International Physics Olympiad

IPhO 1976

Budapest, Hungary · 3 theory problems with complete solutions

  1. Problem 1: Small block inside a rotating hollow sphere

    A hollow sphere of radius \(R = 0.5\ \mathrm{m}\) rotates about a vertical axis through its centre with an angular velocity of \(\omega = 5\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\). Inside the sphere a small block is moving together with the sphere at the height of \(R/2\) (Fig. 6). (\(g = 10\ \mathrm{m/s^2}\).)

    a) What should be at least the coefficient of friction to fulfill this condition?

    b) Find the minimal coefficient of friction also for the case of \(\omega = 8\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\).

    c) Investigate the problem of stability in both cases,

    α) for a small change of the position of the block,

    β) for a small change of the angular velocity of the sphere.

    Figure 1

    Figure 6

    Official English text of the problem.

  2. Problem 2: Helium in a cylinder with a piston and a valved dividing wall

    The walls of a cylinder of base \(1\,\mathrm{dm}^2\), the piston and the inner dividing wall are perfect heat insulators (Fig. 10). The valve in the dividing wall opens if the pressure on the right side is greater than on the left side. Initially there is \(12\,\mathrm{g}\) helium in the left side and \(2\,\mathrm{g}\) helium in the right side. The lengths of both sides are \(11.2\,\mathrm{dm}\) each and the temperature is \(0^\circ\mathrm{C}\). Outside we have a pressure of \(100\,\mathrm{kPa}\).

    The specific heat at constant volume is \(c_v=3.15\,\mathrm{J/gK}\), at constant pressure it is \(c_p=5.25\,\mathrm{J/gK}\). The piston is pushed slowly towards the dividing wall. When the valve opens we stop then continue pushing slowly until the wall is reached. Find the work done on the piston by us.

    Figure 1

    Figure 10

    Official English text of the problem.

  3. Problem 3: Measuring an air bubble inside a glass sphere

    Somewhere in a glass sphere there is an air bubble. Describe methods how to determine the diameter of the bubble without damaging the sphere.

    Official English text of the problem.