International Physics Olympiad

IPhO 1987

Jena, German Democratic Republic · 3 theory problems with complete solutions

  1. Problem 1: Ascending moist air

    Moist air is streaming adiabatically across a mountain range as indicated in the figure.

    Equal atmospheric pressures of 100 kPa are measured at meteorological stations \(M_0\) and \(M_3\) and a pressure of 70 kPa at station \(M_2\). The temperature of the air at \(M_0\) is \(20^\circ\) C.

    As the air is ascending, cloud formation sets in at 84.5 kPa.

    Consider a quantity of moist air ascending the mountain with a mass of 2000 kg over each square meter. This moist air reaches the mountain ridge (station \(M_2\)) after 1500 seconds. During that rise an amount of 2.45 g of water per kilogram of air is precipitated as rain.

    Figure 1
    1. Determine temperature \(T_1\) at \(M_1\) where the cloud ceiling forms.

    2. What is the height \(h_1\) (at \(M_1\)) above station \(M_0\) of the cloud ceiling assuming a linear decrease of atmospheric density?

    3. What temperature \(T_2\) is measured at the ridge of the mountain range?

    4. Determine the height of the water column (precipitation level) precipitated by the air stream in 3 hours, assuming a homogeneous rainfall between points \(M_1\) and \(M_2\).

    5. What temperature \(T_3\) is measured in the back of the mountain range at station \(M_3\)? Discuss the state of the atmosphere at station \(M_3\) in comparison with that at station \(M_0\).

    Hints and Data

    The atmosphere is to be dealt with as an ideal gas. Influences of the water vapour on the specific heat capacity and the atmospheric density are to be neglected; the same applies to the temperature dependence of the specific latent heat of vaporisation. The temperatures are to be determined to an accuracy of 1 K, the height of the cloud ceiling to an accuracy of 10 m and the precipitation level to an accuracy of 1 mm.

    Specific heat capacity of the atmosphere in the pertaining temperature range:

    \[ c_p=1005\ \mathrm{J\cdot kg^{-1}\cdot K^{-1}} \]

    Atmospheric density for \(p_0\) and \(T_0\) at station \(M_0\): \[ \rho_0=1.189\ \mathrm{kg\cdot m^{-3}} \]

    Specific latent heat of vaporisation of the water within the volume of the cloud:

    \[ L_v=2500\ \mathrm{kJ\cdot kg^{-1}} \]

    \[ \frac{c_p}{c_v}=\chi=1.4 \qquad\text{and}\qquad g=9.81\ \mathrm{m\cdot s^{-2}} \]

    Official English text of the problem.

  2. Problem 2: Electrons in a magnetic field

    A beam of electrons emitted by a point source P enters the magnetic field \(\vec B\) of a toroidal coil (toroid) in the direction of the lines of force. The angle of the aperture of the beam \(2\cdot\alpha_0\) is assumed to be small \((2\cdot\alpha_0\ll1)\). The injection of the electrons occurs on the mean radius R of the toroid with acceleration voltage \(V_0\).

    Neglect any interaction between the electrons. The magnitude of \(\vec B\), B, is assumed to be constant.

    Figure 1
    1. To guide the electron in the toroidal field a homogeneous magnetic deflection field \(\vec B_1\) is required. Calculate \(\vec B_1\) for an electron moving on a circular orbit of radius R in the torus.

    2. Determine the value of \(\vec B\) which gives four focussing points separated by \(\pi/2\) as indicated in the diagram.

    Note: When considering the electron paths you may disregard the curvature of the magnetic field.

    1. The electron beam cannot stay in the toroid without a deflection field \(\vec B_1\), but will leave it with a systematic motion (drift) perpendicular to the plane of the toroid.

    a) Show that the radial deviation of the electrons from the injection radius is finite.

    b) Determine the direction of the drift velocity.

    Note: The angle of aperture of the electron beam can be neglected. Use the laws of conservation of energy and of angular momentum.

    Data:

    \[ \frac{e}{m}=1.76\cdot10^{11}\ \mathrm{C\cdot kg^{-1}}; \qquad V_0=3\ \mathrm{kV}; \qquad R=50\ \mathrm{mm} \]

    Official English text of the problem.

  3. Problem 3: Infinite LC-grid

    When sine waves propagate in an infinite LC-grid (see the figure below) the phase of the ac-voltage across two successive capacitors differs by \(\Phi\).

    Figure 1

    a) Determine how \(\Phi\) depends on \(\omega\), L and C (\(\omega\) is the angular frequency of the sine wave).

    b) Determine the velocity of propagation of the waves if the length of each unit is \(\ell\).

    c) State under what conditions the propagation velocity of the waves is almost independent of \(\omega\). Determine the velocity in this case.

    d) Suggest a simple mechanical model which is an analogue to the above circuit and derive equations which establish the validity of your model.

    Formulae:

    \[ \cos\alpha-\cos\beta =-2\cdot\sin\left(\frac{\alpha+\beta}{2}\right) \cdot\sin\left(\frac{\alpha-\beta}{2}\right) \]

    \[ \sin\alpha-\sin\beta =2\cdot\cos\left(\frac{\alpha+\beta}{2}\right) \cdot\sin\left(\frac{\alpha-\beta}{2}\right) \]

    Official English text of the problem.