International Physics Olympiad

IPhO 1967

Warsaw, Poland · 4 theory problems with complete solutions

  1. Problem 1: Bullet passing through a ball resting on a column

    A small ball with mass \(M = 0.2\) kg rests on a vertical column with height \(h = 5\)m. A bullet with mass \(m = 0.01\) kg, moving with velocity \(v_0 = 500\) m/s, passes horizontally through the center of the ball (Fig. 1). The ball reaches the ground at a distance \(s = 20\) m. Where does the bullet reach the ground? What part of the kinetic energy of the bullet was converted into heat when the bullet passed trough the ball? Neglect resistance of the air. Assume that \(g = 10\) m/s².

    Figure 1

    Fig. 1

    Official English text of the problem.

  2. Problem 2: Resistance of an infinite resistor network

    Consider an infinite network consisting of resistors (resistance of each of them is \(r\)) shown in Fig. 3. Find the resultant resistance \(R_{AB}\) between points A and B.

    Figure 1

    Fig. 3

    Official English text of the problem.

  3. Problem 3: Equal heat supplied to a hanging ball and a ball resting on a plane

    Consider two identical homogeneous balls, A and B, with the same initial temperatures. One of them is at rest on a horizontal plane, while the second one hangs on a thread (Fig. 6). The same quantities of heat have been supplied to both balls. Are the final temperatures of the balls the same or not? Justify your answer. (All kinds of heat losses are negligible.)

    Figure 1

    Fig. 6

    Official English text of the problem.

  4. Problem 4: Pressure in a closed vessel with air and evaporated water

    Comment: The Organizing Committee prepared three theoretical problems. Unfortunately, at the time of the 1st Olympiad the Romanian students from the last class had the entrance examinations at the universities. For that Romania sent a team consisting of students from younger classes. They were not familiar with electricity. To give them a chance the Organizers (under agreement of the International Board) added the fourth problem presented here. The students (not only from Romania) were allowed to chose three problems. The maximum possible scores for the problems were: 1st problem – 10 points, 2nd problem – 10 points, 3rd problem – 10 points and 4th problem – 6 points. The fourth problem was solved by 8 students. Only four of them solved the problem for 6 points.

    A closed vessel with volume \(V_0 = 10\ \mathrm{l}\) contains dry air in the normal conditions (\(t_0 = 0^\circ\mathrm{C}\), \(p_0 = 1\ \mathrm{atm}\)). In some moment 3 g of water were added to the vessel and the system was warmed up to \(t = 100^\circ\mathrm{C}\). Find the pressure in the vessel. Discuss assumption you made to solve the problem.

    Official English text of the problem.