Physic Labs

International Physics Olympiad · Year 1997

Problems

  1. Problem 1Two masses m₁,m₂ with collinear velocities u₁,u₂ collide perfectly inelastically. Find their common velocity and kinetic energy lost. Use the stated ideal model: quantities are constant or vary only as specified, with no extra drag, losses, or external influences. State a sign convention, keep units consistent, and use a classical approximation only where appropriate. (a) Set up the governing equation from a fundamental law. (b) Solve for the requested quantity under the stated conditions. (c) Check the result using a suitable limit, sign, or unit test, and report both the expression and its physical meaning.Solutions: 1
  2. Problem 2A capacitor C charged to V₀ discharges through resistor R, with q(0)=CV₀. Find q(t) and discharge current i(t). Use the stated ideal model: quantities are constant or vary only as specified, with no extra drag, losses, or external influences. State a sign convention, keep units consistent, and use a classical approximation only where appropriate. (a) Set up the governing equation from a fundamental law. (b) Solve for the requested quantity under the stated conditions. (c) Check the result using a suitable limit, sign, or unit test, and report both the expression and its physical meaning.Solutions: 1
  3. Problem 3Two coherent in-phase sources of wavelength λ have path difference Δ at an observation point. Give conditions for interference maxima and minima. Use the stated ideal model: quantities are constant or vary only as specified, with no extra drag, losses, or external influences. State a sign convention, keep units consistent, and use a classical approximation only where appropriate. (a) Set up the governing equation from a fundamental law. (b) Solve for the requested quantity under the stated conditions. (c) Check the result using a suitable limit, sign, or unit test, and report both the expression and its physical meaning.At the observation point, I₁,I₂ are the individual wave intensities; k is an integer and δ is the phase difference.Solutions: 1