Indian National Physics Olympiad – 2019

Date: 03 February 2019 Roll Number: 1 9 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0

Time : 09:00-12:00 (3 hours) Maximum Marks: 75

Extra sheets attached : 0 Centre (e.g. Kota)

(Do not write below this line)
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Instructions
1. This booklet consists of 29 pages (excluding this page) and total of 7 questions.
2. This booklet is divided in two parts: Questions with Summary Answer Sheet and Detailed
Answer Sheet. Write roll number at the top wherever asked.
3. The final answer to each sub-question should be neatly written in the box provided below
each sub-question in the Questions & Summary Answer Sheet.
4. You are also required to show your detailed work for each question in a reasonably neat and coherent
way in the Detailed Answer Sheet. You must write the relevant Question Number(s) on each of
these pages.
5. Marks will be awarded on the basis of what you write on both the Summary Answer Sheet and the
Detailed Answer Sheet. Simple short answers and plots may be directly entered in the Summary
Answer Sheet. Marks may be deducted for absence of detailed work in questions involving longer
calculations. Strike out any rough work that you do not want to be considered for evaluation.
6. Adequate space has been provided in the answersheet for you to write/calculate your answers. In case
you need extra space to write, you may request additional blank sheets from the invigilator. Write
your roll number on the extra sheets and get them attached to your answersheet and indicate number

7.
8.
of extra sheets attached at the top of this page.

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Non-programmable scientific calculators are allowed. Mobile phones cannot be used as calculators.
Use blue or black pen to write answers. Pencil may be used for diagrams/graphs/sketches.
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9. This entire booklet must be returned at the end of the examination.

Question Marks Score

Table of Constants 1 9
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Speed of light in vacuum c 3.00 × 108 m·s−1

Planck’s constant h 6.63 × 10−34 J·s 2 11
~ h/2π
−2
Universal constant of Gravitation G 6.67 × 10−11 N·m2 ·kg 3 12
Magnitude of electron charge e 1.60 × 10−19 C
Rest mass of electron me 9.11 × 10−31 kg 4 7
Value of 1/4π0 9.00 × 109 N·m2 ·C−2
Avogadro’s number NA 6.022 ×1023 mol−1 5 9
Acceleration due to gravity g 9.81 m·s−2
Universal Gas Constant R 8.31 J· K−1 ·mol−1 6 14
R 0.0821 l·atm·mol−1 ·K−1
Permeability constant µ0 4π × 10−7 H·m−1 7 13

Total 75

HOMI BHABHA CENTRE FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
V. N. Purav Marg, Mankhurd, Mumbai, 400 088
INPhO 2019 Page 1 Questions & Summary Answers
1. In the lower part of the earth’s atmosphere, the temperature decreases with increase of height.
Choose the origin of the coordinate system at the ground level with the y- axis vertically upward
and the x-axis horizontal. We assume a linear decrease of temperature such that the temperature
at a height y from the ground level is

T (y) = T0 (1 − by)

where T0 is the temperature at the ground level. The constant b = 0.023 km−1 . We consider
the propagation of sound in the x-y plane. Ignore any attenuation, reflection, and diffraction of
sound.
(a) If v0 is the speed of sound at the ground level, obtain an expression for the speed of sound [1]
v(y) at height y, in terms of v0 and b.

v(y)=

(b) Suppose sound propagates from the origin with an initial angle θ0 with the x-axis. Obtain an [2]
expression for the angle θ made by the direction of propagation of sound with the horizontal
at height y, in terms of θ0 and b.

θ=

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(c) Obtain an expression for the x and y coordinates of a point on the path of propagation as [3]
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functions of θ.

x=
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y=

(d) For this part assume the direction of propagation of sound to be horizontal at the origin. For [3]
the case where y is of the order 100 m or less, obtain an approximated expression relating
x and y i.e. y(x). Obtain x for y = 2.00 m.

y(x) = Value of x =

Detailed answers can be found on page numbers:

2. Consider a particle of mass m confined to a one dimensional box of length L. The particle moves
in the box with momentum p colliding elastically with the walls. We consider the quantum
mechanics of this system. As far as possible, express your answers in terms of α = h2 /8m.
(a) At each energy state, the particle may be represented by a standing wave given by the de [1]
Broglie hypothesis. Express its wavelengths λdB in terms of L in the nth energy state.

λdB =
INPhO 2019 Page 2 Questions & Summary Answers Last four digits of Roll No.:
(b) Write the energy of the nth energy state, En . [1]

En =

(c) Let there be N (mass m) electrons in this box where N is an even number. Obtain the [2]
expression for the lowest possible total energy U0 of the system (e.g., the ground state energy
of this N -particle system). Neglect coulombic interaction between the electrons.

U0 =

(d) Express the total energy U1 in terms of U0 and relevant quantities when the system is in the [31/2]
first excited state. Also express the total energy U2 in terms of U0 and relevant quantities
when the system is in the second excited state.

U1 =

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U2 =

(e) When the system is in the ground state, let the length of the box change slowly from L to [1]
L − ∆L. Obtain the magnitude of the force F on each wall in terms of U0 , when ∆L  L.
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F =

(f) Assuming N is large (N  1) obtain the ratio r of dU0 /dN to the energy level of the highest [1]
occupied ground state.

r=

(g) We assume once again that N is large. Consider the possibility of the electrons forming a [11/2]
uniform continuum of length L with constant linear density. Using dimensional analysis,
calculate the gravitational energy of this system UG assuming that it depends on its total
mass, universal gravitational constant G and L. Equate this (attractive) energy to the
(repulsive) energy U0 (N ). Obtain L in terms of N and related quantities.

UG =

L=

Detailed answers can be found on page numbers:

INPhO 2019 Page 3 Questions & Summary Answers
3. A chain of length l and linear density λ hangs from a horizontal support with both ends A and
B fixed to a horizontal support as shown. The two fixed ends are close to each other. At time t
= 0 the end A is released. All vertical distances (x) are measured with respect to the horizontal
support with the downward direction taken as positive (A and B are initially at x = 0).

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(a) Obtain the momentum P of the center of mass of the system when the end A has fallen by
a distance x, in terms of x and speed ẋ.
[2]
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P =

(b) Assume that the end A is falling freely under gravity, i.e., ẍ = g. Obtain the tension T at [1]
the fixed end B just before the chain completes the fall and becomes entirely vertical.
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T =

Experimentally, the value of tension is found to be different from the above result. We adopt an
alternative approach assuming conservation of mechanical energy.
(c) Obtain the potential energy U (x) of the chain and plot it versus x. Take the potential [21/2]
energy of a point mass placed at the horizontal support to be zero.
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(d) Obtain the speed ẋ when the end A has fallen by a distance x. Assume that all sections of [21/2]
the falling (right side) part of the chain have the same speed.

ẋ =

(e) Hence obtain T (x) at B as a function of x and related quantities. You are advised to simplify [3]
your expression as far as possible.

T (x) =

(f) Qualitatively sketch T (x) versus x. [1]

T (x)

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x
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Detailed answers can be found on page numbers:

4. Consider a long narrow cylinder of cross section A filled with a compressible liquid up to height
ρ0  P (z)
h whose density ρ is a function of the pressure P (z) as ρ(z) = 1 + P0 where P0 and ρ0
2
are constants. The depth z is measured from the free surface of the liquid where the pressure is
equal to the atmospheric pressure (Patm ).

Patm

h
g

(a) Obtain the pressure (P (z)) as a function of z. Obtain the mass (M ) of liquid in the tube. [5]

P (z) =
INPhO 2019 Page 5 Questions & Summary Answers

M=

(b) Let Pi (z) be the pressure at z, if the liquid were incompressible with density ρ0 /2. Assuming [2]
that P0  ρ0 gz obtain an approximated expression for ∆P = P (z) − Pi (z).

∆P ≈

Detailed answers can be found on page numbers:

5. A pair of long parallel metallic rails of negligible resistance and separation w are placed horizon-
tally. A horizontal metal rod (dark thick line) of mass M and resistance R is placed perpendic-
ularly onto the rails at one end (as shown). A uniform magnetic field B exists perpendicular to
the plane of the paper (pointing into the page). One end of the rail track is connected to a key
(K) and a capacitor of capacitance C charged to voltage V0 . At t = 0 the key is closed. Neglect
friction and self inductance of the loop.

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(a) What is the final speed (vfinal ) attained by the rod? [6]

vfinal =

(b) Consider the ratio r of the maximum kinetic energy attained by the rod to the energy initially [2]
stored in the capacitor. What is rmax , the maximum possible value of r, by appropriately
choosing B?

rmax =

(c) Let M = 10.0 kg, w = 0.10 m, V0 = 1.00 × 104 V and a bank of capacitors ensures that C [1]
= 1.00 F. If r = rmax , calculate the value of vfinal .
vfinal (r = rmax ) =

Detailed answers can be found on page numbers:

INPhO 2019 Page 6 Questions & Summary Answers Last four digits of Roll No.:
6. Consider n moles of a monoatomic non-ideal (realistic) gas. Its equation of state may be described
by the van der Waal’s equation
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an2 V

P+ 2 − b = RT
V n

where a and b are positive constants and other symbols have their usual meanings. The internal
energy change of a realistic gas can be given by
dP
   
dU = CV dT + T − P dV
dT V

As indicated in the above expression, the derivative of pressure is taken at constant volume.
We take one mole of the gas (n = 1) through a Diesel cycle (ABCDA) as shown in the following
P -V diagram (diagram is not to scale). During the whole cycle assume that the molar heat
capacity at constant volume (CV ) remains constant at 3R/2. Path AB and CD are reversible
adiabats.

P
B
PB = PC C

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D

A
V
VB VC VA = VD
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(a) Obtain the temperature at B (TB ) in terms of temperature at A (TA ), VA , VB and constants [21/2]
only.

TB =

(b) Let temperature at A to be TA =100.00 K, VA = 8.00 l, VB = 1.00 l, VC = 2.00 l, a = 1.355 [11/2]

l2 ·atm/mol2 , and b = 0.0313 l/mol. Calculate the highest temperature reached during the
whole cycle.

Highest temperature =

(c) Calculate the efficiency η of the cycle. [3]

Value of η =

(d) Draw the corresponding T -S (entropy) and V -T diagram for the Diesel cycle. Wherever [7]
possible, mention the numerical values of T, V, and S on the diagrams.
INPhO 2019 Page 7 Questions & Summary Answers

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Detailed answers can be found on page numbers:

7. As shown, a magnet of mass m = 19.00g slides on a rough

non-magnetic metallic inclined plane which makes an angle θ
with the horizontal. One can change the angle of inclination
of the plane. Due to relative motion between the magnet
and the plane, eddy currents are generated inside the metal
which retard motion of the magnet.
Assume that the magnitude of the resistive force on the magnet is bv where b is a positive
constant and v is the instantaneous speed of the magnet. Let µ be the coefficient of kinetic
friction between the magnet and the plane.
(a) If the magnet starts moving from rest at time t = 0, obtain the expression of its terminal [2]
velocity VT . Also obtain the displacement S(t) along the inclined plane as a function of
INPhO 2019 Page 8 Questions & Summary Answers Last four digits of Roll No.:
time. Take S(0) = 0.

VT =

S(t) =

(b) For a fixed θ a student records S for all values of t as shown in the table below. Draw [4]
a suitable graph and obtain the terminal velocity VT of the magnet from this graph. For
this and the next part, three graph papers are provided with this booklet. No extra graph
papers will be provided.
t (s) S (m)
0.016 0.001
0.049 0.003
0.070 0.006
0.090 0.010
0.120 0.017
0.174 0.029
0.230 0.046

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0.270 0.058
0.320 0.074
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0.370 0.091

VT =

Graph is plotted on page no. : ____

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(c) The above process is repeated for various values of θ. The obtained values of terminal [7]
velocities for the different θ are given below.
θ (degree) VT (m/s)
19 0.15
24 0.23
28 0.29
35 0.40
40 0.46
45 0.53
48 0.58
52 0.62
Plot a suitable graph and obtain the values of b and µ from this graph.

b= µ=

Graph is plotted on page no. : ____

Detailed answers can be found on page numbers:

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