EuPhO-2021 Theoretical Problems - Solutions English

T1: A Leak The temperature and the pressure in the lower cham-
ber are related by (2). Substituting (3) we get
Let p1 , V1 , T1 denote the (time dependent) pressure, vol-
 2/5  2/3
ume, and temperature in the upper chamber, and p2 , V2 , p′2
T2 — those in the lower one. Note that V1 ≡ V does not T2′ =T = T 1 + (1 + x)3/5 . (c.)
p
change.
Consider a parcel of volume v below the diaphragm
containing n moles of helium. It is convenient to imag- Preliminary grading scheme
ine it bounded by two fictitious free thin massless pis-
tons. During slow perturbations the parcel undergoes a1 It’s stated (or written as a formula) that the 0.5
an adiabatic process. The pressure and the temperature process is adiabatic
for the parcel are actually the pressure and the temper- a2 Relation between V and p is found in adiabaic 1.0
ature for entire lower chamber p2 and T2 . The energy process
conservation for the parcel is a3 Condition on when the diaphragm leaks 0.5
  a4 Answer for V0 1.0
0 = p2 dv + d
3 5 3
nv RT2 = p2 dv + vdp2 . b1 Energy conservation for the whole system in 1.0
2 2 2 differential form. If conservation law is writ-
ten only for one half but heat transfer is taken
This gives
into account: 0.5 pts.
v 5 p32 = const, (1) b2 Internal energy for a mono-atomic gas 0.5
b3 Usage of V1 = const 0.2
T25 p−2
2 = const . (2)
b3 Usage of p2 − p1 = const 0.3
The leak begins when the pressure below the di- b4 Relation between V2 and p2 1.0
aphragm exceeds that in the upper chamber by ∆p ≡ b5 Equation to find p′2 (or T2′ ) before the end 1.0
p0 − p = mgH/V = px, where b6 Usage of n′ = 2n 0.5
b7 Answer for T1′ 0.5
mgH c1 Relation between T1′ and T2′ 1.0
x= . (a., b., c.)
pV c2 Answer for T2′ 1.0
Arithmetic or typo errors gives half of point (rounded
a. We may let v = V2 before that.
up to 0.1) for the item and is not considered as a mistake
V 5 p3 = V05 (p + ∆p)3 = V05 p3 (1 + x)3 afterwards.

V0 = V (1 + x)−3/5 (a.)
b. The energy conservation for the whole system:
T2: Thread on cylinder
   
3 3 Fig. 1 shows the cylinder and the loop from three differ-
0 = p1 dV1 + d n1 RT1 + p2 dV2 + d n2 RT2 = ent angles; P denotes the pulled point of the loop, while
2 2
5 3 O is the top point of the thread.
(p1 dV1 + p2 dV2 ) + (V1 dp1 + V2 dp2 ) =
2 2
5 3
p2 d(V + V2 ) + (V + V2 )dp2 ,
2 2
since the pressure above the diaphragm remains lower
than that below by the same margin ∆p during the later
process and dV2 = d(V + V2 ). Similarly to (1), we get
(V + V2 )5 p32 = const .
The pressure p′2 in the lower chamber when the piston
touches the diaphragm is found from the equation
 5
1
V 5 p′3
2 = (V + V 0 )5 3
p0 = V 5
1 + p3 (1 + x)3 ,
(1 + x)3/5
 5/3
p′2 = p 1 + (1 + x)3/5 . (3)
The pressure in the upper chamber at this moment is
 5/3 
′ ′
p1 = p2 − ∆p = p 1 + (1 + x)3/5
−x . Fig. 1

The temperature in the upper chamber is found from the Imagine that the side of the cylinder is cut along the
equations of state pV = nRT and p′ V = (2n)RT ′ generatrix AB passing through point P , and then the
  side (including the loop) is unfolded as shown in Fig. 2.
′ T  5/3
T1 = 1 + (1 + x) 3/5
−x . (b.) In this figure points A and A′ , B and B ′ , P and P ′ are
2
EuPhO-2021 Theoretical Problems - Solutions English

equivalent, respectively. Let us introduce a Cartesian The thread needs to span over the entire cylinder, so
coordinate system on this unfolded plane so that point its length can be calculated as
O is the origin, axis z is parallel with the axis of cylin- s
der and directed downwards, axis x is perpendicular to Z πR p Z πR  2
dz
z (i.e. horizontal). L0 = dx + dz = 2
2 2 1+ dx .
−πR 0 dx

Substituting the z(x) function we get:

Z πR r  µx 2   Z πµ p
R
L0 = 2 1+ dx = 2 1 + ξ 2 dξ ,
0 R µ 0

where we introduced the notation ξ = µx/R. Using the

integral given in the text of the problem:
p R
L0 = πR 1 + (πµ)2 + arcsinh(πµ) .
µ
Fig. 2 If the length of the thread is shorter than the length
calculated here, then there is no solution satisfying the
Consider the forces acting on a small piece of the thread length constraint, i.e. the thread cannot slip.
thread (with horizontal projection ∆x) indicated with
red line in both figures. These are the tensions at both Note. In the limit µ → 0 the loop slips even if L = 2πR, which
ends of the small piece exerted by neighbouring parts of should be reproduced by our final formula. Using the relation
for the inverse hyperbolic function given in the problem text,
the thread, the normal force ∆N and the friction force
then expanding the logarithm in Taylor series in linear order
∆f exerted by the cylinder. On the verge of slipping, the around 0 we get:
direction of ∆f is parallel to the z-axis. Since the small ( )
√
piece of thread is in equilibrium, the x-component of the arcsinh x ≡ ln x + 1 + x2 ≈ ln (x + 1) ≈ x ,
tension is the same everywhere:
so for small values of µ we get
Tx = const.
R
L0 ≈ πR + (πµ) = 2πR .
The normal force ∆N can be determined by looking µ
at the top view of the loop in Fig. 1. The polar angle
corresponding to small piece of thread is ∆φ = ∆x/R, so Grading scheme: T2
the force balance in the radial direction can be written 2-i. A figure or figures reflecting the 0.5 p + 0.5 p
as correct geometry such as: the loop
∆φ ∆x is a non-planar curve in all figures
2Tx sin −∆N = 0 −→ ∆N = Tx . (4)
(0.5 p), existence of exactly one cusp
| {z 2 } R
≈∆φ/2 (0.5 p, if the „back” is hidden, 0 p).
2-ii. Realizing that on the verge of 0.5 p
The frictional force on the verge of slipping is given by slipping the frictional force is paral-
lel with the axis of the cylinder for
∆f = µ∆N . (5)
every small piece of the thread and
Thus, the force balance on the small piece of thread in ∆f = µ∆N . (If any of the two is
the z direction (see Fig. 2): missing, then 0.2 p)
  2-iii. Correct equation for the force 0.5 p
dz  dz  balance in z direction involving
Tx − Tx − ∆f = 0 , (6)
dx x+∆x dx x frictional force or the load (which
is pulling down the loop) and the z
where we expressed the z-component of the tension components of the tension.
forces with Tx and the tangent dz/dx. Using the three 2-iv. Tx = const. + correct explana- 0.5 p + 1.5 p
equations above and taking the limit ∆x → 0, we get the tion based on the balance in x direc-
differential equation tion. If the physics is incompatible
with the geometrical assumptions
d2 z µ (e.g. planar curve for the loop and
= ,
dx 2 R the existence of a frictional force
where we used the fact that Tx ̸= 0. By direct integration acting on small pieces), no points
and taking into account the boundary conditions z(0) = 0 are given
and z ′ (0) = 0 we get 2-v. Expressing the normal force 2.0 p
∆N acting on a small segment with
µ 2 Tx and dx (or dϕ). If the relation
z(x) = x ,
2R x = Rφ or dx = Rdφ is not used here
so the shape of the thread on the unfolded side surface or anywhere else, 1.5 p is given. If
(Fig. 2) can be described by a parabola. the expression is wrong but ∆N is
proportional to the curvature (1/R),
1.0 p is given.
EuPhO-2021 Theoretical Problems - Solutions English

2-vi. Deriving the correct differ- 1.5 p

O
ential equation for z(x) (if the diff.
equation is wrong due to any rea- P
son, 0 p)
2-vii. Solving the diff. equation for 1.0 p
z(x) correctly (including boundary Q
conditions). If only one integral is
evaluated correctly, 0.3 p are given. A
For stating only the boundary con- Q
ditions (both z(0) and z ′ (0)) 0.2 p.
2-viii. Writing down the length of 0.5 p Now it becomes clear that the place where images Q1
the thread in terms of an integral and Q2 merge into a single image Q0 is the key to finding
of z(x), i.e. writing down the length the coefficient of refraction. Indeed, the point Q0 can be
constraint found in the photo as the point where the blue ellipse
2-ix. Evaluating the integral cor- 1.0 p (the images of a segment of the stripe in red light as the
rectly (factor mistake in calculation blue shadow is where the red light is missing) is touch-
0.5 p, wrong units 0.2 p) ing a radius of the ball, see the figure below (we need to
Total T2: 10.0 p find tangent point with the radius because we need to
consider plane QOA which projects into a line through
the ball’s centre). There is no difference between tak-
General guidelines for marking: ing the tangent to the outer edge of the elliptical stripe
• Granularity for marks is 0.1 p. and taking the tangent to the inner edge of it (point Q′0
• A simple numerical error resulting from a typo is pun- in the photo below). Then, sin β0 = n sin α0 can be deter-
ished by 0.2 p unless the grading scheme explicitly says mined from the photo as the ratio of the lengths h and
otherwise. R, h/R ≈ 0.765, where h denotes the distance of the ball’s
• Errors which cause dimensionally wrong results are centre O from the line Q0 A, measurable in the photo as
punished by at least 50 % of the marks unless the grad- the length OQ0 (when looking from the distant point A,
ing scheme explicitly says otherwise. we can see only the perpendicular-to-OA component of
• Propagating errors are not punished repeatedly un- the segment OQ0 , and R is the ball’s radius.
less they either lead to considerable simplifications or Since we look for an extremum of γ, upon taking dif-
wrong results whose validity can easily be checked ferentials from Eqns. (7,8), we obtain
later.
2dα = dβ
n cos αdα = cos βdβ
T3: Glass ball
from where
To begin with, let us notice that if a ray coming from a
point P on the stripe is refracted at point Q at the surface n cos α = 2 cos β. (9)
of the ball towards a very distant point A (which denotes
the aperture of the camera lens), the ray will remain in
the plane P QO where O is the centre of the sphere. This q q
means that those rays which arrive from P to A must n = sin β + 4 cos β = 4 − 3 sin β ≈ 1.498 ≈ 1.50.
2 2 2

lay in the plane P OA, and the rays can be conveniently

depicted in the P OA-plane. In order to find ∆n, we could find in a similar way nV
The angle γ = γ(α) between vectors P O and QA is (|OQ′′0 | ≈ 0.755R, n ≈ 1.513 ≈ 1.51), but the result would
given by have a huge relative uncertainty as |OQ0 | and |OQ′′0 | have
very similar lengths. A much more precise result will
γ ≡ 2α − β (7) be obtained if we base our calculations on the segment
n sin α = sin β (8) length |ST |, see the figure below. Q′′0 is where the blue
rays have an extremum for γ while Q′0 and Q′′0 are two
and is a non-monotonous function of α which achieves red rays originating from the same point on the stripe.
its maximum γ0 by a certain α0 . This means that for a From the photo we can measure |ST | ≈ 0.20R, hence we
fixed P and A, if ̸ OP A < γ0 , there are two such angles can use the small parameter SQ′′0 /R ≈ 0.10.
α and, hence, two such positions Q1 and Q2 for the point Rays from S, T , and Q′′0 arrive to the lens aperture, so
Q that the ray P QA will reach the point A (here we have all these rays (which originate from the same point P on
assumed that the point A is at a very big distance). So, the stripe) have the same value of γ. So, we have a set of
when viewed from the point A, the image of the point P equations
is split into two points Q1 and Q2 . On the other hand, if
̸ OP A > γ0 , rays from P cannot reach A, and such points γ ≡ 2αR − βR = 2αV − βV (10)
on the stripe cannot be seen in the photo. If ̸ OP A = nV sin αV = sin βV (11)
γ0 , the two images Q1 and Q2 merge into a single point
(nV − ∆n) sin αR = sin βR (12)
bridging the two images of a piece of stripe into a closed
loop. n V cos αV = 2 cos β V , (13)
EuPhO-2021 Theoretical Problems - Solutions English

and we would like to get an expression relating ∆n to B-v Finding extremum and hence, the final expression
sin βV 1 − sin βV 2 , where the indices 1 and 2 relate to the of n as a function of β or h: 1pt. If an incorrect
two different solutions. Expressing αR = αV + δ we ob- expression is obtained from reasonable physics be-
tain from Eq. (10) that βR = βV + 2δ. Now, if we expand cause of mistakes in algebraic manipulation: 0.5 pts
Eq. (12) into Taylor series, neglect the smallest term with
∆nδ, and keep in mind Eq. (11), we obtain B-vi If the numerical answer is correct within ±0.03 and
is found using reasonable physics: 0.5 pts. Else if
2 sin αV the numerical answer is correct within ±0.1 and is
nV δ cos αV − nV δ − ∆n sin αV = 2δ cos βV − 2δ sin βV .
2
2 found using reasonable physics: 0.3 pts. No point if
the answer is guessed or is found using completely
Here the two linear-in-δ terms cancel out due to Eq. (13)
wrong or irrelevant physics.
so that with sin βV = nV sin αV we obtain
C-i The idea of using the width or length of the blue el-
∆n = 3nV δ 2 /2. (14) lipse: 1 pt (red ellipse cannot be used as we don’t
On the other hand, |ST |/R = sin βR1 − sin βR2 ≈ sin(βV + know if the center of the red ellipse corresponds to
2δ) − sin(β − 2δ) = 4δ cos β , hence the edge of the thread, or to a point at its middle)
V V
 2 C-ii Obtaining Eq (14) or something equivalent based on
3nV |ST | 3nV |ST |2
∆n = = ≈ 0.0132 ≈ 0.013. considering neighbouring red and violet rays: 1 pt.
2 4R cos βV 32 R2 − h2 If an incorrect expression is obtained from reason-
(15) able physics because of mistakes in algebraic manip-
ulation: 0.5 pts
C-iii Expressing ∆n correctly in terms of measurable
quantities: 0.5 pts
R Q0
Q’0T C-iv Finding numerical answer correct within ±0.003:
0.5 pts. (0 pts if this answer is obtained without con-
h Q’’0 sidering the width or height of the blue ellipse.)
S
Solution 2
O
One may alternatively prefer to consider a plane, per-
pendicular to the thread and containing the ball centre
O and the camera A. This is the plane of symmetry for
Grading scheme the system and corresponds to the maximum width of
the ovals. The same arguments as in the first Solution
A-i lead to
• Proving that we can see a loop because for a range
of points on the thread, a single point of thread cre- sin β h h
γ = β − 2 arcsin = arcsin − 2 arcsin .
ates two images: 0.7 pts n R nR
• The endpoints of that thread create one image For n < 2 this function is not monotonous and may give
forming thereby a closed loop: 0.3 pts the same result for two different values of h (that is why
Else if only the fact that rays coming to A must be in the mapping of an arc is a closed oval).
the PQO plane is stated: 0.3 pts
A-ii Drawing a ray diagram where we can see that two
rays originating from a single point arrive both to
the lens while crossing the ball’s surface at different
points and following the Snell’s law: 1.0 pt
Else if such idea is demonstrated by words or by a
rough sketch (which does not obey Snell’s law): 0.5
pts
B-i Relating angle β to the measurable distance h in the
photo (any point on the blue or red ellipse will earn
the mark): 1pt
B-ii Measuring ratio of h to R: 0.5 pts
B-iii The idea of using point Q0 : 1 pt (using Q′0 will earn
only 0.5 pts as this corresponds to the violet light)
To get the refraction index for red we solve the equa-
B-iv Obtaining a correct expression of γ as a function of tion
α (or equivalent calculations in different parametri-
h1 h1 h4 h4
sation): 1 pt arcsin − 2 arcsin = arcsin − 2 arcsin ,
R nR R R nR R
EuPhO-2021 Theoretical Problems - Solutions English

which gives nR ≈ 1.51.

One could repeat the previous argument to find nV .
One could also compare the images of the same thread
elements in different colours. This gives 4 equations

h1,4 h1,4 h2,3 h2,3

arcsin − 2 arcsin = arcsin − 2 arcsin ,
R nR R R nV R

where h1,4 means we can replace it with the value of h1

or h4 . Similar rule applies for h2,3 . From each equation,
we can solve for one value of nV and then take their av-
erage. This results in nV − nR ≈ 0.0145.

Grading scheme

A-i
• Proving that we can see a loop because for a range
of points on the thread, a single point of thread cre-
ates two images: 0.7 pts
• The endpoints of that thread create one image
forming thereby a closed loop: 0.3 pts
Else if only the fact that rays coming to A must be in
the PQO plane is stated: 0.3 pts
A-ii Drawing a ray diagram where we can see that two
rays originating from a single point arrive both to
the lens while crossing the ball’s surface at different
points and following the Snell’s law: 1.0 pt
Else if such idea is demonstrated by words or by a
rough sketch (which does not obey Snell’s law): 0.5
pts
B-i Relating angle β to the measurable distance h in the
photo (any point on the blue or red ellipse will earn
the mark): 1pt
B-ii Measuring ratio of h to R: 0.5 pts
B-iii The idea of using points on the blue ellipse lying on
the same radius of the sphere: 1 pt

B-iv Obtaining the correct equation to solve for nR nu-

merically: 2 pts. If an incorrect equation is obtained
from reasonable physics because of mistakes in al-
gebraic manipulation: 1 pt
B-v If the numerical answer is correct within ±0.03 and
is found using reasonable physics: 0.5 pts. Else if
the numerical answer is correct within ±0.1 and is
found using reasonable physics: 0.3 pts. No point if
the answer is guessed or is found using completely
wrong or irrelevant physics.

C-i The idea of using points on the red (or both) ellipse(s)
lying on the same radius of the sphere: 1 pt
C-ii Obtaining at least one correct equation to solve for
nV numerically: 1.5 pts. If an incorrect equation is
obtained from reasonable physics because of mis-
takes in algebraic manipulation: 1 pt

C-iii Finding numerical answer correct within ±0.003:

0.5 pts.