GR9277 Solutions 1

Problem 1
Subject Type
Quantum Mechanics Momentum Operator
p =
h
i

x
p = hk (1)
Problem 2
Subject Type
Atomic Bragg Diraction
Recall the Bragg Diraction dispersion relation,
= 2d sin , (2)
thus the maximal wavelength would be 2d, choice (D). (One can derive that even if one does not
remember the formula. Consider two lattice planes. View them from the side so that they appear as
two parallel lines. A wave would hit the both planes at, say, an angle from the normal. The wave
that reects o the bottom lattice will have to travel an extra distance, relative to the wave hitting
the top plane, equal to 2d sin .)
Problem 3
Subject Type
Quantum Mechanics Bohr Theory
Recall the Bohr Equation, E
n
= Z
2
/n
2
E
1
, which applies to both the Hydrogen atom and hydrogen-
like atoms. One can nd the characteristic X-rays from that equation (since energy is related to
wavelength and frequency of the X-ray by E = f).
The ratio of energies is thus E(Z = 6)/E(Z = 12) = 6
2
/12
2
= 1/4, as in choice (A).
Problem 4
Subject Type
Mechanics Gravitational Law
Recall the famous inverse square law determined almost half a millennium ago,
F =
k
r
2
, (3)
where k = GMm.
The ratio of two inverse-square forces (r > R, where R is the radius of the planet or huge heavy
object) would be
F(r
1
)
F(r
2
)
=
4r
2
2
r
2
1
. (4)
Thus,
F(R)
F(2R)
=
4R
2
R
2
= 4, which is choice (C).
Problem 5
Subject Type
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GR9277 Solutions 2
Mechanics Gauss Law
The inverse-square law doesnt hold inside the Earth, just like how Coulombs law doesnt hold
inside a solid sphere of uniform charge density. In electrostatics, one can use Gauss Law to determine
the electric eld inside a uniformly charged sphere. The gravitational version of Gauss Law works
similarly in this mechanics question since

E =
e
g =
M
, where
M
is the mass density of
M. In short, the gravitational eld g plays the analogous role here as that of

E Thus,
_
g da =
_
dV .
So, for r < R, g(4r
2
) =
4
3
r
3
g = r

3
, where one assumes is constant.
To express the usual inverse-square law in terms of , one can apply the gravitational Gauss Law
again for r > R, g(4r
2
) =
4
3
R
3
g =
R
3
r
2

3
.
Since

F = mg Therefore,
F(R)
F(R/2)
= 2R. (5)
Problem 6
Subject Type
Mechanics Method of Sections
By symmetry, one can analyze this problem by considering only one triangular wedge. The normal
force on one wedge is just N = (m+M/2)g, since by symmetry, the wedge (m) carries half the weight
of the cube (M). The frictional force is given by f = N = (m+M/2)g.
Sum of the forces in the horizontal-direction yields F
x
= 0 fN
M
/

2 = (m+M/2)gMg/2 for
static equilibrium to remain valid. (Note that the normal force of the cube is given by N
M
= Mg/

2
since, summing up the forces perpendicular to the plane for M, one has, N
M
sin(/4) = Mg/2. Also,
note that it acts at a 45 degree angle to the wedge.)
Solving, one has (m+M/2)g Mg/2 M
2m
1
.
(In a typical mechanical engineering course, this elegant method by symmetry is called the method
of sections.)
Problem 7
Subject Type
Mechanics Normal Modes
For normal mode oscillations, there is always a symmetric mode where the masses move together
as if just one mass.
There are three degrees of freedom in this system, and ETS is nice enough to supply the test-taker
with two of them. Since the symmetric mode frequency is not listed, choose choice it!as in (A).
Problem 8
Subject Type
Mechanics Torque
The problem wants a negative z component for . Recall that r F = 0 whenever r and F are
parallel (or antiparallel). Thus, choices (A), (B), (E) are immediately eliminated. One can work out
the cross-product to nd that (D) yields a positive
z
, thus (C) must be it.
Problem 9
Subject Type
Electromagnetism Current Directions
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GR9277 Solutions 3
The opposite currents cancel each other, and thus the induction (and eld) outside is 0.
Problem 10
Subject Type
Electromagnetism Image Charges
The conductor induces image charges -q and -2q since it is grounded at x = 0. Since these are
(mirror) image charges, each charge induced is the same distance from the conducting plane as its
positive component.
The net force on q is just the magnitude sum of the positive charge 2q and the two induced charges,

F =
q
2
4
0
_
1/(a
2
) + 2/(2a
2
) + 2/(a
2
)
_
=
q
2
4
0
a
2
(1 + 1/2 + 2) =
q
2
4
0
a
2
7
2
, as in choice (E).
Problem 11
Subject Type
Electromagnetism RC Circuit
The energy of a capacitor C with voltage V across it is given by U =
1
2
CV
2
=
Q
2
2C
. (Q = CV
derives the other variations of the energy.)
From Ohms Law, one arrives at the relation between charge and time, Q/C +

QR = 0
Q
RC
=

dQ
dt

dt
RC
=
dQ
Q
. Integrating both sides, one nds that Q(t) = Q
0
e
t/(RC)
.
Plugging this into the energy equation above, one has U Q(t)
2
e
2t/(RC)
. Twice time required
for the energy to dissipate by 2 is thus given by 1/2 = e
t/(RC)
t
1/2
= RCln(2. Divide it by 2 to
get choice (E).
Problem 12
Subject Type
Electromagnetism Potential
A Potential V is related to the electric eld E by

E = V .
Since the problem supplies the approximation tool that the planes are quite large, one can assume
the eld is approximately constant. The remaining parameter that cant be thrown out by this
approximation is the angle, and thus the only choice that yields
d
d
V = constant is choice (B).
Problem 13
Subject Type
Electromagnetism Maxwells Equations
Magnetic monopoles remain a likeable (even lovable) theoretical construct because of their ability
to perfectly symmetrize Maxwells equations. Since the curl term has an electric current, the other
curl term should have a magnetic current. ( B = 0 is taken to be obvious in presence of magnetic
charge.) The answer is thus (D), and the revised equations are,
H = J
e
+
D
t
(6)
E = J
m

B
t
(7)
D =
e
(8)
B =
m
. (9)
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GR9277 Solutions 4
Problem 14
Subject Type
Statistical Mechanics Blackbody Radiation Formula
Recall
P = ut T
4
, (10)
where P is the power and u the energy and T the temperature.
So, initially, the blackbody radiation emits P
1
= kT
4
. When its temperature is doubled, it emits
P
2
= k(2T)
4
= 16kT
4
.
Recall that water heats according to Q = mcT = T. So, initially, the heat gain in the water
is Q
1
= (0.5

). Finally, Q
2
= x, where x is the unknown change in temperature.
Conservation of energy in each step requires that kT
4
t = /2 and 16kT
4
t = x, i.e., that P
i
t = Q
i
.
Divide the two to get
1
16
=
2
x
x = T = 8

. Assuming the experiment is repeated from the same

to 28

, as in choice (C).
Problem 15
Subject Type
Statistical Mechanics Heat Capacity
Note that this problem wants the regime of high temperatures, and thus the answer is not
5
2
R
from classical thermodynamics, but rather
7
2
R.
The problem suggests that a quantized linear oscillator is used. From the energy relation =
_
j +
1
2
_
h, one can write a partition function and do the usual Stat Mech jig. Since one is probably
too lazy to calculate entropy, one can nd the specic heat (at constant volume) from c
v
=
U
T

v
,
where U = NkT
2
_
Z
T
_
V
, where N is the number of particles, k is the Boltzmann constant.
There are actually three contributions to the specic heat at constant volume. c
v
= c
translational
+
c
rotational
+ c
vibrational
. Chunk out the math and take the limit of high temperature to nd that
c
v
=
7
2
R.
Problem 16
Subject Type
Thermodynamics Carnot Engine
Recall the common-sense denition of the eciency e of an engine,
e =
W
accomplished
Q
input
, (11)
where one can deduce from the requirements of a Carnot process (i.e., two adiabats and two isotherms),
that it simplies to
e = 1
T
low
T
high
(12)
for Carnot engines, i.e., engines of maximum possible eciency. (Q
input
is heat put into the system
to get stu going, Wis work done by the system and T
low
(T
high
) is the isotherm of the Carnot cycle
at lower (higher) temperature.)
The eciency of the Carnot engine is thus e = 1
800
1000
= 0.2, where one needs to convert the
given temperatures to Kelvin units. (As a general rule, most engines have eciencies lower than this.)
The heat input in the system is Q
input
= 2000J, and thus W
accomplished
= 400J, as in choice (A).
Problem 17
Subject Type
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GR9277 Solutions 5
Lab Methods Oscilloscope
This problem can be solved by elimination. Since one is given two waves, one with twice the
frequency of the other, one can approximate the superposed wave (which shows up on the oscilloscope)
as sin(t) + sin(2t).
The summed wave no longer looks like a sine wave. Instead, it looks like a series of larger amplitude
humps alternating with regions of smaller amplitudes.
However, since one is not supplied with a graphing calculator on the test, one can qualitatively
eliminate the other choices based on the equation above. It is obviously not choices (D) and (E)
since the superposition is still a one-to-one function. It isnt choice (C) or (B) since those are just
sin waves (cosine waves are just o by a phase), and one knows that the superposed wave would
look more complicated than that. Thus, one arrives at choice (A), which is a zoomed-in-view of the
superposition above.
Problem 18
Subject Type
Lab Methods Coax Cable
Elimination time. The rst-pass question to answer is why is it important that a coax cable be
terminated at an end: (A) Perhaps...
(B) Probably not. Terminating the cable at an end would not help heat dissipation and thus
should not prevent overheating.
(C) Perhaps...
(D) Probably not, since termination should attenuate the signal rather than to prevent it.
(E) Probably not, since image currents should be canceled by the outer sheath.
Choices (A) and (C) remain. Now, use the second fact supplied by ETS. The cable should be
terminated by its characteristic impedance. Characteristic impedance has to do with resonance.
Thus, it should prevent reection of the signal.
Problem 19
Subject Type
Mechanics Mass of Earth
If one does not remember the mass of the earth to be on the order of 10
2
4kg, one might remember
the mass of the sun to be 10
3
0kg. Since the earth weighs much less than that, the answer would
have to be either (A) or (B). The problem gives the radius of the earth, and one can assume that the
density of the earth is a few thousand kg/m
3
and deduce an approximate mass from m = V . The
answer comes out to about 10
2
2, which implies that the earth is probably a bit more dense than ones
original assumption. In either case, the earth cant be, on average, uniformly 10
9
kg/m
3
dense. Thus
(A) is the best (and correct) answer.
Problem 20
Subject Type
Optics Missing Fringes
Missing fringes in a double-slit interference experiment results when diraction minima cancel
interference maxima.
From a bit of phasor analysis, one can derive the diraction factor /2 = w/sin and the
interference factor /2 = d/sin , where w is the width of the slits and d is the separation (taken
from slit centers). The angles belong in the intensity equation given by I sin(/2)
2
cos(/2)
2
.
Thus, the condition for a double-slit diraction minimum is given by /2 = m
d
= w/sin
m
d
= wsin .
Also, the condition for interference maximum is given by /2 = m
i
= d/sin m
i
= d sin .
c 2005 Yosun Chang (unless otherwise credited) http : //grephysics.yosunism.com
GR9277 Solutions 6
Now, one needs to nd the choice that allows for an integer m
d
. This immediately eliminates
choices (A) and (B). But, this leaves choices (C), (D), and (E). Among the remaining choices, there is
only one choice that allows for slits that are smaller than the separation. This is choice (D). Take it.
Problem 21
Subject Type
Optics Thin Film
Elimination time.
I. Cant be this, since one knows from basic thin-lm theory that choice IV is right. (None of the
letter choices allow for both choices I and IV.)
II. Thin lm theory has 2t = /2 for constructive interference and 2t = for destructive interfer-
ence. Thus, the thickness of the lm is smaller than that of the light. (Search on the homepage of
this site for more on thin lm theoryit is explained in the context of other problems.)
III. This phase change allows for the half-integer constructive interference.
IV. Phase change only occurs when light travels from a medium with lower index of refraction to
a medium with higher index of refraction. Since at the back surface, the light would be going from
higher to lower index of refraction, there is no phase change.
Thus, choice (E).
Problem 22
Subject Type
Optics Telescope
The magnication for a telescope is related to the focal length for the eyepiece and objective by
M = f
o
/f
e
. (Note that it is the eye-piece that magnies it. The objective merely sends an image
thats within view of the eye-piece. However, magnication is inversely related to focal length.)
The problem gives angular magnication to be M = 10 = f
o
/f
e
f
e
= f
o
/10 = .1m. The
distance between the objective and eyepiece is the sum of the focal lengths (since the light comes from
innity). d = f
o
+f
e
= 1.1m as in choice (D).
Problem 23
Subject Type
Statistical Mechanics Fermi Temperature
(Much of the stu I classied as Stat Mech might also be considered Condensed Matter or Solid
State Physics. They are classied as thus because the Stat Mech book I mentioned in the booklist on
the site http : //grephysics.yosunism.com is perhaps the best intro to all this.)
The Fermi velocity is related by
F
= kT
F
=
1
2
mv
2
v =
_
2kT
F
m
, where
F
is the fermi energy,
and T
F
is the Fermi temperature.
One should know by heart the following quantities, k = 1.381E 23 and m = 9.11E 31 (but
then again, they are also given in the table of constants included with the exam). Plug these numbers
into the expression above to nd v,
v =
_
2kT
F
m

_
21.4E238E5
9E31
=
_
2.8E238E5
9E31

0.3E8 8E5 =
_
24/10E13

10
12
=
10
6
, the choice that comes closest to this order is choice (E).
Note that the hardest part of this problem is the approximation bit. No calculators allowed.
Sadness.
Problem 24
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GR9277 Solutions 7
Subject Type
Atomic Bonding
Solid Argon is a Nobel gas. It has a full shell of outer electrons, and thus it cannot bond in anything
but van der Walls bonding, which isnt really bonding, but more weak like charge-attraction.
One can arrive at this choice by elimination: (A) Ionic bonding occurs when one atom is a positive
ion and the other the compensating negative ion. Since solid Argon isnt an ion, it cant do this.
(B) Covalent bonding occurs when electrons are shared between atoms. This only happens when
the atom has unlled orbitals. (Incidentally, it only occurs when two electrons are of opposite spins
due to the Pauli Exclusion Principle. That is, they must have dierent quantum numbers so that
they can both remain stable in a low energy state.)
(C) No partial charge-analysis needed.
(D) Argon isnt a metal.
(E) This is the one that remains.
Problem 25
Subject Type
Advanced Topics Particle Physics
Choice (A) and (C) involve atoms, which are quite massive. Choice (B) involves protons, which
are also pretty massive.
Problem 26
Subject Type
Lab Methods Log-Log graph
Since initially, the counts per minute is 6E4, the half-count amount would be 3E4. This occurs
between 5 and 10 minutes. Choice (B) seems a good interpolation.
Problem 27
Subject Type
Quantum Mechanics Uncertainty
This problem looks much more complicated than it actually is. Since k and x are fourier variables,
their localization would vary inversely, as in choice (B).
Problem 28
Subject Type
Quantum Mechanics Probability
One doesnt actually need to know much (if anything) about spherical harmonics to solve this
problem. One needs only the relation P =

i
|Y
3
i
|(, )|
2
. Since the problem asks for states where
m = 3, and it gives the form of spherical harmonics employed as Y
m
l
, one can eliminate the third
term after the dot-product.
So, the given wave function (, ) =
1

30
_
5Y
3
4
+Y
3
6
2Y
0
6
_
gets dot-producted like |Y
3
i
|(, )|
2
_
1

30
_
5Y
3
4
+Y
3
6
_
__
1

30
_
5Y
3
4
+Y
3
6
2Y
0
6
_
_
=
25+1
30
=
13
15
, as in choice (E).
Problem 29
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GR9277 Solutions 8
Subject Type
Quantum Mechanics Bound State
Tunneling should show exponential decay for a nite-potential well, and thus choice (E) is elimi-
nated. Choice (C) is eliminated because the wave function is not continuous. One eliminates choice
(D) because the bound-state wave functions of a nite well isnt linear. The wave function for a
bound state should look similar to that of an innite potential well, except because of tunneling, the
well appears largerthus the energy levels should be lower and the wave functions should look more
spread out. Choice (B) shows a more-spread-out version of a wave function from the innite potential
well.
Problem 30
Subject Type
Quantum Mechanics Bohr Theory
The ground state binding energy of positronium is half of that of Hydrogen. This is so because
the energy is proportional to the reduced mass, and that of the positronium has a reduced mass of
half that of Hydrogen.
Thus, from the Bohr formula, one has E = Z
2
E
1
/n
2
, where E
1
= E
0
/2 and E
0
is the ground state
energy fo Hydrogen.
Since Z = 2, then for n = 2, the energy is E
1
/4 = 3
0
/8, as in choice (E).
Problem 31
Subject Type
Atomic Spectroscopic Notations
Spectroscopic notation is given by
2s+1
L
j
, and its actually quite useful when one is dealing with
multiple particles. L (S, P, D, F), respectively, for orbital angular momentum values of 0, 1, 2, 3.
s = 1/2 for electrons. j is the total angular momentum.
Knowing the convention, one can plug in numbers to solve 3 = 2s + 1 s = 1. Since the
main-script is a S, l = 0. The total angular momentum is j = s +l = 1.
Problem 32
Subject Type
Electromagnetism Circuits
Power is related to current and resistance by P = I
2
R. The resistor that has the most current
would be R
1
and R
eq
(the equivalent resistance of all the resistors except for R
1
), since all the other
resistors share a current that is split from the main current running from the battery to R
1
. Since
R
eq
< R
1
, the most power is thus dissipated through R
1
, as in choice (A).
Problem 33
Subject Type
Electromagnetism Circuits
One can nd the voltage across R
4
quite easily. The net resistance of all resistors except R
1
is
R
eq
= ((1/R
3
+1/R
4
)
1
+R
5
)
1
+1/R
2
= 25. Kirchhos Loop Law then gives V = I(R
1
+R
eq
)
I = 3/75A.
Now that one knows the current, one trivially nds the voltage across R
2
to be IR
2
= 1 V.
I

(R
34
+R
5
) = 1, since the resistors are in parallel.
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GR9277 Solutions 9
Since R
34
= 1/R
3
+ 1/R
4
= 1/60 + 1/30 = 20, the current I

= 1/(R
34
+R
5
) = 1/50.
The voltage across either R
3
or R
4
is just 1 I

R
5
= 1 30/50 = 0.4, as in choice (A).
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c 2005 Yosun Chang (unless otherwise credited) http : //grephysics.yosunism.com

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GR9277 Solutions 11
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c 2005 Yosun Chang (unless otherwise credited) http : //grephysics.yosunism.com