International Physics Olympiad

IPhO 1981

Varna, Bulgaria · 3 theory problems with complete solutions

  1. Problem 1: Container emptied by a released piston and escaping gas

    A static container of mass \(M\) and cylindrical shape is placed in vacuum. One of its ends is closed. A fixed piston of mass \(m\) and negligible width separates the volume of the container into two equal parts. The closed part contains \(n\) moles of monoatomic perfect gas with molar mass \(M_0\) and temperature \(T\). After releasing of the piston, it leaves the container without friction. After that the gas also leaves the container. What is the final velocity of the container?

    The gas constant is \(R\). The momentum of the gas up to the leaving of the piston can be neglected. There is no heat exchange between the gas, container and the piston. The change of the temperature of the gas, when it leaves the container, can be neglected. Do not account for the gravitation of the Earth.

    Official English text of the problem.

  2. Problem 2: Lamp fed through a rheostat from an accumulator

    An electric lamp of resistance \(R_0 = 2\ \Omega\) working at nominal voltage \(U_0 = 4.5\ \mathrm{V}\) is connected to accumulator of electromotive force E = 6 V and negligible internal resistance.

    1. The nominal voltage of the lamp is ensured as the lamp is connected potentiometrically to the accumulator using a rheostat with resistance \(R\). What should be the resistance \(R\) and what is the maximal electric current \(I_{\max}\), flowing in the rheostat, if the efficiency of the system must not be smaller than \(\eta_0 = 0.6\)?

    2. What is the maximal possible efficiency \(\eta\) of the system and how the lamp can be connected to the rheostat in this case?

    Official English text of the problem.

  3. Problem 3: Radio interferometer on the sea shore

    A detector of radiowaves in a radioastronomical observatory is placed on the sea beach at height \(h = 2\) m above the sea level. After the rise of a star, radiating electromagnetic waves of wavelength \(\lambda = 21\) cm, above the horizont the detector registers series of alternating maxima and minima. The registered signal is proportional to the intensity of the detected waves. The detector registers waves with electric vector, vibrating in a direction parallel to the sea surface.

    1. Determine the angle between the star and the horizont in the moment when the detector registers maxima and minima (in general form).

    2. Does the signal decrease or increase just after the rise of the star?

    3. Determine the signal ratio of the first maximum to the next minimum. At reflection of the electromagnetic wave on the water surface, the ratio of the intensities of the electric field of the reflected (\(E_r\)) and incident (\(E_i\)) wave follows the low:

    \[ \frac{E_r}{E_i}=\frac{n-\cos\varphi}{n+\cos\varphi}, \]

    where \(n\) is the refraction index and \(\varphi\) is the incident angle of the wave. For the surface “air-water” for \(\lambda = 21\) cm, the refraction index \(n = 9\).

    1. Does the ratio of the intensities of consecutive maxima and minima increase or decrease with rising of the star?

    Assume that the sea surface is flat.

    Official English text of the problem.