Questions & Answers: "Area under curve"

Complete guide to "Area under curve" for Physics students. Below you will find important questions and model answers to help you prepare.

15 Questions

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Question 1

1 Mark

Determine the area bounded by the curve y=x2y = x^2, the x-axis, and the vertical lines x=0x = 0 and x=3x = 3.

Options

Option A is correct

9 sq units

Option B

3 sq units

Option C

27 sq units

Option D

4.5 sq units

Explanation

To find the area under the curve y=x2y = x^2 from x=0x=0 to x=3x=3, we evaluate the definite integral 03x2dx\int_{0}^{3} x^2 dx. Using the power rule of integration, xndx=xn+1n+1\int x^n dx = \frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1}, we get [x33]03[\frac{x^3}{3}]_{0}^{3}. Substituting the upper limit: 333=273=9\frac{3^3}{3} = \frac{27}{3} = 9. Substituting the lower limit: 033=0\frac{0^3}{3} = 0. The area is 90=99 - 0 = 9 sq units. Option 2 is incorrect as it results from a wrong power rule application. Option 3 neglects the division by 3. Option 4 is the area if the function were linear (y=xy=x).

Question 2

1 Mark

Find the area of the region bounded by the line y=2x+3y = 2x + 3, the x-axis, and the ordinates x=0x = 0 and x=2x = 2.

Options

Option A is correct

10 sq units

Option B

6 sq units

Option C

14 sq units

Option D

8 sq units

Explanation

The area is given by the integral 02(2x+3)dx\int_{0}^{2} (2x + 3) dx. Integrating term by term: 2xdx=x2\int 2x dx = x^2 and 3dx=3x\int 3 dx = 3x. Thus, we have [x2+3x]02[x^2 + 3x]_{0}^{2}. Substituting the upper limit x=2x=2: 22+3(2)=4+6=102^2 + 3(2) = 4 + 6 = 10. Substituting the lower limit x=0x=0: 02+3(0)=00^2 + 3(0) = 0. The area is 100=1010 - 0 = 10 sq units. Geometrically, this is a trapezoid with height 2 and parallel sides of lengths 3 and 7 (Area=12(3+7)×2=10Area = \frac{1}{2}(3+7) \times 2 = 10). Options 2, 3, and 4 are results of common arithmetic mistakes in integration or substitution.

Question 3

1 Mark

What is the total area under one complete arch of the sine curve, specifically from x=0x = 0 to x=πx = \pi?

Options

Option A

1 sq unit

Option B is correct

2 sq units

Option C

0 sq units

Option D

\pi sq units

Explanation

The area is calculated by the integral 0πsinxdx\int_{0}^{\pi} \sin x dx. The antiderivative of sinx\sin x is cosx-\cos x. Applying the limits: [cosx]0π=(cosπ)(cos0)[-\cos x]_{0}^{\pi} = (-\cos \pi) - (-\cos 0). Since cosπ=1\cos \pi = -1 and cos0=1\cos 0 = 1, the expression becomes ((1))(1)=1+1=2(-(-1)) - (-1) = 1 + 1 = 2 sq units. Option 1 is incorrect because it represents the area from 00 to π/2\pi/2. Option 3 is incorrect because while the integral of sinx\sin x from 00 to 2π2\pi is 0, the area from 00 to π\pi is positive. Option 4 is a common miscalculation involving the limits.

Question 4

1 Mark

Find the area of the circle x² + y² = a² using the method of integration.

Options

Option A is correct

πa² sq. units

Option B

2πa² sq. units

Option C

πa²/2 sq. units

Option D

4πa² sq. units

Explanation

Area = 4 * ∫[0 to a] √(a² - x²) dx (considering the first quadrant). Using the standard formula ∫√(a² - x²) dx = (x/2)√(a² - x²) + (a²/2)sin⁻¹(x/a), we evaluate from 0 to a. At x=a, it's (a²/2)(π/2) = πa²/4. Multiplying by 4 gives πa². Options B, C, and D are incorrect multiples of the area of a circle.

Question 5

1 Mark

Find the area bounded by the parabola x² = 4y and the line y = 4.

Options

Option A

32/3 sq. units

Option B is correct

64/3 sq. units

Option C

16/3 sq. units

Option D

128/3 sq. units

Explanation

The curve is symmetric about the y-axis. The intersection points are x² = 4(4) = 16, so x = -4 and x = 4. Area = ∫[-4 to 4] (4 - x²/4) dx = 2 * ∫[0 to 4] (4 - x²/4) dx = 2 * [4x - x³/12] from 0 to 4 = 2 * [16 - 64/12] = 2 * [16 - 16/3] = 2 * [32/3] = 64/3. Option A is only half the area (one side). Options C and D are arithmetic mistakes.

Question 6

1 Mark

The area bounded by the curve y = cos x, x-axis and the lines x = 0 and x = π is:

Options

Option A

1 sq. unit

Option B is correct

2 sq. units

Option C

0 sq. units

Option D

π sq. units

Explanation

Area = ∫[0 to π/2] cos x dx + |∫[π/2 to π] cos x dx|. This is because cos x is positive in [0, π/2] and negative in [π/2, π]. Area = [sin x] from 0 to π/2 + |[sin x] from π/2 to π| = (1 - 0) + |0 - 1| = 1 + 1 = 2. Option C is the value of the definite integral, not the physical area. Option A and D are incorrect.

Question 7

1 Mark

Find the area bounded by the curve y = |x| and the line y = 1.

Options

Option A

1/2 sq. unit

Option B is correct

1 sq. unit

Option C

2 sq. units

Option D

4 sq. units

Explanation

The region is a triangle with vertices at (0,0), (1,1), and (-1,1). Using integration: Area = ∫[-1 to 1] (1 - |x|) dx = 2 * ∫[0 to 1] (1 - x) dx = 2 * [x - x²/2] from 0 to 1 = 2 * (1 - 1/2) = 1. Geometrically, it is a triangle with base 2 (from x=-1 to 1) and height 1, so Area = 1/2 * 2 * 1 = 1. Options A and C are incorrect factors.

Question 8

1 Mark

What is the area of the region bounded by the parabola y² = 4ax and its latus rectum?

Options

Option A

4a²/3 sq. units

Option B is correct

8a²/3 sq. units

Option C

2a²/3 sq. units

Option D

16a²/3 sq. units

Explanation

The latus rectum of y² = 4ax is the line x = a. The area is symmetric about the x-axis, so we calculate the area above the axis and multiply by 2. Area = 2 * ∫[0 to a] √(4ax) dx = 4√a * ∫[0 to a] x^(1/2) dx = 4√a * [x^(3/2) / (3/2)] from 0 to a = 4√a * (2/3) * a^(3/2) = 8a²/3. Options A, C, and D represent common errors in neglecting symmetry or integration constants.

Question 9

1 Mark

The area bounded by the curve y = sin x between x = 0 and x = π is:

Options

Option A

0 sq. units

Option B

1 sq. unit

Option C is correct

2 sq. units

Option D

4 sq. units

Explanation

Area = ∫[0 to π] sin x dx. The integral of sin x is -cos x. Area = [-cos x] from 0 to π = -cos(π) - (-cos(0)) = -(-1) + 1 = 1 + 1 = 2. Option A is the result of the integral of sin x from 0 to 2π (where signed area cancels), but from 0 to π, the area is positive. Options B and D are numerical mistakes.

Question 10

1 Mark

The area of the region bounded by the ellipse x²/a² + y²/b² = 1 is:

Options

Option A is correct

πab sq. units

Option B

2πab sq. units

Option C

πa²b² sq. units

Option D

π(a+b) sq. units

Explanation

The area is 4 times the area in the first quadrant: 4 * ∫[0 to a] (b/a)√(a² - x²) dx. Factoring out (b/a), the integral ∫[0 to a] √(a² - x²) dx equals πa²/4. Thus, Area = 4 * (b/a) * (πa²/4) = πab. Options B, C, and D are incorrect formulas for the area of an ellipse.

Question 11

1 Mark

Find the area of the region bounded by the curve y = x², the x-axis, and the lines x = 1 and x = 3.

Options

Option A is correct

26/3 sq. units

Option B

8/3 sq. units

Option C

27/3 sq. units

Option D

9 sq. units

Explanation

The area is given by the definite integral of y with respect to x from x=1 to x=3. Area = ∫[1 to 3] x² dx = [x³/3] from 1 to 3. Substituting the limits: (3³/3) - (1³/3) = 27/3 - 1/3 = 26/3. Option B is incorrect as it uses limits 0 to 2. Options C and D are calculation errors.

Question 12

1 Mark

Find the area of the region bounded by the curves y² = x and y = x.

Options

Option A is correct

1/6 sq. units

Option B

1/3 sq. units

Option C

1/2 sq. units

Option D

2/3 sq. units

Explanation

The curves intersect where x² = x, so x = 0 and x = 1. In the interval [0, 1], √x ≥ x. Area = ∫[0 to 1] (√x - x) dx = [2/3 x^(3/2) - x²/2] from 0 to 1 = 2/3 - 1/2 = 1/6. Option B is just the integral of √x, and option C is just the integral of x; option D is a common error in power rule application.

Question 13

1 Mark

Calculate the area of the region bounded by the curve y = x³, the x-axis, and the ordinates x = -1 and x = 1.

Options

Option A

0 sq. units

Option B

1/4 sq. unit

Option C is correct

1/2 sq. unit

Option D

1 sq. unit

Explanation

Area must be positive. From x = -1 to 0, x³ is negative, so we take the absolute value. Area = |∫[-1 to 0] x³ dx| + ∫[0 to 1] x³ dx = |[x⁴/4] from -1 to 0| + [x⁴/4] from 0 to 1 = |0 - 1/4| + (1/4 - 0) = 1/4 + 1/4 = 1/2. Option A is the result of a simple definite integral without taking absolute values for area. B and D are calculation errors.

Question 14

1 Mark

A particle moves along a straight line. Its velocity-time (vtv-t) graph is described as follows:

  1. From t=0t=0 s to t=2t=2 s, the velocity increases linearly from 00 m/s to 44 m/s.
  2. From t=2t=2 s to t=4t=4 s, the velocity decreases linearly from 44 m/s to 00 m/s.
  3. From t=4t=4 s to t=6t=6 s, the velocity decreases linearly from 00 m/s to 2-2 m/s.

Calculate the total displacement of the particle from t=0t=0 s to t=6t=6 s.

Options

Option A

44 m

Option B is correct

66 m

Option C

88 m

Option D

1010 m

Explanation

The total displacement of the particle is given by the algebraic sum of the areas under the velocity-time graph. Areas above the time axis are considered positive, and areas below are considered negative.

  1. Area 1 (from t=0t=0 s to t=2t=2 s): This segment forms a triangle above the time axis. Its base is 22 s and its height is 44 m/s. A1=12×base×height=12×(2 s)×(4 m/s)=4 mA_1 = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height} = \frac{1}{2} \times (2 \text{ s}) \times (4 \text{ m/s}) = 4 \text{ m}

  2. Area 2 (from t=2t=2 s to t=4t=4 s): This segment also forms a triangle above the time axis. Its base is (42)=2(4-2)=2 s and its height is 44 m/s. A2=12×base×height=12×(2 s)×(4 m/s)=4 mA_2 = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height} = \frac{1}{2} \times (2 \text{ s}) \times (4 \text{ m/s}) = 4 \text{ m}

  3. Area 3 (from t=4t=4 s to t=6t=6 s): This segment forms a triangle below the time axis. Its base is (64)=2(6-4)=2 s and its height is 2-2 m/s. A3=12×base×height=12×(2 s)×(2 m/s)=2 mA_3 = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height} = \frac{1}{2} \times (2 \text{ s}) \times (-2 \text{ m/s}) = -2 \text{ m}

Total displacement StotalS_{\text{total}} is the sum of these areas: Stotal=A1+A2+A3=4 m+4 m+(2 m)=6 mS_{\text{total}} = A_1 + A_2 + A_3 = 4 \text{ m} + 4 \text{ m} + (-2 \text{ m}) = 6 \text{ m}

Why other options are incorrect:

  • Option A (44 m): This represents only the displacement during the first 22 seconds.
  • Option C (88 m): This would be the sum of the magnitudes of the positive displacements only (4extm+4extm4 ext{ m} + 4 ext{ m}). It ignores the negative displacement.
  • Option D (1010 m): This is the total distance traveled, calculated as the sum of the magnitudes of all areas: A1+A2+A3=4extm+4extm+2extm=10extm|A_1| + |A_2| + |A_3| = 4 ext{ m} + 4 ext{ m} + |-2 ext{ m}| = 10 ext{ m}. Displacement considers direction, while distance does not.

Question 15

1 Mark

A variable force FF acts on a particle moving along the x-axis. The force-displacement (FxF-x) graph is described as follows:

  1. From x=0x=0 m to x=3x=3 m, the force is constant at 55 N.
  2. From x=3x=3 m to x=5x=5 m, the force decreases linearly from 55 N to 00 N.

Determine the total work done by the force from x=0x=0 m to x=5x=5 m.

Options

Option A

1010 J

Option B

1515 J

Option C

17.517.5 J

Option D is correct

2020 J

Explanation

The total work done by a variable force is represented by the area under the force-displacement graph.

  1. Area 1 (from x=0x=0 m to x=3x=3 m): This segment forms a rectangle. Its length (displacement) is 33 m and its height (force) is 55 N. A1=length×height=(3 m)×(5 N)=15 JA_1 = \text{length} \times \text{height} = (3 \text{ m}) \times (5 \text{ N}) = 15 \text{ J}

  2. Area 2 (from x=3x=3 m to x=5x=5 m): This segment forms a triangle. Its base (displacement) is (53)=2(5-3)=2 m and its height (force) is 55 N (at x=3x=3 m, decreasing to 00 N at x=5x=5 m). A2=12×base×height=12×(2 m)×(5 N)=5 JA_2 = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height} = \frac{1}{2} \times (2 \text{ m}) \times (5 \text{ N}) = 5 \text{ J}

Total work done WtotalW_{\text{total}} is the sum of these areas: Wtotal=A1+A2=15 J+5 J=20 JW_{\text{total}} = A_1 + A_2 = 15 \text{ J} + 5 \text{ J} = 20 \text{ J}

Why other options are incorrect:

  • Option A (1010 J): This value does not correspond to the correct area calculation for the given force-displacement graph.
  • Option B (1515 J): This represents only the work done in the first segment (00 m to 33 m, the rectangular area), neglecting the work done in the second segment.
  • Option C (17.517.5 J): This would be an incorrect calculation, possibly due to a miscalculation of one of the areas (e.g., if the triangle area was 2.52.5 J instead of 55 J, leading to 15+2.5=17.515+2.5=17.5 J).