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ASIAN
PHYSICS OLYMPIAD
THEORETICAL PROBLEMS
2000-2013
Problem 1
Eclipses of the Jupiters Satellite
A long time ago before scientists could measure the speed of light accurately, O Rmer, a
Danish astronomer studied the time eclipses of the Jupiters satellite. He was able to
determine the speed of light from observed periods of a satellite around the planet Jupiter.
Figure 1 shows the orbit of the earth E around the sun S and one of the satellites M
around the planet Jupiter. (He observed the time spent between two successive
emergences of the satellite M from behind Jupiter).
A long series of observations of the eclipses permitted an accurate evaluation of the
period of M. The observed period T depends on the relative position of the earth with
respect to the frame of reference SJ as one of the coordinate axes. The average time of
revolution is T0 = 42h 28 m 16s and maximum observed period is ( T0 + 15)s.
Figure 1 : The orbits of the earth E around the sun and a satellite M around Jupiter J. The
average distance of the earth E to the Sun is RE = 149.6 x 106 . The maximum distance is
RE,max = 1.015 RE. The period of revolution of the earth is 365 days and of Jupiter is 11.9
years. The distance of the satellite M to the planet Jupiter RM= 422 x 103 km.
a. Use Newtons law of gravitation to estimate the distance of Jupiter to the Sun. Determine
the relative angular velocity of the earth with respect to the frame of reference SunJupiter (SJ). Calculate the speed of the earth with respect to SJ.
b. Take a new frame which Jupiter is at rest with respect to the Sun. Determine the relative
angular velocity of the earth with respect to the frame of reference Sun-Jupiter ( SJ).
Calculate the speed of the earth with respect to SJ.
c. Suppose an observed saw M begin to emerge from the shadow when his position was at
k and the next emergence when he was at k+ 1 , k = 1,2,3, From these observations he
got the apparent periods of revolution T ( t k ) as a function of time t k from Figure 1 and
then use an approximate expression to explain how the distance influences the observed
periods of revolution of M. Estimate the relative error of your approximate distance.
We know that the mass of the earth = 5.98 x 1024 kg and 1 month = 27d 7h 3m. Find the
mass of the planet Jupiter.
Problem 2
Detection of Alpha Particles
We are constantly being exposed to radiation, either natural or artificial. With tha
advance of nuclear power reactors and utilization of radioisotopes in agriculture,
industry, biology and medicine, the number of man made prepared (artificial) radioactive
sources is also increasing every year. One type of the radiation emitted by radioactive
materials is alpha () particles (doubly ionized helium atom having two units of positive
charge and four units of nuclear mass).
The detection of particles by electrical means is based on their ability to produce
ionization when passing through gas and other substance. For particle in air at normal
(atmospheric) pressure, there is an empirical relation between the mean range R and its
energy E
R = 0.318 3/2
(1)
at a radial distance with from the central axis when the wire carries
2
2
a charge per unit length . Then deduce the capacitance per unit length of the
tube. The breakdown field strength of air E b is 3 MV m-1 (breakdown field
strengths greater than E b , maximum electric field in the substance ). If d=1 mm
and D = 1 cm , calculate the potential difference between wire and sheat at which
breakdown occurs.
Data : 1 MeV = 106 eV ; 1 picoFarad = 10-12 F ; 1 Ci = 3.7 x 1010
disintegration/second = 106 Ci ( Curie, the fundamental SI unit of activity A );
drr = ln + C
Problem 3
Stewart-Tolman Effect
In 1917, Stewart and Tolman discovered a flow of current through a coil wound around a
cylinder rotated axially with certain angular acceleration.
Consider a great number of rings, with the radius each, made of a thin metallic wire
with resistance R. The rings have been put in a uniform way on very long glass cylinder,
which is vacuum inside. Their positions on the cylinder are fixed by gluing the rings to
the cylinder. The number of rings per unit of length along the symmetry axis is n. The
planes containing the rings are perpendicular to the symmetry axis of the cylinder.
At some moment the cylinder starts a rotational movement around its symmetry axis with
an acceleration .Find the value of the magnetic field B at the center of the cylinder
(after a sufficiently long time). We assume that the electric charge e of an electron, and
the electron mass m are known.
APHO II
2001
Theoretical Question 1
p. 1 / 3
Theoretical Question 1
M
C
y
1
APHO II
2001
Theoretical Question 1
p. 2 / 3
and
.
.
.
APHO II
2001
Theoretical Question 1
p. 3 / 3
According to this model, when will the rotation of the Earth and the
revolution of the Moon have the same period? Denote the answer as
and
express it in units of the present year.
Moon
Fig.1b
O
Earth
The following mathematical formulae may be useful when answering questions:
(M1)
For
and
:
(M2)
If
and
, then
APHO II
2001
Theoretical Question 2
p. 1 / 2
Theoretical Question 2
system of electric charges is coupled to its rotational motion. As a result, the conservation laws
for the momentum and the component of the angular momentum along the direction of
are
modified from the usual form. This is illustrated in this problem by considering the motion of an
electric dipole made of two particles of equal mass m and carrying charges q and
respectively ( q > 0 ). The two particles are connected by a rigid insulating rod of length
mass of which can be neglected.
that of the other particle and
Let
=
, the
. Denote by
vectors of the center of mass respectively. Relativistic effects and effects of electromagnetic
radiation can be neglected.
Note that the magnetic force acting on a particle of charge q and velocity
where the cross product of two vectors
is
the vectors, by
(
)x (
)y (
)z (
)z (
)y
)y (
)z (
)x (
)x (
)z
)z (
)x (
)y (
)y (
)x.
and
energy E.
(c) The angular momentum consists of two parts. One part is due to the motion of the center
of mass and the other is due to rotation around the center of mass. From the modified
form of the conservation law for the total momentum and the equation of motion of the
rotation around the center of mass, prove that the quantity J as defined by
J=(
is conserved.
1
APHO II
2001
Theoretical Question 2
p. 2 / 2
Note that
and
) (
be in the z-direction.
points in the
z-direction).
(a) If the magnitude of
APHO II
2001
Theoretical Question 3
p. 1 / 3
Theoretical Question 3
(0,0, a)
(0, a, 0)
E
( a,0,0)
x
Fig. 3a
(1) The crystal is cut in such a way that the plane containing ABCD becomes a
boundary surface and is chosen for doing low-energy electron diffraction
experiments. A collimated beam of electrons with kinetic energy of 64.0 eV is
incident on this surface plane at an incident angle
is
the angle between the incident electron beam and the normal of the surface plane.
The plane containing
incidence. For simplicity, we assume that all incident electrons are back scattered
only by the surface atoms on the topmost layer.
(a) What is the wavelength of the matter waves of the incident electrons?
(b) If a detector is set up to detect electrons that do not leave the plane of incidence
after being diffracted, at what angles with the normal of the surface will these
diffracted electrons be observable?
(2) Assume that the thermal vibrational motions of the surface atoms are simple
1
APHO II
2001
Theoretical Question 3
p. 2 / 3
(1)
and
electron, respectively. The angle brackets < > is used to denote average over
time. Note that the relation between the wave vector
of a particle is
=2
(a) Calculate the frequency of vibration in the direction of the surface normal for the
surface atoms.
(b) Calculate the root-mean-square displacement, i. e. the value of ( < ux2> )1/2, in the
direction of the surface normal for the surface atoms at 300 K.
01
-0.2
28
88
-0.4
0.6
-0.6
0.4
-0.8
0.2
-1.0
50
T (K)
APHO II
2001
Theoretical Question 3
p. 3 / 3
J/K
10-34 J-s
2a
3a
(N - 1)a
na
Na
(N + 1)a = L
[0.7 marks]
(b) To attempt to solve the equation of motion of part (a) use the trial solution
Xn() = A sin nka cos (t + ),
where Xn() is the displacement of the nth particle from equilibrium, the angular
frequency of the vibration mode and A, k and are constants; k and are the
wave numbers and mode frequencies respectively. For each k, there will be a
corresponding frequency . Find the dependence of on k, the allowed values of
k, and the maximum value of . The chains vibration is thus a superposition of
all these vibration modes. Useful formulas:
(d/dx) cos x = - sin x,
(d/dx) sin x = cos x, = constant.
sin(A + B) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B,
(c) For a given allowed (or k) there may be no phonons; or there may be one; or
two; or any number of phonons. Hence it makes sense to try to calculate the
average energy E ( ) of a particular mode with a frequency . Let P p()
represent the probability that there are p phonons with this frequency . Then the
required average is
E ( ) =
ph P ( )
p
p =0
P ( )
p =0
Although the phonons are discrete, the fact that there are so many of them (and the
Pp becomes tiny for large p) allows us to extend the sum to p = , with negligible
error. Now the probability Pp is given by Boltzmanns formula
Pp() exp ( ph/kBT),
where kB is Boltzmanns constant and T is the absolute temperature of the crystal,
assumed constant. The constant of proportionality does not depend on p.
Calculate the average energy for phonons of frequency . Possibly useful
formula: (d/dx) ef(x) = (df / dx) ef(x).
[2 marks]
(d) We would like next to compute the total energy ET of the crystal. In part (c) we
found the average energy E ( ) for the vibration mode . To find ET we must
multiply E ( ) by the number of modes of the crystal per unit of frequency
and then sum up all these for the entire range from = 0 to max. Take an interval
k in the range of wave numbers. For very large N and for k much larger than
the spacing between successive (allowed) k values, how many modes can be
found in the interval k?
[1 mark]
(e) To make use of the results of (a) and (b), approximate k by (dk/d )d and
replace any sum by an integral over . (It is more convenient to use the variable
in place of k at this point.) State the total number of modes of the crystal in this
approximation. Also derive an expression ET but do not evaluate it. The following
integral may be useful:
dx /
0
1 x 2 = / 2.
[2.2 marks]
1000m
35m
Just after he had completed the construction and checked that it worked perfectly, he
received a call from the young lady, sobbing and telling him that her father was going
to marry her off to a rich man unless he can arrive at Q within 11 seconds after the
call, and having said that she hang up.
The young man immediately got into action and launched himself across the strait to
Q.
Show, using the steps listed below, whether it is possible for him to make it in time,
and if so, what is the range of he must set the ramp?
(a) Derive an expression for the acceleration of the young man parallel to the rail.
[3 marks]
(b) Obtain an expression in terms of for the time spent
i. on the rails, ts and
ii.
in flight, tf.
[3 marks]
(c) Plot a graph of the total time T = ts + tf against the angle of inclination .
[1.5 marks]
(d) By considering the relevant parameters of this device, obtain the range of
angles that he should set. Plot another graph if necessary.
[2.5 marks]
Make the following assumptions:
1) The time between the end of the call and all preparations (such as setting to
the appropriate angle) for the launch is negligible. This is to say, the launch is
considered to start at time t = 0 when the bar (with the young man hanging to
it) is starting to move.
2) The young man may start his motion from any point along the metal rails.
3) The higher end of the ramp and Q is at the same level, and the distance
between them is w = 1000 m.
4) There is no question about safety such as when landing, electric shocks, etc.
5) The resistance of the metal rails, the internal resistance of the power supply,
the friction between the conducting bar and the rails and the air resistance are
all negligible.
6) Take acceleration due to gravity as g = 10 m/s2.
e ax
.
a
2. The solution to
dx
= a + bx is given by
dt
a
x (t ) = (e bt 1) + x(0)e bt .
b
W (v) = 4
v 2 e M v / ( 2 RT ) ,
2 R T
where W (v) dv is the fraction of molecules whose speed lie between v and v + d v ,
M is the molar mass of the gas, T is the gas temperature and R is the gas constant,
show that the average or mean speed of the gas molecules is given by
v = v W (v) dv =
0
8RT
M
[1.5 marks]
(b)
Assuming that the gases behave as an ideal gas at low pressure, P , show that
the rate of impingement is given by
P
J =
2 mk T
where m is the mass of the molecule and T is the temperature of the gas.
[1.5 marks]
(c)
If the residual pressure of oxygen in a vacuum system is 133 Pa, and by
modelling the oxygen molecule as a sphere of radius approximately 3.6 10 10 m,
estimate how long it takes to deposit a molecule-thick layer of oxygen on the wafer at
300o Celsius, assuming that all the oxygen molecules which strike the silicon wafer
surface are deposited. Assume also that oxygen molecules in the layer are arranged
side by side.
[1.7 marks]
(d)
In reality, not all molecules of oxygen react with the silicon. This can be
modeled by the concept of activation energy where the reacting molecules should
have total energy greater than the activation energy before it can react. Physically this
activation energy describes the fact that chemical bonds between the silicon atoms
have to be broken before a new bond between silicon and oxygen atoms is formed.
Assuming an activation energy for the reaction to be 1 eV, estimate again how long it
would take to deposit one atomic layer of oxygen at the above temperature. You may
assume that the area under the Maxwell distribution in part (a) is unity.
0.0014
0.0012
W(v)
Prob
0.001
0.0008
0.0006
0.0004
0.0002
0
0
500
1000
1500
velocity
,v
2000
2500
3000
Velocity, v (m/s)
[2.8 marks]
(e)
For lithography processes, the clean silicon wafer is coated evenly with a layer
of transparent polymer (photo-resist) of refractive index = 1.40. To measure the
thickness of this photo-resist, the wafer is illuminated with collimated monochromatic
beam of light of wavelength = 589 nm. For a certain minimum thickness of photoresist, d , there is a destructive interference of reflected light, assuming normal
incidence on the coating. Derive an expression for relation between d, and .
Calculate d using the given data. In this point you may assume that silicon behaves as
a medium with a refractive index greater than 1.40 and you may ignore multiple
reflections.
[2.5 marks]
The following data may be helpful:
Molar mass of oxygen is 32 g mol -1.
Boltzmann constant, k = 1.38 10 23 J K-1.
Avogadro number, N A = 6.02 10 23 mol -1
Useful formula:
3
k x
x e dx =
2
1 k x2
e
2
1
x2
2 +
k
k
Theoretical Competition
23 April 2003
Theoretical Competition
I. Satellites orbit transfer
In the near future we ourselves may take part in launching of a satellite which, in
point of view of physics, requires only the use of simple mechanics.
u2
P
R1
u0
M
R0
u1
a)
b)
We are to put this satellite into a trajectory that will take it to point P at distance R1
from the centre of the Earth by increasing (almost instantaneously) its velocity at
point Q from u0 to u1 . What is the value of u1 in terms of u0 , R0 , R1 ?
(2 points)
c)
Deduce the minimum value of u1 in term of u0 that will allow the satellite to leave
the Earths influence completely.
(1 point)
d)
(Referring to part b.) What is the velocity (u2 ) of the satellite at point P in terms of
u0 , R0 , R1 ?
(1 point)
e)
Now, we want to change the orbit of the satellite at point P into a circular orbit of
radius R1 by raising the value of u2 (almost instantaneously) to u3 .
What is the magnitude of u3 in terms of u2 , R0 , R1 ?
(1 point)
page
Theoretical Competition
f)
23 April 2003
r
mean orbit of
radius R1
If the satellite is slightly and instantaneously perturbed in the radial direction so that
it deviates from its previously perfectly circular orbit of radius R1 , derive the period
of its oscillation T of r about the mean distance R1 .
Hint: Students may make use (if necessary) of the equation of motion of a satellite
in orbit:
2
d2
Mm
d
m 2 r r = G 2
(1)
r
dt
dt
and the conservation of angular momentum:
d
mr 2 = constant
. (2)
dt
(3 points)
g)
Give a rough sketch of the whole perturbed orbit together with the unperturbed one.
(1 point)
page
Theoretical Competition
23 April 2003
Optical fibre
light path
P
Fig.1
a)
Practically, the orbital speed of the ring is much less than the speed of light such
2
that (R ) << c 2 , find the time difference t = t + t where t + and t denote
the round-trip transit time of the CW and CCW beam respectively. Give your
answer in term of area A enclosed by the ring.
(2 points)
b)
Find the optical path difference, L , for the CW and CCW beams to complete one
round-trip of the light within the rotating ring.
(2 points)
c)
d)
Theoretical Competition
23 April 2003
The second scheme of the Optical Gyroscope is Ring Laser Gyroscope (RLG). This could
be accomplished by the inclusion of active laser cavity into an equilateral triangular ring,
of total length L, as illustrated in Fig.2. The laser source here will generate two amplified
coherent light sources propagating in the opposite directions. In order to sustain the laser
oscillation in this triangular ring resonator, the perimeter of the ring must be equal to the
integer multiple of wavelength . Etalon, additional component inserted into the ring, is
possible to cause frequency selective losses in the ring resonator, so that the undesired
modes can be damped and suppressed.
Detector
M1
L/3
Etalon
L/3
60
60
M2
L/3
M3
Laser tube
e)
Find the time difference of the transit in clockwise and counterclockwise, t, for
the case of the triangular ring as shown in the figure 2. Give the answer in terms of
and the area A enclosed by the ring.Show that this result is the same as that of
the circular ring.
(2 points)
f)
If the ring is rotating with an angular frequency as shown in Fig. 2, there will be
frequency difference between CW and CCW measurements. What is the observed
beat frequency, , between the CW and CCW beams in terms of L,, .
(2 points)
Theoretical Competition
23 April 2003
b)
Derive the expression for the magnetic field at the same point as in a).
(2 points)
c)
What is then the net outward force on the electron in the electron beam passing that
point?
(1 point)
d)
e)
If the electron beam of radius R enters into a plasma of uniform density n0 < n (the
plasma is an ionized gas of ions and electrons with equal charge density), what will
be the net force on the stationary plasma ion at distance r outside the electron
beam long after the beam entering the plasma. You may assume that the density of
the plasma ions remains constant and the cylindrical symmetry is maintained.
(3 points)
f)
After long enough time, what is the net force on an electron at distance r from the
central axis of the beam in the plasma, assuming v c provided that the density of
the plasma ions remains constant and the cylindrical symmetry is maintained?
(2 points)
In the spacecraft orbiting the Earth, there is weightless state, so that one cannot use
ordinary instruments to measure the weight and then to deduce the mass of the astronaut.
Skylab 2 and some other spacecrafts are supplied with a Body Mass Measurement Device
which consists of a chair attached to one end of a spring. The other end of the spring is
attached to a fixed point of the spacecraft. The axis of the spring passes through the center of
mass of the craft. The force constant (the hardness) of the spring is k = 605.6 N/m.
1. When the craft is fixed on the pad, the chair (without person) oscillates with the period
T0 = 1.28195 s.
Calculate the mass m0 of the chair [2 pts].
2. When the craft orbits the Earth the astronaut straps himself into the chair and measures the
period T of the chair oscillations. He obtains T = 2.33044 s, then calculates roughly his
mass. He feels some doubt and tries to find the true value of his mass. He measures again the
period of oscillation of the chair (without person), and find T0 = 1.27395 s.
What is the true value of the astronauts mass and the crafts mass? [4pts]
Note: The mass of the spring is negligible and the astronaut is floating.
x
n0=1
a
O
n2
n1
n = n(x) = n1 1 2 x 2
where x is the distance from the core axis and is a constant. The core is surrounded by a
cladding made of a material with constant refraction index n2. Outside the fiber is air, of
refractive index n0.
Let Oz be the axis of the fiber, with O - the center of the fiber end.
Given n0=1.000; n1 =1.500; n2 = 1.460, a = 25 m.
1. A monochromatic light ray enters the fiber at point O under an incident angle i , the
incident plane being the plane xOz.
a. Show that at each point on the trajectory of the light in the fiber, the refractive index n
and the angle between the light ray and the Oz axis satisfy the relationship n cos = C
where C is a constant. Find the expression for C in terms of n1 and i. [1.0 points]
b. Use the result found in 1.a. and the trigonometric relation cos = 1 + tan
1
2
, where
dx
= x' is the slope of the tangent to the trajectory at point (x, z), derive an equation
dz
for x' . Find the full expression for in terms of n1, n2 and a. By differentiating the two sides
of this equation versus z, find the equation for the second derivative x'' . [1.0 points]
c. Find the expression of x as a function of z , that is x = f ( z ) , which satisfies the above
equation. This is the equation of the trajectory of light in the fiber. [1.0 points]
d. Sketch one full period of the trajectories of the light rays entering the fiber under two
different incident angles i . [1.0 points]
tan =
3. The light is used to transmit signals in the form of very short light pulses (of negligible
pulse width).
a. Determine the time it takes the light to travel from point O to the first crossing point
with Oz for incident angle i 0 and i i M .
The ratio of the coordinate z of the first crossing point and is called the propagation
speed of the light signal along the fiber. Assume that this speed varies monotonously with i.
Find this speed (called vM ) for i = i M .
Find also the propagation speed (called v0 ) of the light along the axis Oz.
Compare the two speeds.
[3.25 points]
b. The light beam bearing the signals is a converging beam entering the fiber at O under
different incident angles i with 0 i iM . Calculate the highest repetition frequency f of
the signal pulses, so that at a distance z = 1000 m two consecutive pulses are still separated
(that is, the pulses do not overlap).
[1.75 points]
Attention
1. The wave properties of the light are not considered in this problem.
2. Neglect any chromatic dispersion in the fiber.
3. The speed of light in vacuum is c = 2.998108 m/s
4. You may use the following formulae:
The length of a small arc element ds in the xOz plane is
2
dx
ds = dz 1 +
dz
dx
1
bx
= Arc sin
a
a 2 b2 x2 b
dx
ds
dz
bx
a 2 Arc sin
2
2 2
x
a
b
x
2 2 2 = 2b2 + 2b3 a
a b x
Arc sin x is the inverse function of the sine function. Its value equals the less angle the
sine of which is x. In other words, if y = Arc sin x then sin y = x .
x 2dx
2. All conditions as in 1. except that there is friction between partition NM and the wall of
the cylinder so that NM displaces only when the difference of the pressures acting on its two
opposed faces attains 0.5 atm. and over (assuming that the coefficients of static and kinetic
friction are equal).
a. Draw the p(V) curve representing the pressure p in the right compartment as a
function of the total volume V of both gases in the cylinder at a constant temperature T1.
[1.5 pts]
b. Calculate the work done by the piston in compressing the gases. [0.5 pts]
c. After the volume of gases reaches the value VF = V0/4, piston AB displaces slowly to
the right and makes a quasi-static and isothermal process of expansion of both substances
(water and nitrogen) to the initial total volume 2V0. Continue to draw in the diagram in
question 2.a. the curve representing this process [2.0 pts]
Hint for 2.
Create a table like the one shown here and use it to draw the curves as required in 2.a.
and 2.c.
State Left compartment
Right compartment
Total
Pressure on
Volume | Pressure
Volume | Pressure
volume
piston AB
initial V0
2
3
.
.
.
.
.
final
| 0.5 atm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
V0
| 0.5 atm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2V0
0.5 atm.
2V0
3. Suppose that the wall and the fond of the cylinder and the piston are heat insulator, the
partition NM is fixed and heat conductive, the initial state of gases is as in 1. Piston AB
moves slowly toward the right side and increases the volume of the right compartment until
the water vapor begins to condense in the left compartment.
a. Calculate the final volume of the right compartment. [3 pts]
b. Calculate the work done by the gas in this expansion. [1 pts]
C
7
The ratio of isobaric heat capacity to isochoric one = p for nitrogen is 1 =
and
CV
5
8
for water vapor 2 = .
6
In the interval of temperature from 353 K to 393 K one can use the following
approximate formula:
L 1 1
p = p0 exp
( )
R
T T0
where T is boiling temperature of water under pressure p, - its molar mass. p0, L and T0 are
given above.
THEORETICAL COMPETITION
FINAL PROBLEM
Question 1
1A. SPRING CYLINDER WITH MASSIVE PISTON
Consider n=2 moles of ideal Helium gas at a pressure P0, volume V0 and temperature T0
= 300 K placed in a vertical cylindrical container (see Figure 1.1). A moveable
frictionless horizontal piston of mass m = 10 kg (assume g = 9.8 m/s2) and cross section A
= 500 cm2 compresses the gas leaving the upper section of the container void. There is a
vertical spring attached to the piston and the upper wall of the container. Disregard any
gas leakage through their surface contact, and neglect the specific thermal capacities of
the container, piston and spring. Initially the system is in equilibrium and the spring is
unstretched. Neglect the springs mass.
a. Calculate the frequency f of small oscillation of the piston, when it is slightly
displaced from equilibrium position.
(2 points)
SPRING
PISTON
GAS
Figure 1.1
b. Then the piston is pushed down until the gas volume is halved, and released with
zero velocity. calculate the value(s) of the gas volume when the piston speed is
4 gV0
(3 points)
5A
Let the spring constant k = mgA/V0. All the processes in gas are adiabatic. Gas constant
R = 8.314 JK-1mol-1. For mono-atomic gas (Helium) use Laplace constant = 5/3.
2/14
THEORETICAL COMPETITION
FINAL PROBLEM
ru
rd
Standing
Squating
Figure 1.2
How many cycles of this maneuver does it take for the child to build up the amplitude
(or the maximum angular velocity) of the swing by a factor of two?
3/14
THEORETICAL COMPETITION
FINAL PROBLEM
Question 2
MAGNETIC FOCUSING
There exist many devices that utilize fine beams of charged particles. The cathode ray
tube used in oscilloscopes, in television receivers or in electron microscopes. In these
devices the particle beam is focused and deflected in much the same manner as a light
beam is in an optical instrument.
Beams of particles can be focused by electric fields or by magnetic fields. In problem 2A
and 2B we are going to see how the beam can be focused by a magnetic field.
a) Calculate B so that the electron returns to the axis at point F after one complete
turn. (3 points)
b) Find the current in the solenoid if the latter has 500 turns per meter. (1 point)
Anode
F
L
Figure 2.1
5/14
THEORETICAL COMPETITION
FINAL PROBLEM
Fringe
Field
XZ
Plane
z
y
x
B
Narrow
Beam of
Particles
6/14
THEORETICAL COMPETITION
FINAL PROBLEM
z
x=b
Bz
x
Bx
Figure 2.3. Fringe field
A parallel narrow beam of particles, each of mass m and positive charge q enters the
magnet (near the center) with a high velocity v parallel to the horizontal plane. The
vertical size of the beam is comparable to the distance between the magnet poles. A
certain beam enters the magnet at an angle from the center line of the magnet and
leaves the magnet at an angle - (see Figure 2.4. Assume is very small). Assume that
the angle with which the particle enters the fringe field is the same as the angle when
it enters the uniform field.
y
l
v
7/14
THEORETICAL COMPETITION
FINAL PROBLEM
The beam will be focused due to the fringe field. Calculate the approximate focal length
if we define the focal length as illustrated in Figure 2.5 (assume b<<l and assume that the
z-component of the deflection in the uniform magnetic field B is very small).
8/14
THEORETICAL COMPETITION
FINAL PROBLEM
Question 3
transformation to get the reflection formula due to a mirror moving with a velocity v .
This formula, however, could also be derived by using a relatively simpler method.
Consider the reflection process as shown in Fig. 3.1, where a plane mirror M moves
has an incident angle and reflection angle which are the angles between n and
the incident beam 1 and reflection beam 1' , respectively in the laboratory frame F. It
can be shown that,
v
sin sin = sin sin ( + )
c
(1)
n
M
a
x
10/14
THEORETICAL COMPETITION
FINAL PROBLEM
by a mirror moving with a constant velocity v = v e x (see Fig. 3.2). By applying the
Lorentz transformation to the result obtained in the rest frame of the mirror, Einstein
found that:
v 2
v
1 + cos 2
c
c
(2)
cos =
2
v
v
1 2 cos +
c
c
Derive this formula using Equation (1) without Lorentz transformation!
y
x
= 900
Figure 3.2. Einstein mirror moving to the left with a velocity v.
11/14
THEORETICAL COMPETITION
FINAL PROBLEM
Figure 3.3.
Figure 3.3 shows the positions of the mirror at time t 0 and t . Since the observer is
moving to the left, the mirror moves relatively to the right. Light beam 1 falls on point
a at t 0 and is reflected as beam 1' . Light beam 2 falls on point d at t and is reflected
as beam 2 ' . Therefore, ab is the wave front of the incoming light at time t 0 . The
atoms at point are disturbed by the incident wave front ab and begin to radiate a
wavelet. The disturbance due to the wave front ab stops at time t when the
wavefront strikes point d. The semicircle in the figure represents wave-front of the
wavelet at time t.
By referring to figure 3.3 for light wave propagation or using other methods, derive
equation (1).
12/14
Theoretical Question 1
Page 1 /3
Theoretical Question 1
p = s0
/2
<< ,
1 + 4( a 0 ) 2 / 2
where s0 << 1 is a parameter, which depends on the properties of atoms and laser
intensity.
Ee
Eg
Theoretical Question 1
Page 2 /3
the ground state. You can also neglect the effects of the gravitation, which are
compensated in real experiments by an additional magnetic field.
Numerical values:
-34
Planck constant
Boltzmann constant
Mass of sodium atom
Frequency of used transition
Excited state linewidth
Concentration of the atoms
= 1.0510 J s
-23
-1
k B = 1.3810 J K
m = 3.8110-26 kg
0 = 2 5.081014 Hz
= 2 9.80106 Hz
n = 1014 cm-3
Questions
)
[1 Point] Suppose the atom is moving in the positive x direction with the velocity
, and the laser radiation with frequency is propagating in the negative
direction. What is the frequency of radiation in the reference frame of the atom?
b)
[2.5 Points] Suppose the atom is moving in the positive x direction with the
velocity , and two identical laser beams shine along direction from different
sides. Laser frequencies are , and intensity parameters are s0. Find the
expression for the average force F ( x ) acting on an atom. For small this force
can be written as F ( x ) = x . Find the expression for . What is the sign of
= 0 , if the absolute value of the velocity of the atom decreases? Assume
that momentum of an atom is much larger than the momentum of a photon.
In what follows we will assume that the atom velocity is small enough so that one can
use the linear expression for the average force.
)
[2.0 Points] If one uses 6 lasers along , and z axes in positive and negative
directions, then for >0 the dissipative force acts on the atoms, and their average
energy decreases. This means that the temperature of the gas, which is defined
through the average energy, decreases. Using the concentration of the atoms
given above, estimate numerically the temperature Q, for which one cannot
consider atoms as point-like objects because of quantum effects.
In what follows we will assume that the temperature is much larger than Q and six
lasers along , and z directions are used, as was explained in part ).
In part b) you calculated the average force acting on the atom. However, because of the
quantum nature of photons, in each absorption or emission process the momentum of
the atom changes by some discrete value and in random direction, due to the recoil
processes.
d)
[0.5 Points] Determine numerically the square value of the change of the
momentum of the atom, (p)2, as the result of one absorption or emission event.
e)
Theoretical Question 1
Page 3 /3
[3.5 Points] Because of the recoil effect, average temperature of the gas after
long time doesnt become an absolute zero, but reaches some finite value. The
evolution of the momentum of the atom can be represented as a random walk in
the momentum space with an average step < p 2 > , and a cooling due to the
dissipative force. The steady-state temperature is determined by the combined
effect of these two different processes. Show that the steady state temperature Td
1
x
[0.5 Point] Find numerically the minimal possible value of the temperature due to
recoil effect. For what ratio / is it achieved?
Theoretical Question 2
Oscillator damped by sliding friction
Theoretical Introduction
In mechanics, one often uses so called phase space, an imaginary space with the axes
comprising of coordinates and moments (or velocities) of all the material points of the
system. Points of the phase space are called imaging points. Every imaging point
determines some state of the system.
When the mechanical system evolves, the corresponding imaging point follows a
trajectory in the phase space which is called phase trajectory. One puts an arrow along
the phase trajectory to show direction of the evolution. A set of all possible phase
trajectories of a given mechanical system is called a phase portrait of the system.
Analysis of this phase portrait allows one to unravel important qualitative properties of
dynamics of the system, without solving equations of motion of the system in an
explicit form. In many cases, the use of the phase space is the most appropriate method
to solve problems in mechanics.
In this problem, we suggest you to use phase space in analyzing some mechanical
systems with one degree of freedom, i.e., systems which are described by only one
coordinate. In this case, the phase space is a two-dimensional plane. The phase
trajectory is a curve on this plane given by a dependence of the momentum on the
coordinate of the point, or vice versa, by a dependence of the coordinate of the point on
the momentum.
As an example we present a phase trajectory of a free particle moving along x axis in
positive direction (Fig.1).
p
Questions
A. Phase portraits (3.0)
A1. [0.5 Points] Make a draw of the phase trajectory of a free material point moving
between two parallel absolutely reflective walls located at x = - L/2 and x = L/2.
A2. Investigate the phase trajectory of the harmonic oscillator, i.e., of the material
point of mass m affected by Hooks force F = - k x:
a) [0.5 Points] Find the equation of the phase trajectory and its parameters.
b) [0.5 Points] Make a draw of the phase trajectory of the harmonic oscillator.
A3. [1.5 Points] Consider a material point of mass m on the end of weightless solid
rod of length L, another end of which is fixed (strength of gravitational field is g). It is
convenient to use the angle between the rod and vertical line as a coordinate of the
system. The phase plane is the plane with coordinates ( , d / dt ). Study and make a
draw of the phase portrait of this pendulum at arbitrary angle . How many qualitatively
different types of phase trajectories K does this system have? Draw at least one typical
trajectory of each type. Find the conditions which determine these different types of
phase trajectories. (Do not take the equilibrium points as phase trajectories). Neglect air
resistance.
B. The oscillator damped by sliding friction (7.0)
When considering resistance to a motion, we usually deal with two types of friction
forces. The first type is the friction force, which depends on the velocity (viscous
friction), and is defined by F = -v. An example is given by a motion of a solid body in
gases or liquids. The second type is the friction force, which does not depend on the
magnitude of velocity. It is defined by the value F = N and direction opposite to the
relative velocity of contacting bodies (sliding friction). An example is given by a
motion of a solid body on the surface of another solid body.
As a specific example of the second type, consider a solid body on a horizontal
surface at the end of a spring, another end of which is fixed. The mass of the body is m,
the elasticity coefficient of the spring is k, the friction coefficient between the body and
the surface is . Assume that the body moves along the straight line with the coordinate
x (x = 0 corresponds to the spring which is not stretched). Assume that static and
dynamical friction coefficients are the same. At initial moment the body has a position
x=A0 (A0>0) and zero velocity.
B1. [1.0 Points] Write down equation of motion of the harmonic oscillator damped
by the sliding friction.
B2. [2.0 Points] Make a draw of the phase trajectory of this oscillator and find the
equilibrium points.
B3. [1.0 Points] Does the body completely stop at the position where the string is
not stretched? If not, determine the length of the region where the body can come to a
complete stop.
B4. [2.0 Points] Find the decrease of the maximal deviation of the oscillator in
positive x direction during one oscillation A. What is the time between two
consequent maximal deviations in positive direction? Find the dependence of this
maximal deviation A(tn) where tn is the time of the n-th maximal deviation in positive
direction.
B5. [1.0 Points] Make a draw of the dependence of coordinate on time, x(t), and
estimate the number N of oscillations of the body?
Note:
Equation of the ellipse with semi-axes a and b and centre at the origin has the
following form:
x2 y2
+
=1
a2 b2
Theoretical Question 3
Page 1 /2
Theoretical Question 3
This problem consists of four not related parts.
A. [2.5 points] The Mariana Abyss in the Pacific Ocean has a depth of
H = 10920 m .
Density of salted water at the surface of the ocean is 0 = 1025 kg / m , bulk modulus is
2
= 2,1 10 9 Pa , acceleration of gravity is g=9.81m/s . Neglect the change in the
temperature and in the acceleration of gravity with the depth, and also neglect the
atmospheric pressure.
1) Find the relation between the density (x) and pressure P (x) at the depth
of .
2) Find the numerical value of the pressure P(H ) at the bottom of the
Mariana Abyss. You may use iterative methods to solve this part.
3
V dP T =const
B. [2.5 points] Light mobile piston separates the vessel into two parts. The vessel is
isolated from the environment. One part of the vessel contains m1 = 3g of hydrogen
at the temperature of 10 = 300 , and the other part contains 2 = 16 g of oxygen at
the temperature of 20 = 400 . Molar masses of hydrogen and oxygen are
1 = 2 g / mole and 2 = 32 g / mole respectively, and R = 8.31J /( K mole ). The piston
weakly conducts heat between oxygen and hydrogen, and eventually the temperature
in the system equilibrates. All the processes are quasi stationary.
1) What is the final temperature of the system T?
2) What is the ratio between final pressure Pf and initial pressure Pi ?
3) What is the total amount of heat Q, transferred from oxygen to hydrogen?
C. [2.5 points] Two identical conducting plates and with charges Q and +q
respectively (Q > q > 0) are located parallel to each other at a small distance.
Another identical plate with mass m and charge +Q is situated parallel to the
original plates at distance d from the plate (see fig 1). Surface area of the plates is
S. The plate is released and can move freely, while the plates and are kept
fixed. Assume that the collision between the plates and is elastic, and neglect the
gravitational force and the boundary effects. Assume that the charge has enough time
to redistribute between plates and during the collision.
Theoretical Question 3
Page 2 /2
1) What is the electric field E1 acting on the plate before the collision with
the plate ?
2) What are the charges of the plates Q and Q after the collision?
3) What is the velocity of the plate after the collision at the distance d
from the plate ?
-Q
+q
+Q
Fig. 1
D. [2.5 points] Two thin lenses with lens powers D1 and D2 are located at distance
L = 25cm from each other, and their main optical axes coincide. This system creates a
direct real image of the object, located at the main optical axis closer to lens D1, with
the magnification '= 1 . If the positions of the two lenses are exchanged, the system
again produces a direct real image, with the magnification ' ' = 4.
D1) What are the types of the lenses? On the answer sheet you should mark
the gathering lens as +, and the diverging lens as - .
D2) What is the difference between the lens powers D = D1 D2 ?
Theoretical problem 1
Back-and-Forth Rolling of a Liquid-Filled Sphere (10 points)
Consider a sphere filled with liquid inside rolling back and forth at the bottom
of a spherical bowl. That is, the sphere is periodically changing its translational and
rotational direction. Due to the viscosity of the liquid inside, the movement of the
sphere would be very complicated and hard to deal with. However, a simplified model
presented here would be beneficial to the solution of such a problem.
Assume that a rigid thin spherical shell of radius r and mass m is fully filled with
some liquid substance of mass M, denoted as W. W has such a unique property that
usually it behaves like an ideal liquid (i.e. without any viscosity), while in response to
some special external influence (such as electric field) it transits to solid state
immediately with the same volume; and once the applied influence removed, the
liquid state recovers immediately. Besides, this influence does not give rise to any
force or torque exerting on the sphere. This liquid-filled spherical shell (for
convenience, called the sphere hereafter) is supposed to roll back and forth at the
bottom of a spherical bowl of radius R (
in the figure. Assume the sphere moves only in the vertical plane (namely, the plane
of the figure), please study the movement of the sphere for the following three cases:
1. W behaves as in ideal solid state, meanwhile W contacts the inner wall of the
spherical shell so closely that they can be taken as solid sphere as a whole of
radius r with an abrupt density change across the interface between the inside wall
of the shell and W.
(1) Calculate the rotational inertia I of the sphere with respect to the axis passing
through its center C. (You are asked to show detailed steps.)
(1.0 points)
(2) Calculate the period
A1
solid
liquid
A2
A
A1 0
liquid
solid
(2.5points)
2. W behaves as an ideal liquid with no friction between W and the spherical shell.
Calculate the period
(2.5 points)
radwith the plumb line OD, where D is the center of the spherical bowl.
, as
Release the sphere, it starts to roll left from rest. During the motion of the sphere
from
that the sphere passes through point O, W changes suddenly into solid state and
sticks itself firmly on the inside wall of the sphere shell until the sphere reaches
the left highest position
, W changes suddenly
back into the liquid state. Then, the sphere rolls right; and W changes suddenly
into solid state and sticks itself firmly on the inside wall of the spherical shell
again when the sphere passes through the equilibrium position O. When the
sphere reaches the right highest position
again. Then the whole circle repeats time after time. The sphere rolls right and left
periodically but with the angular amplitude decreased time after time. The motion
direction of the sphere is shown by curved arrows in the figure, together with the
words solid and liquid showing corresponding state of W. It is assumed that
during such process of rolling back and forth, no any relative slide happens
between the sphere and the inside wall of the bowl (or, alternatively, the bottom of
the bowl can supply as enough friction as needed). Calculate the period
sphere rolling right and left, and the angular amplitude
of the
sphere, namely, the angle that the line CD makes with the vertical line OD when
the sphere reaches the right highest position
shown in the figure). 4.0 points
is
Theoretical problem 2
2A. Optical properties of an unusual material (7 points)
The optical properties of a medium are governed by its relative permittivity (
and relative permeability (
and
phenomenon meeting Snells law occurs when light from air strikes obliquely on the
surface of such kind of substances. In 1964, a Russia scientist V. Veselago rigorously
proved that a material with simultaneously negative
and
amazing and even unbelievable optical properties. In early 21st century, such unusual
optical materials were successfully demonstrated in some laboratories. Nowadays
study on such unusual optical materials has become a frontier scientific research field.
Through solving several problems in what follows, you can gain some basic
understanding of the fundamental optical properties of such unusual materials. It
should be noticed that a material with simultaneously negative
and
as what happens in a
and
is the wave
vector of the light. In the questions listed below, we assume that both the relative
permittivity and permeability of air are equal to 1.
1. (1)According to the property described above, assuming that a light beam strikes
from air on the surface of such an unusual material with relative permittivity
and relative permeability
(1.2 points)
Fig. 2-1
(2) For Fig. 2-1, show the relationship between refraction angle
refracted beam makes with the normal of the interface between air and the
material) and incidence angle .
(0.8 points)
(3) Assuming that a light beam strikes from the unusual material on the interface
between it and air, prove that the direction of the refracted light beam depicted in
Fig.2-2 is reasonable.
(1.2 points)
Fig. 2-2
(4) For Fig. 2-2, show the relationship between the refraction angle
(the angle
that refracted beam makes with the normal of the interface between two media)
and the incidence angle .
(0.8 points)
three light rays radiated from the point source. (Hints: under
the conditions given in this problem, no reflection would happen at the interface
between air and the unusual material).
(1.0 points)
Fig. 2-3
3. As shown in Fig. 2-4, a parallel-plate resonance cavity is formed by two plates
parallel with each other and separated by a distant d. Optically one of the plates,
denoted as Plate 1 in Fig.2-4 , is ideally reflective (reflectance equals to 100%),
and the other one, denoted by Plate 2, is partially reflective ( but with a high
reflectance). Suppose plane light waves are radiated from a source located near
Plate 1, then such light waves are multiply reflected by the two plates inside the
cavity. Since optically the Plate 2 is not ideally reflective, some light waves will
leak out of Plate 2 each time the light beam reaches it (ray 1, 2, 3, as shown in Fig.
2-4), while some light waves will be reflected by it. If these light waves are
in-phase, they will interfere with each other constructively, leading to resonance.
We assume that the light wave gains a phase of
parallel to the two plates. The remaining space is filled with air inside the cavity.
Let us consider only the situation that the light wave travels along the direction
perpendicular to the plates (the ray diagram depicted in Fig.2-4 is only a
schematic one), calculate all the wavelengths that satisfy the resonance condition
of such a cavity. (Hints: under the condition given here, no reflection would occur
at the interfaces between air and the unusual material).
(1.0 points)
Fig. 2-4
4. An infinitely long cylinder of radius R, made of an unusual optical material with
, is placed in air, its cross section in XOY plane is shown in Fig. 2-5
with the center located on Y axis. Suppose a laser source located on the X axis
(the position of the source is described by its coordinate x) emits narrow laser light
along the Y direction. Show the range of x, for which the light signal emitted from
the light source can not reach the infinite receiving plane on the other side of the
cylinder.
(1.0 points)
Fig. 2-5
, is induced solely by
).
(1) When two identical small dielectric spheres exist inside the fluid and contact
with each other, while the line connecting their centers makes an angle
with
the external field direction (see Fig. 2-6), write the expression of the energy of
dipole-dipole interaction between the two small contacting dielectric spheres, in
terms of p, a and . (Note: In your calculations each polarized dielectric sphere
can be viewed as an electric dipole located at the center of the sphere) (0.5 points)
Fig. 2-6
(2) Calculate the dipole-dipole interaction energies for the three configurations
shown in Fig. 2-7.
(0.75 points)
Fig. 2-7
(3) Identify which configuration of the system is the most stable one. (0.25 points)
(Note: In your calculations each polarized dielectric sphere can be viewed as an
electric dipole located at the center of the sphere, and the energy of dipole-dipole
interaction can be expressed in terms of p and a.)
2. In the case that three identical spheres exist inside the fluid, based on the same
assumption as in question 1,
(1) calculate the dipole-dipole interaction energies for the three configurations
shown in Fig. 2-8;
(0.9 points)
(2) identify which configuration of the system is the most stable one; (0.3 points)
(3) identify which configuration of the system is the most unstable one. (0.3 points)
(Note: In your calculations each polarized dielectric sphere can be viewed as an
electric dipole located at the center of the sphere, and the energy of dipole-dipole
interaction can be expressed in terms of p and a.)
Fig. 2-8
Theoretical Problem 3
3A. Average contribution of each electron to specific heat of free
electron gas at constant volume (5 points)
1. According to the classical physics the conduction electrons in metals constitute
free electron gas like an ideal gas. In thermal equilibrium their average energy relates
to temperature, therefore they contribute to the specific heat. The average contribution
of each electron to the specific heat of free electron gas at constant volume is defined
as
,
where
is the average energy of each electron. However the value of the specific
.
(1.0 points)
2Experimentally it has been shown that the specific heat of the conduction
electrons at constant volume in metals depends on temperature, and the experimental
value at room temperature is about two orders of magnitude lower than its classical
counterpart. This is because the electrons obey the quantum statistics rather than
classical statistics. According to the quantum theory, for a metallic material the
density of states of conduction electrons (the number of electronic states per unit
volume and per unit energy) is proportional to the square root of electron energy ,
then the number of states within energy range
written as
(2)
where C is the normalization constant, determined by the total number of electrons of
the system.
The probability that the state of energy E is occupied by electron is
,
where
(3)
temperature, while
J).
is
is called Fermi
(3.5points)
(2) Please give a reasonable explanation for the deviation of the classical result from
that of quantum theory.
(0.5 points)
with temperature
around
At room temperature
<<
energy) and a low energy photon (its energy is less than the static energy of an
electron) of frequency
As shown in the figure below, the collision scatters the photon, making the scattered
photon move along the direction which makes an angle
direction (the scattered electron is not shown in the figure). Calculate the energy of
the scattered photon, expressed in terms of
electron. Show the value of
of the
, Planck constant
opposite directions and collide with each other. Show the energy of the incident
photon, of which the photon can gain the maximum energy from the incident
electron. Calculate the energy of the scattered photon in this case.
(2) A relativistic high energy electron of total energy
(0.7 points)
perpendicular directions respectively, collide with each other. Show the energy of
the incident photon, of which the photon can gain the maximum energy from the
incident electron. Calculate the energy of the scattered photon in this case. (0.7
points)
THEORETICAL COMPETITION
9th Asian Physics Olympiad
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (April 22, 2008 )
Hints:
1) It is well known that a small bubble rises along a rectilinear path and a laminar flow is
observed - water flows easy and layer-wise (see Fig.1). Then, the Stokes formula describes the
dissipative force for a particle moving with slow velocity
:
In contrast to this picture, when relatively large bubbles lift to the surface, it disturbs the
surrounding water, cavitation hollows appear behind and the turbulent flow is observed (see
Fig.1). In this case a part of the kinetic energy of an uprising bubble transfers into the dissipative
work.
.
Fig 1. Laminar and turbulent types of flow for rising air bubbles in water
2) When
the surface of liquid has a convex (concave) form there appears a surface tension force
due to molecular interaction near the edge. This pressure can be given by formula
where - is the surface tension coefficient (unit=N/m), the force coming to unit length of
surface, R is the radius of surface curvity.
3) When dealing with a short process with characteristic duration time "t", its inverse value may
be considered as a characteristic frequency
frequencies.
Useful data:
- atmospheric pressure,
- water density,
- vapor density at T=293K; (
at T=373K)
at T=373K)
- acceleration of gravity,
- molecular weight of air
- the gas universal constant
- surface tension coefficient of water,
- coefficient of viscosity of water
H=10cm Water attitude in teakettle
THEORETICAL COMPETITION
9th Asian Physics Olympiad
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (April 22, 2008 )
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fig.1
The face-centered cubic lattice of the sodium chloride (NaCl).
The lattice spacing between the atomar centres is constant
and is given by parameter .
The main contribution to the binding energy of an ionic crystal is given by the electrostatic
potential energy of ions.
The electric interaction acting between two point charges q1 and q2 standing in distance R is
well defined by Coulomb's potential:
where
is the Coulomb constant. A negative force implies an
attractive force. The force is directed along the line joining the two charges. For the case of NaCl
crystals both types of ions has the unit charge e and one should also take into account many
other neighbors acting on the chosen ion. Taking into account all positive and negative ions in a
crystal of the infinite sizes results in the attractive potential energy
, where r is
the distance between nearest neighbors and =1.74756 is the Madelung constant [E.Madelung,
Phys. Zs, 19 (1918) p542] and used in determining the energy of a single ion in a crystal.
Along the attractive potential energy there should to be a repulsive potential energy due to the
Pauli Exclusion Principle and the overlap of electron shells in a crystal lattice. In contrast to the
Coulomb-type attractive part, the repulsive potential energy is very short range.
+764.4
+1014.0
+638.8
Table 1
Properties of Salt Crystals with the NaCl Structure
[C.Kittel, "Introduction to Solid State Physics",
N.Y., Wiley (1976) p.92] (in one mole there are the
Avogadros number of pairs of ions or atoms).
Fig 1. Let it interact only with the nearest neighbors (in distance up to and including
of a crystal lattice. Find the Madelung constant
Q2. By using Model #1 write down the net potential energy per ion
. Determine its
equilibrium equation for r= and write down the net potential energy
[in terms of
]. Use exact Madelung constant .
(1.5 points)
Q3. By using experimental data estimate the range parameter . Use
.
(2.0 points)
Q5. By using experimental data (from Table 1) estimate the Born exponent n for NaCl.
Estimate the proportions of the Coulomb interaction and the Pauli exclusion (repulsive part) in
the entire net potential energy in the equilibrium state?
(1.5 points)
Q6. The ionization energy (required to extract an electron from an atom) of the Na atom is
+5.14 eV, the electron affinity (required to receive an electron to an atom) of the Cl atom is
-3.61 eV. Estimate the total binding energy (holds an atom inside lattice) per atom in the NaCl
crystal. The experimental result is
.
[in terms of eV]
Use the conversion of units:
(1.5 points)
THEORETICAL COMPETITION
and an angle
in an
given by
.
1.
As shown in Fig.1, a radiating particle is moving along the -axis with a constant velocity
(
).
An observer M is located at the distance
from -axis.
We choose the point nearest to the observer as the point O, the origin on the x-axis. The time
when the particle actually passes over the point x=0 is taken to be t=0.
O
d
M
x
Figure 1
(4)
(t) of the particle for any given time t. Write your answer
(1.0 point)
(5)
(6)
Find the apparent velocity(s) of the particle at infinite distances from the origin, O. Write
your answer in terms of and .
(0.2 points)
(7)
(8)
Can an apparent velocity exceed the light speed in the vacuum, i.e.
(0.2 points)
Figure 2
(9)
Determine the time interval of complete appearance of the whole linear object from the
first appearance of its front point. Write your answer in terms of
and . (0.3 points)
2
Figure 3
(11) Show that for a given time , the apparent form of this object is an ellipse or part(s) of an
ellipse.
(0.7 points)
Find the following quantities and express them in terms of
(12) Find the position
and .
, and .
in terms of
(0.5 points)
(13) Determine the lengths of the semi-major and semi-minor axes of the ellipse for a given time
in terms of
and .
(0.5 points)
Theoretical competition
Question
26 April 2009
Page 1 of 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rolling Cylinders
A thin-walled cylinder of mass M and rough inner surface of radius R can rotate about its fixed
central horizontal axis OZ. The Z-axis is perpendicular to and out of the page. Another smaller
uniform solid cylinder of mass m and radius r rolls without slipping (except for question 1.8) on
the inner surface of M about its own central axis which is parallel to OZ.
Y
g = acceleration due to
gravity
1.1) The rotation of M is to be started from rest at the instant t = 0 when m is resting at the lowest
point. At a later time t the angular position of the centre of mass of m is and by then M
has turned through an angle radians. How many radians (designated ) would have mass
m turned through about its central axis relative to a fixed line (for example, the negative Y-
(0.8 point)
d2
, about its own axis through its centre of mass?
dt 2
1.3) Derive an equation for the angular acceleration of the centre of mass of m ,
m, g , R, r , ,
(0.2 point)
d2
, in terms of
dt 2
d2
, and the moment of inertia I CM of m about its central axis.
dt 2
(1.8 points)
Theoretical competition
Question
26 April 2009
Page 2 of 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.4) What is the period of small amplitude oscillation of m when M is constrained to rotate at a
constant angular velocity? Give your answer only in terms of R, r , and g .
1.5) What is the value of for the equilibrium position of m in question 1.4?
(1.3 point)
(0.2 point)
1.6) What is the equilibrium position of m when M is rotating with a constant angular acceleration
(0.7 point)
1.7) Now M is allowed to rotate (oscillate) freely, without constraint, about its central axis OZ
while m is executing a small-amplitude oscillation by pure rolling on the inner surface of M .
Find the period of this oscillation.
(2.5 points)
1.8) Consider the situation in which M is rotating steadily at an angular velocity and m is
rotating (rolling) about its stationary centre of mass, at the equilibrium position found in
question 1.5. M is then brought abruptly to a halt. What must be the lowest value of such
that m will roll up and reach the highest point of the cylindrical surface of M ? The
coefficient of friction between m and M is assumed to be sufficiently high that m begins to
roll without slipping soon after a short skidding right after M is stopped.
*********************
(2.5 points)
Theoretical competition
Question
26 April 2009
Page 1 of 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A Self-excited Magnetic Dynamo
A metallic disc of radius a mounted on a slender axle is rotating with a constant angular velocity
inside a long solenoid of inductance L whose two ends are connected to the rotating disc by two
brush contacts as shown. The total resistance of the whole circuit is R .
A small magnetic
disturbance can initiate the growth of an induced electromotive force across the terminals P, Q.
Q
brush
2.1) Write down the differential equation for i (t ) , the current through the circuit. Express your
answer in terms of L, R, and the induced e.m.f. ( E ) across the terminals P and Q. (1.0 point)
2.2) What is the value of the magnetic flux density ( B ) in terms of i, N , A, and the permeability of
free space 0 ? Ignore the magnetic field generated by the disc and the axle.
(1.5 points)
Question
Theoretical competition
26 April 2009
Page 2 of 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.3) What is the expression for the induced e.m.f. ( E ) in terms of 0 , N , a, A, i, and the angular
velocity ?
(2.0 points)
2.4) Solve the equation in question 2.1 for current at any time t in terms of the initial current i ( 0 ) ,
and other parameters.
(1.5 points)
2.5) What is the minimum value of the angular velocity that will permit the current to grow? Give
your answers in terms of R, 0 , N , a, and A .
(2.0 points)
2.6) In order to maintain a certain steady angular velocity , what must be the value of torque
applied to the axle at the instant t ?
*********************
(2.0 points)
Question 3
Theoretical competition
26 April 2009
Page 1 of 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Leidenfrost Phenomenon
The purpose is to estimate the lifetime of a (hemispherical) drop of a liquid sitting on top of a very
thin layer of vapour which is thermally insulating the drop from the very hot plate below.
drop
It will be assumed here that the flow of vapour underneath the drop is streamline and behaves as a
Newtonian fluid of viscosity coefficient and of thermal conductivity K . The specific latent heat
of vaporization of the liquid is A . And for a Newtonian fluid we have the shear stress
rate of shear
F
= the
A
dv
where v is the flow velocity and z is the perpendicular distance to the direction of
dz
hemispherical drop of
radius R at distance b
above the hot surface
R
b
v
O
z
r
mid-plane of
vapour layer
hot surface
Figure 2
v is the velocity of vapour in the radial direction at the height z above the mid-plane. The pressure
P inside the vapour must be higher towards the centre O. This will result in the out-flowing of
Question 3
Theoretical competition
26 April 2009
Page 2 of 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------vapour and in force that holds the drop against the pull of gravity. The thickness of vapour layer
under thermal and mechanical equilibria is b .
For a Newtonian flow of vapour we can approximate that
d
z d
v =
P
dz
dr
v(z) =
z2 d
P+C
2 dr
(0.5 point)
d
P, and b using the boundary condition
dr
b
v = 0 for z = .
2
(0.5 point)
3.3) Calculate the volume rate of flow of vapour through the cylindrical surface defined by r .
(Hint: the cylinder is of radius r and of height b underneath the drop).
(1.0 point)
3.4) By assuming that the rate of production of vapour of density V is due to heat flow from the
hot surface to the drop, find the expression for the pressure P ( r ) . Use Pa to represent the
atmospheric pressure, and use T for the temperature difference between those of the hot
surface and of the drop. Assume that the system has reached the steady state.
(2.0 points)
3.5) Calculate the value of b by equating the weight of the drop to the net force due to pressure
difference between the bottom and the top of the drop. The density of the drop is 0 .
(2.0 points)
3.6) Now, what is the total rate of vaporization?
3.7)
(2.0 points)
Assume that the drop maintains a hemispherical shape, what is the life-time of the drop?
(2.0 points)
*********************
Question Number
Theoretical Competition
25 April 2010
Page 1 of 5
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Theoretical Question 1
Particles and Waves
This question includes the following three parts dealing with motions of particles and waves:
Part A. Inelastic scattering of particles
Part B. Waves on a string
Part C. Waves in an expanding universe
Fig. 1
Question Number
Theoretical Competition
25 April 2010
Page 2 of 5
__________________________________________________________________________________________
From data on 2 , one can determine if the target particle is elementary or composite.
We shall assume that 2 lies in the - plane and that the - and -components of 2 are
given, respectively, by 2 and 2 .
For given 1 , plot the condition as a curve in the 2 - 2 plane. Specify the value
of 2 for each intercept of the curve with the 2 -axis. In the same plot, locate regions
of points of 2 corresponding to < 0, = 0, > 0, and label each of them as such.
[0.7 point]
For a stationary composite target in its ground state before scattering, which region(s)
of contains those points of 2 allowed?
[0.2 point]
(b) Now, consider a composite target consisting of two elementary particles each with
mass 12. They are connected by a spring of negligible mass. See Fig. 2. The spring has a
force constant and does not bend sideways. Initially, the target is stationary with its
center of mass at the origin O, and the spring, inclined at an angle to the -axis, is at its
natural length 0 . For simplicity, we assume that only vibrational and rotational motions
can be excited in the target as a result of scattering.
The incident elementary particle of mass moves in the -direction both before and
after scattering with its momenta given, respectively, by 1 and 2 . Note that 2 is negative
if the particle recoils and moves backward. A scattering occurs only if the incident particle
hits one of the target particles and 2 1 . We assume all three particles move in the same
plane before and after scattering.
Fig. 2
(i) If the maximum length of the spring after scattering is m , find an equation which
relates the ratio = (m 0 )/0 to the quantities , , 0 , , , , 1 and 2 .
[0.7 point]
Question Number
Theoretical Competition
25 April 2010
Page 3 of 5
__________________________________________________________________________________________
(ii) Let sin2 . When the angle of orientation of the target is allowed to vary, the
scattering cross section gives the effective target area, in a plane normal to the
direction of incidence, which allows certain outcomes to occur as a result of scattering.
It is known that for all outcomes which lead to the same value of 2 , the value
of must span an interval (min , max ) and we may choose the unit of cross section
so that is simply given by the numerical range (max min ) of the interval. Note
that min , max , and, consequently, are dependent on 2 . Let c be the threshold
value of 2 at which starts to become independent of 2 .
In the limit of large , give an estimate of c . Express your answer in terms of , ,
and 1 .
[1.1 points]
Assume =3m and in the limit of large , plot as a function of 2 for a given 1 . In
the plot, specify the range of and p2 .
[1.1 points]
Fig. 3
(c) Find the period of vibration for the string.
[0.5 point]
Plot the shape of the string at = /8. In the plot, specify lengths and angles which serve
to define the shape of the string.
[1.7 points]
(d) Find the total mechanical energy of the vibrating string in terms of , , , and .
[0.8 point]
Question Number
Theoretical Competition
25 April 2010
Page 4 of 5
__________________________________________________________________________________________
() = ()(),
(2)
where () = ()/() is the Hubble parameter at time . At the current time 0 , we have
(0 ) = 72 km s 1 Mpc 1 ,
where 1 Mpc = 3.0857 1019 km = 3.2616 106 light-year.
Assume the universe to be infinitely large and expanding in such a way that
() exp(),
where is a constant. In such a universe, the Hubble parameter is a constant equal to (0 ).
Moreover, it can be shown that the wavelength of photons travelling in the universe will be
stretched in proportion to the expansion of the universe, i.e.
() ().
Now suppose that photons making up a Lyman-alpha emission line were emitted at e by
a star that was stationary in its local frame and that we as observers are stationary in our local
frame. When these photons were emitted, their wavelength was (e ) = 121.5 nm. But when
they reach us now at 0 , their wavelength is red-shifted to 145.8 nm.
(e) As these photons traveled, the universe kept expanding so that the star kept receding from
us. Given that the speed of light in vacuum has never changed, what was the distance
(e ) of the star from us when these photons were emitted at e ? Express the answer in
units of Mpc.
[2.2 points]
(f) What is the receding velocity (0 ) of the star with respect to us now at 0 ? Express the
answer in units of the speed of light in vacuum .
[0.8 point]
Question Number
Theoretical Competition
25 April 2010
Page 5 of 5
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix
The following formula may be used when needed:
1
( ).
Question Number
Theoretical Competition
25 April 2010
Page 1 of 4
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Theoretical Question 2
Strong Resistive Electromagnets
Resistive electromagnets are magnets with coils made of a normal metal such as copper or
aluminum. Modern strong resistive electromagnets can provide steady magnetic fields higher
than 30 tesla. Their coils are typically built by stacking hundreds of thin circular plates made
of copper sheet metal with lots of cooling holes stamped in them; there are also insulators
with the same pattern. When voltage is applied across the coil, current flows through the
plates along a helical path to generate high magnetic fields in the center of the magnet.
In this question we aim to assess if a cylindrical coil (or solenoid) of many turns can serve
as a magnet for generating high magnetic fields. As shown in Fig. 1, the center of the magnet
is at O. Its cylindrical coil consists of turns of copper wire carrying a current uniformly
distributed over the cross section of the wire. The coils mean diameter is and its length
along the axial direction is . The wires cross section is rectangular with width and
height . The turns of the coil are so tightly wound that the plane of each turn may be taken as
perpendicular to the axis and = . In Table 1, data specifying physical dimensions of the
coil are listed.
/2
Figure 1
/2
Table 1
= 12.0 cm
= 6.0 cm
= 2.0 mm
= 5.0 mm
In assessing if such a magnet can serve to provide high magnetic fields, two limiting
factors must not be overlooked. One is the mechanical rigidity of the coil to withstand large
Lorentz force on the field-producing current. The other is that the enormous amount of Joule
heat generated in the wire must not cause excessive temperature rise. We shall examine these
two factors using simplified models.
The Appendix at the end of the question lists some mathematical formulae and physical
data which may be used if necessary.
Question Number
Theoretical Competition
25 April 2010
Page 2 of 4
__________________________________________________________________________________________
(a) Find the -component () of the magnetic field on the axis of the coil as a function
of when the steady current passing through the coil is .
[1.0 point]
(b) Find the steady current 0 passing through the coil if (0) i s 10.0 T. Use data given in
Table 1 when computing numerical values.
[0.4 point]
Figure 2
/2
(c) Suppose that, when the current is , the mean diameter of the expanded coil remains at a
constant value larger than , as shown in Fig. 2.
Find the outward normal force per unit length n /.
[1.2 point]
Find the tension t acting along the wire.
[0.6 point]
(d) Neglect the coils acceleration during the expansion. Assume the turn will break when the
wires unit elongation (i.e. tensile strain or fractional change of the length) is 60 % and
tensile stress (i.e. tension per unit cross sectional area of the unstrained wire) is b =
455 MPa. Let b be the current at which the turn will break and b the corresponding
magnetic field at the center O.
Find an expression for b and then calculate its value.
Find an expression for b and then calculate its value.
[0.8 point]
[0.4 point]
When the current is 10.0 kA and the temperature of the coil is 293 K, assume that the
resistivity, the specific heat capacity at constant pressure, and the mass density of the wire of
the coil are, respectively, given by e = 1.72 108 m , cp = 3.85 102 J/(kg K)
and = 8.98 103 kg m3 .
(e) Find an expression for the power density (i.e. power per unit volume) of heat generation in
the coil and then calculate its value. Use data in Table 1.
[0.5 point]
Question Number
Theoretical Competition
25 April 2010
Page 3 of 4
__________________________________________________________________________________________
(f) Let be the time rate of change of temperature in the coil. Find an expression for and
then calculate its value.
[0.5 point]
sin( + 0 ),
(1)
sin 0
() =
0
=(
)
sin ,
cos 0 sin 0
tan 0 = ,
0 < 0 < .
(2)
(3)
[0.8 point]
[0.4 point]
Question Number
Theoretical Competition
25 April 2010
Page 4 of 4
__________________________________________________________________________________________
(i) Let m be the maximum value of |()| for > 0. Find an expression for m .
[0.6 point]
If = 10.0 mF, what is the maximum value 0b of the initial voltage 0 of the capacitor
bank for which m will not exceed b found in Problem (d)?
[0.4 point]
(j) Suppose the switch is moved instantly from position 1 to 2 when the absolute value of
the current | ()| reaches m . Let be the total amount of heat dissipated in the coil
from = 0 to and the corresponding temperature increase of the coil. Assume the
initial voltage 0 takes on the maximum value 0b obtained in Problem (i) and the
electromagnetic energy loss is only in the form of heat dissipated in the coil.
Find an expression for and then calculate its value.
[1.0 point]
Find an expression for and then calculate its value. Note that the value for must be
compatible with the assumption of constant and .
[0.4 point]
Appendix
1.
(2
= 2 2
2
3/2
( + 2 )1/2
+ )
Question Number
Theoretical Competition
25 April 2010
Page 1 of 4
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Theoretical Question 3
Electron and Gas Bubbles in Liquids
This question deals with physics of two bubble-in-liquid systems. It has two parts:
Part A. An electron bubble in liquid helium
Part B. Single gas bubble in liquid
sharp spherical surface. The liquid is kept at a constant temperature very close to 0 K with its
surface tension given by 3.75 104 N m1 and its electrostatic responses to the electron
bubble may be neglected.
Consider an electron bubble in liquid helium with an equilibrium radius . The electron, of
mass , moves freely inside the bubble with kinetic energy k and exerts pressure e on the
inner side of the bubble-liquid interface. The pressure exerted by liquid helium on the outer
side of the interface is He .
[0.4 point]
[1.0 point]
(b) Denote by 0 the smallest possible value of k consistent with Heisenbergs uncertainty
relations when the electron is inside the bubble of radius . Estimate 0 as a function
of .
[0.8 point]
(c) Let e be the equilibrium radius of the bubble when k = 0 and He = 0.
Obtain an expression for e and calculate its value.
[0.6 point]
(d) Find a condition that and He must satisfy if the equilibrium at radius is to be
locally stable under constant He . Note that He can be negative.
[0.6 point]
(e) There exists a threshold pressure th such that equilibrium is not possible for the electron
bubble when He is less than th . Find an expression for th .
[0.6 point]
Question Number
Theoretical Competition
25 April 2010
Page 2 of 4
__________________________________________________________________________________________
fluids that the liquids radial velocity / at distance from the center of the bubble is
related to the rate of change of the bubbles volume by
(1)
= 4 2 = 4 2 .
This implies that the total kinetic energy k of the liquid with mass density 0 is
0
1 0
1
1 1
k = 0 (4 2 ) 2 = 20 4 2 2 = 20 4 2
(2)
2
0
where 0 is the radius of the outer surface of the liquid.
0
Fig. 1
T0
Question Number
Theoretical Competition
25 April 2010
Page 3 of 4
__________________________________________________________________________________________
(f) Assume the ambient pressure 0 acting on the outer surface = 0 of the liquid is constant.
Let = () be the gas pressure when the radius of the bubble is .
Find the amount of work done on the liquid when the radius of the bubble changes
from to + . Use 0 and to express .
[0.4 point]
The work must be equal to the corresponding change in the total kinetic energy of the
liquid. In the limit 0 , it follows that we have Bernoullis equation in the form
1
0 m 2 = ( 0 ) n .
(3)
2
Find the exponents m and n in Eq. (3). Use dimensional arguments if necessary. [0.4 point]
From here on, we consider only the collapsing stage of the bubble. The mass density of the
liquid is 0 = 1.0 103 kg m3 , the temperature 0 of the liquid is 300 K and the ambient
pressure 0 is 1.01 105 Pa. We assume that 0 , 0 , and 0 remain constant at all times and
the bubble collapses adiabatically without any exchange of mass across the bubble-liquid
interface.
The bubble considered is filled with an ideal gas. The ratio of specific heat at constant
pressure to that at constant volume for the gas is = 5/3. When under temperature 0 and
pressure 0 , the equilibrium radius of the bubble is 0 = 5.00 m.
Now, this bubble begins its collapsing stage at time = 0 with (0) = i = 70 ,
(0) = 0, and the gas temperature i = 0 . Note that, because of the bubbles expansion in
the preceding stage, i is considerably larger than 0 and this is necessary if
sonoluminescence is to occur.
(g) Express the pressure () and temperature () of the ideal gas in the bubble as
a function of during the collapsing stage, assuming quasi-equilibrium conditions hold.
[0.6 point]
(h) Let /i and = / . Eq. (3) implies a conservation law which takes the
following form
1
2
0 2 + () = 0.
(4)
() = 5 [(1 2 ) 2 (1 3 )].
(5)
Find the coefficient in terms of i and 0 .
[0.6 point]
(i) Let m be the minimum radius of the bubble during the collapsing stage and define
m m /i . For 1, we have m m .
Find the constant m .
[0.4 point]
Question Number
Theoretical Competition
25 April 2010
Page 4 of 4
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Evaluate m for i = 70 .
Evaluate the temperature m of the gas at = m .
[0.3 point]
[0.3 point]
(j) Assume i = 70 . Let be the value of at which the dimensionless radial speed
| | reaches its maximum value. The gas temperature rises rapidly for values of near .
[0.6 point]
[0.8 point]
Appendix
1.
= 1
END
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 1 of 3
e. (1.1 pts.) Consider a hollow tube with walls made of a neutral insulating material of length and cross section
carrying an electric current . The current is due to charged particles of rest mass and charge distributed
homogenously inside the tube with number density . Assume that the charged particles are all moving along the
tube with the same velocity. Find the total momentum of the charged particles in the tube, taking Special
Relativity effects into account.
f.
C. (0.5 pts.) The surface charges on the wire, induced by the presence of the external charge, will experience an
electric force as the current changes from to zero. This way, the loop will get the same impulse as found in part
(f).
Page 3 of 3
The phenomenon of creaking is very common, and can be found in doors, closets, chalk squeaking on a blackboard,
playing a violin, new shoes, car brakes and other systems from everyday life. Here in Israel, a similar phenomenon
causes violent earthquakes with a period of several decades. These originate in the Dead Sea rift, located right above
the deepest known break in the earth's crust.
The physical mechanism for creaking is based on elasticity combined with the difference between the static and the
kinetic friction coefficients. In this question, we will study this mechanism and its application to the case of an
opening door.
Part I: General model (7.5 points)
Consider the following system (see Figure 1):
A box with mass is attached to a long ideal spring with spring constant , whose other end is driven at a constant
velocity . The static and the kinetic friction coefficients between the box and the floor are given respectively by
and , where
.
d. (2.4 pts.) For the conditions of part (b), find the period
of the oscillations
Generically, stick-slip motion stops at high driving velocities . We will now discuss one of the possible mechanisms
behind this effect.
e. (2.4 pts.) Suppose that during each period , a small amount of energy is dissipated into heat in the spring, via an
additional mechanism. Let
be the fractional amplitude loss per period due to dissipation in pure-slip
motion. For
, find the critical driving velocity
above which periodic stick-slip becomes impossible.
The results of part (e) are not required for part II.
Part II: Application to creaking door (2.5 points)
A door hinge is a hollow, open-ended metal cylinder with radius , height and thickness . The lower end of the
cylinder lies on a metal base attached to the wall (the area of contact is a ring of radius ); see Figure 2. The static and
the kinetic friction coefficients between the cylinder and its base are and
respectively, with
. The upper
end of the cylinder is attached to the door, which can be regarded as perfectly rigid. A typical door hangs on two or
three such hinges, but its weight is concentrated on only one of them this is the hinge that will creak. The cylinder of
that hinge presses down on its metal base with the weight of the entire door, whose mass is .
Door
Wall
f.
,
.
(1 pt.) We start rotating the door very slowly from equilibrium (zero torque). For small rotation angles, obtain an
expression for the torsion coefficient
, where is the torque which must be applied to rotate the door by
an angle .
g. (1.5 pts.) At very low angular velocity, when a transition from stick to slip occurs, a sound pulse is emitted. Find
the angular velocity of the door for which the frequency of these pulses enters the audible range at
.
Page 2 of 3
Page 3 of 3
. Provide an expression
The picture shows a long rubber balloon, the kind that is popular at birthday parties.
A partially inflated balloon usually splits into two domains of different radii. In this
question, we consider a simplified model to help us understand this phenomenon.
Consider a balloon with the shape of a long homogeneous cylinder (except for the
ends), with a mouthpiece through which the balloon can be inflated. All processes
Figure 1: A partially
will be considered isothermal at room temperature. At all times, the pressure inside
inflated birthday balloon.
the balloon exceeds the atmospheric pressure by a small fraction, so the air may
be treated as an incompressible fluid. Gravity and the balloon's weight may also be neglected. The inflation is slow
and quasistatic. In parts (a)-(d), the balloon is inflated uniformly throughout its length. We denote by and the
radius and length of the balloon before it was inflated.
a. (1.8 pts.) The balloon is held by the mouthpiece, while its other parts hang freely. Find the ratio
between the
longitudinal surface tension (in the direction parallel to the balloons axis) and the transverse surface tension
(in the direction tangent to the balloons circular cross-section).
The surface tension of a rubber film is the force that adjacent parts exert on each other, per unit length of the
boundary.
Hooke's Law is a linear approximation of real-world elasticity for small tensions. Assume that the balloons length
remains constant at , while the surface tension depends linearly on the inflation ratio
:
(
b. (1 pt.) With these assumptions, obtain an expression for the dependence of the pressure inside the balloon on the
balloon's volume . Sketch a plot of
as a function of . What is the maximal inflation pressure
resulting from Hooke's elasticity approximation?
In reality, because the inflation ratio
is large (in Figure 1, typical values of about 5 can be observed), one must
consider non-linear behavior of the rubber and changes in the balloons length. These effects allow higher inflation
pressures than predicted by part (b). In a typical balloon, the graph of
is composed of three pieces:
1. For small inflation ratios,
grows in a Hooke-like manner.
2. At
the balloons length begins to increase, and
reaches a long plateau where it grows very
slowly.
3. At some large inflation ratio, the rubber starts strongly resisting any further stretch, which leads to a sharp rise
in
.
This behavior is depicted in Figure 2.
c. (1.3 pts.) Sketch a qualitative plot of the pressure difference
as a function of for a uniformly inflated
balloon that behaves according to Figure 2. Indicate any local extremum points on your plot. Indicate also the
Page 1 of 3
points corresponding to
accuracy.
Figure 2:
and
To explore the consequences of the behavior you found in part (c), we approximate
balloon with a cubic function:
where
and are positive constants. Assume that the volume is larger than the balloons uninflated volume
and is large enough so that the function (2) is positive in the entire physical range
. See Figure (3).
The balloon is attached to a large air reservoir maintained at a controllable pressure . It may happen that some values
of are consistent with more than one value of the volume . If the balloon suffers occasional perturbations (such as
local stretching by external forces) while held at such inflation pressure, it may jump to a state of different volume.
This will happen when it becomes energetically favorable for the entire system, consisting of the balloon, the
atmosphere and the machinery maintaining the pressure . If the pressure is slowly increased from , and sufficient
perturbations exist at every step, this explosive volume jump will happen at a certain pressure where the energy
required to move between the two states is zero. Above this pressure, going from the smaller volume to the larger
volume branch releases energy, and vice versa. This type of discontinuity is often found in nature, and is sometimes
referred to as a phase transition.
d. (2.3 pts.) By considering equation (2), obtain the value of , the volume
the volume after the jump. Express your answers using
and .
A more realistic inflating agent, such as a birthday boy, is unable to supply enough air for the instantaneous volume
change described above. Instead, air is pumped gradually into the balloon, effectively controlling the balloons volume
rather than the pressure. In this case, a new type of behavior becomes possible. If it helps to minimize the total energy
of the system, the balloon will split (given sufficient perturbations) into two cylindrical domains of different radii,
Page 2 of 3
whose lengths will gradually change. The splitting boundary itself requires energy, which you may neglect. We shall
also neglect the length of the boundary layer (these assumptions are valid for a very long balloon.)
e. (1 pt.) Sketch a qualitative graph of the pressure difference
Indicate on your axes the pressure
and the volumes
f.
(1.4 pts.) The balloon is in the volume range that supports two coexisting domains. Find the length
of the
thinner domain as a function of the total air volume . Express your answer in terms of , and the radius of
the thinner domain.
g. (1.2 pts.) The balloon is in the volume range that supports two coexisting domains. Find the latent work
that must be performed on the balloon to convert a unit length of the thin domain into the thick domain.
Express your answer in terms of , , and the radius of the thinner domain.
Page 3 of 3
Theory Question-I
Page 1 of 3
James H. Jeans
(1877-1946)
Figure 1
(1)
I.1
[0.5 point]
I.2
Figure 2
Theory Question-I
Page 2 of 3
0
4
3 2
1
2 + 2
2 + 2 2
0
3
=
2
4 ( + 2 )5/2
where 0 is the permeability of free space.
I.3
Let the instantaneous speed of the magnet be . Obtain the magnitude of the
induced emf ( ) in the ring.
[1.5 points]
I.4
This emf will give rise to an induced current () in the ring. Obtain the magnitude
of the instantaneous electromagnetic force ( ) on the ring in terms of .
[1.0 point]
I.5
What is the magnitude of the force on the magnet due to this ring?
[0.5 point]
I.6
Express the emf in the ring in terms of L, R and i. Do not solve for . [0.5 point]
I.7
As the magnet falls it loses gravitational potential energy. Identify the three main
forms of energy into which the gravitational potential energy is converted and
write down the expressions you would use to calculate each of the three
contributions.
[1.0 point]
Does the magnetic field of the magnet do any work in this process? Tick in the
appropriate box.
[0.5 point]
I.8
I.9
Figure 3
Theory Question-I
Page 3 of 3
I.10 Obtain the damping parameter due to the entire pipe in terms of , and
geometrical parameters of the ring. Since each ring is very thin, you may take
magnetic field to be constant over the thickness of the ring and equal to ( =
). Assume that at an instant , the magnet has a coordinate () with an
instantaneous speed . You should leave your answer in terms of a dimensionless
integral , involving a dimensionless variable = ( )/.
[2.0 points]
I.11 Assume that the damping constant depends on the following
= (0 , , 0 , )
where 0 is the effective resistance of a long pipe. Use dimensional analysis to
obtain an expression for . Take the dimensionless constant to be unity.[1.0 point]
2 + 2
1 2 + 2 1
+ Constant
2
1
(n > 1)
Theory Question II
Page 1 of 2
Chandrasekhar Limit
In a famous work carried out in 1930, the Indian Physicist Prof Subrahmanyan
Chandrasekhar (1910-1995) studied the stability of stars. The problem will help you
to construct a simplified version of his analysis.
= 3.00 108 m. s1
= 6.63 1034 J. s
= 6.67 1011 N. m2 . kg 2
= 9.11 1031 kg
= 1.67 1027 kg
S. Chandrasekhar
(1910-1995)
II.1. Consider a spherical star of uniform density, radius and mass . Derive an
expression for its gravitational potential energy ( ) due to its own gravitational
field (gravitational self energy).
[1.0 point]
II.2. We assume that the star is made up of only hydrogen and that all the hydrogen is in
ionized form. We consider the situation when the stars energy production due to
nuclear fusion has stopped. Electrons obey the Pauli exclusion principle and their
total energy can be computed using quantum statistics. You may take this total
electronic energy (ignoring the protonic energy) to be
2 3
3 7/3 5/3
=
2
10 42/3
where is the total number of electrons and = /2. Obtain the equilibrium
condition of the star relating its radius ( ) to its mass. This radius is called the
White Dwarf radius.
[2.0 points]
II.3. Numerically evaluate given that mass of the star is the same as the solar
mass (S = 2.00 1030 kg ).
[1.5 points]
II.4. Assuming that the electron distribution is homogeneous, obtain an order of
magnitude estimation of the average separation ( ) between electrons if the
radius of the star is as obtained in part (II.3).
[1.0 point]
II.5. Let us estimate the speed of electrons. For this purpose, assume each electron to
form a standing wave in a one-dimensional box of length . Estimate the speed of
electron () in the lowest energy state using de-Broglie hypothesis
[1.0 point]
II.6. Consider now a modification of the analysis in part (II.2). If we take electrons in the
ultrarelativistic limit ( = ), a similar analysis yields
Theory Question II
Page 2 of 2
2 3
= 4/3
5/3
4/3
Obtain the expression for the mass for which, the star can be in equilibrium in terms
of the constants provided at the beginning of the question. We call this the critical
mass ( ).
[1.5 points]
II.7. If the mass of the star is greater than the critical mass obtained in part (II.6),
state whether the star will expand or contract. Tick in appropriate box.
[0.5 point]
II.8. Calculate a numerical estimate of this critical mass in units of solar mass ( ).
(Note: Your answer may differ from Chandrasekhars famous result because of
the approximations made in this analysis)
[1.5 points]
Pancharatnam Phase
This problem deals with the two beam phenomena associated with light, its
interference, polarization and superposition. The particular context of the problem
was studied by the Indian physicist S. Pancharatnam (19341969).
S. Pancharatnam
(19341969)
Consider the experimental set up as shown in Fig. (1). Two coherent monochromatic light
beams (marked as beam 1 and 2), travelling in the direction, are incident on two narrow
slits and separated by a distance (1 2 = ). After passing through the slits the two
beams interfere and the pattern is observed on the screen . The distance between the slits
and the screen is and . Assume that the width of each slit 1 and 2 is much
smaller than the wavelength of light.
Figure 1
III.1. Let the beams 1 and 2 be linearly polarized at = 0. The corresponding
electric field vectors are given by
1 = 0 cos()
(1a)
2 = 0 cos()
(1b)
where is the unit vector along the -axis, is angular frequency of light and 0 is
the amplitude. Find the expression for the intensity of the light , that will be
observed on the screen where is the angle shown in Fig. (1). Express your answer
in terms of , , 0 , and where is the speed of light. Also, note that the
intensity is proportional to the time average of the square of the electric field. Here
you make take the proportionality constant to be . You may ignore the attenuation
in the magnitude of the electric fields with distance from the slits to any point on
the screen.
[1.0 point]
III.2. A perfectly transparent glass slab of thickness and refractive index is
introduced in the path of beam 1 before the slits. Find the expression for the
intensity of the light that will be observed on the screen. Express your answer
in terms of , , 0 , , , and .
[1.0 point]
III.3. An optical device (known as quarter wave plate (QWP)) is introduced in the
path of beam 1, before the slits, replacing the glass slab. This device changes the
polarization of the beam from the linear polarization state
1 = 0 cos()
to a circular polarization state which is given by
1 =
0 cos() + 0 sin()
(2)
2
where is the unit vector along the -axis.
Assume that the device does not introduce any additional path difference and that
it is perfectly transparent. Note that the tip of the electric field vector traces a
circle as time elapses and hence, the beam is said to be circularly polarized. We
assume that the angle is small enough so that intensity from slit one does not
depend on the angle even for polarization.
III.3.a. Find the expression for the intensity of the light that will be observed
on the screen. Express your answer in terms of , , 0 , and .
III.3.b. What is the maximum intensity ( )?
III.3.c. What is the minimum intensity ( )?
[2.0 points]
III.4.
Figure 2
Now, consider the experimental setup (see Fig. (2)) in which the beam 1 is subjected to
the device (QWP) described in part 3 and,
a linear polarizer (marked as I), between = and = which allows only
the component of the electric field parallel to an axis () to pass through. The
III.4.c.
Write down the expression for the electric field of beam 1 after the first
polarizer at = [1 ( = )].
Write down the expression for the electric field of beam 1 after the
second polarizer at = [1 ( = )].
What is the phase difference () between the two beams at the slits?
[2.0 points]
(3)
Figure 3
Figure 4
III.5.
III.6.
III.6.a
III.6.b
III.7. Now, consider the three polarization states of beam 1 as given in part 4. Let
the initial polarization (at = 0) be represented by a point 1 on the Poincare
sphere; after the optical device, let the state (at = ) be represented by point 2
and after the first polarizer (say, at = ), the state be represented by point 3 . At
= , the polarization returns to its original state which is represented by 1 .
Locate these points (1 , 2 , and 3 ) on the Poincare sphere.
[1.5 points]
III.8. If these three points (1 , 2 , and 3 from the part (III.7)) are joined by great
circles on the sphere, a triangle on the surface of the sphere is obtained (Note: A
great circle is a circle on the sphere whose center coincides with the center of the
sphere). The phase difference obtained in part 4 and the area of the curved
surface enclosed by the triangle are related to each other. Relate to .
This relationship is general and was obtained by Pancharatnam and the phase difference is called
the Pancharatnam phase.
[1.5 points]