Physics

Contest 28 Round 1a

A vehicle-mounted early warning system broadcasts a 625 Hz tone from a loudspeaker array when the
speed of sound in still air is 345 m s −1.
(1) What is the frequency perceived by a stationary observer when the vehicle is approaching at 5.00 m s− 1 ?

Ans: 634 Hz

(2) What is the frequency perceived by a stationary observer when the vehicle is receding at 15.0 m s− 1 ?

Ans: 599 Hz

(3) What is the speed of the vehicle when a stationary observer perceives a frequency of 675 Hz ?

Ans: 25.6 m s −1
 Physics
Contest 28 Round 1b

A liquid of mass 0.16 kg, initial temperature 25 ℃ , and specific heat capacity 4.2 kJ kg −1 K− 1 is
contained in a well-insulated vessel of negligible heat capacity. Find the equilibrium temperature of the
vessel and its contents following the given event.
(4) An object of heat capacity 75 J K− 1 and temperature 480 ℃ is dropped into the liquid.

Ans: 71 ℃

(5) An object of heat capacity 250 J K− 1 and temperature 80 ℃ is dropped into the liquid.

Ans: 40 ℃

(6) An object of heat capacity 618 J K− 1 and temperature 10 ℃ is dropped into the liquid.

Ans: 18 ℃
 Physics
Contest 28 Round 1c

Find the power factor of a series AC circuit with the given values of resistance R and reactance X . You
may leave your answer as a fraction.
(7) R=50 Ω and X =120 Ω.

Ans: 5/13

(8) R=60 Ω and X =80 Ω .

Ans: 3/5

(9) R=100 Ω and X =75 Ω.

Ans: 4 /5
 Physics
Contest 28 Round 2

(1) Find the angular speed of a sphere 20 s after it starts spinning about a diameter under the action of a
steady 2 ×10− 2 N m torque if its moment of inertia is 5 ×10− 5 kg m 2 about a diameter.

Ans: 8000 rad s −1

(2) Find the electric field at the origin due to a 10 nC point charge at 3.0 i^ m and a −10 nC point charge at
3.0 ^j m .

Ans: ( − 10 i^ +10 ^j ) V m −1

(3) Name the background radiation that accompanies characteristic x rays generated by bombarding a target
with accelerated electrons.

Ans: Bremsstrahlung
 Physics
Contest 28 Round 4a

(1) Oscillations of an air column in a tube closed at one end and open at the other end occur with a
displacement antinode at the closed end of the tube.

Ans: False

(2) The lowest frequency oscillation of a column of air in a tube closed at one end and open at the other end
occurs with a wavelength approximately equal to four times the length of the tube.

Ans: True

(3) Oscillations of an air column in a tube closed at one end and open at the other end occur with a pressure
antinode at the open end of the tube.

Ans: False
 Physics
Contest 28 Round 4b

Consider the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom.

(4) A transition from the level with principal quantum number five to the level with principal quantum
number one is accompanied by the emission of four photons.

Ans: False

(5) Only transitions between adjacent levels are allowed.

Ans: False

(6) In a transition between any pair of levels, the energy of the photon involved in the transition equals the
energy difference for the two levels.

Ans: True
 Physics
Contest 28 Round 5

1. I am a physical quantity.
2. I am closely associated with energy.
3. Specifically, I am a derivative of energy that is taken subject to particular
restrictions.
4. Two systems are said to be in thermal equilibrium if they have the same value of
me.
5. I am the quantity whose unmitigated rise in average value has alarmed those who
call for climate action.

Who am I?

Temperature
 Physics
Contest 29 Round 1a

A long solenoid wound with n turns per unit length, each turn of radius r , carries current I . Find the
magnitude of the magnetic flux through a coaxial loop encircling the solenoid given that:
(1) n=5.0 ×10 m , r =2.0× 10 m , and I =4.0 A .
3 −1 −2

Ans: 3.2 ×1 0−5 Wb

(2) n=4.0 ×10 m , r =5.0× 10 m , and I =2.0 A.

3 −1 −2

Ans: 7.9 ×1 0− 5 Wb

(3) n=4.0 ×10 m , r =1.0× 10 m , and I =3.0 A.

3 −1 −2

Ans: 4.7 × 1 0−6 Wb

 Physics
Contest 29 Round 1b

(4) Find the Young modulus of a substance for which a tensile stress of 1.5 MPa produces a strain of
0.020 % .

Ans: 7.5 GPa

(5) If the Young modulus of a substance is 18 GPa , what tensile stress is required to produce a 0.050 %
tensile strain in a wire made of the substance?

Ans: 9.0 MPa

(6) Find the Young modulus of a substance for which a tensile stress of 1.5 MPa produces a strain of
0.0033 % .

Ans: 45 GPa
 Physics
Contest 29 Round 1c

A hollow 1.00 m long cylindrical shell of radius R and mass M is released from rest at a height H on a
plane inclined at 60 ° to the horizontal and rolls down the plane without slipping. Find only the
rotational kinetic energy of the cylinder at the bottom of the plane for the given values of R , M , and H
assuming the plane is located in a region where local gravity is g.
(7) M =3.00 kg, R=0.200 m , H=5.00 m, and g=9.80 m s− 2.

Ans: 73.5 J

(8) M =5.00 kg, R=0.250 m , H=4.00 m , and g=9.79 m s− 2.

Ans: 97.9 J

(9) M =6.00 kg, R=0.320 m , H=8.00 m , and g=9.80 m s− 2.

Ans: 235 J
 Physics
Contest 29 Round 2

(1) A spring-mass system with spring constant 4.0 × 102 N m −1 and mass 1.0 kg is periodically excited by an
external force. Find the frequency of the periodic external force at which the oscillations of the spring-
mass systems have the greatest amplitude.

Ans: 3.2 Hz

(2) An amplifier is composed of an op amp with a 50 kΩ resistor connected between ground and its
inverting input and a 100 kΩ resistor between its output and its inverting input. Find the output voltage
when a 2 mV signal is applied directly to the non-inverting input of the op amp.

Ans: 6 mV

(3) A particle moves with constant acceleration ( i^ − ^j ) m s −2. Find the velocity of the particle 15 s after its
velocity attains −6 i^ m s− 1.

Ans: ( 9 i^ −15 ^j ) m s− 1
 Physics
Contest 29 Round 4a

A copper wire carries a constant current of 8 A.

(1) Electrons flow through the wire at the rate of 5 ×1019 s− 1.

Ans: True

(2) The electric charge on the copper wire changes at a steady rate of +8 C s− 1.

Ans: False

(3) The electric charge on the copper wire changes at a steady rate of − 8C s− 1.

Ans: False
 Physics
Contest 29 Round 4b

(4) The heat capacity of an object is a measure of the quantity of heat involved in unit temperature change
of the object.

Ans: True

(5) The greater the heat capacity of an object, the greater the quantity of heat the object contains.

Ans: False

(6) The heat capacity of an object is a property of the substance the object is made of.

Ans: False
 Physics
Contest 29 Round 5

1. I am a geometric figure.
2. I describe the path of a moving object.
3. Specifically, I am one of the possible orbits for an object moving in the
gravitational field of another object.
4. I am closed.
5. I have an eccentricity that is greater than zero but less than unity.

Who am I?

Ellipse
 Physics
Contest 30 Round 1a

(1) Find the final temperature of 12 kg of a substance of specific heat capacity 2.5 kJ kg −1 K−1 that absorbs
90.0 kJ of heat at a temperature of 15 ℃ .

Ans: 18 ℃

(2) Find the initial temperature of 8.0 kg of a substance of specific heat capacity 1.5 kJ kg −1 K−1 whose
temperature increases to 52 ℃ when it absorbs 48 kJ of heat.

Ans: 48 ℃

(3) Find the initial temperature of 5.0 kg of a substance of specific heat capacity 2.4 kJ kg−1 K− 1 whose
temperature increases to 64 ℃ when it absorbs 72 kJ of heat.

Ans: 58 ℃
 Physics
Contest 30 Round 1b

In a bifilar suspension experiment, an object is suspended horizontally by two strings each of length
2.0 m and separated by 1.0 m . Find the moment of inertia of the object about the oscillation axis for the
given object mass M and oscillation period T if gravity at the location of the experiment is 9.8 ms −2.
(4) M =1.5 kg and T =2.0 ×10− 2 s .

Ans: 1.9 ×1 0− 5 kg m 2

(5) M =2.5 kg and T =1.0 ×10− 2 s .

Ans: 7.8 ×1 0− 6 kg m 2

(6) M =3.0 kg and T =2.5 ×10− 2 s .

Ans: 5.8 ×1 0− 5 kg m 2
 Physics
Contest 30 Round 1c

Assume an incompressible fluid in the given situation.

(7) Fluid flows at 1.6 m s −1 from a pipe of diameter 0.25 m into a second pipe of diameter 0.20 m . Find the
fluid speed in the second pipe.

Ans: 2.5 m s −1

(8) Fluid flows from a pipe of diameter 0.40 m into a second pipe of diameter 0.20 m . Find the fluid speed
in the first pipe if its speed in the second pipe is 2.2 m s− 1.

Ans: 0.55 m s −1

(9) Fluid flows at 8.1 m s− 1 from a pipe section of diameter 0.20 m into a second pipe of diameter 0.30 m .
Find the fluid speed in the second pipe.

Ans: 3.6 m s −1
 Physics
Contest 30 Round 2

(1) Find the rms current in a circuit composed of a 16 Ω resistor in series with a 25 H inductor when an AC
source of frequency 1/ π Hz and rms voltage 3 V is applied to the circuit, leaving your answer in terms
of surds.

Ans: √ 34 / 34 A

(2) If a Bohr hydrogen atom is in the state with angular momentum 5.27 ×10 −34 J s , what is the transition
energy in eV to the level just below its state?

Ans: 0.306 eV

(3) Find the linear thermal strain induced by a 3.0 K temperature change of an object of linear thermal
expansion coefficient 2.4 × 10−5 K− 1.

Ans: 7.2 ×1 0−5

Accept 7.2 ×10− 3 % or 0.0072 %.
 Physics
Contest 30 Round 4a

(1) When a siren approaches a stationary observer, the frequency perceived by the observer is greater than
the frequency of the siren in its rest frame.

Ans: True

(2) As a siren approaches a stationary observer at constant speed, the frequency perceived by the observer
increases as the siren gets closer to the observer.

Ans: False

(3) As a siren approaches a stationary observer, the frequency perceived does not depend on the distance
between the siren and the observer.

Ans: True
 Physics
Contest 30 Round 4b

(4) The normal force on an object does not always equal the weight of the object.

Ans: True

(5) The normal force on an object at rest always acts vertically upward.

Ans: False

(6) Normal forces occur in equal opposite pairs.

Ans: True
 Physics
Contest 30 Round 5

1. I am a physical quantity.
2. I am a scalar quantity.
3. I cause energy changes.
4. An example of my rate of change is dot product of force and velocity.
5. I am that which is done when the point of application of a force moves in the
direction of the force.

Who am I?

Work
 Physics
Contest 31 Round 1a

(1) Find the focal length of a spherical biconvex lens in air whose refractive index is 1.60 and whose
surfaces have radii each of magnitude 0.30 m .

Ans: 0.25 m

(2) Find the focal length of a spherical meniscus lens in air whose refractive index is 1.50 and whose
convex surface has radius of magnitude 0.30 m and whose concave surface has radius of magnitude
0.40 m .

Ans: 2.4 m

(3) Find the focal length of a spherical biconcave lens in air whose refractive index is 1.60 and whose
surfaces have radii of magnitude 0.30 m and 0.70 m .

Ans: − 0.35 m
 Physics
Contest 31 Round 1b

A simple machine comprises a frictionless pulley over which a light inextensible string runs, the ends of
the string supporting masses m1 and m2. Find the magnitude of the acceleration of each mass for the
given values of m1 and m2.
(4) m1=0.50 kg and m2=0.30 kg.

Ans: 2.5 m s −2

(5) m1=0.40 kg and m2=0.50 kg.

Ans: 1.1 m s− 2

(6) m1=0.20 kg and m2=0.30 kg.

Ans: 2.0 m s −2
 Physics
Contest 31 Round 1c

Particle displacement at time t and position x in a standing wave is given by

y ( x , t )= A cos ( 2 πx / λ ) sin ωt where A=1 m, λ=4 m , and ω=5 π rad s−1 . Find the wave amplitude at the
given position.
(7) x=2 m .

Ans: 1 m

(8) 3
x= m.
2

m= √ m
1 2
Ans:
√2 2
Accept a reasonable decimal approximation.

(9) 4
x= m .
3

1
Ans: m
2

Give answer at end.

 Physics
Contest 31 Round 2

(1) If in a Frank-Hertz tube, the first current dip is observed at 10.2 V , what wavelength can one expect to
observe in the emission spectrum of the atomic vapor in the tube?

Ans: 122 nm

(2) 2
Find the voltage at t=1 s across a H inductor if the current through it is given by ( 5 A ) sin ( 6 πt s−1 )
π

Ans: 60 V

(3) Find the length of a uniform cantilever beam that oscillates with a period of 0.20 s given that a 2.0 m
beam of the same geometry oscillates with a period of 0.40 s and that period is proportional to square
root of beam length.

Ans: 0.50 m
 Physics
Contest 31 Round 4a

Two particles, A and B, move with constant velocity. The velocity of particle A is 3 i^ ms −1 and the
velocity of particle B is 5 i^ ms −1.
(1) Particle B is farther from the origin than particle A .

Ans: False

(2) The velocity of particle A relative to particle B is −2 i^ m s−1 .

Ans: True

(3) Particle A and particle B both move along the x -axis.

Ans: False
 Physics
Contest 31 Round 4b

(4) The direction of the polarization of a polarized light wave is the direction of propagation of the wave.

Ans: False

(5) The direction of polarization of a polarized light wave is the direction of the magnetic field of the wave.

Ans: False

(6) A light wave is said to be plane polarized in the x direction if the electric field of the wave is always
parallel to the x axis.

Ans: True
 Physics
Contest 31 Round 5

1. I am a physical quantity.
2. I am a vector quantity.
3. I can change the state of motion or of rest of an object.
4. I am closely related to force, but I am not force.
5. My net value equals rate of change of angular momentum.
6. I am moment of force.

Who am I?

Torque
 Physics
Contest 32 Round 1a

A solid disc of radius R , thickness d and mass M is released from rest at a height H on a plane inclined
at 60 ° to the horizontal and rolls down the plane without slipping. Find only the rotational kinetic
energy of the disc at the bottom of the plane for the given values of R , d M , and H assuming local
gravity has value g.
(1) M =3.00 kg, R=0.200 m , d=0.240 m , H=5.00 m, and g=9.80 m s− 2.

Ans: 49.0 J

(2) M =2.00 kg, R=0.250 m , d=0.640 m , H=6.00 m, and g=9.78 m s− 2.

Ans: 39.1 J

(3) M =5.00 kg, R=0.320 m , d=1.20 m , H=1.20 m, and g=9.79 m s− 2.

Ans: 19.6 J
 Physics
Contest 32 Round 1b

A very long solenoid wound with n turns per unit length carries current I . Find the magnetic energy
density inside the solenoid for the given values of n and I .
n=1200 m and I =5.0 A .
−1
(4)

Ans: 23 J m − 3

(5) n=2500 m
−1
and I =2.0 A.

Ans: 16 J m − 3

(6) n=1700 m
−1
and I =6.0 A.

Ans: 65 J m − 3
 Physics
Contest 32 Round 1c

A compound lens is composed of a lens of focal length f 1 in contact with a lens of focal length f 2. Find
the effective focal length of the compound lens for the given values of f 1 and f 2.
(7) f 1=0.20 m and f 2=−0.15 m.

Ans: − 0.60 m

(8) f 1=0.250 m and f 2=−0.150 m.

Ans: − 0.375 m

(9) f 1=−0.50 m and f 2=0.25 m .

Ans: 0.50 m
 Physics
Contest 32 Round 2

(1) Find the internal energy of 2.50 mol of an ideal monatomic gas at 400.0 K.

Ans: 12.5 kJ

(2) ^ ^j+2 k^ ) N when it acts at point with position 4 k^ m .

Find the torque about the origin of the force ( 2 i−

Ans: ( 4 i^ + 8 ^j ) N m

(3) What is the surface charge density on a spherical conductor of radius 0.20 m and potential 60.0 V?

Ans: 2.7 ×1 0− 9 Cm − 2
 Physics
Contest 32 Round 4a

Two particles undergo an elastic collision.

(1) The difference between the final kinetic energies of the particles equals the negative of the difference
between their initial kinetic energies.

Ans: False

(2) The relative velocity of the particles after the collision equals the negative of the relative velocity of the
particles before the collision.

Ans: True

(3) The difference between the final kinetic energies of the particles equals the difference between their
initial kinetic energies.

Ans: False
 Physics
Contest 32 Round 4b

(4) Torque is the moment of force and is a vector quantity.

Ans: True

(5) The direction of a torque lies in the same plane as the force and the moment arm.

Ans: False

(6) The magnitude of a torque equals the product of the magnitudes of the force and distance from the point
of application of the force to the point about which the moment is taken.

Ans: False
 Physics
Contest 32 Round 5

1. I am a type of wave.
2. I am electromagnetic.
3. I am distinguished by the method of my production.
4. I am produced in the deceleration of a charged particle in the field of another
charged particle.
5. My name is the German word that means “braking radiation.”

Who am I?

Bremsstrahlung
 Physics
Contest 33 Round 1a

(1) Find the magnification of a refracting astronomical telescope in normal adjustment if the focal length of
the objective is 12 m and that of the eyepiece is 15 cm .

Ans: − 80
Accept − 80×.

(2) A refracting astronomical telescope has objective lens of focal length 15.0 m . What eyepiece focal
length must be selected for a magnification of −120 × in normal adjustment?

Ans: 12.5 cm

(3) Find the magnification of a refracting astronomical telescope in normal adjustment if the focal length of
the objective is 16 m and that of the eyepiece is 25 cm .

Ans: −64
Accept −64 ×.
 Physics
Contest 33 Round 1b

Two blocks of masses m1 and m2 on a smooth horizontal plane are connected by a light inextensible
string and a horizontal force of magnitude F pulls on m1.
(4) Find F if m1=2 kg , m2=3 kg , and the tension in the string is 15 N .

Ans: 25 N

(5) Find the tension in the string if m1=2 kg , m2=5 kg and F=49 N.

Ans: 35 N

(6) Find F if m1=3 kg , m2=7 kg, and the tension in the string is 21 N .

Ans: 30 N
 Physics
Contest 33 Round 1c

A digital circuit implements the Boolean function A+ B ⋅C using a three-input combinational logic gate.
Find the output bit sequence for the given input bit sequence.
(7) A=00110, B=01011, and C=11001.

Ans: 00110

(8) A=00101, B=10010 , and C=11011.

Ans: 00101

(9) A=10101, B=11001, and C=10011.

Ans: 11101
 Physics
Contest 33 Round 2

(1) What is the charge on a spherical conductor of radius 0.25 m whose surface potential is 180 V ?

Ans: 5.0 ×1 0− 8 C

(2) ^ 3 ^j+ k^ ) m s −1 when its position

Find the angular momentum of a 3 kg particle whose velocity is ( 2 i+
vector is ( i^ + ^j + k^ ) m .

^ ^j+ 3 k^ ) kg m 2 s −1
Ans: ( − 6 i+3

(3) Find the tension in a 1 m long string fixed at both ends if its linear density is 0.015 kg m −1 and the
frequency of its fundamental mode is 10 Hz .

Ans: 6 N
 Physics
Contest 33 Round 4a

A spherical object rolls without slipping on a horizontal surface.

(1) The point on the rolling object in contact with the surface is instantaneously at rest relative to the
surface.

Ans: True
=FF

(2) The translational speed of the object at any instant equals the radius of the object times its angular speed
at that instant.

Ans: True

(3) The work done by friction on the object is negative because the force of friction is opposite in direction
to the translation of the object.

Ans: False
 Physics
Contest 33 Round 4b

(4) The charge on a glass rod rubbed with silk is positive.

Ans: True

(5) The charge on a glass rod rubbed with silk is assigned a positive sign merely by convention.

Ans: True

(6) In charging a class rod by rubbing it with silk, negative charge is transferred to the silk, thereby leaving
a net positive charge on the glass rod.

Ans: True
 Physics
Contest 33 Round 5

1. I am a physical quantity.
2. My SI unit is the pascal.
3. I quantify a deviation from rigidity.
4. Youth becomes of me, not for what I am, but for whom I am named.
5. I equal the slope of the portion of the stress-strain diagram of a substance up to
the proportional limit.

Who am I?

Young modulus / Young’s modulus (of elasticity)

 Physics
Contest 34 Round 1a

A simple pendulum with an initially stationary bob of mass mb is struck by and traps an object of mass
m , the bob swinging to a height ℎ above its rest position. Find ℎ given that
(1) mb=45 g, m=0.50 g , the speed of the object is 240 m s −1, and the pendulum length is 2.0 m .

Ans: 0.35 m

(2) mb=64 g, m=0.40 g , the speed of the object is 250 m s −1, and the pendulum length is 2.5 m .

Ans: 0.12 m

(3) mb=48 g, m=0.60 g , the speed of the object is 150 m s− 1, and the pendulum length is 1.0 m .

Ans: 0.17 m
 Physics
Contest 34 Round 1b

(4) Find the magnitude of the magnetic flux density 0.25 m from a long straight wire in which a 3.0 A
current flows.

Ans: 2.4 × 10 −6 T

(5) Find the distance from a long straight wire carrying a current of 5.0 A at which the magnitude of the
magnetic flux density it produces is 25 μT .

Ans: 0.040 m

(6) Find the distance from a long straight wire carrying a current of 12 A at which the magnitude of the
magnetic flux density it produces is 160 μT.

Ans: 0.015 m
 Physics
Contest 34 Round 1c

A microscope has an objective lens of focal length 8 mm and a tube length of 160 mm .
(7) Estimate the magnitude of the lateral magnification of the objective.

Ans: 20×

(8) Find the optical power of the objective.

Ans: 125 diopter

(9) Estimate the magnitude of the magnification of the microscope when a 10× eyepiece is used.

Ans: 200×
 Physics
Contest 34 Round 2

(1) Find the kinetic energy of a 2.0 kg disk of radius 0.50 m spinning about its axis at 240 rad s −1.

Ans: 7.2 kJ

(2) Rank in increasing order of temperature, stars that appear blue, red, white, and yellow to the unaided
human eye.

Ans: Red, yellow, white, blue

(3) If displacement along a standing wave on the x axis is given by

2
y ( x , t )=( 2 m ) cos ( πx m −1 ) sin ( πt s− 1 )what is the amplitude at x= m?
3

Ans: 1 m
 Physics
Contest 34 Round 4a

(1) The J A −1 is a unit for magnetic flux.

Ans: True

(2) The V s is equivalent to the H .

Ans: False

(3) The V A− 1 is equivalent to the Wb.

Ans: False
 Physics
Contest 34 Round 4b

Two very large parallel metal plates carry charge of equal magnitude but opposite sign.
(4) The net electric field due to the charged plates is continuous everywhere inside and outside the plates.

Ans: False

(5) The net electric field outside the plates is perpendicular to the plates and points away from the
positively charged plate.

Ans: False

(6) The net electric field outside the plates is perpendicular to the plates and directed from the positively
charged plate towards the negatively charged plate.

Ans: False
 Physics
Contest 34 Round 5

1. I am a physical quantity.
2. I have been accused of not being a well-defined quantity.
3. That is because I can admit an arbitrary reference value.
4. However, everybody agrees that I am a scalar quantity.
5. I may be positive; I may be negative:
6. Positive or negative, I am the capacity of a system to do work, whether through
configuration changes or through state of motion changes.

Who am I?

Energy
 Physics
Contest 35 Round 1a

Surface gravity on a nearly spherical object of mean radius 764 km is 0.264 m s−2 .
(1) Estimate gravity 36.0 km above the surface.

Ans: 0.241 m s− 2

(2) Estimate gravity 86.0 km above the surface.

Ans: 0.213 m s −2

(3) Estimate gravity 136 km above the surface.

Ans: 0.190 m s −2
 Physics
Contest 35 Round 1b

The Boolean function A+ B ⋅C is implemented with a three-input combinational logic gate. Find the
output bit sequence for the given input bit sequence.
(4) A=00110, B=01011, and C=11001.

Ans: 10110

(5) A=00101, B=10010 , and C=11011.

Ans: 01101

(6) A=10101, B=11001, and C=10011.

Ans: 11111
 Physics
Contest 35 Round 1c

Take the speed of sound in air as 360.0 m s− 1.

(7) Find the difference in frequency perceived and frequency emitted when a stationary observer is
approached at 5.00 m s− 1 by a siren emitting a 400.0 Hz note.

Ans: 5.63 Hz

(8) Find the difference in frequency perceived and frequency emitted when an observer moving at
−1
5.00 m s approaches a stationary siren emitting a 400.0 Hz note.

Ans: 5.56 Hz

(9) Find the difference in frequency perceived and frequency emitted when a stationary observer is
approached at 10.0 m s− 1 by a siren emitting a 400.0 Hz note.

Ans: 11.4 Hz
 Physics
Contest 35 Round 2

∗
(1) Give the daughter isotope X for the neutron capture reaction 39 1
19 K + 0n → X and state what the *
signifies.

Ans: 40
19 K ; * signifies X is in a nuclear excited state.

(2) If white light is incident normally on a diffraction grating ruled with 500 lines per mm , what
wavelength is diffracted in first order at an angle of diffraction of 30 ° ?

Ans: 1 μm

(3) What is the frequency of the fundamental note emitted by a 3 m long organ pipe if the speed of sound is
−1
360 m s ?

Ans: 60 Hz
 Physics
Contest 35 Round 4a

(1) The normal force on an object in contact with a surface always acts perpendicular to the surface.

Ans: True

(2) The normal force on an object in contact with a surface always acts at the center of gravity of the object.

Ans: False

(3) The normal force on an object in contact with a surface always acts at the center of mass of the object.

Ans: False
 Physics
Contest 35 Round 4b

An 8 m long aluminum wire of uniform cross-sectional area 1 mm 2 carries a steady 0.24 A electric
current of uniform current density.
(4) All the current carried by the wire flows on the surface of the wire.

Ans: False

(5) Half as many electrons cross the midsection of the wire as enter the negative end of the wire.

Ans: False

(6) Any portion of the cross-section of the wire with a given area carries as much current as any other
portion of the same area.

Ans: True
 Physics
Contest 35 Round 5

1. I am a point.
2. I am called center.
3. I am, however, a type of average.
4. My position is given by the mass weighted average of the position vectors of all
particles that make up a body.
5. I am the point in a body at which the application of a force results only in
translational motion of the body.

Who am I?

Center of mass
 Physics
Contest 36 Round 1a

The magnetization of a paramagnetic object at 20.0 ℃ is 2.0 ×10− 9 A m − 1 when inserted into an
external 5.0 μT magnetic field.
(1) Find the magnetization of the object at 25 ℃ in a 25 μT external field.

Ans: 9.8 ×1 0− 9 A m − 1

(2) Find the magnetization of the object at 17 ℃ in a 15 μT external field.

Ans: 6.1 ×1 0− 9 A m −1

(3) Find the magnetization of the object at 27 ℃ in an 8.0 μT external field.

Ans: 3.1 ×1 0− 9 A m −1
 Physics
Contest 36 Round 1b

(4) Find the capacitance of a conducting sphere of radius 0.25 m .

Ans: 28 pF

(5) Find the radius of a conducting sphere whose capacitance is 32 pF .

Ans: 0.29 m

(6) Find the capacitance of a conducting sphere of radius 0.045 m .

Ans: 5.0 pF
 Physics
Contest 36 Round 1c

(7) If the speed of an incompressible fluid is 2.00 m s −1 in a pipe of diameter 2.40 cm , find the speed of the
fluid in an adjoining pipe of diameter 3.00 cm into which the fluid flows.

Ans: 1.28 m s− 1

(8) An incompressible fluid flows from a pipe of diameter 15.0 cm into a pipe of diameter 10.0 cm where its
speed is 1.80 m s− 1. Find the fluid speed in the 15.0 cm pipe.

Ans: 0.800 m s −1

(9) Find the speed of an incompressible fluid in a pipe of diameter 6.40 cm if its speed is 0.320 m s −1 in a
5.00 cm diameter pipe into which the fluid flows.

Ans: 0.195 m s −1
 Physics
Contest 36 Round 2

(1) What is the scalar potential at ( 3.0 i^ +4.0 ^j ) m due to a 32 mC charge at 3.0 i^ m and a −15 mC charge at
4.0 ^j m?

Ans: 27 MV

(2) A 2.0 kg disc of radius 0.81 m initially at rest rolls without slipping from a height of 4.0 m on a plane
inclined at 50 ° to the horizontal. Find the translational kinetic energy of the disc at the bottom of the
plane.

Ans: 52 J

(3) An SHS student who suffers from farsightedness has a near point at 125 cm from her eye. What is the
lens power of corrective glasses she must use?

Ans: +3.20 diopter

 Physics
Contest 36 Round 4a

(1) Sunlight reflected off a glass surface is partially polarized.

Ans: True

(2) Polarization of sunlight on reflection from a glass surface occurs because light waves of a particular
polarization are preferentially absorbed at the surface.

Ans: False

(3) Monochromatic light reflected off a glass surface is linearly polarized for a particular angle of
incidence.

Ans: True
 Physics
Contest 36 Round 4b

A 2 kg block and a 3 kg block on a smooth horizontal surface are connected by a light inextensible
string and a horizontal 20 N force pulls on the 3 kg block.
(4) The magnitude of the acceleration of the 3 kg block is less than that of the 2 kg block.

Ans: False

(5) The magnitude of the tension in the string is 8 N .

Ans: True

(6) The magnitude of the net force on the 3 kg object is 28 N .

Ans: False

30 s.
 Physics
Contest 36 Round 5

1. I am an idealized object.
2. I am encountered in mechanics, where I am frequently used to approximate
certain real-world objects.
3. I am characterized by invariance in all situations of the distance between any pair
of particles that compose me and of the angle between any pair of lines associated
with me.
4. I am a body that does not undergo changes in size or shape in any situation.
5. I can undergo both translations and rotations.

Who am I?

Rigid body
 Physics
Contest 37 Round 1a

Masses m1 and m2 are attached to the ends of a light inextensible string running over the rim of a solid
disc of mass md , radius R and thickness d . The disc freely rotates about its axis, which is horizontal,
when the system is released from rest.
(1) Given that m1=2.0 kg , m2=5.0 kg , md =1.0 kg , R=25 cm, and d=25 cm, find the tension in the portion
of the string attached to m1 when the system is released from rest.

Ans: 27 N

(2) For m1=8 kg, m2=4 kg , md =2 kg , R=15 cm, and d=45 cm , find the magnitude of the angular
acceleration of the disc when the system is released from rest.

Ans: 20 rad s −2

(3) Given that m1=4.0 kg , m2=5.0 kg , md =2.0 kg , R=35 cm, and d=15 cm, find the tension in the portion
of the string attached to m2.

Ans: 44 N
 Physics
Contest 37 Round 1b

Reduce the given Boolean expression to an equivalent expression involving at most three literals and
only the AND and the NOT operators.
(4) A ⋅ B+ A ⋅ B+ A ⋅B .

Ans: ( A ⋅ B ) ⋅B=( A ⋅ B ) ⋅ A

(5) ( A+ B ) ⋅ ( A+C ).

Ans: A ⋅ B⋅ C

(6) A+ B ⋅ D+ B⋅ D+ C .

Ans: A ⋅ B⋅ C
 Physics
Contest 37 Round 1c

Find the net electromagnetic force on point charge q moving with velocity v⃗ at a point where the
electric field is ⃗E and the magnetic flux density is ⃗
B given that:
E =4 ^j V m and ⃗
q=3 C, ⃗v =( 2 i^ −3 ^j ) m s , ⃗ B=2 ^j T .
−1
(7) − 1

Ans: ( 12 ^j+12 k^ ) N

(8) q=2 C, ⃗v =( 3 i^ + ^j ) m s− 1, ⃗ ^ k^ ) V m − 1 and ⃗

E =( 2 i− B=− 3 i^ T .

Ans: ( 4 i^ − 8 k^ ) N

(9) E =2 k^ V m and ⃗
q=4 C, ⃗v =( ^j −2 k^ ) m s −1 , ⃗ B=2 k^ T .
−1

^ k^ ) N
Ans: ( 8 i+8
 Physics
Contest 37 Round 2

(1) A wire of length 25 cm and cross-sectional area 0.010 cm2 is made of material of resistivity
−6 −3 −1 − 1
1.0 ×10 Ω m, density 8400 kg m , and specific heat capacity 450 J kg K . Find the temperature
change of the wire when a square pulse of amplitude 1.6 V and duration 1 s is applied across the wire
assuming no heat dissipation and constant properties.

Ans: 11K

(2) An oscillating spring-mass system of spring constant 110 N m −1 and mass 1.0 kg begins accreting mass
at a steady rate of 2.2 g s −1. Find the rate at which the angular frequency of the oscillator is changing at
the instant its mass is 1.1 kg .

Ans: − 0.010 rad s−1

(3) A rigid object is pivoted about a point on it that is 1.2 m from the center of mass of the object. Find the
period of small amplitude oscillations of the object if its moment of inertia about the pivot is
−4 2
2.4 × 10 kg m and its mass is 5 kg .

Ans: 0.01 s
 Physics
Contest 37 Round 4a

^ sin ωt ^j where a=2 m , b=1 m , and

The position of a particle at time t is given by r ( t )=a cos ωt i+b
−1
ω=10 π rad s .
(1) The particle moves along an ellipse of semi-major axis 2 m and semi-minor minor axis 1 m .

Ans: True

(2) At t=0 , the particle is at rest on the horizontal axis.

Ans: False

(3) The particle is subject to the action of a periodic net force which has period 0.2 s and an initial
horizontal direction.

Ans: True
 Physics
Contest 37 Round 4b

An x-ray tube with a copper target is operated with an accelerating voltage above the threshold for
emission of characteristic copper radiation.
(4) The tube produces bremsstrahlung which accompanies the bright visible emission from the filament of
the tube.

Ans: False

(5) The most energetic photons the tube emits are the characteristic copper x-ray photons.

Ans: False

(6) The visible emission from the cathode is incidental to the generation of the electron beam and its
spectrum is continuous.

Ans: True
 Physics
Contest 37 Round 5

1. I am a type of wave.
2. I am described by a separable wave function.
3. I can be transverse or longitudinal.
4. I am characterized by nodes and antinodes.
5. I am the type of wave that results from the superposition of two counter-
propagating waves of equal frequency and equal amplitude.
6. I stand for something.

Who am I?

Standing wave
 Physics
Contest 38 Round 1a

Two coaxial circular loops each of radius R are separated by 2 L and carry current I in the same
direction. Find the magnitude of the magnetic flux density at the center of the space between the loops
for the given values of R , L, and I .
(1) R=0.20 m , L=0.10 m , and I =4.0 A .

Ans: 18 μT

(2) R=0.20 m , L=0.20 m , and I =5.0 A .

Ans: 11μT

(3) R=0.40 m , L=0.10 m , and I =8.0 A .

Ans: 23 μT
 Physics
Contest 38 Round 1b

A Geiger-Muller counter is used to study the decay characteristics of a radioactive specimen.

(4) How many counts must be recorded for the relative error in the counts to be 25 % ?

Ans: 16

(5) What is the percent relative error in a count of 676 ?

Ans: 3.85 %

(6) If the count rate is 125 s− 1, how long does it take to record a count whose error is at most 2.50 % ?

Ans: 12.8 s
 Physics
Contest 38 Round 1c

Consider elastic collision between the given particles.

(7) If a 2 kg particle moving with velocity 9 i^ m s−1 collides with a 4 kg particle moving with velocity
−6 i^ m s , what is the velocity of the 4 kg particle after the collision?
−1

^ s −1
Ans: 4 im

(8) A 2 kg particle moving with velocity 4 im ^ s −1 collides with a 3 kg particle moving with velocity − i^ m s− 1
. Find the velocity of the 3 kg particle after the collision.

Ans: 3 i^ ms −1

(9) A 1 kg particle moving with velocity − i^ m s− 1 collides with a 4 kg particle moving with velocity 4 im
^ s −1
. Find the velocity of the 1 kg particle after the collision.

Ans: 7 i^ m s−1
 Physics
Contest 38 Round 2

(1) The string of a simple pendulum of length 2 m undergoes thermal expansion due to a temperature
increase of 50 K . Find the resulting percent relative change in the angular frequency of the pendulum if
the thermal expansivity of the string is 2 ×10− 4 K− 1.

Ans: − 0.5 %

(2) If the speed of sound in a certain gas is 342 m s− 1 at 16.0 ℃ , what is the speed of sound in the same gas
at 51.0 ℃?

Ans: 362 m s− 1

(3) A 2 kg particle moving with velocity 3 i^ ms −1 collides with an oncoming 3 kg particle moving at
−2 i^ m s . Find the impulse of the impact force on the 2 kg particle if the coefficient of restitution for
−1

the collision is 0.5 .

Ans: − 9 i^ N s
 Physics
Contest 38 Round 4a

(1) In a ( d , p ) nuclear reaction, a neutron is stripped from the projectile.

Ans: True

(2) A ( p , d ) nuclear reaction is forbidden because mass-energy cannot be conserved.

Ans: False

(3) A ( p , p ) nuclear reaction is impossible to realize in practice because of electrostatic repulsion.

Ans: False
 Physics
Contest 38 Round 4b

(4) The objective lens of a compound microscope in normal use forms a real image of the virtual image
formed by the ocular lens.

Ans: False

(5) In a compound microscope in normal use, the distance between a specimen and the front focus of the
ocular is less than the distance between the objective and the specimen.

Ans: False

(6) The intermediate image in a compound microscope in normal use is real whereas the final image is a
virtual image of the intermediate image.

Ans: True
 Physics
Contest 38 Round 5

1. I am a physical principle.
2. Even though there is no theoretical basis for me, I am an experimentally
confirmed principle.
3. I operate across many domains of physics, including mechanics,
electromagnetism, and even quantum mechanics.
4. According to me, the whole equals the sum of the parts.
5. You call on me whenever you determine the electric field or the scalar potential at
a point due to a collection of stationary charges.

Who am I?

(Principle of) Linear Superposition

 Physics
Contest 39 Round 1a

A quantity of ideal gas at pressure P undergoes an adiabatic process in which its volume changes from
αV to V where α is a ratio of two integers. The ratio of the heat capacity at constant pressure to the heat
capacity at constant volume of the gas is 5/3.
(1) Find the final pressure of the gas if P=3125 Pa and α =64 /125.

Ans: 1024 Pa

(2) Find the final pressure of the gas if P=4.86 kPa and α =8 /27.

Ans: 0.640 kPa

(3) Find the final pressure of the gas if P=3125 Pa and α =216 /125.

Ans: 7776 Pa
 Physics
Contest 39 Round 1b

A series RLC circuit has an open switch that is closed after charging the capacitor. Find the frequency at
which charge oscillates on the capacitor plates for the given circuit parameters. Where appropriate,
leave your answer in terms of π and surds.
(4) R=1 Ω, L=10 mH, and C=10 mF .

Ans: 25 √ 3 / π Hz

(5) R=2 Ω, L=5 mH, and C=1 mF.

Ans: 200 /π Hz

(6) R=5 Ω, L=2 mH , and C=100 μF.

Ans: 125 √ 55 / π Hz
 Physics
Contest 39 Round 1c

(7) A disc of mass 1.20 kg and radius 0.100 m rotating clockwise at 945 rad s −1 about its axis collides with
and attaches to a freely rotatable stationary coaxial disc of mass 1.50 kg and radius 0.160 m . Find the
angular speed of the discs after the collision.

Ans: 225 rad s −1

(8) A disc of mass 1.2 kg and radius 0.10 m rotating clockwise at 420 rad s−1 about its axis collides with and
attaches to a coaxial disc of mass 1.5 kg and radius 0.16 m rotating counterclockwise at 240 rad s −1
about the common axis. Find the angular speed of the discs after the collision.

Ans: 83 rad s −1
(Direction is clockwise.)

(9) A disc of mass 1.60 kg and radius 0.120 m rotating clockwise at 290.0 rad s −1 about its axis collides with
and attaches to a coaxial disc of mass 1.00 kg and radius 0.150 m rotating clockwise at 150.0 rad s −1
about the common axis. Find the angular speed of the discs after the collision.

Ans: 221 rad s− 1

 Physics
Contest 39 Round 2

(1) A ball is projected from the bottom of a plane inclined at 30 ° to the horizontal in such a manner that the
highest point on the ball’s trajectory is over the top of the incline. What is the tangent, in terms of surds,
of the angle at which the ball must be launched to just clear the top of the incline?

Ans: 2/ √ 3

(2) Name the single logic gate that implements the two-variable logic function A ⋅ B+ A ⋅ B.
(30 s)
Ans: XOR
Or exclusive-OR.

(3) A 0.49 kg hoop of radius 1.0 m is pivoted on its rim so that it oscillates in its plane. Find the period of
small-amplitude oscillations of the hoop.

Ans: 2.8 s
 Physics
Contest 39 Round 4a

(1) The principle of operation of erecting prisms in a pair of binoculars is lateral inversion by total internal
reflection.

Ans: True

(2) Instead of using erecting prisms in a terrestrial telescope, one can use Faraday rotation to obtain upright
images.

Ans: False

(3) Besides lateral inversion by total internal reflection using prisms, there is no other optical method by
which the image of a terrestrial telescope may be made upright.

Ans: False
 Physics
Contest 39 Round 4b

In a scattering experiment in which α -particles bombard a gold foil:

(4) An α -particle passes straight through the foil if the impact parameter for its collision with a gold
nucleus is zero.

Ans: False

(5) The distance of closest approach between an α -particle and a gold nucleus is greatest when the impact
parameter for its collision with the gold nucleus is zero.

Ans: False

(6) The deflection angle of an α -particle in its collision with a gold nucleus increases as the impact
parameter decreases.

Ans: True
 Physics
Contest 39 Round 5

1. I am a main-sequence star on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.

2. I am hot, but I am not a blackbody.
3. I am a yellow dwarf.
4. I am host to Gaia and her siblings.
5. I am Helios embodied.
6. I am central to the solar system.

Who am I?

Sun
 Physics
Contest 40 Round 1a

An object on a rough plane inclined at exactly 60 ° to the horizontal is given a initial push down the
plane. The coefficient of friction between the object and the plane is 1/2.
(1) What must the initial speed of the object be if it moves 1.0 m before stopping?

Ans: 3.5 m s −1

(2) If the initial speed of the object is 5.0 m s− 1, how far down the plane does it move before stopping?

Ans: 1.4 m

(3) If the object moves 2.0 m before stopping, what is the duration of its motion?

Ans: 0.81 s
 Physics
Contest 40 Round 1b

Some astrophysical instruments are named for scientists who made significant contributions to our
understanding of nature. Give the full name of the indicated instrument and state the principal spectral
regions in which it operates.
(4) JWST

Ans: James Webb Space Telescope: Infrared

(5) HST

Ans: Hubble Space Telescope: Ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared

(6) FGST

Ans: Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope: Gamma-ray

 Physics
Contest 40 Round 1c

Digital devices have played an important role in the development of scientific instrumentation. Give the
full name of the indicated component of a digital system.
(7) FPGA

Ans: Field-programable gate array

(8) EPROM

Ans: Erasable programable read-only memory

(9) MCU

Ans: Microcontroller unit

 Physics
Contest 40 Round 2

(1) A solid sphere of radius 0.20 m swings about a pivot on its surface. Find the distance between the pivot
and the center of oscillation of the sphere.

Ans: 0.28 m

(2) What is the origin of the iridescence of heated steel cooled in still air?

Ans: Thin-film interference in the thin oxide of varying thickness on the steel surface produced by
surface temperature distribution on heating.

(3) When heated sodium vapor is placed in a magnetic field, the characteristic sodium yellow lines are split
into multiple lines whose separation increases as magnetic field strength is increased. Name the
phenomenon that accounts for the splitting.

Ans: Zeeman effect

 Physics
Contest 40 Round 4a

An ideal gas at pressure P is contained in a fraction of the volume of a thermally insulated vessel by a
membrane, the remaining part of the vessel being empty. The membrane is suddenly ruptured, the gas
now filling the whole vessel.
(1) The expansion of the gas is adiabatic.

Ans: True

(2) The expansion of the gas is isentropic.

Ans: False

(3) The expansion of the gas is isoenergetic.

Ans: True
 Physics
Contest 40 Round 4b

Proton-proton chains are fundamental to solar processes to which we ultimately owe terrestrial solar
radiation, also known as insolation.
(4) The first reaction in any proton-proton chain produces ❑2 He which then participates in subsequent
reactions of the chain.

Ans: False

(5) The first reaction in any proton-proton chain is exothermic and produces ❑2 H which then participates in
subsequent reactions of the chain.

Ans: True

(6) The stable end product of any proton-proton reaction is an α particle.

Ans: True
 Physics
Contest 40 Round 5

1. I am a physical phenomenon.
2. I arise because of the interaction between two waves.
3. I am a diffraction phenomenon involving a transverse wave and a longitudinal
wave in a material medium.
4. I have been observed in several materials, including glasses such as fused quartz
and crystals such as quartz.
5. I am the effect in which light waves diffract off a refractive index grating
generated by a sound wave in a material medium.

Who am I?

Acousto-optic Effect
 Physics
Contest 40 Round 5

1. I am a physical phenomenon.
2. I bear in part the name of the one who demonstrated the equivalence of heat and
mechanical work.
3. I am employed in cooling and refrigeration.
4. I am associated with the process of throttling a non-ideal gas.
5. I am the effect in which a real gas undergoes a temperature decrease in an
irreversible adiabatic process in which pressure decreases across a valve or
porous plug.

Who am I?

Joule-Thomson Effect / Joule-Kelvin Effect

 Physics
Problem of the day 1. Round 3
A conducting sphere of radius 0.20 m is charged to a potential of 2.7 kV .
(a) How many electrons must be added to or removed from the sphere to obtain a surface
potential of −2.7 kV ?
(b) Find the magnitude of the electric field on the surface of the sphere at 2.7 kV after
10
7.5 ×10 electrons are removed from it.
(c) Find the change in the magnitude of the electric field on the surface of the sphere at
2.7 kV when a grounded conducting wire is briefly connected to the sphere.
 Physics
Problem of the day 1: Solution Round 3
(a) The charge on the sphere is Q=4 π ϵ 0 VR where V is surface potential and R is its radius. At a
positive potential of 2.7 kV , Q=2.7× 10 V ×0.20 m / ( 9.0 × 109 F−1 m ) =6.0 ×10− 8 C which is the
3

charge on
−8
6.0 ×10 C 11
N=Q /e= −19
=3.75 ×10 protons. To obtain a surface potential of −2.7 kV ,
1.6 × 10 C
11
2 N=7.5 ×10 electrons must be added: N to neutralize the sphere and an additional N to bring
its potential down to the negative of the initial potential.
10
(b) If n=7.5 ×10 electrons were removed from the sphere at 2.7 kV, its charge would increase
from Q=6.0× 10−8 C to
' −8 10 − 19 −8
Q =Q+ne=6.0 × 10 C+ 7.5× 10 × 1.6 ×10 C=7.2 ×10 C .The surface electric field,
which is normal to the surface, would then have magnitude
' −8
Q 7.2 ×10 C −1
E= 2
= 2
=16 kV m .
4 π ϵ 0 R 4 π ϵ 0 × ( 0.20 m )
(c) The magnitude of the surface electric field on the sphere when its potential is 2.7 kV is
3
2.7 × 10 kV −1 −1
V / R= =13.5 kV m ≈ 14 kV m .The wire grounds the sphere, thereby neutralizing
0.20 m
it. The surface electric field is then zero so the difference between the initial and final electric
fields is just 14 kV m −1.
 Physics
Problem of the day 2. Round 3

An electron beam is generated by illuminating a photocathode with monochromatic light of

wavelength λ .
(a) Explain why the de Broglie wavelength of the photoelectrons does not equal the
wavelength of the incident light.
(b) Explain why the linear momentum of each photoelectron does not equal the linear
momentum of an incident photon, and state, if any, which conservation law is
violated.
(c) Give an expression for the maximum kinetic energy of an electron in the beam after
acceleration through a potential difference V . Define any new symbols you use.
(d) Use your expression in (c) to derive an expression for the shortest wavelength x-rays
that may generated using the electron beam that has been accelerated through a
potential difference V assuming V does not exceed say 5 kV and the photon
wavelength is not too short.
 Physics
Problem of the day 2: Solution Round 3
(a) The two wavelengths are not the same because the momentum of a photoelectron does not
equal the momentum of the photon that ejects it.
(b) The two linear momenta are not equal because the electron is initially bound so the interaction
between the photon and the photocathode in fact involves not just the photon and electron but
also the atom to which the electron is bound, which recoils in the process. This recoil accounts
for the momentum difference between electron and photon, so momentum conservation is not
violated. Note that a free electron cannot absorb a photon and conserve both energy and
momentum; a bound electron can do so because of the recoil described here.
(c) Let the work function of the photocathode be W . The kinetic energy of the most energetic
photoelectron is K 0= ℎc / λ −W where ℎ is Planck’s constant and c is the speed of light in
vacuum. This presumes that ℎc / λ> W to start with since otherwise no photoelectron can be
produced. If now that photoelectron is accelerated through a potential difference V , it gains
additional kinetic energy eV so its total kinetic energy is
K=K 0+ eV = ℎc / λ+eV − W where e is the magnitude of the fundamental charge.
(d) If V does not exceed 5 kV and the photon wavelength is not too short, the motion of the
photoelectron is relatively slow, so its momentum is p= √ 2 mK =√ 2 m ( ℎc / λ +eV −W ) where m
is electron mass and the corresponding de Broglie wavelength is
1
λ e =p /ℎ= √2 m (ℎc / λ+eV −W ) .
ℎ
 Physics
Problem of the day 3. Round 3
−1
An object is projected from a point on level ground with speed 24 ms at an angle of 45 ° to
the horizontal. At the instant the object is at the highest point on its path, a second object is
projected from a point on the ground directly below the first object at 45 ° to the horizontal so
that the two objects move in the same vertical plane and in the same direction. Assume
standard gravity.
(a) What must be the launch speed of the second object for the two objects to hit
the ground at the same time?
(b) For the launch speed in (a), do the two objects hit the ground at the same
point? If not, find the distance between them.
(c) Find the launch speed of the second object required for the two objects to hit
the ground at the same point and the time between the ground strikes.
 Physics
Problem of the day 3: Solution Round 3
(a) The first projectile descends from its highest point in time

( )
−1
u 24 ms
t= sin θ ¿ −2
sin 45°=2.4 s The second object must travel its full range in the same
g 9.8 ms
'
2u ' u
time if the two objects strike the ground at the same instant. Therefore, sinθ = sin θ
g g
giving
' 1 sin θ 1 −1 −1
u= u = × 24 m s =12 m s .
2 sin θ 2 '

(b) They don’t. To see this, study the horizontal ranges. The half range for the first is
−1 2
1 u2 1 ( 24 m s )
R= sin 2 θ= sin ( 2× 45 ° )=29 m whereas the full range for the second is
2 g 2 9.8 m s− 2
−1 2
' u'2 ' ( 12 ms )
R = sin 2θ = sin ( 2 × 45° )=15 m so the objects fall 29 m −15 m=14 m apart.
g 9.8 m s
−2

(c) For this case, the full range of the second object must equal the half range of the first. This
'2 2
u ' 1u
requirement gives sin 2θ = sin 2 θ so
g 2 g
u =u √ sin 2θ /2 sin2 θ =24 m s / √ 2=17 m s .For this launch speed, airborne time for the
' ' −1 −1

second object is
' −1
u ' 17 m s
2 sinθ =2 −2
sin 45°=3.5 swhich is 3.5 s −2.4 s=1.1s later than the first strike.
g 9.8 m s
 Physics

Plot[x-10x^2/24^2, (x-29)-10(x-29)^2/12^2 ] x from 0 to 60 and y from 0 to 20

Plot[x-10x^2/24^2, (x-29)-10(x-29)^2/17^2 ] x from 0 to 60 and y from 0 to 20

 Physics
Problem of the day 4. Round 3

A 4.0 cm long solenoid wound with 21 turns carries current I . The radius of the solenoid is
2.0 cm but end effects may be ignored.
(a) Find the magnitude of the magnetic flux density near the center of the solenoid when
I =5.0 A .
(b) Find the value of I at which the magnetic flux density near the center of the solenoid
is 2.2 mT .
(c) Determine the self-inductance of the solenoid.
(d) Find the voltage across the solenoid when dI /dt=5.0 A s− 1.
 Physics
Problem of the day 4: Solution Round 3

(a) The magnetic flux density in a solenoid of length L wound with N turns has
magnitude B=μ0 ∋¿ L if end effects are ignored. For the given solenoid
−7 −1
4 π ×10 H m ×21 ×5.0 A
B= −2
=3.3 mT .
4.0× 10 m
(b) Since B is proportional to I , the required current is
2.2 mT ×5.0 A
I 2=B 2 I 1 / B1= =3.3 A .
3.3 mT
(c) The self-inductance is
2
4 π ×10 H m ×21 × π ( 2.0 × 10 m )
−7 −1 2 −2
2 2 2 −5
L=μ 0 N A / L=μ0 N π R / L= −2
=1.7 ×10 H=17 μH .
4.0 ×10 m
(d) The required voltage is
dI −5 −1 −5
V =L =1.7 ×10 H ×5.0 A s =8.5 ×10 V=85μV .
dt