Romanian Master of Physics 2012

PROBLEM No. 1
The aim of this experimental task is to make numeric estimations for the MaxwellBoltzmann distribution. Specifically, we want to determine de fraction of the helium
atoms ( = 4 g/mol) at room temperature (T = 300 K) having speeds within a range of
at most 11% of their most probable speed.
For this, you need to make use of a coin.
A distribution function is a probability density in the space of certain expected events.
If the outcomes of the expected events
probability
making up the space are discreet, then you
don't have to use a distribution function, just
0.4
the probabilities associated to those events
0.3
(it is absolutely equivalent to having various
0.2
values of point-like masses in a physical
space). For instance, we would be most
0.1
happy if your final marks for this test will
look somehow like in the diagram
17 18 19 20 mark
alongside.
Instead, if the outcomes of the expected events make up a continuous space, then you
need to define a probability density of
-1
getting the outcome around a certain f (units )
expected value. For instance, assuming that
your marks for this test could take
continuous values in the range [0 , 20], then
it would be most fortunate if the distribution
function will look somehow like in the
diagram alongside.
Please note that the probabilities and the
17
20 x (units)
distribution function do not depend on the
number of participants; they are calculated in the hypothesis of an infinite number of
contestants.
In what follows, we will try to reconcile probabilities and distribution function, by
resorting to the approximation of a
f
step function (staircase function). For
instance, by taking a 0.5 step, the
0.5
distribution function for the above
example will look like in the diagram 0.4
alongside. Please note two things. 0.3
The first one is that, being an 0.2
approximation, you can get nonzero
probabilities even around not 0.1
expected values of the outcome, like,
x
17
18
19
20
say, 20.12. The second one is that, by
adding the probabilities for the domain around a certain mark and for half the upper
and lower neighboring values, you get the exact result from the first diagram.

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A. We will first consider the distribution function for the component of the velocities
of the helium atoms along the x-axis, vx (of course, the argument goes the same way
also for vy and vz). For various pertinent physical reasons, we shall use the well-known
Gauss normal distribution, or bell curve. It is proportional to exp(-vx2/2RT).
a. Specify the SI units of the proportionality constant.
b. It is quite reasonable to assume that when the value of the function drops below 1%
of its maximum value, then we practically reached the maximum possible value for vx.
Evaluate the magnitude of vx max. (For the sake of simplicity of the result, please take
ln10 = 2.5 and 8.31 3 = 25.)
Now we want to introduce a very simple physical model which generates the Gauss
distribution. Consider a multitude of collisions between the helium atoms, the net
result of these along the x-axis being small variations of the corresponding component
of the momentum of the atoms. Obviously, it is more likely that two such consecutive
variations be in opposite directions, so that the velocity doesn't change too much.
Nonetheless, it is not totally impossible that a certain number of such consecutive
variations be in the same direction, so that such a mechanism would consistently
account for the existence of a normal distribution.
One can mimic such a mechanism by a series of throwings of a coin. For this,
consider the integers between -5 and 5, on an x-axis. As you will immediately see,
starting from 0 and reaching 5 is a very good approximation for starting from 0 and
reaching vx max.
In order to reach any of the 11 outcomes, one must perform 10 throwings, divided
into 5 consecutive pairs. If a pair consists of two heads, then you must progress by +1.
If a pair consists of two tails, then you must recoil by -1. And finally, if a pair consists
of one head and one tail, then you are to stay put. In order to get a minimum of
accuracy, one should perform not less than 100 series of throwings.
c. Plot a diagram showing the probabilities that you got for the 11 events.
d. As you can see, if your results are accurate, the probability of getting from 0 to 5 is
very much like the one of getting from 0 to vx max. Draw the diagram for the
corresponding 11 steps distribution function.
e. What fraction of the helium atoms have the magnitude of the component of their
velocity along a given direction equal to at most 5% of the maximum possible value
of that component?
f. What fraction of the helium atoms have the magnitudes of all three velocity
components along each axis equal to at most 5% of the maximum possible value?
B. Now we will move to the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution function, which
describes the density probability for the speeds of the atoms. It is proportional to v2
exp(-v2/2RT).
g. What is the most probable value of the speed of the helium atoms? (Please take the
square root of 5 as being equal to 2.25.) What is the speed interval for the atoms with
speeds within a range of at most 11% of their most probable speed?
As you can see, the width of the found interval is practically equal to half the step of
the step function approximating the Gauss distribution in section A. In other words, if
we imagine a space of the velocities, having vx, vy and vz as its axes, then we want to
find out the fraction of helium atoms having velocities in a spherical shell with mean
radius equal to their most probable speed, and with thickness equal to half the step of
the staircase function approximating the bell curve.
Consequently, for any of the three velocity components of the atoms, we will use the
step function determined in section A, starting from half a step around the 0 value,

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and jumping left and right in half-steps. To begin with, we will restrict ourselves only
to the first octant of this spherical shell, corresponding to positive values of the
velocity components. We are interested in finding the possible combinations of values
of vx, vy and vz for which the quantity

vx2 + v y2 + vz2 lies inside the shell. We will call

such a combination a triplet.

h. What is the probability P of the triplet (0,0,0)?
In order to find the desired triplets, you should draw a two-dimensional table. The
rows of the table will correspond to the values of vx, starting from 0 and jumping in
half-steps of the staircase function in section A. The columns of the table will
correspond to the same values, but of vy. At the intersection of each row and column
you must write down all the values of vz that satisfy the condition mentioned above.
i. Write down a list of all the different triplets you found. By "different" we mean
that, when calculating the probability of a triplet, it doesn't matter the order of the
velocity components vx, vy and vz, i.e. you don't have to take into account the
permutations of these values (and not even the signs of these values).
Now, all you are left to do is to find out how many times does a certain triplet occur,
not only in the first octant of the spherical shell, but everywhere in the space of the
velocity components. When counting the occurrences of a triplet, please be careful
that there are some triplets which lie exactly on one of the axes vx, vy or vz, while there
are others which lie exactly in the plane determined by two of these axes. So in the list
you made you should add two more columns in which you should write the total
numbers of occurrences and the probability for each triplet. (When calculating the
probabilities for each triplet, stick to the first five decimal places.)
j. What fraction of the helium atoms ( = 4 g/mol) at room temperature (T = 300 K)
have speeds within a range of at most 11% of their most probable speed?

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Contestant code

ANSWER SHEET FOR PROBLEM No. 1

a.
[f]SI =

b.
vx max =

c. Plot here the probabilities diagram for the events -5 through +5 (it is not imperative
to make a scale drawing).

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d. Draw here an 11 steps staircase function which approximates the Gauss normal
distribution (it is not imperative to make a scale drawing).

e.
=

f.
=

g.
vp=

h.
P(0,0,0) =

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i. List all possible combinations of vx, vy and vz (without permutations and negative
signs) that result in a value of the speed within our range of interest. Then add the
number of occurrences and the probability for each triplet.

j.
=

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Romanian Master of Physics 2012

PROBLEM No. 2
The goals of this experimental task are:
- determining the constant of a diffraction grid
- determining the wavelength of a pointer laser with green light
- determining a specific characteristic of some "strange mirrors", made of a plastic
sheet with a reflective layer, and producing multiple reflected beams for an incident
beam
Experimental setup

On the bench you will find:

- a ruler-screen (A) for observing spots of light
- a T-shape ruler (B) serving as optical benchmark
- two laser pointers with red and green light respectively (the wavelength of the red
light is 650 nm)
- a wooden piece (C) supporting the diffraction grid
- a wooden piece (D) in which to insert the laser pointer
- a wooden piece (E) supporting two "strange mirrors", labeled 1 and 2
CAUTION
Be careful not to look directly into the laser beam and not to point the pointer toward
anyone! Do not touch the emitting end of the laser pointer, the diffraction grid or the
"strange mirrors", as you might make them to malfunction.

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Romanian Master of Physics 2012

You will have to observe positions of various spots on the ruler-screen and write
down the observed values within a 1 mm precision. When you insert the laser pointer
into piece D, the ON/OFF button will be automatically pressed and the pointer will
light.
Task no. 1
Place the diffraction grid at d1 = 30 cm and use red light.
1.a. Observe at least five spots on the ruler-screen and write down their positions.
1.b. Determine the constant of the diffraction grid and specify the magnitude of the
measuring error.
1.c. Change the distance to d2 = 90 cm and observe at least three spots on the ruler
screen, writing down their positions.
1.d. Determine the constant of the diffraction grid using these values and specify the
magnitude of the measuring error.
Task no. 2
Place the diffraction grid at d1 = 30 cm and use green light.
2.a. Observe at least five spots on the ruler screen and write down their positions.
2.b. Determine the wavelength of the green light and specify the magnitude of the
measuring error.
2.c. Change the distance to d2 = 90 cm and observe al least three spots on the ruler
screen, writing down their positions.
2.d. Determine the wavelength of the green light using these values and specify the
magnitude of the measuring error.
Task no. 3
Place the green laser pointer so that light reaches the screen after reflecting on the
"strange mirror" labeled 1.
3.a. Set up the system so that you can observe at least two spots and write down their
positions. Do measurements for at least three distances mirror-screen in the range 2540 cm.
3.b. Draw a diagram of your setup.
3.c. Using the data found determine the specific characteristic of "strange mirror" 1
that enables it to reflect one beam into multiple beams.
Place the green laser pointer so that light reaches the screen after reflecting on the
"strange mirror" labeled 2.
3.d. Set up the system so that you can observe at least two spots. Do a measurement
just as at point 3.a, for one distance in the range 25-40 cm.
3.e. Using the data found determine the specific characteristic of "strange mirror" 1
that enables it to reflect one beam into multiple beams.
Authors:
Dr. Delia Davidescu National Center for Assessment and Examination, Ministry of
Education, Research, Youth and Sports
Prof. Dr. Adrian Dafinei Faculty of Physics, Bucharest University

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ANSWER SHEET FOR PROBLEM No. 2

Task no. 1
a.1. Positions of at least five spots, for d1 = 30 cm.

a.2. The value of the constant of the diffraction grid and the magnitude of the
measurement error.

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a.3. Positions of at least three spots, for d2 = 90 cm.

a.4. The value of the constant of the diffraction grid and the magnitude of the
measurement error.

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Task no.2
a.1. Positions of at least five spots, for d1 = 30 cm.

a.2. The value of the wavelength of the green radiation and the magnitude of the
measurement error.

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a.3. Positions of at least three spots, for d2 = 90 cm.

a.4. The value of the wavelength of the green radiation and the magnitude of the
measurement error.

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Task no. 3
3.a. Positions of at least two spots for at least three distances mirror-screen in the
range 25-40 cm, for "strange mirror" 1.

3.b. Setup diagram

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3.c. The specific characteristic of "strange mirror" 1, which enables it to reflect a

beam into multiple beams.

3.d. Positions of at least two spots for one distance mirror-screen in the range 25-40
cm, for "strange mirror" 2.

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3.e. The specific characteristic of "strange mirror" 1, which enables it to reflect a

beam into multiple beams.

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