Singapore Physics League: Sample Problems

Problem 1: Accelerating Car (4 points)

A car moves forward with uniform acceleration. At some point during its journey, the
car covers a distance of s1 = 6 m within a time interval t1 = 3 s. In the next t2 = 2 s
right after that, it travels a distance s2 = 24 m. What is the car’s acceleration?
Leave your answer in 2 significant figures in units of m s−2 .

Solution: Let the acceleration of the car be a, and its initial velocity at the start of
the t1 time interval be v0 . Using standard kinematics equations, we can obtain an
expression for s1 in terms of v0 and a:
1
s1 = v0 t1 + at21
2
Bearing in mind that the car’s velocity at the start of the t2 time interval is v0 + at1
(due to its acceleration during the t1 time interval), we can determine s2 :
1
s2 = (v0 + at1 )t2 + at22
2
Solving both equations simultaneously for a gives:
2(s2 t1 − s1 t2 )
a= = 4.0 m s−2
t1 t2 (t1 + t2 )

Setter: Christopher Ong, [email protected]

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

Problem 2: Minecraft Physics (4 points)

In Minecraft, one bucket of lava occupies the volume of one block. Assuming that
Minecraft developers want the game to be physically accurate, what is the maximum
number of ice blocks n that one bucket of lava should be able to melt?
Take the density of ice to be ρi = 917 kg m−3 , the initial temperature of the ice to be
0◦ C, the specific latent heat of fusion of ice to be L = 3.34 × 103 J kg−1 , the density
of lava to be ρl = 3100 kg m−3 , the initial temperature of the lava to be T0 = 1200 K,
and the specific heat capacity of lava to be c = 840 J kg−1 K−1 . You may assume
that lava solidifies at T1 = 900 K, and makes no thermal contact with the ice upon
solidification.
Leave your answer as an exact value.

Solution: Let the volume of one Minecraft block be V . One bucket of lava has a mass
of m = ρl V . The thermal energy Qlava that can be extracted from one bucket of lava
before it solidifies is given by:

Qlava = mc(T0 − T1 ) = ρl V c(T0 − T1 )

This energy is transferred to the ice. If the goal is to melt as many ice blocks as
possible, all of the energy should be used purely for melting the ice. None of the
energy should be used in raising the temperature of the water that results from the
ice melting. Consequently, the heat capacity of water need not be accounted for. The
heat capacity of ice is also not required, since the ice started out at its melting point
0◦ C.
Let n be the maximum number of ice blocks melted. Then the mass of melted ice
M = ρi nV . Using the specific latent heat of fusion of ice, the energy required to melt
the ice Qice can be determined:

Qice = M L = ρi nV L

Since this energy is supplied by the bucket of lava, we can write Qlava = Qice :

ρl V c(T0 − T1 ) = ρi nV L
ρl c(T0 − T1 )
∴n= ≈ 255.1
ρi L
The maximum number of blocks that can be melted has to be an integer, so we round
down to obtain n = 255.
Setter: Christopher Ong, [email protected]

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

Problem 3: Hanging Stick (4 points)

A long uniform rod of mass M = 1.0 kg is held horizontal by two strings, attached to
the rod at points positioned symmetrically on both sides from the rod’s centre with
distance l = 0.30 m apart. Both strings are taut and vertical, with their top ends fixed
in place. A block of mass m = 0.25 kg initially rests on the rod’s centre. It is then
slowly moved towards the right. When the block reaches distance x from the rod’s
centre, one of the strings begins to slacken. Find x.
Leave your answer in 2 significant figures in units of m.

Solution: Let the tension in the left string be T1 , and the tension in the right string be
T2 . Both of these string tensions pull upward on the rod. The rod also experiences its
own weight M g downwards, as well as the weight of the block mg. Balancing forces
on the rod in the vertical direction:

T1 + T2 = (M + m)g

Balancing torque on the rod about its centre when the block is at position x:
l l
T1 + mgx = T2
2 2
This gives us expressions for T1 and T2 :
g x
!
T1 = m + M − 2m
2 l!
g x
T2 = m + M + 2m
2 l
It can be seen that when x is raised to a certain value, T1 will become zero, indicating
the point at which the left string slackens. In contrast, T2 always remains positive, so
the right string is taut at all times.

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

To find this special value of x that results in slackening of the left string, we set T1 = 0,
which yields:
l M
!
x= 1+ = 0.75 m
2 m

Setter: Christopher Ong, [email protected]

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

Problem 4: Inefficient Battery (3 points)

For a voltage supply powering a load, the efficiency of the supply is defined as the
ratio of power delivered to the load to the power provided by the supply.
A battery is connected to a load resistor R = 2.0 Ω. Due to substantial internal
resistance r present in the battery, the battery’s efficiency is η = 0.20. Find the
battery’s internal resistance r.
Leave your answer in 2 significant figures in units of Ω.

Solution: Let the emf of the battery be ε. The total resistance of the circuit is given
by R + r. By Ohm’s Law, we can determine the current I through the circuit:
ε
I=
R+r
We can then find the total power supplied by the battery Pbattery , and the power
supplied to the load Pload :

ε2
Pbattery = εI =
R+r
ε2 R
Pload = I 2R =
(R + r)2
The efficiency η can be expressed in terms of R and r:
Pload R
η= =
Pbattery R+r
 
1
With this, we can determine r = η − 1 R = 8.0 Ω.
Setter: Christopher Ong, [email protected]

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

Problem 5: Weightless Traveller (5 points)

An intergalactic space traveller discovers a uniform spherical planet. Like the Earth,
this planet rotates about its polar axis at a constant rate. A day on this planet
is T = 6.00 hours long. When the traveller tries to measure the free-fall accelera-
tion at the poles gp and along the equator ge on the planet’s surface, he finds that
gp = 10.0 m s−2 and ge = 8.00 m s−2 . The traveller now stands at a point on the equa-
tor. Determine the minimum speed at which the traveller needs to run, relative to the
planet’s surface, so that he is essentially weightless.
Leave your answer in 3 significant figures in units of m s−1 .

Solution: Let us take on the inertial reference frame, and denote the traveller’s angular
velocity as ω.
When the traveller is at one of the poles, he is not in circular motion, so the measured
gp is the actual gravitational field strength at the planet’s surface.
On the equator, there is now a centripetal force required for his circular motion, so
the measured g = gp − Rω 2 . Also note that when the traveller tries to measure g, he
travels along with the planet’s surface. So his ω simply equals the angular velocity of
the planet ω = 2π
T :
!2
2 2π
ge = gp − Rω = gp − R
T

We can thus express R in terms of the given quantities:

T2
R = 2 (gp − ge )
4π

For the traveller to feel weightless, the traveller must move at a certain angular velocity
ω (different from the planet’s angular velocity) such that measured g = 0:
gp − Rω 2 = 0
gp
s
∴ω=
R
This ω value is viewed in the inertial reference frame, and not the planet’s reference
frame. As such, his required speed v relative to the planet is given by:
2π
!
v = Rω − R
T 
v
T u gp
= (gp − ge ) t − 1
u
2π gp − ge

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems
 
noting that R 2π T is the velocity of the planet’s surface, while Rω is the traveller’s
velocity, both taken relative to our inertial reference frame. Substituting the relevant
values, we obtain v ≈ 8500 m s−1 .
To be precise, v represents the required component of velocity directed along the
planet’s equator for weightlessness. As such, in the case of minimum speed, the
traveller’s velocity vector should purely be in the equatorial direction, which gives
a minimum speed of 8500 m s−1 . If his velocity had secondary components in the
radial or polar directions, he would require a slightly higher speed to achieve the same
component of velocity along the equator.
Setter: Christopher Ong, [email protected]

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

Problem 6: Damped Pendulums (4 points)

Two pendulums with equal lengths are set up. The bobs have identical shapes and
sizes, but are made of different materials. The densities of the bobs in pendulums 1 and
2 are ρ1 = 3000 kg m−3 and ρ2 = 7500 kg m−3 respectively. They are displaced by the
same small angle θ0 = 5.00◦ from the vertical, and released from rest simultaneously.
Due to damping, the amplitude of oscillations decrease over time. By the time the am-
plitude of pendulum 1 has dropped to 12 θ0 = 2.50◦ , what is the amplitude of pendulum
2? You may assume that the magnitude of the damping force is directly proportional
to the velocity of the bob.
Leave your answer in 3 significant figures.

Solution: The pendulums are damped harmonic oscillators. As such, their amplitudes
decay exponentially. We may express the amplitude of pendulum n, θn , as a function
of time elapsed t as follows:
b
θn (t) = θ0 e− mn t

where b is the damping coefficient, and mn is the mass of the bob in pendulum n.
Let the time taken for the amplitude of pendulum 1 to be halved be T . We can write
θ1 (T ) = 12 θ0 , which enables us to express b in terms of other quantities:
bT 1
θ0 e− m1 = θ0
2
m1
∴b= ln 2
T
With the expression for b, we can now determine θ2 (T ):
bT m1
θ2 (T ) = θ0 e− m2 = 2− m2 θ0

Since the two bobs have identical shapes and sizes, they also have the same volume,
m1
which means that the ratio m2
= ρρ12 . As such, we can calculate the value of θ2 (T ):
ρ1
θ2 (T ) = 2− ρ2 θ0 ≈ 3.79◦

Setter: Brian Siew, [email protected]

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

Problem 7: 1 + 1 > 2 (3 points)

Two particles, each of rest mass m0 , are travelling at a velocity of v = 0.500c towards
each other. They collide head-on and stick together. Find the ratio of their combined
rest mass before the collision to their combined rest mass after the collision.
Leave your answer in 3 significant figures.

Solution: We opt for a conservation-of-energy approach. Since we are operating in the

relativistic regime, we can write an expression for the initial total energy Ui :

Ui = 2γm0 c2

Let the final combined rest mass of the two particles be M . Due to the symmetry of
the setup, plus the fact that the two particles stick together, they must be stationary
after the collision. Hence, the final energy Uf is:

Uf = M c2

Now invoking the law of conservation of energy:

Ui = Uf
2γm0 = M
2m0
The ratio required by the question is M , which can be calculated:
v
2m0 1 u v2
u
= = 1 − 2 ≈ 0.866
t
M γ c

Setter: Brian Siew, [email protected]

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

Problem 8: Cubic Potential (4 points)

For a cube with uniform charge density ρ = 1.4 C m−3 and side length x = 2.3 cm,
calculate the ratio of the electric potential at its corner to the electric potential at its
centre.
Leave your answer in 2 significant figures.

ρx2
Solution: From dimensional analysis, ε0 has the same units as electric potential.
2 2
Hence, we let the potential at the centre and the corner be a ρx ρx
ε0 and b ε0 respectively,
where a and b are dimensionless constants.
Notice that the cube can be divided into 8 smaller cubes, each of side length x2 .
By principle of superposition, the potential at the original larger cube’s centre is
simply 8 times the potential at the corner of one of the smaller cubes. Expressing this
mathematically, we have:
 2
ρx2 ρ x2
a = 8b
ε0 ε0
ρx2
= 2b
ε0
b
Thus, a = 2b and the required ratio a = 0.50.
Setter: Brian Siew, [email protected]

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

Problem 9: My Abang, Usain (4 points)

A loudspeaker is calibrated to emit a pitch at a frequency of ν = 442 Hz. Usain
wishes to play with the loudspeaker. First, he mounts the loudspeaker on a car, and
sets the car to recede away at u = 10.4 m s−1 , while he stands still. He notices that
the frequency of the sound he hears changes to ν1 . Next, to prove that he is indeed
a world-class sprinter, he stops the car, and starts to run away from it at the same
speed u. This time, he also notes down the frequency he hears ν2 . Calculate |ν1 − ν2 |.
Leave your answer in 3 significant figures in units of Hz.

Solution: This question investigates the Doppler effect. Consider the source of the
sound as pumping out pulses at a frequency ν.
In scenario 1, Usain perceives the sound frequency to be ν1 = uL0 where u0 = 340 m s−1
is the speed of sound in air and L is the distance between pulses. To find L, consider 2
consecutive pulses. A time interval ν1 elapses between them, and in this time the first
pulse has travelled uν0 towards Usain, while the car has travelled uν away from Usain.
Hence, L = u+u ν . Therefore:
0

u0 u0
ν1 = 
u+u0
 =ν
ν
u + u0
u0 −u u0
In scenario 2, Usain perceives the sound frequency to be ν2 = L , where L = ν
(since the loudspeaker is stationary). Therefore:
u0 − u u0 − u
ν2 = 
u0
 =ν
ν
u0

The required difference in frequencies is thus:

u0 u0 − u
!
|ν1 − ν2 | = ν − ≈ 0.401 Hz
u + u0 u0

Setter: Brian Siew, [email protected]

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

Problem 10: Shooting a Block (5 points)

A block of mass M = 50 g is placed on a plane inclined at an angle θ = 25◦ from the
horizontal. It is prevented from sliding down the plane by a stopper. From below, a
soldier takes aim at the block, aligning his rifle parallel to the plane. He fires a bullet of
mass m = 3 g into the block, impacting it at a speed v = 960 m s−1 . The bullet lodges
into the block in an essentially instantaneous collision. Given that the coefficient of
friction (both static and kinetic) between the block and the plane is µ = 0.35, find the
time taken for the block to return to the stopper.
If you think that the block never returns, enter 0 as the answer.
Leave your answer in 2 significant figures in units of s.

Solution: First, we find the speed of the block-bullet system immediately after collision,
V , by conserving momentum:
mv = (M + m)V
m
∴V = v
m+M
The block-bullet system then travels up the slope, decelerating due to friction and
gravity, eventually coming to a stop. This deceleration is given by (g sin θ + µg cos θ).
Using kinematics equations, the time tup taken for this whole process is:
V
tup =
g sin θ + µg cos θ
The distance x travelled along the slope in the process is:
V2
x=
2(g sin θ + µg cos θ)
Now, the block only slides back down if the force down the slope due to gravity exceeds
the maximum possible static friction. This condition can be expressed mathematically:
g sin θ > µg cos θ
∴ µ < tan θ
Plugging in the values given in the question, we find that the condition is indeed
satisfied. We may thus calculate the time taken for the block to slide back down,
tdown . Note here that gravity still points down the slope but friction now points up
the slope, so the acceleration of the block is given by (g sin θ − µg cos θ). Again, using
the relevant kinematics equations:
v v
u
u 2x Vu
u 1
tdown = t = t 2
g sin θ − µg cos θ g sin θ − µ2 cos2 θ

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

The total time taken t for the whole process is thus:

 v 
mv 1 u
u 1
t = tup + tdown =  +t 2 
(m + M )g sin θ + µ cos θ sin θ − µ2 cos2 θ

Substituting the given constants yields the final answer t ≈ 27 s.

Setter: Brian Siew, [email protected]

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

Problem 11: Mysterious Process (5 points)

Monatomic ideal gas was heated in a reversible process for which the molar heat
capacity c = 4R, where R is the molar gas constant. Over this process, the volume of
the gas was doubled. By what factor did the gas pressure change?
Leave your answer in 3 significant figures.

Solution: Consider the differential form of the first law of thermodynamics:

dU = dQ − p dV

The terms dU and dQ can be re-expressed. For a monatomic gas, since cv = 32 R, we

can write dU = 23 nR dT . Additionally, by definition, the molar heat capacity of a gas
c = n1 dQ
dT , so we can express dQ = 4nR dT . Substituting these back into the first law:

5
p dV = nR dT
2
which may be re-expressed using the ideal gas equation in order to eliminate p, forming
an equation in T and V only:
dV 5 dT
=
V 2 T
Let us denote the volume and temperature of the gas at the start of the process as V0
and T0 respectively, and V and T respectively at the end of the process. Integrating
both sides of the equation from V0 to V and T0 to T respectively, we obtain:
!5/2
V T
=
V0 T0
To now derive a relation between gas pressure p and volume V , we can use the ideal
pV
gas equation to write T = nR , which gives TT0 = ppV
0 V0
. Hence:
!−3/5
p V
=
p0 V0

Since the gas volume was doubled, V /V0 = 2, so that p = 2−3/5 p0 . So the gas pressure
changed by a factor of 2−3/5 ≈ 0.660.
Setter: Christopher Ong, [email protected]

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

Problem 12: Stop Spinning! (5 points)

A uniform thin circular plate of radius R = 10 cm lies flat on a horizontal table. It
is initially rotated at angular frequency ω = 480 rad s−1 about its centre by a motor.
The motor is then switched off. Given that the coefficient of friction between the plate
and the table is µ = 0.40, calculate the time taken for the plate to come to a stop.
Leave your answer in 2 significant figures in units of s.

Solution: Let r denote the distance from the centre of the plate, and let σ denote the
mass per unit area of the plate. Divide the plate into concentric rings of infinitesimal
thickness, and consider one such ring from r to r + dr. The mass of this ring dm can
be written as dm = σ(2πr dr).
The frictional force df experienced by the ring is thus:

df = µg dm = 2πrσµg dr

Multiplying by the distance of the ring from the centre gives the retarding torque dτ
due to friction about the centre:

dτ = 2πr2 σµg dr

To find the total torque τ , we simply integrate from r = 0 to r = R:

Z R 2
τ= 2πr2 σµg dr = πσµgR3
0 3
The angular deceleration of the plate, α, can be found by invoking Newton’s Second
Law for rotation. The moment of inertia of the plate about its central axis is I = 12 mR2 ,
where m is the total mass of the plate. At this point, we also eliminate variable σ by
m
substituting σ = πR 2 , as follows:


m

2 3
τ π πR2 µgR 4µg
α= = 3 1 2
=
I 2 mR 3R

By definition of α as the rate of change of ω, the time taken, t, for the plate to come
to a stop can be determined:
ω 3Rω
t= = ≈ 9.2 s
α 4µg

Setter: Brian Siew, [email protected]

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

Problem 13: Dielectric RC (6 points)

A capacitor is connected in series with a resistor R = 250 Ω and a battery with emf
ε = 12 V. The space between the capacitor plates is completely filled with dielectric
material with dielectric constant κ = 6.0. The circuit is initially at equilibrium.
The space between the capacitor plates is now instantaneously emptied, such that all
that remains is air. At this state, its capacitance C = 100 µF. The circuit is at a
state of disequilibrium.

(a) What is the current through the resistor at the instant when the space between
the capacitor plates is emptied?
Leave your answer in 2 significant figures in units of A. (2 points)
(b) What is the total heat generated in the resistor by the time the circuit arrives
at a new state of equilibrium?
Leave your answer in 2 significant figures in units of J. (4 points)

Solution:
(a) In the very beginning, when there was dielectric contained between the capacitor
plates, its capacitance was κC. At equilibrium, the voltage across the capacitor
must equate to ε. Thus the initial charge Q0 stored in the capacitor is:

Q0 = κCε

At the instant when the dielectric is removed, the capacitance drops to C, but
it still contains the same charge Q0 . So the voltage across the capacitor V0 at
this instant is given by:
Q0
V0 = = κε
C
Thus, the voltage across R is κε − ε, since the battery still provides the same
potential difference ε. The current I through the resistor can be determined

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

using Ohm’s Law:

ε(κ − 1)
I= = 0.24 A
R

(b) Let the initial (at the instant right after the dielectric is removed) and final (after
the circuit returns to equilibrium) energy stored by the capacitor be Ui and Uf
respectively. At the initial state, the charge on the capacitor is Q0 = κCε. At
the final state, the charge is Qf = Cε, since the voltage across the capacitor
must equal that of the battery at the equilibrium state. This enables us to write
expressions for Ui and Uf :

Q20 1
Ui = = Cκ2 ε2
2C 2
Q2f 1
Uf = = Cε2
2C 2

Additionally, during this process, positive charge from the capacitor flows through
the battery, from its positive terminal to its negative terminal. This means
that the battery does negative work on the system. The charge ∆q transported
through the battery is equal to the difference between the initial and final charge
on the capacitor:

∆q = Cε(κ − 1)

With this, the negative work done by the battery W can be determined:

W = −ε∆q = −Cε2 (κ − 1)

Now, let the work done by the resistor on the circuit be Q. As the resistor
dissipates heat, we expect Q < 0. By conservation of energy:

Ui + W + Q = Uf
1
∴ Q = − Cε2 (κ − 1)2
2
Hence, the heat dissipated by the resistor is 12 Cε2 (κ − 1)2 = 0.18 J.
Setter: Christopher Ong, [email protected]

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

Problem 14: A Wireless Motor? (5 points)

An insulating circular loop of mass m = 200 g carries a charge Q = 3.0 C. The mass
and charge on the loop are both uniformly distributed. The loop is free to rotate about
its central axis without friction. A uniform magnetic field, parallel to the loop’s axis
and with strength B = 2.0 mT, is suddenly switched on. What is the final angular
velocity of the loop?
Leave your answer in 2 significant figures in units of rad s−1 .

Solution: Faraday’s Law states that ε = − dφ

dt , where ε is the induced emf and φ is the
magnetic flux through the loop. Applying it to this scenario:
dB
|ε| = πR2
dt
where R is the radius of the loop.
Since the setup is cylindrically symmetric, the electric field E (induced by the acti-
vation of the magnetic field) at any point in time has the same magnitude across the
loop. Moreover, the electric field would point in the circumferential direction. So, we
can write a relation between E and ε:
I
ε= E ~ = E(2πR)
~ · dl

Simplifying, we have:
R dB
E=
2 dt
Noting again the uniformity of the electric field across the loop, the torque on the loop
τ can be simply written as:
QR2 dB
τ = QER =
2 dt
As the loop has a moment of inertia I = mR2 , its angular acceleration α is given by:
τ Q dB
α= =
I 2m dt
To obtain the final angular velocity ω of the loop, we compute the integral of angular
acceleration α:
Z QB
ω= α dt = = 0.015 rad s−1
2m

Setter: Brian Siew, [email protected]

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

Problem 15: Caught in Rain (9 points)

During a heavy thunderstorm, raindrops fall at speed u = 12 m s−1 , with strong winds
causing them to fall at an angle θ = 30◦ from the vertical. Galen is caught in the
rain and can run on horizontal ground at velocity v towards shelter. v is taken to
be positive when he runs against the current of the rain. The surface area of Galen’s
body viewed from in front is σ = 15 times larger than his body viewed from above.
Assume that the rainfall is uniformly distributed.
(a) The mass of raindrops contacting Galen’s body per unit time is directly propor-
tional to (α + βv), where α and β are constants to be determined, each expressed
in SI units. Find the numerical value of the ratio α/β.
Leave your answer in 2 significant figures. (3 points)
If you were unable to solve (a), you may use α = 80, β = 20 in the remaining parts.
However, the maximum attainable score for each subsequent part is reduced by 1 point.
There are two shelters available to Galen. Shelter X is located at distance x = 150 m
away from Galen, but he will have to run against the current of the rain to get there.
Shelter Y is at distance y away, and he will run along with the current of the rain on
his way there.
(b) Find the maximum value of y such that Galen will get less wet by choosing to
run for shelter Y rather than shelter X. Assume that Galen runs at the same
speed of v = 5 m s−1 in every direction.
Leave your answer in 3 significant figures in units of m. (2 points)
(c) Suppose that Galen chooses to run towards shelter X at v = 5 m s−1 . He ends
up expending a total energy of E0 throughout the journey. If he had chosen to
run at v = 10 m s−1 , he would have used a total energy of E1 . Find the ratio
E1 /E0 . Neglect any resistance caused by friction, and assume that the raindrops
remain stuck to Galen’s body upon impact.
Leave your answer in 3 significant figures. (4 points)

Solution:
(a) Consider separately the raindrops that hit Galen through the front of his body,
and those that hit him through the top of his body. In the former case, the
relative horizontal velocity between Galen’s body and the raindrops is u+v sin θ,
thus the rate of mass flow of raindrops through the front of his body is ρAσ(v +
u sin θ). As for the latter case, the relative vertical velocity between his body
and the raindrops is just u cos θ, so the rate of mass flow through the top of his
body is ρAu cos θ.

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SPhL 2021 Sample Problems

Hence, the total rate of mass flow is ρA [u(cos θ + σ sin θ) + σv]. We can thus
compute α = u(cos θ+σ sin θ) ≈ 100 and β = σ = 15. Hence the ratio α/β ≈ 6.7.
(b) If Galen chooses to go for shelter X, he would take a time of x/v to get there.
The total mass of raindrops that he contacts mx along the way is given by:
u
" #
mx = ρAx (cos θ + σ sin θ) + σ
v

On the other hand, if he goes for shelter Y, he would be travelling in the opposite
direction. His velocity would effectively be −v. The journey would take a time
of y/v, and the mass of raindrops he contacts my can be calculated:
u
" #
my = ρAy (cos θ + σ sin θ) − σ
v

For the total mass of raindrops that contacted Galen to be lower for shelter Y
than for shelter X, my < mx must be satisfied, which gives:
u
y (cos θ + σ sin θ) + σ
< uv
x v (cos θ + σ sin θ) − σ

Solving for y gives y < 1040 m. As expected, this maximum value of y exceeds
the value of x.
(c) In time dt, the total mass dm of raindrops contacting Galen is given by:
dm = ρA [u(cos θ + σ sin θ) + σv] dt
Upon impact, the raindrops stick to Galen, meaning that the horizontal compo-
nent of their momentum experiences change dp = dm(v + u sin θ) (with the +v
direction taken to be positive). This means that by Newton’s Third Law, Galen
must experience a resistive force given by Fresistive = − dp
dt .

Fresistive = −ρA(v + u sin θ) [u(cos θ + σ sin θ) + σv]

By Newton’s First Law, since Galen goes at a constant speed, the propulsion
force produced by his body Fpropulsion must be equal and opposite to Fresistive , i.e.
Fpropulsion = −Fresistive . To relate this propulsion force to energy, the power P
produced by his body is given by P = Fpropulsion v, so the total energy E dissipated
throughout his journey can be written as E = P t = P x/v = Fpropulsion x. The
final expression of E is as follows:
E = ρAx(v + u sin θ) [u(cos θ + σ sin θ) + σv]
Substituting values, E0 ≈ 1929.32ρA and E1 ≈ 4006.28ρA. Thus E1 /E0 ≈ 2.08.
Setter: Christopher Ong, [email protected]

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