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CAP High School Prize Exam
April 5th 2007
9:00 – 12:00
Competitor’s Information Sheet
The following information will be used to inform competitors and schools of the exam results, to
determine eligibility for some subsequent competitions, and for statistical purposes. Only the marking
code, to be assigned by the local examination committee, will be used to identify papers for marking.
Marking Code:
This box must be left empty.
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY IN BLOCK LETTERS.
Family Name:________________________________Given Name:_______________________
Home Address:_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________ Postal Code:______________
Telephone: ( )____________________ E-mail: __________________________________
School: ____________________________________________________________ Grade:_____
Physics Teacher: _______________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: ___________________________ Sex: Male Female
Citizenship: ______________________________________________________ or
Immigration Status:_____________________________________________________________
For how many years have you studied in a Canadian school? ____________________________
Would you prefer the further correspondence in French or English? _______________________
Sponsored by:
Canadian Association of Physicists
Canadian Chemistry and Physics Olympiads
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Canadian Association of Physicists
2007 Prize Exam Question 3
This is a three-hour exam. National ranking and prizes will What is the potential difference VB – VA in the circuit
be based on a student’s performance on sections A, B, and C segment below if the current I = 1.5 A?
of the exam. Performance on the questions in parts A and B I 20 Ω
5R/12
will be used to determine whose written work in part C will A A B B
be marked for prize consideration by the CAP Exam - + + -
National Committee. Part A consists of twenty multiple- 20 V 12 V
choice questions; part B consists of five questions that (a) +22 V (b) –22 V (c) –38 V (d) +38 V (e) +2.0 V
require graphic solution. The problems in part C can also
require graphing. The questions in part C have a range of Question 4
difficulty. Do be careful to gather as many of the easier The graph on the right shows a
marks as possible before venturing into more difficult velocity versus time graph for a
territory. If an answer to part (a) of a question is needed for ball.
part (b), and you are not able to solve part (a), assume a Which explanation best fits the v1
likely solution and attempt the rest of the question anyway. motion of the ball as shown by the
No student is expected to complete this exam and parts of graph?
each problem may be very challenging.
Non-programmable calculators may be used. Please be (a) The ball falls, is caught, and is - v1
careful to answer the multiple-choice questions on the thrown down with a greater
answer card/sheet provided; most importantly, write your velocity.
solutions to the three long problems on three separate (b) The ball rises, hits the ceiling, and falls down.
sheets as they will be marked by people in different parts of (c) The ball falls, hits the floor, and bounces up.
Canada. Good luck. (d) The ball rises, is caught, and then is thrown down.
Data
Speed of light c = 3.00x108 m/s Question 5
Gravitational constant G = 6.67x10-11 N·m2/kg2 A light bulb A is rated at 60 W and a light bulb B is rated at
Acceleration due to gravity g = 9.80 m/s2 100 W. Both are designed to operate at 110 V. Which
Density of fresh water ρ = 1.00x103 kg/m3 statement is correct?
The normal atmospheric pressure P0 = 1.01x105Pa
Fundamental charge e =1.60x10-19 C (a) The 60 W bulb has a greater resistance and greater
Mass of electron me = 9.11x10-31 kg current than the 100 W bulb.
Mass of proton mp= 1.67x 10-27 kg (b) The 60 W bulb has a greater resistance and smaller
Planck’s constant h = 6.63x10-34 J·s current than the 100 W bulb.
Coulomb’s constant 1/(4πε0) = 8.99x109 N·m2/C2 (c) The 60 W bulb has a smaller resistance and smaller
Boltzmann constant k = 1.38x10-23 J/K current than the 100 W bulb.
(d) The 60 W bulb has a smaller resistance and greater
Part A: Multiple Choice current than the 100 W bulb.
Question 1 (e) We need to know the resistivities of the filaments to
A book is placed on a chair. Then a videocassette is placed answer this question.
on the book. The floor exerts a normal force:
Question 6
(a) on all three; When a light ray travels between any two points, the path it
(b) only on the book; takes is the one that
(c) only on the chair;
(d) upwards on the chair and downwards on the book. (a) covers the greatest distance;
(b) avoids travel in more than one medium;
Question 2 (c) covers the least distance;
The figure shows two point sources (A and B) of coherent (d) takes the least time;
mechanical waves of the same wavelength. Source B emits (e) is the mean between the longest and the shortest
waves that are +π radians out of phase with the waves from paths.
source A. Source A is 3λ distant from P and source B is 5λ
distant from P (λ is the wavelength). Question 7
A B A fountain sends water to a height of 100 metres. What
must be the pressurization (above atmospheric pressure) of
P the water system driving the fountain? 1 ATM = 105 N/m2.
The phase difference between the waves arriving at P from (a) 10.8 ATM; (b) 9.80 ATM;
A and B is (c) 8.80 ATM; (d) 1.00 ATM.
(a) 0 rad (b) π/2 rad (c) 2π rad (d) 3π rad (e) 4π rad
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Question 8 Question 13
A bead of mass m, attached to a string, is pushed and starts The electric potential inside a charged solid spherical
to rotate in the vertical plane. Only the gravitaional force conductor in equilibrium:
influences the rotation of the bead. The difference between
the tension of the string when the bead is at the lowest point (a) is always zero;
(TL) and when the bead is at the upper point (TU) is: (b) decreases from its value at the surface to a value of zero
at the centre;
(a) TU – TL = 2mg; (c) is constant and is equal to its value at the surface;
(b) TU – TL = 6mg; (d) increases from its value at the surface to a higher value
(c) TL – TU = 2mg; at the centre.
(d) TL – TU = 5mg;
(e) TL – TU = 6mg. Question 14
For which process below will the internal energy of a
Question 9 system NOT change?
Two identical particles, each with a mass of 4.5 mg and
charge of 30 nC, are moving directly toward each other with (a) An adiabatic expansion or compression of an ideal gas;
equal speeds of 4.0 m/s at the instant when the distance (b) An isothermal expansion or compression of an ideal gas;
separating the two particles is equal to 25 cm. How far apart (c) An isobaric expansion or compression of an ideal gas;
will they be from each other at the point of closest (d) The freezing of a quantity of a liquid at its melting point;
approach? (e) The evaporation of a quantity of a liquid at its boiling
point.
(a) 7.8 cm; (b) 9.8 cm; (c) 12 cm;
(d) 15 cm; (e) 20 cm. Question 15
A diver shines an underwater searchlight at the surface of a
Question 10 pond whose water has an index of refraction n =1.33. At
A straight wire of length L carries a current I in the positive what angle of incidence relative to the surface will the light
z direction in a region where the magnetic field is uniform be totally reflected?
and specified by Bx = 3B, By = - 2B, and Bz =B, where B is a
constant. What is the magnitude of the magnetic force on (a) 41o (b) 47o (c) 49o
the wire? (d) 51o (e) 58o
(a) 1.0 ILB; (b) 3.2 ILB; (c) 3.6 ILB;
(d) 4.2 ILB; (e) 5.0 ILB Question 16
According to the Bohr model of the atom, an electron can
Question 11 undergo a transition from one orbit that is closer to the
A spaceship of mass m circles a planet of mass M in a nucleus to another which is farther from the nucleus, by
circular orbit of radius R. How much energy is required to absorbing a photon whose energy E depends on its
transfer the spaceship to a circular orbit of radius 3R? frequency f as E = hf, where h is Planck’s constant. An
energy of 13.6 eV is needed to ionize a hydrogen atom by
(a) GmM/(2R); (b) GmM/(3R); (c) GmM/(4R); ejccting an electron from the lowest energy level. What is
(d) GmM/(6R); (e) 3GmM/(4R) the longest wavelength of a photon that can eject the
electron from the lowest energy level of the atom?
Question 12
Three simple pendulums with strings of different lengths (a) 40 nm;
and bobs of different masses are pulled out from their (b) 60 nm;
position of equilibrium to angles of θ1, θ2 = 2θ1, and θ3 = (c) 70 nm;
3θ1, respectively. All angles θ1, θ2 and θ3 are very small. The (d) 80 nm;
bobs are then released and start oscillating freely. Which (e) 90 nm.
answer better matches the results of measurements of the
frequencies of the three pendulums? Question 17
One reason why we know that magnetic fields are not the
(a) f1 =2 f2 and f1 = 3 f3; same as electric fields is because the force they exert on a
(b) f3 = 3f1 and f2 = 2f1; charge +q, is:
(c) f1 = f2 = f3; (a) in opposite directions in electric and magnetic fields if
(d) We need to know the mass of each bob to find the the charge is moving;
relationship between the frequencies; (b) parallel to the magnetic field and perpendicular to the
(e) We need to know the length of each pendulum to find electric field if the charge is moving;
the relationship between the frequencies. (c) parallel to the electric field and perpendicular to the
magnetic field if the charge is moving;
(d) zero in the electric field and nonzero in the magnetic
field if the charge is not moving;
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Question 18 Part B: Questions that require graphical solutions
In an experiment to prove
the existence of the light Question 21
pressure, two vertically Two identical dielectric balls supported by insulating
oriented disks are attached threads hang side by side, touching each other. The two
as shown to the ends of a balls are initially electrically neutral.
horizontal beam in an Sketch the position of the balls on their threads after one of
evacuated tube. The the balls is positively charged and the other stays neutral.
horizontal beam is Sketch the electric field lines near the balls.
suspended at its central point
by a vertical wire. The Question 22
surfaces of the disks are A 71-kg man stands on a spring scale in an elevator. Starting
simultaneously illuminated from rest, the elevator ascends, attaining its maximum speed
by a parallel beam of light of of 1.2 m/s in 0.80 s. It travels with this constant speed for the
high intensity. next 2.0 seconds. The elevator then undergoes a uniform
Which explanation best fits the behaviour of the two-disk deceleration downwards (in the negative y direction) for 1.9 s
system? and comes to rest.
Draw a diagram for the reading of the scale versus time
(a) The horizontal beam is displaced from its equilibrium during the motion of the elevator.
position due to the equal light pressure on both discs.
(b) The horizontal beam rotates around the vertical wire Question 23
with the mirror moving in the direction of light A spool of thread on a horizontal surface may roll without
propagation and the black disk moving in the opposite slipping if someone pulls it by the free end of the thread.
direction. The spool may roll toward or away from the person who
(c) The horizontal beam rotates around the vertical wire pulls the free end of the thread
with the black disk moving in the direction of light depending on the direction of the
propagation and the mirror moving in the opposite applied force.
direction. Sketch a side-view diagram of the
(d) The experiment cannot show the existence of light spool of thread on the horizontal
pressure because light has no mass. surface which shows the direction of
the force applied to the free end of
Question 19 the thread in such a way that this force does not cause the
You are shown a photo of a car driven on a rolling of the spool in either direction. The force belongs to
vertical inside wall of a huge cylinder with a the plane of the drawing.
radius of 50 m. The coefficient of static
friction between the car tires and the Question 24
cylinder is µ s = 0.8. The minimum speed, at Consider the motion of a mass attached to a spring.
which the car can be driven like that, is: Sketch the following two graphs one below the other using
the same scale for the time axis (in units of period):
(a) 20 km/h; (b) 70 km/h; (c) 90 km/h; 1) Displacement of the mass versus time;
(d) 120 km/h. 2) Kinetic energy of the mass versus time.
Question 25
Question 20 A system consists of two ideal spheres with equal diameters
An emf may be induced in that move toward each other as shown.
(a) a piece of linear wire when it moves in a uniform
static magnetic field; m v
(b) a closed loop of wire moving with a fixed
orientation at a constant velocity in a non-uniform -v 2m
static magnetic field;
(c) a closed loop of wire moving with a fixed
orientation and accelerating in a uniform static
magnetic field; The spheres undergo a glancing collision.
(d) the cases described in (a) and (b) only; Sketch a vector diagram for the linear momentum of each of
(e) the cases described in (b) and (c) only. the spheres and for the centre of mass of the system before
and after the perfectly elastic collision of the spheres.
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4) If the segment with the 5.00 Ω rod could slide along
Part C: Problems the rails and was released at a given time, how would
this segment move (qualitatively)?
Problem 1
A student working in a laboratory has to remove a heavy Problem 3
box with new equipment from its initial position on the A soap film with an index of refraction n
floor to the opposite wall of the room, which is d metres = 1.33 is contained within a rectangular
away. She may choose: either to pick up the box, to carry wire frame. The frame is held vertically so
it in her hands across the room, and then to drop it on the that the film drains downwards and
floor in the new place; or to attach a rope to one of the approximates the shape of a wedge with
corners of the box and pull the box along the floor to the flat faces near the top. The thickness of
new place. The mass M of the box and its contents is the film at the very top is essentially zero.
printed on the package. Acceleration due to gravity g, the The film is viewed in reflected white light
coefficients of static and kinetic friction µs and µk for the with near-normal incidence, and the first
box material and the floor, and other constants are violet (λ = 420 nm) interference band is
available to the student in a handbook. After performing observed 3.00 cm from the top edge of the
some calculations, the student notes that µk < µs <1 and film.
chooses the second method. 1) Locate the first red (λ = 680 nm)
interference band. x
1) What physical quantities should the student compare 2) Determine the film thickness at the
to choose the proper method of moving the heavy positions of the first violet and the
box? first red bands.
2) What parameter related to a quantity above shows an 3) What is the wedge angle of the film?
advantage for one of the two methods? Estimate this
parameter for the two methods.
3) Draw a free-body diagram (i.e. a vector diagram) for
the chosen method of pulling the box with the
attached rope along the horizontal floor.
4) Dragging the box may be easier or harder. Express
the condition that makes dragging easiest in terms of
physics. Identify the parameter responsible for this
condition using your free-body diagram.
5) Using the parameter found, give a numerical
condition for the easiest way of moving the box by
the student.
Problem 2
Two parallel rails with negligible resistance are 10.0 cm
apart and are connected by a 5.00-Ω resistor. The circuit
also contains two metal rods having resistances of 10.0 Ω
and 15.0 Ω sliding along the rails as shown in the figure.
The rods are pulled away from the resistor at constant
speeds of 4.00 m/s and 2.00 m/s, respectively. A uniform
magnetic field of magnitude 0.0100 T is applied
perpendicular to the plane of the rails.
1) Determine the direction and the value of the current in
the 5.00 Ω resistor.
2) Find the forces applied to the 10.0 Ω and the 15.0 Ω
rods.
3) What is the force applied to the segment of the circuit
with the 5.00 Ω resistor?
