Singapore Junior Physics Olympiad 2018

General Round
Problem 1
Given V ( x) = V0 (1 − e−( x− x0 )/ )2 − V0
2
  x − x0  
V ( x)  V0 1 − 1 − − V0
  
Using series expansion,
 
V
V ( x)  02 ( x − x0 ) − V0
2

1 V
Consider  2 ( x − x0 )2 = 02 ( x − x0 )2
2 
2V
  2 = 02

2V
 4 2 f 2 = 02

1 2V0
 f =
2  2
ANSWER: D

Problem 2
In equilibrium at terminal speed vT , cvT = mg
mg
vT =
c
4 3
r g
= 3
c
3
4  0.110−3 
  (1000)(9.80)
3  2 
=
1.55 10−6
= 0.0033 m / s (2 s.f.)
vT = 3.3 mm / s
ANSWER: B
Problem 3
0.5 g In vertical equilibrium, T cos  = mg --- ○
1

Horizontally, by N2L, T sin  = ma = 0.5mg --- ○

2

T  Now (T sin  )2 + (T cos  )2 = (0.5mg )2 + (mg )2

T 2 = 1.25m2 g 2
T = 1.12mg (3 s.f.)
mg

ANSWER: B

Problem 4
Static friction.
ANSWER: A

Problem 5
1 1 
Since m  l + l + 0  = 3mlcm
2 2 
1
lcm = l
3
ANSWER: C

Problem 6
dy
To determine  , at (0.4, 0.4), = 5 x = 5(0.4) = 2.0
N T dx
 tan  = 2.0
60 1
 tan  = cot  = = 0.50 --- ○
1
2.0
 = 90 −  
(0.4, 0.4) Observe that T = mB g --- ○
2

In vertical equilibrium, T sin 60 + N sin  = mA g --- ○

3
mg In horizontal equilibrium, T cos 60 = N cos  --- ○
4

Solving, mB sin 60 + mB cos 60 tan  = mA

 mB = 3.58 kg (3 s.f.)

ANSWER: C
Problem 7
When it is about to slip, static friction f s = s N
In vertical equilibrium, N = mg
Since static friction provides centripetal force, mac = s N
1 g
 mac = mg  ac =
4 4
ANSWER: E

Problem 8
2 2
Note that = =
T 24  3600
Since gravitational force provides the centripetal force,
GM E m
We have 2
= mr 2
r
GM E
r=3 = 4.21107 m (3 s.f.)
 2

r − RE
Now = 5.6  6 (1 s.f.)
RE
ANSWER: D

Problem 9
2
Given I sphere = Ma 2
5
2
Then I octant = ma 2
5
ANSWER: B

Problem 10
Position should first increase at an increasing rate. Then it will increase at a constant rate.

ANSWER: E
Problem 11
Let T and C be the lengths of the trailer and car respectively
Start End V

35
T T

10
C C
C t time
Since 2C + T = shaded area
1
2(3.5) + 15.0 = (25)(t )
2
t = 1.76 s

ANSWER: B

Problem 12

Horizontally, T sin  = 600cos 60 --- ○

1

Vertically, T cos  + 600sin 60 = 1600 --- ○

2

Solving ○ 1 and ○
2 , T = 1121 N

ANSWER: A

Problem 13

Using v = u + at
120 = 70 + 6000t
1
t = h = 30 s
120

ANSWER: A
Problem 14
Before
2 m/s
relative speed of approach = 2 + 5 = 7 m / s
–5 m/s
5 kg
2 kg

After
vA m/s
relative speed of separation = vB − vA
vB m/s
5 kg
2 kg

Given e = 0.5
vB − vA
= 0.5
7
vB − vA = 3.5 --- ○
1

By conservation of linear momentum, 5vA + 2vB = 0 --- ○

2

Solving ○
1 and ○
2 , vA = −1 m / s and vB = 2.5 m / s

ANSWER: E

Problem 15
t 1
Let x =  dx = dt
T T
t = 0  x = 0

 t0
t = t0  x = T = 1
t0 t0 t − Tt
Now impulse =  F dt = F0  e dt
0 0 T
t0

= F0T  xe− x dx
T

  t  − t0 
= F0T 1 − 1 + 0  e T 
  T 
  1  1 
= F0  T 1 −  − t0   
  e  e 
ANSWER: E
Problem 16

v −u 0−6
Simply a = = = −0.33 m / s 2 (2 s.f.)
t 48 − 30

ANSWER: E

Problem 17
1
displacement = area under graph = (48)(6) = 144 m
2

ANSWER: C

Problem 18
Let the speed at B be v ms-1
1 2 1
Comparing A and B, by conservation of energy, mu − m(2.0)2 = mg (5)
2 2
u = 10.1 m / s
1
Vertically, 10 = u y t + gt 2
2
1
10 = (10.1sin 30)t + (9.80)t 2
2
4.90t + 5.05t − 10 = 0
2

−5.05  5.052 − 4(4.90)(−10)

Solving t= = 1.0034 s
2(4.90)

Horizontally, d = uxt = (10.1cos30)(1.0034)

d = uxt = 8.78 m
ANSWER: C

Problem 19
1
By conservation of energy, mgh = kx 2
2
1
120(9.80)(43) = (330) x 2
2
x = 17.5 m

∴ unstretched length = 43 – 17.5 = 25.5 m

ANSWER: C
Problem 20
Initial Final

20 m x

16 m x+4

Now md (20) + mb (16) = md ( x) + mb ( xd + 4)

200 + 640 = 10 x + (40 x + 160)
680
x= = 13.6 m
50
ANSWER: B

Problem 21
Experience with experiments tells us that a pendulum with length L ≈ 1 m has a period of
oscillation T ≈ 2 s. This can easily be verified via the equations
p of motion: using the small
amplitude approximation, the period of oscillation is T = 2π L/g, and the length of the given
pendulum is L = 0.994 m. However, this pendulum travels 2 m in one oscillation, such that the
oscillation amplitude is A = 0.5 m. The angular amplitude is therefore θ0 = A/L ≈ 1/2 rad ≈
30◦ . This means that when the oscillation amplitude is A = 1 m (corresponding to a distance
travelled of 4 m per oscillation), the small amplitude approximation is no longer accurate as the
angular amplitude is θ0 ≈ 60◦ ≈ 1 rad.
√
(To verify, simply check that θ0 − sin θ0 ≈ 1 − 3/2 is not small.)
Therefore, the oscillation of the pendulum is no longer simple harmonic when A = 1 m. The
period of oscillation then increases with amplitude, causing the period of oscillation to be
slightly greater than 2.000 s.
A NSWER : B
Follow-up: How much greater will thep amplitude of oscillation be? The exact period of a
simple pendulum is T = 4K(sin(θ0 /2)) L/g where K is the complete elliptic integral of the
first kind. Solving for L when A = θ0 L = 0.5 m and T = 2.000 s gives L = 0.8385 m. When
A = 1 m, the period of oscillation becomes 2.234 s, which is a non-trivial difference!
Problem 22
Ignoring radiative losses, the acceleration of the electron is given by
eE
a=
me
eEmax
=⇒ amax = = 1.756 × 1015 m s−2 .
me

Assuming that E varies sinusoidally, the electron exhibits simple harmonic motion, and the
amplitude xmax is given by
amax
xmax = where ω is the angular frequency of oscillation
ω2
1.756 × 1015 m s−2
=
(2π × 109 Hz)2
= 44.49 µm.

In one complete oscillation, the electron travels four times the length of the amplitude, so
distance travelled = 4xmax = 180 µm.

A NSWER : E
Follow-up: Why can we assume that radiative losses are negligible?
We can compare the average kinetic energy of the electron and the energy radiated by the elec-
tron in one period of oscillation. The average kinetic energy is hKi = Kmax /2 = me a2max /2ω 2 .
The maximum power radiated is given by the Larmor formula P = 2e2 a2max /3c3 . The energy
radiated by the electron over one period of oscillation is at most E = 2πP/ω = 4πe2 a2max /3ωc3 .
Comparing values, hKi/E ≈ 1022 , i.e. the energy lost to radiation is negligible.

Problem 23
By Gauss’ Law, the force experienced by the electron when it is a distance r away from the
center of the sphere is F = (−e)(qenc )/4πε0 r2 where qenc = (r3 /a3 )(+e) is the charged
enclosed by the sphere of radius r. Then,
e2
F =− r.
4πε0 a3

This is the equation for simple harmonic motion, with angular frequency
s
e2 1
ω= 3
.
4πε0 a me

The electron oscillates simple harmonically about the center of the sphere. The electron returns
to its original position after a time T = 2π/ω. For the electron to just reach the center of the
sphere, the electron only traverses a quarter of a cycle, taking time T /4 = π/2ω.
Evaluating, the time taken is 3.8 × 10−17 s. Recall that 1 fs = 10−15 s.
A NSWER : A
Problem 24
This is not the equation of a simple harmonic oscillator, which generally takes the form of a
single sinusoid. There is no way to rewrite y = 2.0 cos(3.5t) sin(3.7t) as a single sinusoid.
ANSWER: D
Follow-up: Using calculus, it is immediately apparent that this is not a simple harmonic oscil-
lator, as such oscillators must satisfy ÿ = −ω 2 y for some real constant ω.

Problem 25
We can re-write this simple harmonic oscillator as

y = 3.0 cos(3.6t) sin(3.6t)

= 1.5 sin(7.2t), using the double angle formula.

The angular frequency of this oscillator is ω = 7.2 rad s−1 , so the frequency is ω/2π = 1.1 Hz.
A NSWER : C

Overview of Waves
A wave is, in general, described by the general form y = f (kx − ωt) where k is the wavenum-
ber, λ = 2π/|k| is the wavelength, ω is the angular frequency, and T = 2π/|ω| is the period of
oscillation. The phase velocity of the wave is v = |ω/k| = λ/T .
We often see waves where the function f is a sinusoid. We say that kx − ωt is the phase at a
given position and time. Then the coefficient of x is the wavenumber and the coefficient of t
is the angular frequency, such that a point on the wave has the same phase as another point λ
away, and the oscillations at a given position have period T . Recall that sinusoids have period
2π, so a 2π difference in phase does not result in a change in displacement y.
Note that k and ω can have the same, or the opposite sign. When ω/k > 0, the wave travels in
the positive x-direction; when ω/k < 0 the wave travels in the negative x-direction.
Waves can undergo superposition. The sum of two waves is also a wave, and the wave has two
components of frequency and wavenumber, given by the ω and k of each constituent wave.

Problem 26
Here, k = 1.5, so λ = 2π/k = 4.2 m.
A NSWER : E
Problem 27
Here, k and ω have opposite sign, so the wave travels in the negative x-direction. Note that the
direction of displacement (y) is perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave (x).
This is a key feature of transverse waves.
ANSWER: B

Problem 28 (This question had a missing equation in the competition so was ignored for
marking)

Note that the equation still takes the form y = f (kx − ωt), so this is still a wave. In fact, this
wave has two components, which we can find using the reverse factor formulae.
Alternatively, we can see this wave as a series of “beats”. The carrier frequency of the beat is
the difference in ω divided by 2, while the envelope frequency is the average of ω. This wave is
hence made up of two waves with angular frequencies ω1 = 3.96 and ω2 = 3.24. These are very
similar frequencies.
Both waves have the same speed, given by ω/k = 3.6/1.6 m s−1 = 0.36/0.15 m s−1.
ANSWER: A
Problem 29
This is a wave with k = 1.5 m−1 and ω = −3.6 s−1. As before, we calculate the phase velocity |
ω/k| = 3.6/1.5 m s−1 = 2.4 m s−1.
ANSWER: B

Problem 30
The incoming wave has velocity v = λ/T = 0.53 m s−1 and period T = 6.4 s. Therefore, the
wavelength of the wave is λ = vT = 3.392 m.
The superposition of a wave and its reflection forms a standing wave. The inter-node distance
is λ/2 for standing waves. The distance from the wall to its nearest node is the distance from an
antinode to the next node, i.e. λ/4 = 0.85 m.
ANSWER: C
Follow-up: In fact, water waves are not so simple! In shallow water, we observe that the water
wave travels at speed |ω/k|, but in deep water, we will instead observe that the water wave
travels at speed |ω/2k| due to a phenomenon known as dispersion.
Problem 31
An electron in a uniform electric field experiences a constant force in a fixed direction. Just as
a point mass travelling under the influence of gravity (a constant downward force) travels in a
parabola, the electron also travels in a parabola.
To determine whether the electron hits the second plate, we need to calculate the amount of
energy required for the electron to reach the second plate. Note that the electron has initial
kinetic energy 1.5 eV and potential energy −1 eV. As the electron has initially travels at 45◦
to the horizontal, the electron has cos2 (45◦ ) = 1/2 its kinetic energy due to motion in the
horizontal direction. As the electric force is in the vertical direction, the electron’s horizontal
velocity is unchanged. Hence, its minimum kinetic energy is 0.75 eV.
The energy of the electron must be at least (0 + 0.75) = 0.75 eV for it to hit the second plate.
However, the electron only has initial kinetic energy 0.5 eV. Therefore, the electron does not
hit the second plate, instead returning to the plate where it started.
A NSWER : A

Problem 32
Even though the proton travels upwards, it experiences a downward force due to gravity. It also
experiences a downward electric force. The net force acting on the proton is then mg + qE =
1.6 × 10−26 N downwards.
A NSWER : E
Follow-up: The forces are tiny, and are unlikely to be measurable in reality.

Problem 33
First, we can neglect the gravitational force between P and Q because gravity is generally weak
relative to electromagnetism.
We can only tell that P & Q are like charges because they repel. We cannot conclude that they
are both positively charged.

By Newton’s 3rd Law, we know that the electric force acting on P must always be equal and
opposite to the electric force acting on Q (since they are an action-reaction pair). If the mass
on P is equal to the mass on Q, the angles a and b must be equal even if the charge on P is
very different from the charge on Q since the forces acting on P and Q are the same despite the
disparity in charge.
Hence, P and Q must have different masses. Intuitively, P must have a smaller mass relative to
Q. (Consider the case where Q is infinitely massive. Then the angle b is zero, smaller than a.)
This can also be shown via a detailed force balance analysis.
A NSWER : C
Problem 34

By the principle of superposition, we can calculate the force on the proton at X via a sum of
simpler configurations.
The first configuration leads to a net force of zero.
The second configuration (with a negative charge −e above X) leads to an upwards force of
magnitude e2 /4πε0 r2 = 2.3 × 10−10 N, where r = 1 nm.
A NSWER : A
Follow-up: The electrostatic forces are tiny, but the gravitational forces will be even smaller.

Problem 35
The electric force is a conservative force, so there is an associated potential at every point in
space. Electrical potential energy is therefore path-independent and velocity-independent.
The potential energy is not simply the difference in forces acting on the proton, however; it
is the work done by an external force on the sixth proton as it is brought to the center of the
pentagon from infinity without a change in kinetic energy, and this work is clearly non-zero.
From the principle of superposition, the energy of this sixth proton is the sum of the five inter-
action energies with each of the other protons.
A NSWER : D

Problem 36
At the distance of closest approach, both protons have zero speed. By the conservation of
energy,
initial total energy = total energy at closest approach
1 e2
2 × mp u2 + 0 = 0 + .
2 4πε0 r

Hence,
e2
r= ,
4πε0 mp u2
i.e. r = 1.5 × 10−12 m.
A NSWER : B
Problem 37
At the distance of closest approach, both protons must have the same speed. By the conserva-
tion of momentum,
initial total momentum = momentum at any point in time
mp u = mp u1 + mp u2 where u1 , u2 are the velocities of the protons
u = u1 + u2 .
Therefore, at the distance of closest approach, u1 = u2 = u/2.
By the conservation of energy,
initial total energy = total energy at closest approach
1 2 1  u 2 e2
mp u + 0 = 2 × mp + .
2 2 2 4πε0 r

Hence,
e2
r= ,
πε0 mp u2
i.e. r = 1.5 × 10−12 m.
A NSWER : B
Follow-up (1): Why must both protons have the same speed at the distance of closest approach?
If the protons have different speeds, then each proton has a non-zero speed relative to the
other. At that instant in time, therefore, the relative distance between the protons is changing.
When the protons are at closest approach, however, the relative distance between the protons is
momentarily not changing. This can only occur if the protons have zero relative speed, i.e. if
they have the same speed in the lab’s frame of reference.
Follow-up (2): This problem is, in fact, identical to problem 36. The frame of problem 37
moves at a velocity of 3×106 m s−1 relative to the frame of problem 36. Lengths are unchanged,
so the distance of closest approach is unchanged as well.
Problem 38
In this scenario, we say that the impact parameter b = 10 µm. Note that the mass of the proton
is ≈ 1836 times the mass of the electron, so the motion of the proton is negligible. (This does
not mean that the speed of the electron is constant by the conservation of momentum, however.
On the contrary, the proton is able to “absorb” relatively large changes in the speed of the
electron with negligible changes in the proton’s speed. This does mean that we can ignore the
kinetic energy of the proton, since K = p2 /2m is small for large m.)
Let r⊥ be the distance of the electron from the proton normal to the velocity of the electron,
and let v be the velocity of the electron. The electrostatic force is a central force, so angular
momentum is conserved:

initial angular momentum = angular momentum at any other time

me bu = me r⊥ v.

Let r be the absolute distance of the electron from the proton. By the conservation of energy,

initial total energy = energy at any other time

1 1 e2
me u2 + 0 = me v 2 − .
2 2 4πε0 r

At the distance of closest approach, the velocity of the election is normal to the line connecting
the electron and the proton, such that the radial component of velocity is zero. This means that
r⊥ = r. Solving,
 2 !
1 2 bu e2
me u − =− ,
2 r 4πε0 r

i.e. r = 10 µm. (note that the electrostatic force is negligible given the parameters but in
general they should get closer than without the electrostatic force)
ANSWER: C

Problem 39
The electron moves counterclockwise in the uniform magnetic field. As the magnetic force
is perpendicular to the electron’s velocity, the magnetic force does no work on the electron.
Hence, the sum of kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy remains constant.
As a result, the kinetic energy of the electron is lower in the upper half of the circular path than
in the lower half. Hence, the velocity of the electron is lower in the upper half of the circular
path than in the lower half. From Newton’s Second Law, mv2/r = qvB0, so r ∝ v. The radius
of curvature of the electron’s trajectory is smaller in the upper half than in the lower half. In the
upper half of the trajectory, the electron is moving to the left, whereas in the lower half of the
trajectory, the electron is moving to the right. Hence, the circular path of the electron drifts
rightward, and the electron will be displaced to the right.
ANSWER: B
Problem 40
For circular motion in a magnetic field, Newton’s Second Law gives
v2
m = qvB
r
mv
r= .
qB

Using 12 mv 2 = 2.4 × 10−17 J, we get r = 41.33 µm.

√
By geometry, the maximum distance achieved is r(1 + 1/ 2) = 0.071 mm.
A NSWER : D

Problem 41
When I = 20 mA, the potential difference across the two LEDs is 2×(I ×RLED +Vth ) = 4.4 V.
Then, the potential difference across the resistor R is 6.0 − 4.4 = 1.6 V. Using Ohm’s Law,
R = V /I = 80 Ω.
A NSWER : E

Problem 42
When the two bulbs are connected in series to 240 V, each bulb has a potential difference of
120 V. As this is within the rated voltage, the bulb draws 12 W of power. As P = IV , the
current through one bulb is 12/120 = 0.10 A. By Kirchoff’s current law, the current in the
circuit is also 0.10 A.
A NSWER : D

Problem 43
The terminal pd of the battery is V = E − Ir = 1.6125 V. The resistance of the wire is
R = V /I = 6.45 Ω. The resistivity ρ is given by ρ = RA/l = Rπd2 /4l = 9.1 × 10−6 Ω m.
A NSWER : D
Problem 44
Recall that the impedances of a capacitor, resistor and inductor are 1/ωC, R and ωL respec-
tively.
The current amplitude I0 depends on the voltage amplitude V0 via I0 = V0 /Z. Since V0 = 1.0 V
and I0 = 1.0 V in all three one-component setups, we have 1/ωC = R = ωL = 1.0 Ω.
p
When connected in series, the total impedance is Z = R2 + (ωL − 1/ωC)2 = 1.0 Ω. There-
fore, the current amplitude is 1.0 V/Z = 1.0 A.
ANSWER: C

Problem 45
We define areas consistently using the right hand rule. The terminals of the battery can be
considered as one area, such that the orientations of the positive and negative terminals are
opposite to each other’s.

Therefore, the electric current I through the negative terminal alone has a different sign as that
through the positive terminal. This current is, by Ohm’s Law, |I| = V /R = 1 A. Note that the
current through the positive terminal is defined to be positive based on the options provided, so
we orient our areas accordingly. Correspondingly, the current through the negative terminal is
negative.
The amount of charge leaving the battery is the same as the amount of charge entering the
battery, so the current through the surface of the battery is 0. This is an expression of the
conservation of charge for a steady-state circuit.
A NSWER : A

Problem 46
Magnetic fields are concentrated in ferromagnetic materials, so O has the strongest magnetic
flux density. N and S, by symmetry, have equal magnetic flux density, higher than the magnetic
flux density outside the magnet at P and Q. R has the smallest magnetic flux density as it is
closest to the lateral surface of the magnet. Note that choices B and D are the same.
ANSWER: C

Problem 47
Let J be the heat flux through the heat c onductor, generated by the heat p ump. Let I be the
current passing through the heat pump. Then, at steady state, the heat flux g enerated b y the
heat pump must balance two other sources of heat flux in the opposite direction:

• conduction due to the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides, given by
Fourier’s law; and

• heat dissipated via Joule heating. This heat is dissipated within the heat pump, so the
heat pump must remove resistive heat as well. For simplicity, we can think of resistive
heat being generated within the conductor. Then, the heat pump must also remove this
excess heat from the conductor at the same rate as it is generated to preserve steady-state
conditions in the conductor.

Combining Fourier’s law with Joule heating, J = kA Thot −T

d
cold
+ I 2 R.
The power available to the heat pump is P = IVpump = I(V − IR). The amount of heat flux
generated by the heat pump is then given by the coefficient of performance of the heat pump.
By definition, COP = J/P .
Classically, COP = QWhot = QhotQ−Q
hot
cold
. The maximum possible coefficient of performance is
given by the Carnot efficiency COP = ThotT−T hot
cold
.
Therefore,
Thot Thot − Tcold
IV − I 2 R = kA + I 2R


Thot − Tcold d
kA
=⇒ (Thot − Tcold )2 + I 2 R(Thot − Tcold ) − Thot (IV − I 2 R) = 0.
d
This is a quadratic equation in Thot −Tcold . We can solve for the temperature difference in terms
of the current, before seeking to maximize the temperature difference. Note that Thot − Tcold
must, by definition, be positive, so we select the positive solution.
r !
I 2 Rd kAThot IV − I 2 R
Thot − Tcold = 1+4 −1
2kA d I 4 R2

Motivated by the maximum power transfer theorem, we guess that

V
I=
2R
since this is the current which maximizes the power transferred to the pump. We then obtain
Thot − Tcold = 86.6 K. Therefore, options A to D are definitely attainable.
Option E appears to be too large, and we can verify this by re-writing the quadratic equation in
Thot − Tcold as a quadratic equation in I instead, before substituting the value Thot − Tcold =
160 K. In particular,
kA
(2Thot − Tcold )RI 2 − Thot V I + (Thot − Tcold )2 = 0.
d
A simple check shows that the determinant is negative, and there is no solution for I which will
generate a 160 K temperature difference.
Hence, the maximum attainable temperature difference is approximately 80 K.
A NSWER : D
Follow-up: The maximum value of the expression for Thot − Tcold is in fact 89.0 K, attained
when I = 2.40 A. Note that the optimal current is less than the current which delivers maxi-
mum power to the heat pump because current also contributes to Joule heating, in turn reducing
the efficacy of the r efrigerator. Alternatively, we can find the maximum value of Th ot − Tcold
which gives a non-negative determinant in the quadratic equation for I. We find that the deter-
minant becomes zero when Thot − Tcold = 89.0 K, agreeing with our previous result.

Problem 48
A NSWER : A

Problem 49
We know ∆U = Q + W where Q = heat transferred to the system and W = work done on the
system. Since it is a refrigerator, the cycle goes as (i)->(ii) ->(iii)->(iv) -> (i).
In processes (i) and (iii), ∆U = 0 as there is no change in temperature. In (i), W > 0 so Q < 0;
correspondingly, Q > 0 in (iii).
In processes (ii) and (iii), W = 0 as there is no change in volume. In (ii), ∆U < 0 as the
temperature has fallen, so Q < 0; correspondingly, Q > 0 in (iv).
Heat flows out of the gas when Q < 0.
ANSWER: E

Problem 50
All three of the Gold Bars could be the original Gold Bar.
After the first m easurement, w e k now t hat t he t rue m ass o f t he G old B ar l ies i n t he range
[0.993, 1.003] kg.
Gold Bar a has true mass in the range [0.986, 0.996] kg, Gold Bar b has true mass in the range
[0.997, 1.007] kg, and Gold Bar c has true mass in the range [1.000, 1.010] kg. All three Gold
Bars have mass ranges that overlap with the original mass range, so it is possible for any of the
three Gold Bars to be the original one.
A NSWER : E