International Physics Olympiad

IPhO 1988

Bad Ischl, Austria · 3 theory problems with complete solutions

  1. Problem 1: Spectroscopy of Particle Velocities

    Basic Data

    The absorption and emission of a photon is a reversible process. A good example is to be found in the excitation of an atom from the ground state to a higher energy state and the atoms´ subsequent return to the ground state. In such a case we may detect the absorption of a photon from the phenomenon of spontaneous emission or fluorescence. Some of the more modern instrumentation make use of this principle to identify atoms, and also to measure or calculate the value of the velocity in the velocity spectrum of the electron beam.

    In an idealised experiment (see fig. 19.1) a single-charged ion travels in the opposite direction to light from a laser source with velocity \(v\). The wavelength of light from the laser source is adjustable. An ion with velocity Zero can be excited to a higher energy state by the application of laser light having a wavelength of \(\lambda=600\ \mathrm{nm}\). If we excite a moving ion, our knowledge on Dopplers´ effect tells us that we need to apply laser light of a wavelength other than the value given above.

    There is given a velocity spectrum embracing velocity magnitude from \(v_1=0\ \frac{\mathrm m}{\mathrm s}\) to \(v_2=6{,}000\ \frac{\mathrm m}{\mathrm s}\). (see fig. 19.1)

    Figure 1

    Fig. 19.1

    Questions

    1.1

    1.1.1

    What range of wavelength of the laser beam must be used to excite ions of all velocities in the velocity spectrum given above ?

    1.1.2

    A rigorous analysis of the problem calls for application of the principle from the theory of special relativity

    \[ \nu'=\nu\cdot\sqrt{\frac{1+\dfrac vc}{1-\dfrac vc}} \]

    Determine the error when the classical formula for Dopplers´ effect is used to solve the problem.

    1.2

    Assuming the ions are accelerated by a potential \(U\) before excited by the laser beam, determine the relationship between the width of the velocity spectrum of the ion beam and the accelerating potential. Does the accelerating voltage increase or decrease the velocity spectrum width ?

    1.3

    Each ion has the value \(\dfrac em=4\cdot10^6\ \dfrac{\mathrm{A\cdot s}}{\mathrm{kg}}\), two energy levels corresponding to wavelength \(\lambda^{(1)}=600\ \mathrm{nm}\) and wavelength \(\lambda^{(2)}=\lambda^{(1)}+10^{-3}\ \mathrm{nm}\). Show that lights of the two wavelengths used to excite ions overlap when no accelerating potential is applied. Can accelerating voltage be used to separate the two spectra of laser light used to excite ions so that they no longer overlap ? If the answer is positive, calculate the minimum value of the voltage required.

    Figure 2

    Fig. 19.2

    Official English text of the problem.

  2. Problem 2: Maxwell's Wheel

    Introduction

    A cylindrical wheel of uniform density, having the mass M = 0,40 kg, the radius R = 0,060 m and the thickness d = 0,010 m is suspended by means of two light strings of the same length from the ceiling. Each string is wound around the axle of the wheel. Like the strings, the mass of the axle is negligible. When the wheel is turned manually, the strings are wound up until the centre of mass is raised 1,0 m above the floor. If the wheel is allowed to move downward vertically under the pulling force of the gravity, the strings are unwound to the full length of the strings and the wheel reaches the lowest point. The strings then begin to wound in the opposite sense resulting in the wheel being raised upwards.

    Analyze and answer the following questions, assuming that the strings are in vertical position and the points where the strings touch the axle are directly below their respective suspending points (see fig. 19.5).

    Figure 1

    Fig. 19.5

    Questions

    2.1

    Determine the angular speed of the wheel when the centre of mass of the wheel covers the vertical distance s.

    2.2

    Determine the kinetic energy of the linear motion of the centre of mass \(E_r\) after the wheel travels a distance s = 0,50 m, and calculate the ratio between \(E_r\) and the energy in any other form in this problem up to this point.

    Radius of the axle = 0,0030 m

    2.3

    Determine the tension in the string while the wheel is moving downward.

    2.4

    Calculate the angular speed \(\omega'\) as a function of the angle \(\Phi\) when the strings begin to unwind themselves in opposite sense as depicted in fig. 19.6.

    Sketch a graph of variables which describe the motion (in cartesian system which suits the problem) and also the speed of the centre of mass as a function of \(\Phi\).

    Figure 2

    Fig. 19.6

    2.5

    If the string can withstand a maximum tension \(T_m=10\ \mathrm N\), find the maximum length of the string which may be unwound without breaking by the wheel.

    Official English text of the problem.

  3. Problem 3: Recombination of Positive and Negative Ions in Ionized Gas

    Introduction

    A gas consists of positive ions of some element (at high temperature) and electrons. The positive ion belongs to an atom of unknown mass number \(Z\). It is known that this ion has only one electron in the shell (orbit).

    Let this ion be represented by the symbol \(A^{(Z-1)+}\)

    Constants:

    Constant Value
    electric field constant \(\displaystyle \varepsilon_0=8{,}85\cdot10^{-12}\ \frac{\mathrm{A\cdot s}}{\mathrm{V\cdot m}}\)
    elementary charge \(\displaystyle e=\pm1{,}602\cdot10^{-19}\ \mathrm{A\cdot s}\)
    \(\displaystyle q^2=\frac{e^2}{4\cdot\pi\cdot\varepsilon_0}=2{,}037\cdot10^{-28}\ \mathrm{J\cdot m}\)
    Planck’s constant \(\displaystyle \hbar=1{,}054\cdot10^{-34}\ \mathrm{J\cdot s}\)
    (rest) mass of an electron \(\displaystyle m_e=9{,}108\cdot10^{-31}\ \mathrm{kg}\)
    Bohr’s atomic radius \(\displaystyle r_{\mathrm B}=\frac{\hbar}{m\cdot q^2}=5{,}92\cdot10^{-11}\ \mathrm m\)
    Rydberg’s energy \(\displaystyle E_{\mathrm R}=\frac{q^2}{2\cdot r_{\mathrm B}}=2{,}180\cdot10^{-18}\ \mathrm J\)
    (rest) mass of a proton \(\displaystyle m_{\mathrm p}\cdot c^2=1{,}503\cdot10^{-10}\ \mathrm J\)

    Questions:

    3.1

    Assume that the ion which has just one electron left the shell.
    \(A^{(Z-1)+}\) is in the ground state.

    In the lowest energy state, the square of the average distance of the electron from the nucleus or \(r^2\) with components along x-, y- and z-axis being \((\Delta x)^2\), \((\Delta y)^2\) and \((\Delta z)^2\) respectively and \[ r_0^2=(\Delta x)^2+(\Delta y)^2+(\Delta z)^2 \] and also the square of the average momentum by \[ p_0^2=(\Delta p_x)^2+(\Delta p_y)^2+(\Delta p_z)^2, \] whereas \[ \Delta p_x\geq\frac{\hbar}{2\cdot\Delta x},\qquad \Delta p_y\geq\frac{\hbar}{2\cdot\Delta y} \quad\text{and}\quad \Delta p_z\geq\frac{\hbar}{2\cdot\Delta z}. \]

    Write inequality involving \((p_0)^2\cdot(r_0)^2\) in a complete form.

    3.2

    The ion represented by \(A^{(Z-1)+}\) may capture an additional electron and consequently emits a photon.

    Write down an equation which is to be used for calculation the frequency of an emitted photon.

    3.3

    Calculate the energy of the ion \(A^{(Z-1)+}\) using the value of the lowest energy. The calculation should be approximated based on the following principles:

    3.3.A

    The potential energy of the ion should be expressed in terms of the average value of \(\dfrac1r\).

    (ie. \(\dfrac1{r_0}\); \(r_0\) is given in the problem).

    3.3.B

    In calculating the kinetic energy of the ion, use the average value of the square of the momentum given in 3.1 after being simplified by \[ (p_0)^2\cdot(r_0)^2\approx(\hbar)^2 \]

    3.4

    Calculate the energy of the ion \(A^{(Z-2)+}\) taken to be in the ground state, using the same principle as the calculation of the energy of \(A^{(Z-1)+}\). Given the average distance of each of the two electrons in the outermost shell (same as \(r_0\) given in 3.3) denoted by \(r_1\) and \(r_2\), assume the average distance between the two electrons is given by \(r_1+r_2\) and the average value of the square of the momentum of each electron obeys the principle of uncertainty ie. \[ p_1^2\cdot r_1^2\approx\hbar^2 \quad\text{and}\quad p_2^2\cdot r_2^2\approx\hbar^2 \]

    hint: Make use of the information that in the ground state \(r_1=r_2\)

    3.5

    Consider in particular the ion \(A^{(Z-2)+}\) is at rest in the ground state when capturing an additional electron and the captured electron is also at rest prior to the capturing. Determine the numerical value of \(Z\), if the frequency of the emitted photon accompanying electron capturing is \(2{,}057\cdot10^{17}\ \mathrm{rad/s}\). Identify the element which gives rise to the ion.

    Official English text of the problem.