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56 views6 pages

Solutions

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Thang Nga Nguyễn
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# Solutions to Nordic-Baltic Physics Olympiad 2017

## Problem 1: DRAGON

**(i) Largest angle below the horizon for reflection:**

* **Concept:** Reflection from a water surface.

* **Approach:** The largest angle occurs when reflection is at the edge of the water surface. The
edge is at 30 degrees from vertical, so the reflected light will be at 30 deg below horizontal

* **Solution:** 30 degrees below the horizon.

**(ii) Highest angle above the horizon for reflection:**

* **Concept:** Reflection, geometry.

* **Approach:** The highest point of reflection occurs when the line from observer to dragon top is
tangent to the water surface. This is at angle 45 deg to horizontal. Then we add the angle between
surface and bowl which is 60 deg

* **Solution:** 105 degrees above the horizon.

## Problem 2: COMET

**(i) Distance of perihelion and aphelion:**

* **Concepts:** Conservation of angular momentum and energy in an elliptical orbit.

* **Approach:** Use angular momentum and energy conservation with Rmax >> Ro.

* v_0 is Earth speed

* v_p and v_a are comet speeds

* L= m v_0 Ro sin(45) = m v_p Rmin = m v_a Rmax

* E=-GMm/Ro + 0.5mv_0^2 = -GMm/Rmin + 0.5mv_p^2 = -GMm/Rmax + 0.5mv_a^2

* **Solution:**

* Rmin = R0 / 2 = 7.5 * 10^7 km

* Rmax ≈ Infinite
**(ii) Time spent within R₀:**

* **Concept:** Kepler's third law.

* **Approach:** Time inside R0 is roughly 1/3 of total orbit period

* **Solution:** t ≈ 1/3 * 365 = 122 days

## Problem 3: RESISTORS AND CAPACITORS

**(i) Potentials at B and C:**

* **Concept:** Steady-state capacitor behavior (open circuit).

* **Approach:** In steady state the capacitors do not draw current and can be ignored. The voltage
is split between series resistors.

* **Solution:**

* V<sub>B</sub> = U/2

* V<sub>C</sub> = U/2

**(ii) Potential at D:**

* **Concept:** Steady-state capacitor behavior (open circuit).

* **Approach:** Combine resistors in parallel and in series

* **Solution:** V<sub>D</sub> = U/3

## Problem 4: GRAVITATIONAL WAVES

**(i) Upper limit of power:**

* **Concept:** Gravitational wave power from a binary system.

* **Approach:** Substitute r = 2Gm/c<sup>2</sup> and m1=m2=m in given formula

* **Solution:** P~ c^5 / G

**(ii) Energy density of stretched band:**


* **Concept:** Energy stored per unit volume in elastic material

* **Approach:** Use the formula that stress = E* strain

* **Solution:** u = (1/2)Eε²

**(iii) Elastic modulus of spacetime:**

* **Concept:** Dimensional analysis.

* **Approach:** Use dimensional analysis with c, G and f. Let E = G^a * c^b * f^c

* **Solution:** E(f) = G<sup>-1</sup>c²f²

**(iv) Distance to the source:**

* **Concept:** Relate the strain to energy density and the power.

* **Approach:** Use u = 1/2 * Epsilon^2 * E, and power P= u * 4 * pi* r^2 * c

* **Solution:** z ≈ c / (fε)

## Problem 5: VIRTUAL MASS

* **Concept:** Experimental measurement of added mass.

* **Approach:** Measure the oscillations of a spring with and without the ball in water.

* **Solution:** The added mass is calculated by the change in the frequency of oscillation

## Problem 6: LOOP

**(i) Initial acceleration:**

* **Concept:** Faraday's law, Lenz's law, and Newton's second law.

* **Approach:** Calculate induced emf, current, force, mass, then acceleration

* **Solution:** a ≈ 1.85 m/s²

**(ii) Changes in acceleration:**


* **(a) Twice thicker wire:** Acceleration same

* **(b) Three windings:** Acceleration 1/3 of original

* **(c) Half cross section, double wound:** Acceleration half of original

* **(d) Different metals:** Copper has the best ration of density and conductivity

* **(e) Twice bigger loop, double immersion:** Acceleration 1/16th

## Problem 7: ZENER

**(i) Average current:**

* **Concept:** The inductor blocks DC current.

* **Approach:** The average current through inductor is zero.

* **Solution:** <I> = 0

**(ii) Peak-to-peak current amplitude:**

* **Concept:** Inductor and zener behavior.

* **Approach:** Current will change due to V=L di/dt.

* **Solution:** AI = (V1 + V2) / ( Lw)

## Problem 8: BEAMS

**(i) Reduced weight after heating middle beam:**

* **Concept:** Thermal expansion and strain

* **Approach:** Calculate the new strain on side beams

* **Solution:** Fraction = 0.75

**(ii) Temperature for permanent deformation with existing load:**

* **Concept:** Use elastic modulus data

* **Approach:** Strain at current load = 0.2/3* 0.4% = 0.026%. The strain increase = 0.4-
0.026=0.374%. We can get temperature where this extra strain is generated by thermal expansion
* **Solution:** T ≈ 520 deg C.

## Problem 9: SPACECRAFT PRESSURE

**(i) Pressure as a function of r:**

* **Concept:** Pressure gradient in a rotating fluid.

* **Approach:** dp/dr = rho* w^2 * r, and then use ideal gas law to find relationship between p
and rho

* **Solution:** p(r) = p₀ exp(ω²r²/(2RT/M))

**(ii) Pressure as a function of height in a tower:**

* **Concept:** Barometric formula.

* **Approach:** dp = -rho*g* dh, and then use ideal gas law.

* **Solution:** p(h) = p₀ exp(-Mgh/(RT))

## Problem 10: BLACK BOX

**(i) Circuit Diagram:**

* **Concept:** Circuit analysis

* **Approach:** Analyze the voltages and currents for different configurations

* **Solution:** The battery and resistor *R*<sub>2</sub> are in series, and this combination is
connected to the capacitor *C* in series. Resistor *R*<sub>1</sub> is in parallel with this series
combination.

A------R1--+

B-----+----R2-Battery---C

**(ii) Measurements:**
* **Concept:** Multimeter usage

* **Approach:** Use the multi meter as voltmeter, ammeter and ohmmeter to measure each
value.

* **Solution:** Describe your steps and present the results and uncertainties.

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