International Physics Olympiad

IPhO 1972

Bucharest, Romania · 4 theory problems with complete solutions

  1. Problem 1: Three cylinders on an inclined plane

    Three cylinders with the same mass, the same length and the same external radius are initially resting on an inclined plane. The coefficient of sliding friction on the inclined plane, \(\mu\), is known and has the same value for all the cylinders. The first cylinder is empty (tube) , the second is homogeneous filled, and the third has a cavity exactly like the first, but closed with two negligible mass lids and filled with a liquid with the same density like the cylinder’s walls. The friction between the liquid and the cylinder wall is considered negligible. The density of the material of the first cylinder is \(n\) times greater than that of the second or of the third cylinder.

    Determine:

    a) The linear acceleration of the cylinders in the non-sliding case. Compare all the accelerations.

    b) Condition for angle \(\alpha\) of the inclined plane so that no cylinders is sliding.

    c) The reciprocal ratios of the angular accelerations in the case of roll over with sliding of all the three cylinders. Make a comparison between these accelerations.

    d) The interaction force between the liquid and the walls of the cylinder in the case of sliding of this cylinder, knowing that the liquid mass is \(m_l\).

    Official English text of the problem.

  2. Problem 2: Argon and oxygen in two cylinders with connected pistons

    Two cylinders A and B, with equal diameters have inside two pistons with negligible mass connected by a rigid rod. The pistons can move freely. The rod is a short tube with a valve. The valve is initially closed (fig. 2.1).

    Figure 1

    Fig. 2.1

    The cylinder A and his piston is adiabatically insulated and the cylinder B is in thermal contact with a thermostat which has the temperature \(\theta = 27^\circ\mathrm{C}\).

    Initially the piston of the cylinder A is fixed and inside there is a mass \(m=32\ \mathrm{kg}\) of argon at a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. Inside the cylinder B there is a mass of oxygen at the normal atmospheric pressure.

    Liberating the piston of the cylinder A, it moves slowly enough (quasi-static) and at equilibrium the volume of the gas is eight times higher, and in the cylinder B de oxygen’s density increased two times. Knowing that the thermostat received the heat \(Q'=747{,}9\cdot10^4\mathrm{J}\), determine:

    a) Establish on the base of the kinetic theory of the gases, studying the elastic collisions of the molecules with the piston, that the thermal equation of the process taking place in the cylinder A is \(TV^{2/3}=\text{constant}\).

    b) Calculate the parameters \(p\), \(V\), and \(T\) of argon in the initial and final states.

    c) Opening the valve which separates the two cylinders, calculate the final pressure of the mixture of the gases.

    The kilo-molar mass of argon is \(\mu=40\ \mathrm{kg/kmol}\).

    Official English text of the problem.

  3. Problem 3: Dielectric liquid rising between the plates of a charged capacitor

    A plane capacitor with rectangular plates is fixed in a vertical position having the lower part in contact with a dielectric liquid (fig. 3.1)
    Determine the height, \(h\), of the liquid between the plates and explain the phenomenon.
    The capillarity effects are neglected.
    It is supposed that the distance between the plates is much smaller than the linear dimensions of the plates.

    Figure 1

    Fig. 3.1

    It is known: the initial intensity of the electric field of the charged capacitor, \(E\), the density \(\rho\), the relative electric permittivity \(\varepsilon_r\) of the liquid, and the height \(H\) of the plates of the capacitor.
    Discussion.

    Official English text of the problem.

  4. Problem 4: Plano-convex lens between two media; Billet split lens

    A thin lens plane-convex with the diameter \(2r\), the curvature radius \(R\) and the refractive index \(n_o\) is positioned so that on its left side is air (\(n_1=1\)), and on its right side there is a transparent medium with the refractive index \(n_2\ne 1\). The convex face of the lens is directed towards air. In the air, at the distance \(s_1\) from the lens, measured on the principal optic ax, there is a punctual source of monochromatic light.

    a) Demonstrate, using Gauss approximation, that between the position of the image, given by the distance \(s_2\) from the lens, and the position of the light source, exists the relation:

    \[ \frac{f_1}{s_1}+\frac{f_2}{s_2}=1 \]

    where \(f_1\) and \(f_2\) are the focal distances of the lens, in air, respectively in the medium with the refractive index \(n_2\).

    Observation: All the refractive indexes are absolute indexes.

    b) The lens is cut perpendicular on its plane face in two equal parts. These parts are moved away at a distance \(\delta\ll r\) (Billet lens). On the symmetry axis of the system obtained is led a punctual source of light at the distance \(s_1\) (\(s_1>f_1\)) (fig. 4.1). On the right side of the lens there is a screen E at the distance \(d\). The screen is parallel with the plane face of the lens. On this screen there are \(N\) interference fringes, if on the right side of the lens is air.

    Determine \(N\) function of the wave length.

    Figure 1

    Fig. 4.1

    Official English text of the problem.