k:

57=k(1.4−L0)k(1.56−L0) 57=1.4−L01.56−L0 5(1.56−L0)=7(1.4−L0) 7.8−5L0=9.8−7L0 7L0−5L0=9.8−7.8 2L0=2 L0=1.0 m
💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

Ensure careful algebraic manipulation to avoid calculation errors.

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