QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL

MID-YEAR EXAMINATION 2007/2008

PHYSICS
Suggested answers

Section A : Multiple Choice Questions (30 marks)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
A C B A A C B B A A
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
D D C D B C C B A D

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Section B : Essay-type Questions (22 marks)

1. 6.32 m s-1

0.632 s

6.32

1.26
0.632

-6.32

0.632 1.26

6.32

the magnitude of
velocity decreases uniformly from 6.32 m s -1 to zero at the highest point.
the

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2. (a) Suppose an object A of mass m1 and velocity u1 collides head-on with an object B of mass m2 and
1
velocity u2. After collision, the velocity of object A is v1 and the velocity of object B is v2. /2

During collision, object A exerts a force F on object B. According to Newton’s third law of
1
motion, object B exerts a force –F on object A. /2

1
The collision lasts for a period t. /2

According to Newton’s second law of motion,

1
/2

1
and . /2

1
Combining these two equations, we have = . /2

1
Hence, . /2

(b) Take the angle between u1 and v1 be  and the angle between u1 and v2 be  as shown in the

following figure.




1
/2

According to principle of conservation of momentum,

1
/2

Hence, the arrows representing the momentum vectors , and form a closed

triangle as shown below.

m1 v1 m2 v2

 
A C
m1 u1 1
/2

If ( +  ) > 90, then (m 1 u1)2 < [(m1 v1)2 + (m2 v2)2] 1

/2

1
Multiple these three terms by , we have /2

1
Since the collision is elastic, . /2

Comparing the inequality and the equation, we have .

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 1
Hence, m1 is smaller than m2. /2

3.

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Section C : Structured-type Questions (48 marks)
1. A small object (an object of negligible size) of mass m is connected by two identical light
springs S1 and S2 to points X and Y respectively with X vertically above Y as shown in Figure
1(a). The object is at rest when it is 0.35 m below X. Each spring has an unstretched length of
0.2 m.
X X

S1
0.35 m

m y 0.6 m
Equilibrium position

S2

Y Y
Figure 1(a) Figure 1(b)
(a) Write down an equation relating the tensions in the springs with the weight of the object.
(1 mark)

Let T1 and T2 be the tension in S1 and S2 respectively.

Then, T1 = T2 +mg
OR
(b) If the mass of the object is 0.005 kg, find the force constant of the springs.
(2 marks)
Let k be the force constant of the springs.

Let e1 and e2 be the extensions of S1 and S2 respectively when m is in equilibrium.

Then, ke1 = ke2 +mg

k(0.35 – 0.2) = k(0.25 – 0.2) + 0.005  10

k = 0.5 N m-1
OR

Take the downwards direction as positive. Then, (-k)(0.15)+(-k)(-

The object is now slightly displaced vertically upwards from the equilibrium position for a
0.05)+0.00510=0
distance y as shown in-1Figure 1(b) and is then released from rest.
k = 0.5 N m
(c) What is the maximum allowed value of y such that the springs remain under tension
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 when the object oscillates?
(1 mark)
The maximum allowed value of y is 0.05 m.

(d) Show that the object is oscillating at simple harmonic motion. Hence, calculate the
period of oscillation of the object.
(6 marks)
When the object is in equilibrium position,

When the object is displaced slightly vertically upwards by a displacement from the
equilibrium position, then, F =

Since , the object is oscillating at simple harmonic motion.

Now, .

Hence, .

T= = 0.444 s

(e) What will be the change in the period of oscillation of the block if the distance between X
and Y increases slightly? Explain your answers.
(2 marks)
The period of oscillation of the block will only be affected by the spring constant and the

mass of the object. Changing the distance between X and Y will not affect these two

quantities. Hence, There will not be any change in the period of oscillation of the block

if the distance between X and Y increases slightly.

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(f) If the object of mass 0.005 kg is now slightly displaced vertically downwards from the
equilibrium position for a distance of 0.01 m and is then released from rest.

(i) Find the elastic potential energy stored in the springs when the object is released.
(2 marks)
The elastic potential energy stored in the springs when the object is released
=

= 6.8  10-3 J

(ii) Hence, or otherwise, find the speed of the object when it is at the equilibrium
position.
(2 marks)
Let v be the speed of the object when it is a the equilibrium position

According to principle of conservation of energy,

k.e. + g.p.e. +  e.p.e. = 0

=0


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2. (a) A planet of mass M is orbiting the Sun of mass Ms in a circular path of radius R.

(i) Write down an expression, in terms of G, M, Ms and R, for the value of the force
exerted by the Sun on the planet.
(1 mark)
The value of the force exerted by the Sun on the planet is .

(ii) Use this expression to find the angular velocity of the planet in the orbit.
(2 marks)

(b) Kepler’s third law states that = k where k is constant.

(i) Prove Kepler’s third law for circular orbits from Newton’s law of universal
gravitation.
(3 marks)
Consider a planet of mass m moving in a circular orbit of radius r about the Sun of

mass M. Hence, the centripetal force acting on the planet comes solely from the

gravitational force acting on the planet by the Sun. Mathematically,

Hence, =k

(ii) A student says, ‘The constant k is a universal constant.’ Do you agree? Explain
briefly your answer.
(2 marks)

As , k depends on M which is not a constant. Different system has different

M. Hence, k is not a universal constant. It is only a constant for a particular

system.

(iii) The following table shows the mean orbit radii and the period of revolution of some
of the planets revolving around the Sun:

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 Planet Mean orbit radius / m Period of Revolution / s
Venus 1.08  1011 1.94  107
Earth 1.49  1011 3.16  107
2.28  1011 5.94  107
Mars

Plot a suitable graph to find the mass of the Sun. Show your working. (Given:
r /  10 m
3 33 3
Gravitational constant = 6.7  10-11 N m2 kg-2) (6 marks)

12 

10

4
Correct axis with correct label – 1

Correct scale – 1
Correct points (all) – 1
2 Correct graph (straight line passing
 through the origin) – 1

0 10 20 30 40
T /  1014 s2
2

Since , the slope of the r3 against T2 graph equals . Hence,

the slope of the graph =

and M = (the slope of the graph) 

M = (3.37  1018) 

M = 1.99  1030 kg (1.791030 ~2.191030)

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3. Consider a car of mass m moving round a circular track without banking of radius r with
velocity v. The height of the car’s center of mass is h above the ground and the distance
between the wheels is 2b. The figure shows the rear view of the car performing left-turn.


h

b b
r

Figure 3

(a) State the origin of the centripetal force acting on the car.
(1 mark)
The centripetal force acting on the car is the static friction acting on the car by the

ground.
(b) Show that the normal reactions acting on the wheels by the ground are

R1 = and R2 =

State which one (R1 or R2) is acting on the wheel closer to the centre of the circular track.
(6 marks)
In the horizontal direction, the car undergoes circular motion. That is:

…..(1)
where F1 and F2 are the friction acting on the wheel nearer and farther away from
the centre of the circular path respectively.
In the vertical direction, the car is NOT accelerated. Hence, . That is:
R1 + R2 = mg ……(2)
where R1 and R2 are the normal reaction acting on the wheel nearer and farther away
from the centre of the circular path by the ground respectively.

Since the (1)

Substitute carinto
is NOT
(3), overturning, then………….(4)
the total moment about the centre of mass of the

car–is(4)
(2) 0. Take moment about G, (F1 + F2 )h + R1 b = R2 b …….(3)

R1 is the normal reaction acting on the wheel closer to the centre of the circular track.

(2) + (4)

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(c) What will be the changes in R1 and R2 when v increases from zero?
(2 marks)
When v increases, R1 will decrease and R2 will increase.

(d) State the magnitude of R1 acting on the wheel of the car before it overturns. Hence, or
otherwise, find the maximum v of the car before it overturns.
(3 marks)
Before the car overturns, R1  0 (N).

That is, R1 = 0

 v

Hence, the maximum v of the car before it overturns is .

(e) If the linear speed of the car exceeds the maximum v found in (d), the car will overturn in
the outward direction. Explain briefly why the car cannot overturn in the inward
direction.
(2 marks)

Overturning means that one wheel will leave the ground while the other is touching the

ground. Overturning in the inward direction means that the wheel farther away from

the centre of the circular path will leave the ground but the one closer will not. This

will not happen based on the proof in (b). Hence, the car cannot overturn in the inward

direction.
(f) Suggest two design criteria of the car such that the car will not overturn easily.
(2 marks)
The two design criteria of the car are

(1) the height of the centre of mass of the car from the ground should be smaller;

(2) the distance between the wheels closer and the wheels farther away from the centre

of the circular path should be longer.

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(g) If the maximum speed of the car rounding a level bend of radius of curvature 10 m
without skidding is 12 m s-1. Find the minimum value of the coefficient of static friction
between the car and the ground. (The mass of the car is 5000 kg.)
(2 marks)
The centripetal force acting on the car  the limiting static friction acting on the car
i.e.

Hence, the minimum value of the coefficient of static friction is 1.44.

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