GENERAL INFORMATION SHEET

Acceleration due to gravity at Earth surface, 𝑔 = 9.80 m s −2 = |𝑔⃗|

Radius of the Earth 𝑅 𝐸 = 6.371 × 106 m

Universal gas constant, 𝑅 = 8.31 J mol−1 K −1

Vacuum permittivity, 𝜀0 = 8.85 × 10−12 C2 N−1 m−2
Vacuum permeability, 𝜇0 = 4𝜋 × 10−7 T m A−1
Atomic mass unit, u = 1.66 × 10−27 kg
Speed of light in vacuum, c = 3.00 × 108 m s−1
Charge of electron, e = 1.60 × 10−19 C
Planck’s constant, h = 6.63 × 10−34 J s
Mass of electron, me = 9.11 × 10−31 kg = 0.000549u
Mass of proton, mp = 1.67 × 10−27 kg = 1.007u
Rest mass of alpha particle, mα = 4.003u
Boltzmann constant, k = 1.38 × 10−23 J K−1
Avogadro’s number, NA = 6.02 × 1023 mol−1
Standard atmosphere pressure, P0 = 1.01 × 105 Pa
Density of water, ρw = 1000 kg m−3
Specific heat (capacity) of water, cw = 4.19 × 103 J kg−1 K−1
Latent heat of fusion for water, Lf = 3.34 × 105 J kg−1
Stefan-Boltzmann constant, 𝜎 = 5.67 × 10-8 W m−2 K−4
𝑁(𝑎0 +𝑎𝑁−1 )
Sum of N terms in an arithmetic series, ∑𝑁−1
𝑘=0 𝑎𝑘 = 2

1−𝑟 𝑁
Sum of N terms in a geometric series, ∑𝑁−1 𝑘
𝑘=0 𝑟 = 1−𝑟

𝑥
Approximation for square root, for small 𝑥 √1 + 𝑥 ≈ 1 + 2
 SJPO2016 Special Round

1. A vehicle of mass 1200 kg makes a turn in a curve banked at 10.0° without sliding . The radius of
the curve is 200 m. Assume that friction can be modelled by a coefficient of friction which is 0.0500
on an icy road, 0.350 on a rainy day and 0.700 on a dry sunny day and that the vehicle starts to slide
out of its circular path when the maximum static friction is reached.

radius of curve, 𝑟 = 200𝑚

𝜃 = 10.0°

(a) Define in words and draw a free body diagram of the vehicle for each of the 3 situations listed
below, label the forces in the diagram.
i. “Low speed limit”
ii. “Ideal speed”
iii. “High speed limit”

(b) For the “high speed limit” situation, derive expressions for the
i. total vertical forces, and
ii. total horizontal force.

(c) For the “high speed limit” situation on a sunny day, calculate the magnitudes of the
i. total vertical forces, and
ii. total horizontal force.

(d) Calculate the speed limits for the vehicle for the icy road conditions.

(e) MCQ1: How much faster can the vehicle go on a sunny day as compared to a rainy day
(maximum speed on sunny day/maximum speed on a rainy day)?
(A) 1.3
(B) 1.4
(C) 1.5
(D) 1.6
(E) 1.7

(f) Discuss the physics if the road was banked at different angles.

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

Answer
(a) Low speed => friction points outwards, ideal, no friction, high speed friction points inwards. In
the stationary reference frame of the road.

(b) (i)Vertical force 𝑅(cos 𝜃 − 𝜇 sin 𝜃) − 𝑚g, (ii) horizontal force 𝑅(sin 𝜃 + 𝜇 cos 𝜃)

May also “simplify” to get rid of R (since vertical force = 0)

(c) Substituting values (i) 0, (ii) 11800N (almost the same as mg)
(d) (i) Low speed v=15.7ms-1=56.7km/h, (ii) high speed v=21.0ms-1=75.8km/h

(e) High speed situation:

Vertical : 𝑅(cos 𝜃 − 𝜇 sin 𝜃) − 𝑚𝑚 = 0
𝑣2
Horizontal : 𝑅(sin 𝜃 + 𝜇 cos 𝜃) = 𝑚 𝑟

(sin 𝜃 + 𝜇 cos 𝜃) 𝑣 2
𝑔 =
(cos 𝜃 − 𝜇 sin 𝜃) 𝑟

(sin 𝜃 + 𝜇 cos 𝜃)
𝑣 = �𝑟𝑟 = 21.1𝑚𝑠 −1 = 76𝑘𝑘/ℎ
(cos 𝜃 − 𝜇 sin 𝜃)

Low speed situation

Vertical : 𝑅(cos 𝜃 + 𝜇 sin 𝜃) − 𝑚𝑚 = 0
𝑣2
Horizontal : 𝑅(sin 𝜃 − 𝜇 cos 𝜃) = 𝑚 𝑟

(sin 𝜃 − 𝜇 cos 𝜃) 𝑣 2
𝑔 =
(cos 𝜃 + 𝜇 sin 𝜃) 𝑟

(sin 𝜃 − 𝜇 cos 𝜃)
𝑣 = �𝑟𝑟 = 15.7𝑚𝑠 −1 = 56𝑘𝑘/ℎ
(cos 𝜃 + 𝜇 sin 𝜃)

(f) MCQ-A:
Substituting in values for 𝜇 = 0.7, 𝑣 = 159𝑘𝑘/ℎ
For = 0.35 , 𝑣 = 119𝑘𝑘/ℎ
So ratio is 1.33
𝜇𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
(g) Open ended: e.g.s For very small angles, sin 𝜃 = 0 cos𝜃 = 1, 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 = � 𝜇 = 1.41….
𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟

For no friction, infinite speed is possible with90 degree angle , with dry road, infinite speed is
possible with ~50 degree angle …..

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

2. An ideal, initially uniform spring of mass 𝑚 , unstretched length 𝐿 and

spring constant 𝑘 stretches by an extension 𝑥 when hung vertically.
An additional point mass 𝑚 is added to the bottom of the spring
causing it to extend by a further ′ .
𝐿 + 𝑥 + 𝑥′
𝑘, 𝑚
(a) Consider the spring as being made up of N smaller massless
springs with masses at the end of the spring.
i. Write down an expression for the spring constant, 𝑘𝑁 , of
one of the N springs.
ii. Explain your answer. 𝑥 + 𝑥′

(b) Derive an expression for the extension of the whole spring mass 𝑚
system, 𝑥 + 𝑥′.

𝑚
(c) What is the ratio of the extension of the bottom 1/3 of the spring with mass 3
kg to that of the
𝑚
top 1/3 of the spring with mass 3
kg ?

(A) 0.17
(B) 0.33
(C) 0.41
(D) 0.59
(E) 0.64

(d) Calculate the extension of the middle 1/3 of the spring.

(e) Discuss the physics of the above vertically hung spring mass system when the point mass at the
bottom is pulled down a little and suddenly let go.

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

(a) (i) 𝑘𝑁 = 𝑁𝑁
(ii)Consider a massless spring , spring constant k ,with a mass m attached to the bottom

mg
The extension is x =
k

If we divide the massless spring into N segments, then each segment should extend by the same amount as
each other. As they are connected one after the other, the total extension must equal the extension before it
was divided. Also since the spring is massless, the tension must be the same on each spring. Therefore the
extension of each spring is 𝑥/𝑁 and the force is mg, therefore the spring constant is 𝑚𝑚/(𝑥/𝑁) = 𝑁𝑁.

(b) Consider if we split it into 𝑁 segments, spring constant 𝑁𝑁 followed by mass 𝑚/𝑁 and assume N is large

𝑁 𝑁 𝑚 𝑁
�𝑚 + 𝑖 𝑁 � 𝑔 𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚 𝑁(1 + 𝑁) 3𝑚𝑚
𝑥 = � 𝑥𝑖 = � = + 2 �𝑖 = + 2 =
𝑁𝑁 𝑘 𝑁 𝑘 𝑘 𝑁 𝑘 2 2𝑘
𝑖=1 𝑖=1 𝑖=1

Or from general round, without the additional mass the extension is 𝑚𝑚/2𝑘 so with the additional mass m, the
extension is 3𝑚𝑚/2𝑘

(c) Answer E:
The total extension starting from the bottom and adding upwards is
Sum for the bottom 1/3

𝑁/3 𝑁/3 𝑚 𝑁/3

�𝑚 + 𝑖 𝑁 � 𝑔 𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚 1 7𝑚𝑚
𝑥 = � 𝑥𝑖 = � = + 2 �𝑖 ≈ + =
𝑁𝑁 3𝑘 𝑁 𝑘 3𝑘 𝑘 18 18𝑘
𝑖=1 𝑖=1 𝑖=1

Top 1/3

𝑁 𝑁 𝑚 𝑁
�𝑚 + 𝑖 𝑁 � 𝑔 𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚 𝑁⁄3 (2𝑁⁄3 + 𝑁) 11𝑚𝑚
𝑥 = � 𝑥𝑖 = � = + 2 � 𝑖≈ + =
𝑁𝑁 3𝑘 𝑁 𝑘 3𝑘 𝑁 2 𝑘 2 18𝑘
𝑖=2𝑁/3 𝑖=2𝑁/3 𝑖=2𝑁/3

Ratio is thus 7/11~0.64

3 11 7 𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚
(d) Extension = �2 − 18 − 18� 𝑘
= 2𝑘
(e) Open ended. there will be some oscillation but there is no clear frequency , Also wave, but wave
speed changes as you go up the spring sqrt(T/m) …

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

3. As a model for a ping-pong ball made to bounce vertically from a paddle, consider a surface moving
up and down sinusoidally with an amplitude of 𝐴 = 0.05 m and frequency of 𝑓 = 2 Hz. A light
ball, constrained to move only in the vertical direction, bounces to the same height ℎ above the
location of the bounce/collision each and every time. Assume air resistance is negligible. When the
ball was dropped on the motionless paddle, it loses 19% of its kinetic energy.

(a) Derive an expression for the time, 𝑇𝑏 , it takes from one bounce to the next.

(b) Calculate the coefficient of restitution, 𝑒 for the ball bouncing from the surface.

(c) Derive an expression for the speed, 𝑣𝑠 , at which the surface must move for the ball to have the
same speed 𝑣𝑏 just after each bounce as it had just before the bounce.

(d) MCQ 3: What is the maximum possible height ℎ to which the ball can bounce?
(A) 2m
(B) 5m
(C) 7m
(D) 10 m
(E) 14 m

(e) Explain your answer to part d in detail.

(f) Discuss other possible regular motion of the ball without changing the given parameters.

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

(a) Since the time it takes from one bounce to the next, , is twice the time it takes to fall. Return time may be
1 𝑡 2
calculated from ℎ = 𝑔 � �
2 2

8ℎ
𝑇𝑏 = �
𝑔

𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝐾𝐾

(b) Coefficient of restitution 𝑒 = 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 = � 𝐾𝐾𝑓 = √1 − 0.19 = 0.9
𝑖

𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐

(c) 𝑒 = 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐

𝑣𝑏 − 𝑣𝑠 = 𝑒(𝑣𝑏 + 𝑣𝑠 )
1−𝑒 1
𝑣𝑠 = � � 𝑣𝑏 = 𝑣
1+𝑒 19 𝑏

(d) Answer:B
(e) In reality the situation is quite unstable. However, we consider the ideal situation where the ball gets
maximum energy if we hit it when the surface is moving upwards at the highest speed. However, it also
needs to return in a time which is an integer multiple of the period of the surface. So repeatable bounces
are only possible when the correct velocity coupled with the correct return time.

2ℎ 𝑛
It must also be an integer multiple of the period 𝑡 = 2� = 𝑛𝑛 =
𝑔 𝑓

𝑔𝑔 2
ℎ = 𝑛2
8
Velocity of the ball at the bottom may be calculated from conservation of energy
𝑔𝑔
𝑣0 = �2𝑔ℎ = 𝑛
2
2𝜋
maximum velocity of the surface 𝑣𝑚𝑚𝑚 = 𝐴 = 0.628
𝑇

So
1 − 𝑒 𝑔𝑔
𝑣 = 𝑛� � = 𝑛(0.129) = 0.516
1+𝑒 2
If n=4, can get v closest to the maximum.
Substituting in the values, ℎ = 4.9𝑚 above the point of bouncing. The point of bouncing is close to the
equilibrium position of the surface.
Guess and check is also acceptable.(but not considered as good as an answer which explains the physics in
more detail)
(f) Change n bounce from lower speed “position” of surface.

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

4. A constant 10 MA current, 𝐼, flows along a long,

thin perfect conducting hollow cylinder. Initially, 𝜃� 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑟̂ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝐼 = 10𝑀𝑀
the outer radius of the cylinder, 𝑏, is 1.0 cm and
𝑏 = 1.0 𝑐𝑐
the inner radius is 𝑎. A uniform, external 𝑧̂ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

magnetic field 𝐵0 of 1.0 T is applied along the

𝐵0 = 1.0𝑇
axis of the cylinder. For calculations, you may
assume that the thickness of the cylinder is negligible.

(a) Write down an expression for the magnetic field at the surface of the cylinder.

(b) Assuming that the current density is uniform, sketch well labelled graphs of the following
against the distance from the center 𝑟 in the range 𝑟 = 𝑎 to 𝑟 = 𝑏. (labels should numerical
values or expressions wherever possible)
i. Current enclosed at 𝑟
ii. Magnitude of magnetic field at 𝑟
iii. Force acting on a thin shell of current between 𝑟 and 𝑟 + ∆𝑟, where ∆𝑟 ≪ 𝑏 − 𝑎 and is a
constant.

(c) MCQ 4: What is the pressure acting on the whole curved surface of the cylinder?
(A) 0 Pa
(B) 0.8 MPa
(C) 0.16 GPa
(D) 16 GPa
(E) 32 GPa

(d) Explain your answer in part (c).

(e) The cylinder is flexible and allowed to move.

i. Explain what happens to the area, magnetic field and magnetic flux within the cylinder as the
cylinder moves (e.g expands or contracts) as time passes.
ii. What is the radius of the cylinder at equilibrium?

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

Answer:
𝜇0 𝐼 𝜇0 𝐼
(a) , Magnetic field of a long, straight conductor + external field 𝐵 = 2𝜋𝜋 𝜃� + 𝐵0 𝑧̂ ≈ 2𝜋𝜋 𝜃�

(b) (i) almost straight line with slight upwards curve graph, maximum 10MA, min 0, (ii) similar
curve, take into account the applied magnetic field.(iii) force curve also similar. A force curve
flat 0 is also acceptable as students may not be familiar with cylindrical coordinates. (Full credit
is given for straight linse of the right trend with appropriate labels)
(c) Answer: D
𝜇0 𝐼 2 𝐿
(d) Assuming B and I are at the same location, 𝐹 = 𝐵𝐵𝐵 = 2𝜋𝜋
only the component of B

perpendicular to L is important.

Actually I produces B and thus via a similar argument for KE, the force is actually half that of the
𝜇0 𝐼 2 𝐿
above calculated 𝐹 = 𝐵𝐵𝐵 = 4𝜋𝜋

𝐹 𝜇0 𝐼 2
𝑃= =
2𝜋𝜋𝜋 2(2𝜋𝜋)2

(note: the graphs they plot previously are hints to this)

Alternatively, for students who can do calculus, Consider a thin cylindrical shell at position 𝑟 from
the axis, within the cylinder carrying current ∆𝐼(𝑟) . The force acting on this shell is ∆𝐹 =
𝜇0 𝐼(𝑟)
𝐵(𝑟)∆𝐼(𝑟)𝐿 = ∆𝐼(𝑟)𝐿
2𝜋𝜋

0𝐹 𝐼𝜇 𝐼
The total force acting on all the currents will be ∫0 𝑑𝑑 = ∫0 2𝜋𝜋 𝐿𝐿𝐿

𝐼𝜇 𝐼
0 𝜇0 𝐼 2 𝐿
Integrating 𝐹 = ∫0 2𝜋𝜋 𝐿𝐿𝐿 = 4𝜋𝜋

(e) (i) changing magnetic flux induces current to flow in the cylinder. By Lenz law it will oppose the
change. Since cylinder is assumed to be perfect conductor, magnetic flux does not change. (ii) at
equilibrium magnetic field inside is equal to magnetic field outside so no force. For magnetic
flux to be constant , B field inside the cylinder increases as area decreases. Furthermore outside
magnetic field increases as radius decreases.
𝜇0 𝐼 𝑏2
2𝜋𝜋
= 𝐵0 𝑟 2

2𝜋𝐵0 𝑏 2
𝑟= = 50𝜇𝜇
𝜇0 𝐼

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

5. A bar magnet is attached to the end of a non-magnetic spring, with spring Force
−1
constant 484𝑁𝑚 , as shown in the diagram. The other end of the spring is sensor

attached to a fixed force sensor which was zeroed when the magnet was at its
equilibrium position, before being zeroed, the force sensor shows 4.8N. The
magnet is right at the center of a coil of wires when the magnet is in its Coil of
wires with
equilibrium position. Assume the spring has negligible mass and that friction length 𝐿
is negligible. The coil has length 𝐿𝐶 and the magnet is has length 𝐿𝑚 ≈ 𝐿𝐶 /4. S
𝑥
The spring is stretched by 𝑥 = 1 𝑐𝑐 < 𝐿𝑚 and released at time 𝑡 = 0 such 0 N

that it performs simple harmonic motion in the coil. When the magnet was
initially moved from far above the coil to inside the center of the coil a plot of
the EMF vs time was obtained. The area under this curve was found to be -0.003Vs.

(a) Using the same 𝑥 scale sketch well labelled graphs of (labels should give numerical values and
expressions where possible)
(i) magnetic flux, ∅ through the coil of wires against the position 𝑥 of the magnet, where 𝑥
represents the distance between the center of mass of the magnet above its equilibrium
position , and
𝑑∅
(ii) the slope of above graph ,𝑑𝑑 against x.

(b) Using the same time scale and leaving some space for part (c), sketch well labelled graphs of
(i) force against time,
(ii) velocity of the magnet, 𝑑𝑑/𝑑𝑑, against time, and
(iii) displacement of the magnet, 𝑥, against time.

(c) Sketch a well labelled graph of EMF vs time below the graph in part (b) using the same time
scale. Show how the various features of the EMF curve corresponds to the features on the force
curve.

(d) MCQ 5: Which of the following statement is true?

(A) The magnitude of the EMF is maximum only when the force is zero.
(B) The magnitude of the EMF is maximum only when the magnitude of the force is maximum.
(C) The magnitude of the EMF is zero only when the magnitude of the force is maximum.
(D) The magnitude of the EMF is zero only when the force is zero.
(E) None of the above statements are true.

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

(e) Discuss the effect of connecting a resistor with small resistance across the coil on the measured
voltage.
(a) Flux vs y “The area under this curve was found to be -0.003Vs. “ this defines the sign of flux
above the coil as flux = -area under the curve.

∅/𝑇𝑚2
0.003

𝑦/𝑚
-L/2 L/2=0.02

−0.003
(b) Typical SHM graphs

(c) EMF depends on how flux changes in time and depends on both the factors,(i) how flux changes with
position and (i) how magnets position changes with time. Prior graphs (a-ii, b-ii and b-iii) are hints
towards this.

F/N

9.9

t/s
0.2 0.4

EMF/V

0.2 0.4

(d) Answer E. see above graph marks are also awarded for labeling magnitudes of force velocity,
displacement and time.
(e) Open ended. Some examples to discuss (i) damping, (ii) if resistance is small as compared to resistance of
coil (iii), if small compared to the reactance due inductance of coil.

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228415690_A_datalogger_demonstration_of_electromagnetic_indu
ction_with_a_falling_oscillating_and_swinging_magnet
6. A 1.0 kg point mass is attached to a taut string of length 0.5 m as a pendulum. The mass and string
are initially held horizontally. When the mass is released, it swings down and strikes a 0.5 kg point
mass at the bottom of its trajectory in an elastic collision. The 0.5 kg mass then rolls up an incline of
20.0°. What distance, 𝑑, does the point mass travel up the slope?
(A) 0.89 m 𝐿 = 0.5𝑚
𝑚1 = 1.0𝑘𝑘
(B) 1.8 m
𝑑
(C) 2.6 m
(D) 4.2 m
𝜃 = 20.0°
(E) 5.2 m
𝑚2 = 0.5𝑘𝑘
Answer: C
1
m1u 2 = m1 gL
2
u = 2 gL

1 1 1
m1u 2 = m1v1 + m2v2
2 2

2 2 2
m1u = m1v1 + m2v2
2m1 2m1
∴ v2 = u= 2 gL
m1 + m2 m1 + m2

1
m2v2 = m2 gh
2

2
2 2
2 gL  2m1   2m1 
2
 2.0 
2
v
h= 2 =   = L  = (0.5) 
2g 2 g  m1 + m2   m1 + m2   1.5 
h 8.0
d= = = 2.6m
sin θ 9.0 sin 20

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

7. A point mass is launched at 30.0 m s-1, at an angle of 45.0° above a flat horizontal plane. Upon the
impact of the particle with the plane, the point mass bounces off and moves forward at the same
angle to the horizontal, but loses 1/4 of its kinetic energy. What is the total horizontal distance that
the mass travels before coming to rest?
(A) 91 m
(B) 183 m
(C) 210 m
(D) 367 m
(E) 685 m

Answer: D
n
 3
Initial velocity after n bounce vn = v0 
th


 4
Distance travelled between nth and (n+1)th bounce
n
v 3
2 2
v
dn = n = 0  
g g 4

Total distance travelled as n approaches ∞

 
v0  1  4v0
∞ ∞ n
3
2 2 2
v
∑
n=0
dn = 0
g
∑   =
n=0  4 
 =
g 1− 3  g
 
 4
2
4v0 4(30.0) 2
= = 367m
g 9.81

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

8. 2 point charges of mass 1.0 × 10-3 kg and equal charge q are separately hung on strings of length 1.0
m connected to the same point. The angle between the strings is 30.0°. What is the charge q?
(A) 7.9 × 10-8 C
(B) 1.4 × 10-7 C
(C) 2.8 × 10-7 C
(D) 7.9 × 10-7 C
(E) 8.9 × 10-6 C
Answer: C

1 q2 θ
= mg tan
4πε 0  θ
2
2
 2 L sin 
 2

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

9. An ideal monatomic gas is initially at pressure 𝑝𝐴 = 1.00 × 105 Pa and volume 0.500 m3 (state A).
It is isovolumetrically heated to 800 K (state B), then allowed to isothermally expand to volume
2.00 𝑚3 (state C). It is then isovolumetrically cooled back to 300 K (state D) and isothermally
compressed to 0.500 m3 , returning to its initial state A. What is the pressure of the gas at
state C, 𝑝𝐶 ?
(A) 𝑝𝐶 = 25 𝑘𝑘𝑘
(B) 𝑝𝐶 = 66.7 𝑘𝑘𝑘 B T = 800 K
(C) 𝑝𝐶 = 133 𝑘𝑘𝑘
(D) 𝑝𝐶 = 267 𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝑝𝐶 = 300 𝑘𝑘𝑘
P / kPa
(E)

>
A
C

>
D T = 300 K
V/ m3

Answer: B
p DV D = p AV A
VA  0.500 
pD = p A = (100 )  = 25kPa
VD  2.00 

pC p
= D
TC TD
TC  800 
pC = p D = (25)  = 66.7 kPa
TD  300 

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

10. Wind turbines are used to generate electricity in some countries. An example is the Brooklyn wind
turbine in Wellington which has 20m length blades which has a 225kW capacity. What is the area
swept out by the blades required to get the same power from wind in Singapore as compared to
Wellington New Zealand. You may assume that wind speed in Wellington is about 8ms-1 , the wind
speed in Singapore is about 2ms-1 and that the efficiency of the wind turbines are comparable.
(A) less than 2500 m2
(B) between 2500 m2 to 10,000 m2
(C) between 10,000 m2 to 40,000 m2
(D) between 40,000 m2 to 0.16 km2
(E) more than 0.16 km2

Answer: D
KE of wind is proportional to mv2 where v is the wind speed. However the mass per unit time
flowing past the wind turbine is also proportional to density, v & area of the turbine. So the power is
proportional to Av3 To get the same power ,since v3 drops 64 time, A must increase 64 times. The
area of the Brooklyn wind turbine is 1250m2 So the required area is 80,000m2¬.

However practically this area can be achieved by increasing the number of wind turbines instead of
building one giant wind turbine. It should be noted that it will not be feasible to build huge wind
turbines from the engineering point of view .Also it is not economically feasible to build 64 wind
turbines just to get 225kW capacity. For comparison, the 5 liter v8 engine of the 2015 Ford Mustang
GT puts out more than 300kW.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/from-bacteria-to-wind/2375836.html

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

11. A mass 𝑚0 = 3.00 𝑘𝑘 is connected by 4 horizontal springs stretched between two rigid walls as
shown in the diagram. The spring constants of the springs are 20.0 𝑁 𝑚−1 and 40.0 𝑁 𝑚−1. The
mass is then displaced slightly to the right and allowed to oscillate in the horizontal direction.
Assume friction is negligible. What is the frequency of the oscillations?
(A) 3.65 Hz 20Nm-1
(B) 2.58 Hz
(C) 0.712 Hz 40Nm-1 40Nm-1 3 kg 20Nm-1
(D) 0.581 Hz
(E) 0.411 Hz

Answer: C
F = −60.0( x)
60.0
a=− x
3 .0
60.0
ω=
3 .0
ω 1 60.0
f = = = 0.712Hz
2π 2π 3 .0

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

12. An additional mass 𝑚 is added to the oscillator in the previous problem and the period changed
by 10−8 %. What is the mass?
(A) 0.60 𝜇𝜇
(B) 0.42 𝜇𝜇
(C) 0.35 𝜇𝜇
(D) 0.30 𝜇𝜇
(E) 0.17 𝜇𝜇

Answer: A

𝑚0 + 𝑚
𝑇2 � 𝑘 𝑚
= = �1 +
𝑇1 𝑚 𝑚0
� 0
𝑘

Need this step as calculator may get it wrong otherwise.

𝑚 𝑇2
= − 1 = 10−10
2𝑚0 𝑇1

𝑚 = 6 × 10−10 𝑘𝑘

Note: This situation in this question is not really practical here but it is possible to get oscillators with
very high frequency in which case even a small change in mass is detectable.

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

13. A satellite orbits the Earth at 10,400 km from the surface of the earth, at the equator, in the same
sense as the earth’s rotation. It was directly above Singapore at some time, how much time must
elapse before it is directly over Singapore again? Assume the satellite travels in a circular orbit,
(A) 12 hrs
(B) 8 hrs
(C) 6 hrs
(D) 4 hrs
(E) 3 hrs

Answer: B

2
𝐺𝐺
𝜔𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑠𝑠𝑠 = 2
𝑟𝑠𝑠𝑠

𝐺𝐺 𝑔𝑅𝐸2
𝜔𝑠𝑠𝑠 = � 3 = � 3
𝑟𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑠𝑠𝑠

2𝜋
𝑡= = 8ℎ𝑟𝑟
𝜔𝑠𝑠𝑠 − 𝜔𝐸

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

14. An A.C generator operates at 12V and a constant frequency of 15.9hz. The generator has a rotating
magnet inside a coil which generates the EMF. The coil has an internal resistance of 0.01 ohm and
internal inductance of 0.01H. Which of the components when connected as a load to the generator
will achieve the most power dissipated in the external resistor?
(A) 0.05 Ohm resistor in series with 0.01F capacitor
(B) 0.04 Ohm resistor in series with 0.01H inductor
(C) 0.03 Ohm resistor
(D) 0.02 Ohm resistor in parallel with 0.01F capacitor
(E) 0.01 Ohm resistor in parallel with 0.01H inductor

Answer: A
Angular frequency is 100 Hz, 0.01H and 0.01F capacitance has reactance of 1ohm. If we calculate each one,
will take some time.
However it’s quite easy if you notice that in B the reactance from inductance and capacitance cancels.

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

15. Water enters the pipe shown in the diagram at 3.0 ms-1. The radius of the pipe at the point of entry is
15.0 cm. The pipe then narrows to a radius of 12.0 cm. Assume that atmospheric pressure is constant
at 100 kPa, calculate the height difference ℎ in the water levels on the left and right as indicated?
(A) 0.18 m
(B) 0.21 m
(C) 0.24 m
(D) 0.27 m
(E) 0.30 m

Answer: E
A1v1 = A2v2

1 2 1
rv1 = rv2 2 + ∆P
2 2
1
∆P = r (v1 − v2 )
2 2

2
1 2 A 
2
= rv1 1 − 1 2 
2  A2 
∆P v1  r 
2 4
y= = 1 − 1 4  = 0.271m
rg 2 g  r2 
h = y + 3.0 cm = 0.301m

21
 SJPO2016 Special Round

16. A copper sphere of radius 1.00 cm is placed into 50.0 cm3 of water. The copper sphere is initially at
25.0°C while the water is initially at 40.0°C. Assuming no heat transfer with the environment, what
is the final temperature of the water and copper sphere? Heat capacity of copper = 0.385 J/(g K),
density of copper = 8.96 g/cm3.
(A) 39.0°C
(B) 37.5°C
(C) 35.4°C
(D) 34.7°C
(E) 30.8°C

Answer: A

4π 3
mCu = ρ ρ = 37.53g
3

mCu CCu (T − 25) = mwCw (40 − T )

40mwCw + 25mCu CCu
T=
mCu CCu + mwCw
40(50)(4.19) + 25(37.53)(0.385)
= = 39.0 C
(37.53)(0.385) + (50)(4.19)

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

17. A 50kg woman climbs 280m up to the top of the UOB Plaza One. She drinks 250g cup of crushed
ice and 80g of water at 0° C. What is the ratio of work done against gravity to heat required to heat
up the drink to 37° C?
(A) 100:1
(B) 10:1
(C) 1:1
(D) 1:10
(E) 1:100

Answer: C
Work done 𝑊 = 𝑚𝑚ℎ = 137200𝐽
Heat required 𝑄 = 𝐿𝑓 𝑚𝑖𝑖𝑖 + 𝑐𝑤 𝑚𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 ∆𝑇 = 334 × 250 + 4.19 × 330 × 37 = 135000𝐽

Note: this may lead to the misconception that drinking ice water is as good as exercise 

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

18. Unpolarised light of intensity 𝐼0 passes through an ideal polarizing filter that has its axis vertically
oriented. The polarized light then passes through 3 additional ideal polarizers, with polarizing axes at
30°, 60° and 90° to the vertical in the order that the light passes through them. What is the intensity
of the light exiting the last polarizer?
(A) 0

3 3
(B) I0
16

3 3
(C) I0
8
27
(D) I0
64
27
(E) I0
128

Answer: E
1
After passing through the first filter, the intensity is I0
2
With each subsequent filter, the 30° change in axis results in the intensity being multiplied by
3
cos 2 30  =
4
27
Hence, the exiting light has an intensity of I0
128

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 SJPO2016 Special Round

19. A transparent vacuum tube with two electrodes, one made of potassium, K, work function 2.3eV, and
the other of platinum, Pt, work function 6.3eV, is connected to a variable voltage power supply and
voltmeter and ammeter as shown in the figure. The terminal of the power supply connected to the Pt
plate is grounded and defined to be 0V. UV light of 345 nm wavelength shines on both electrodes.
Current flow starts when the potential at the K electrode, _____. (Hint: Batteries have two different
electrodes to produce a potential difference across the electrodes)
(A) 𝑉 is anything except 0
V
(B) 𝑉 < + 1.3𝑉
(C) 𝑉 > + 2.3𝑉
A
(D) 𝑉 < − 2.7𝑉
(E) None of the above K Pt
0V
Variable voltage power supply

Answer: D
Note how ground is connected i.e. how 0V is defined and 𝑒𝑉𝑠 = ℎ𝜈 – 𝜑𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 see
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/231117927_The_photoelectric_effect_Experimental_confir
mation_concerning_a_widespread_misconception_in_the_theory

25
 SJPO2016 Special Round

20. It is possible to fuse two nuclei of deuterium, 21𝐻 together to produce helium-3, a neutron and some
energy i.e. 32𝐻𝐻 + 𝑛0 + 3.27MeV. Consider the situation where a deuteron with 0.10 MeV kinetic
energy fuses with a stationary deuterium nucleus. Calculate the ratio of maximum helium-3 energy
to minimum? (Hint: consider a frame of reference where the center of mass is stationary)
(A) 2.4
(B) 2.7
(C) 3.0
(D) 3.3
(E) 3.6

Answer: A.
Consider the case where they start off with no KE and momentum. By conservation of momentum,
He and n have equal momentum. Since 𝐸 = 𝑝2 /2𝑚, n will have 3 times more energy than He, and
therefore in this case than He has 0.8175MeV.
In the CM frame, total initial kinetic energy is 0.05MeV, so He has 0.830MeV, and vHE=0.024c.
velocity of CM = 0.005c

Convert to lab frame lowest energy is when He is moving in opposite direction as initial i.e.
v=0.024c-0.005c D and maximum energy is when He is moving in same direction as initial D i.e
v=0.024c+0.005c.

----End of Paper---

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