2020 Taiwan International/Asian Physics Olympiad

(IPhO/APhO) Selection Programme

Team Selection Tests (Theoretical Exams)

Translated by: W
​ ayne Yan

Edited by: ​Kushal Thaman

 Theoretical Test 1

Total Marks: 100

Time: 4 hours

1. The electromagnetic induction and motion of a coil

​(S
​ core: 20 points​)

As the figure shows, a rectangular coil of length D ,

width X , mass m , is put in a uniform magnetic field B ,
and the magnetic field is perpendicular to the surface of
the coil. At time t = 0 , the bottom side of the coil is
situated at the edge of the uniform magnetic field. Let
y (t) denote the relative position between the top side of
the coil and the edge of the magnetic field. The above initial condition is then y (0) = D . Let the
positive direction of current be counter-clockwise, and upward is the positive y-direction.

Part A

The coil is released at t = 0 , and suppose that D is big enough that the coil reaches terminal
velocity v t before exiting the field. The inductance of the coil is negligible, and its resistance is
R . Answer the following questions with parameters X , D, B , m, R, t and acceleration due to
gravity g .

(i) Find the magnitude of v t .

(ii) Find the relation between the speed of the coil and time before the coil exits the field.

(iii) Find the relation between the power used by the coil and time before the coil exits the
field.

(iv) Find the total energy the coil uses from t = 0 till the coil exits the field.

Part B
Let the coil be a superconductor, but its inductance L is no longer negligible. Suppose D is
big enough that the coil never falls out. Answer the following questions with parameters
X , D, B , m, L, t and gravitational acceleration g .

(v) Prove the coil performs SHM.

(vi) Find y (t) .

(vii) Find the maximum kinetic energy of the coil.

(viii) Find the maximum energy stored in the magnetic field of the coil, and when it happens.

2. A slowly shortened pendulum (​Score: 20 points​)

A pendulum is hung below the ceiling, with a point mass m on the other end, the string holding
them is massless, and gravitational acceleration is g . now we shorten the string extremely
L
slowly, so is much greater than the period of the pendulum.
L̇

(A) When the string’s length is L, and the amplitude is θ0 . What is the average tension of
the string?
(B) When the string’s length is L, and the amplitude is θ0 , the length is shortened by
ΔL < 0 , the amplitude changed by Δθ0 . What is the change of the mechanical energy
of the pendulum?
(C) Using the above results, find the amplitude when the length of the string is one half of
the original length.

3. The charge distribution of a rotating metal disk in a static magnetic field and the
mechanism of the earth’s magnetic field.​ (​Score: 20 points​)

Part A

As the figure shows, in an external magnetic

field B along z-axis in the region r ≤ a , a
neutral metal disk of radius a is spinning along
an metallic axle with angular speed ω , the
radius of the axle can be ignored, and the
conductivity of the metal is σ , when the current
and charge distribution is in a stable state, we
find the potential difference between the edge of
the plate and the axle is V , answer the
following questions. The permittivity of vacuum
is ε0 .
(i) When the current and charge distribution is in a stable state, let the electric field of (r,
→
z) is
→ →
E , and the magnetic field is B , deduce the relation between the electric field and the magnetic
field, and then find V.

(ii) Ignore boundary effects, and view the disk as a long cylinder, consider the electric field flux
between radius r and r + dr . Find the charge distribution in the stable state.

dρ
(iii) Consider the current crossing radius r and r + dr , estimate dt at (r,
→
z) , where ρ is the
charge density. Estimate how long it takes for the current and charge distribution to reach
equilibrium, from the moment it starts spinning.

Part B

As the figure shows, with certain configuration, we can , without an

external field, feed the current produced by the spinning disk to the
coil Γ to create a magnetic field, finally getting a static magnetic
field. This is also a simple model of the Earth’s magnetic field. The
self inductance of the circuit is L (mostly from Γ ) and the resistance
is R. For the coil, there are n turns per unit length, the length of the
coil is l and its radius is a . The moment of inertia of the disk and the
axle is I , and the rotation damping coefficient is γ (the resisting
torque is − γ ω ). Answer the following questions.

(i) Suppose the distance between the coil and the disk is negligible, and the field produced by
the coil is uniform, equal to the field produced at the center, find the self inductance of the coil
L , and the mutual inductance between the coil and the disk. when the angular speed of
spinning is ω , and current in the circuit is i , find the relation of L, M , R, ω and i .

(ii) When the current of the coil is i , find the torque on the disk. (take the upward torque as
positive)

(iii) From (i) and (ii) we can find the equation between i and ω , suppose a constant torque τ 0
is acting on the axle to make it rotate, and τ 0 > 2πγ MR , ω (0) = ω 0 > 2πR
M . If i(0) = 0 , what is
the equilibrium angular speed ω e and the current ie ? If i(0) = 0.01 , what is ω e , ie in that
case?

(iv) With the condition τ 0 > 2πγ MR , plot ω − i graph with different initial conditions of
i(0), ω(0).
Note: Consider i(0), ω(0) is i(t), ω(t) at time t = 0 .

4. Conical Pendulum​ (​Score: 20 points​)

Consider a pendulum system with a point mass m , and a string with length d , as the figure
shows. Gravitational acceleration is g , ignore the mass of the string and the spinning of the
dθ
Earth. The initial condition of the system is θ = θ0 , θ̇ = dt = 0 , and the velocity of the mass is
− v ˆy (when the pendulum is on the x-z plane).
0

(A) Find the angular momentum of the system Lz relative to the pivot O.

(B) Find the total energy of the system E 0 , and express your answer in the terms of
θ, θ̇, ˙φ .

(C) If the minimum value of θ in the motion is θmin , find v 0.

dφ
(D) Prove that the form of dθ is given by the differential equation
dφ A
dθ =
mgd(cos θ−cos θ0 )sin2 θ + 12 mv 20 (sin2 θ−sin2 θ0 )
sin θ
and thus compute A.
√
θ0
(E) If θ0 << 1 , and θmin = 2 , find Δφ , the angle rotated about z-axis for the mass to go
from θmin to θ0.

(F) If θ0 is no longer a small quantity, but θ0 − θmin = α << 1 , find the value of Δφ .

A useful integral:
1 √α
dy
∫ = π, ∫ √α−z
dz
= π
2
1
2
y
√(1−y )(y −
2 2 1
4
) 0
2

5. The effect of mass on a spring (​ Score: 20%)

As the figure shows, view the spring as N point mass of mass μ , connected by springs of
spring constant k , natural length l0 . Denote the position of the particles by u1 , u2 , ..., un ,
ignore any sideway motion.
(A) The spring above u1 is hung to the ceiling, and let the surface of the ceiling be z = 0 ,
with downward being the positive direction. Hang a point mass of mass M below uN ,
and denote the position of the mass with uN +1 , list the equation of motion obeyed by
the N + 1 particles.

(B) When the spring reaches equilibrium under the influence of gravity,
uj = η j = a1 j + a2 j(j + 1) , find a1 , a2 .

(C) From (B), consider the continuity limit, l0 → 0, μ → 0, j → ∞, N → ∞ , under this

circumstance, the natural length of the spring, L0 = N l0 , mass m = N μ , and spring
k
constant K = N will approach a constant. Let s = j l0 be a continuous parameter,
0 < s < L0 , and η j → η (s) = b1 s + b2 s2 , find b1 , b2 .

(D) From (C) , find the change in length of the spring ΔL , and the position of the center of
mass , X 0 . Express your answer in terms of m, M , g, K, L0 .

(E) From (A), consider the continuity limit, l0 → 0, μ → 0, j → ∞, N → ∞ , under this

m
circumstance, let the density be λ = L0 , Young’s modulus be Y = K L0 , find a
differential equation of u(s, t) .

(F) Put the system on a smooth surface, and let s = 0 be the center of rotation with
angular speed Ω , find a differential equation of u(s, t) and its boundary condition.

(G) From (E), when the system is in a stable equilibrium, u(s, t) = η(s) = A0 sin(B 0 s) , find
A0 , B 0 .
 Mock APhO test - Time: 5 hours 150 marks total

1. Deflection of Light Under Gravitational Lenses (50%)

According the the principle of equivalence in General Relativity, the laws of physics in
a uniform gravitational field g is exactly the same as the laws in a lab with the same
acceleration.

In a non-uniform gravitational field, the statement can be generalized as follows: in a

freely falling lab, the observed laws of physics are the same as the laws in special
relativity, with no gravity. Free falling means the only external force during the motion
is gravity.

(i) Consider the case of an uniform gravitational field g , the two clocks have a height
difference of h , as shown in the figure.

It is known that the speed of light in vacuum is c , and A and B use the same clock
(atomic clock). The clock is not affected by acceleration. Now, a light signal of
frequency f B is emitted from B, if we want to find f A , the frequency A recieved, we can
consider a free falling reference frame S. In S, both clocks are accelerating in the
direction from B to A (opposite to the field). Suppose B was at rest relative to S when
it emitted the signal (at time t = 0 ).

According to the principle of equivalence, in S, special relativity is applicable. It is

known that in a gravitational field, when h is small enough, the shifting-ratio of the
light wave can be denoted as:
 f B −f A gh
fB = α c2
find α .

(ii) Suppose the same atoms, radiating the same frequency of light, are used to do the
timing, then the frequency shifting in (i) can be viewed as the same clocks, but runs
differently because of the different gravitational fields. If α is positive in (i), we can see
it as the clock period at B, ΔtB , is longer than the period at A, ΔtA ( ΔtB > ΔtA , time
dilates at B), so the frequency of photons from B, received at A, its frequency f A is
smaller; otherwise, we can see it as the clock period at B, ΔtB , is shorter than the
period at A, ΔtA ( ΔtB < ΔtA , time contracts at B). Because special relativity is
applicable to S in (i) therefore, time dilation must come with the same factor of length
contraction. If the wavelength we found at A, B is ΔlA , ΔlB , respectively, then
(ΔlA / ΔlB ) × (ΔtA / ΔtB ) = 1.

let ΔtB / ΔtA = γ , and the speed of light at A, B is cA , cB respectively, what is cA / cB ?

(iii) Suppose a planet can be viewed as a uniform sphere of mass M , radius R , and the
canter of the sphere is the origin of polar coordinates. G denotes the gravitational
constant, suppose GM << Rc2 . From the result of (i), if atoms on the surface of the
planet radiates a photon of frequency f R , then at the point of infinity (point A), the
frequency received, f ∞ is equal to

f ∞ = (1 + Rk )f R
find constant k .

(iv) From (ii) and (iii), it is known that the speed of light in zero gravity is equal to the
speed of light in vacuum, c , then, from the results of (ii) and (iii), what is the speed of
light where the distance to the center of the planet is r , c(r) ? what is the refractive
index n(r) at r in that case?

(v) From (iv), let the angle between the direction of light and radial be θ , (r, ϕ) denotes
polar coordinates in a plane, the path length along the trajectory of light is s, as the
following figure shows.
According to Bouguer’s formula, when the refractive index of a medium has a spherical
symmetry, Snell’s law should be restated as:

rn(r)sinθ = n(r)d = const.

when the light shoots with impact parameter b > R from infinity on the left, because of
gravitational lensing effect (i.e. the deflection of light), when the light moves across the
planet ( r ≈ R ) and go toward infinity on the right, its direction will deflect for an angle
Δϕ .

dr
find the equation of the trajectory of light (i.e. find the equation dϕ satisfies), and use it
to solve for Δϕ .

Note that the following mathematical formula may be of use:

d −1 x 1
dx sin a =
√a2 −x2
( sin−1 ax is in the first or the fourth quadrant.​)
 2. Interaction between electron and light in free electron lasers (50%)

Light can interact with electrons when it’s transmitting

in a media, this will cause the intensity to change. In a
microscopic view, there are two important processes,
one is spontaneous emission, when electrons can emit
photons spontaneously and return to ground state. Like
how an excited double-state atom (with energy level
E 1 < E 2 , the energy of the photon is hν = E 2 − E 1 )
can emit a photon spontaneously as in Fig(a); the other
is stimulated emission, when electrons in an excited
state is influenced by photon of the same energy already existed in space and emit a photon, the
probability of emission is proportional to not only the probability of electron transitioning, but
also the intensity of light. Its reverse process is called stimulated absorption, and also satisfies
the same relation. Answer the following questions.

(A) Planck’s law can also be described as the energy density per unit frequency in an adiabatic
3
cavity u(ν, T ) , when the temperature is T , u(ν, T ) = 8πhν 1
c3 ehν/kB T −1 where h is the planck’s
constant and k B is the Boltzmann constant. Now consider there’s also N double-state atoms as
in Fig (a) in the cavity, suppose the probability of spontaneous emission is A , stimulated
emission is B 21 , stimulated absorption is B 12 , when the system is in equilibrium at
temperature T , deduce A/B 21 and A/B 12 from Planck's law.

(B) From (A), light of frequency ν and intensity I 0 shoots into a

media containing double-state atom, suppose atoms at the lower
energy state is N 1 , atoms at the higher energy state is N 2 , the
distribution is uniform. The cross section of the media is a , the
length is l , find the intensity out of the media, and find the condition at which the intensity can
grow exponentially with l .

Apart from the aforementioned method, we can also use an

external electric field and magnetic field to accelerate the
electron, to let it interact with light waves and amplify it, the
classical example is free electron laser, as the figure shows.
→
Free electron laser uses alternating magnetic field(undulator) to form B = (0, B sin(k u z), 0) (
k u = 2π/λu , where λu is the period of the magnetic field in space), the field can accelerate
incoming electrons to radiate light, then interact with electromagnetic wave to amplify it by
stimulated emission. the initial position of the electron is (0, 0, 0) , initial velocity is v 0 in the
v 1
z-direction, its mass is m , charge is − e , γ 0 = (1 − ( c0 )2 )− 2 , because the speed of the electron is
1
very close to the speed of light c , γ = (1 − ( vc )2 )− 2 >> 1 , we need to account for relativistic
effects. Answer the following:

(C) Find the ratio between transverse velocity and c , β x and β y , as a function of z,
and thus find the average of β z , βˉ z . precise to O(γ 0 −2 ) , express it with γ 0 , K , where
K = eB/mck u .

Some helpful notes:

(1) The relation between the motion of the electron and

time comes from the z coordinate of the electron.

(2) √1 − x = 1 − 21 x + 83 x2 + · · ·

(D) From (C), because the effect of the alternating

magnetic field, its x-coordinate varies periodically, at the
same time, the electron radiates light because it’s accelerating (this is spontaneous emission),
this is similar to forced oscillation. The electromagnetic wave electron beam radiates because
the undulator will be in resonance. It is known that for particles with speed close to c , the
radiation is focused in a very small cone, therefore we can say the direction of radiation is
constant. Consider the wave radiated by different electrons at different places, as the figure
shows. The direction is θ . Suppose β z can be approximated to be βˉ z , and ignoring random
initial phase of the wave, find the resonant wavelength λr , precise to O(γ 0 −2 ) ,when θ = 0 .
Express it with γ 0 , K .

(E) Now, the electrons are also influenced by the electric field it radiates. Suppose the electric
field of the electromagnetic wave is (E 0 cos(kz − ω t + ϕ), 0, 0) , where k = 2π/λ . When the
incident point is z = 0, ϕ = 0 , the interaction between the electron and the electromagnetic
wave is as follows:

d(mc2 γ) dγ
(i) The time varying rate of energy dt is proportional to dt . It’s known that when the z
dγ ˉ + ϕ)] , find A, Φ, ˉΦ .
coordinate of the electron is z , dt = A[cos(Φ + ϕ) + cos( Φ

dγ
(ii) the average of the time varying rate of electron (proportional to dt ) with respect to
coordinate z is an indicator of energy exchange between the electron and the electromagnetic
wave. Suppose β z can be approximated to be βˉ z , and βˉ z in Φ , ˉΦ ’s expression can be
approximated to the case where there’s no electromagnetic wave (i.e. γ ≈ γ 0 ), precise to
dγ
O(γ 0 −2 ) , find the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave λm that can make the average of dt
with respect to coordinate z be maximum.

(F) For the beam of electron, phase of each electron’s radiation is not necessarily equal,
therefore if we want the maximum radiated electromagnetic field, we will have to synchronize
each electron’s radiation, the outputted light can then be at laser level. It’s known that
electrons within a wavelength is synchronized, and bunching occurs when energy is exchanged
between the electron and electromagnetic wave, which make the electron density periodical in
dγ
space with period λ0 . (i) Suppose the incident beam satisfies z = 0, ϕ = 0 , find dt when the
z-coordinate is z 0 relative to the canter. (ii) From that, deduce λ0 of the radiated
electromagnetic field when resonant condition is achieved, and explain how the bunching effect
can synchronize radiated electromagnetic waves.

3. Shielding Potential of Charges in Metal and Conditions of Electron Bound State (50%)

Consider a proton of charge e formed in a piece of metal, and its contribution to electrons’
potential U (r) . It’s known that the potential of electron due to proton in vacuum is
U c (r) = − κ0 e2 /r , and the number density of electron in metal is n0 , mass of an electron is m .
First consider a metal without external charge, when the potential U (r) = 0 . Because of Pauli's
exclusion principle, each electron has to be in a different state. Electrons have two spin state,
→
therefore each wave number vector k = (k x , k y , k z ) can contain two electrons:

(A) If the metal’s measure in one direction (like x) is L , then the electron’s wave function
is the same at x = 0 and x = L , find the quantization condition of k x
→
(B) If the maximum magnitude of electrons’ wave number is |k|max = k F , and n0 , k F
satisfies the relation n0 = akFb , find a, b . Hence express n0 with E F , the corresponding
energy of k F .

When there’s external charges, U (r) is no longer

zero, but E F stays constant, as the figure shows.
When this happens, charge density will change with
space. For the following parts, use k F in place of n0 in
your answers.

(C) From the relation between n0 , E F , introduce

U (r) and write the relation between n(r) and E F .

(D) Suppose E F >> U (r) and the change in space of U (r) is sufficiently slow, so we can write
n(r) = n0 + δ n(r) , then δ n(r) =− αU (r) , find α.

(E) Find the integration expression relating U (r) and δ n(r).

(F) Replace δ n(r) with U (r) and find the integration expression of U (r).

(G) Multiply your result from (F) by r , and differentiate twice with respect to r to get
d2 U
dr2 + 2 dU
r dr = β 2 U , find β .

(H) As a trial solution, substitute U (r) = f (r)U c (r) to the solution in (G) and find f (r) .
U c (r) = − κ0 e2 /r is the potential of an electron due to a proton in vacuum.
(I) Consider if U (r) can bound an election: if r0 is the radius of the electron's orbit in bound
state, find the condition for the bounding energy to be negative.

(J) Suppose we can change n0 (or β ) continuously, so that this quantum system only has one
bound state. From how Bohr considers the hydrogen atom, find the expression of β under this
condition.
 Theoretical test 2 - Time: 4 hours, Total marks: 100

1. Quantum Optics ​(Score: 20%)

Light has wave-particle duality, so light waves can be described by one dimensional oscillator
in classical mechanics. Quantum optics utilizes the quantization of Electromagnetic field to
describe the quantum state of photons by quantum state of one dimensional oscillator.

Part A

Consider electromagnetic wave transmitting in a cubic cavity of side

length L , and volume V , as the figure shows. The electric field is

E x (z, t) = E 0 sin(kz)sin(ωt + ϕ)

where E 0 is the magnitude of the oscillation, k = 2π/λ is the wave

vector, ω is the angular frequency of the oscillation. Consider the
case of ϕ = 0 in parts (i) ~ (iii).

(i) the magnetic field in the cavity can be expressed as B y (z, t) = B 0 f (z, t) . Find E 0 /B 0 and the
function f (z, t)
(ii) Find the total energy of the electromagnetic field in the cavity E (t)
(iii) Now introduce two functions q (t) and p(t) satisfies q (t) ∝ sin(ωt) , p(t) ∝ cos(ωt) . then
E (t) can be rewritten as E = 21 (p2 + ω 2 q 2 ) . Find p(t), q(t) , express them with V , E 0 , ω
P.S. Here, p(t) = dq/dt , dp/dt = − ω 2 q(t) . The energy equation above can be viewed as the
energy of an oscillator.

Part B

In quantum mechanics, energy of an one-dimensional simple harmonic oscillator can be written

as
E n = (n + 21 ) hˉ ω

Here, n can be interpreted as the number of photons, hˉ = h/2π , h is the Planck’s constant. q
and p satisfies Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, meaning that
ΔqΔp ≥ hˉ/2
is true. Now, rewrite the electric field as

4hˉ ω
(iv) E x (z, t) =
√ ε0 V E 0 sin(kz){cosϕ X 1 (t) + sinϕ X 2 (t) } and X 1 (t) = η q(t) , X 2 (t) = ξ p(t) .
Find the parameters η , ξ .
In quantum optics we often use phasor diagram (i.e. X 1 − X 2 graph) to describe the quadrature
of the electric field. The quantum state of photons α can be expressed as α = X 1 + iX 2 in the
phasor diagram as shown on the next page.

(v) Find |α| , express it in terms of V , E 0 , ω.

(vi) Consider the average energy of the electromagnetic wave,

when n >> 1 , we can get n = |α|a . Find the constant a . Strictly
speaking, we have to consider the average number of photons in
the cavity, meaning n is expressed by nˉ .

(vii) From the quantum energy equation above, the system has
energy hˉ ω/2 even when there’s no photon inside the cavity, this
energy is called zero-point energy. We can say that the existence
of zero-point energy is caused by vacuum fluctuation. If that’s the
case, find the electric field fluctuation in vacuum E vac.

(viii) In the phasor diagram, the quantum state of the photon satisfies ΔX 1 ΔX 2 ≥ γ . Find γ .

(ix) The uncertainty of phasors can also be written as ΔnΔϕ ≥ ζ . Find ζ .

This inequality means that photons have an uncertainty on particle number n and phase ϕ.
2. Hall Resistance ​(Score: 20%)
→
(A) Consider a metal plate in an uniform magnetic field B in the z-direction as the first
figure shows. It is known that the equation of motion of charged particles in metal is
→
dp/dt =− p→/τ + f (t) , where τ is a constant denoting the average collision time of the
→
particle, p→ denotes the average momentum of the particle, and f (t) is the external force.
→
Current density is defined as j = nev→ , where v→ is the velocity of the particle, n is the
→ → →
number density of particles. If j = (j x , j y , j z ) is in a steady state, and j = σ E , so we can
→
write j as:
j x = σ xx E x + σ xy E y + σ xz E z
j y = σ yx E x + σ yy E y + σ yz E z
j z = σ zx E x + σ zy E y + σ zz E z
Find all the σ ij terms where i, j = x, y , z . and express your answer with σ 0 = ne2 τ /m ,
ω c = eB/m and τ .
→ →
(B) Rewrite it as E = ρj . Find all the ρij terms where i, j = x, y , z .
(C) in Hall measurements, define the Hall resistance as Rxy = V y /I x , where V y is the
potential difference in the y-direction, I x is the current passing. The second figure
shows the data from a few Hall measurements. If the lattice constant of the metal is
0.3926 nm , find the number of charged particles per lattice.
3. The Resolution Power of Vibrational Gyroscope

Gyroscope is an object used to detect and maintain the

orientation of an system on Earth, it usually uses the law
of conservation of angular momentum to maintain the
orientation. Nowadays, vibrational gyroscopes are often
used in electronics. The figure on the right is a simplified
model of a vibrational gyroscope. A point mass m is put
on a smooth, square platform of side length 2a , the point
mass is constrained by four springs of spring constant
mω 0 2 /2 to points (a, 0), (− a, 0), (0, a), (0,− a) , the
vibration of the point mass can be used to detect the rotation of the platform, which can
be further used to know the orientation (It takes 3 gyroscopes to fully know the
orientation). Suppose the springs have negligible initial length, please answer the
following:

(A) ​When the platform is not rotating, and in the xy coordinate system shown in
the figure, the position of point mass is (x, y ) , write down the equation of
motion of the point mass.
(B) ​When the platform is spinning with angular speed Ω , let the X Y coordinate
system be an inertial frame. at time t = 0 , X Y and xy coincide , therefore
θ = ω t . if the position of the point mass in xy coordinate system is (x, y ) , and
(X, Y ) in the X Y frame, then x = X cos θ + Y sin θ , y =− X sin θ + Y cos θ . find
the equation of motion in the rotating frame, and explain how the motion in the
platform frame can be viewed as a point mass under the influence of a potential
V (x, y ) (Let V (0, 0) = 0 ) and an uniform magnetic field B pointing straight out
of paper(Let the equivalent charge of the point mass be 1). Find V (x, y ), B .
(C) When the gyroscope is spinning with angular
speed Ω , the motion of the point mass can be
described with (x, y ) or (r, ϕ) , like the figure on the
right shows(the springs aren’t shown for
simplicity). The angular momentum isn’t conserved
because of the equivalent magnetic field. We can
generalize angular momentum is a certain way to
make it become a conserved quantity, find the
conserved quantity, express you answer with
r, dϕ/dt, m, Ω . for a certain angular speed the mass can perform stable circular
motion, find the angular speed, express your answer with r, m, Ω, ω 0 . When
the point mass performs circular motion, under what circumstances can the
motion be in one direction? Is it directed clockwise or counterclockwise?
(D) ​To make the gyroscope able to detect rotation, charge the point mass with
charge q , and make the platform a capacitor, putting two charged metal plate
on x =± a , to produce an uniform oscillating field E 0 cosωt , if we detect the
motion of the mass on the y-axis, we can know if the platform is rotating or not.
Suppose ω 0 > Ω , and when the mass is moving relative to the platform, a
 →
damping force f =− 2mβv→ is exerted on the mass( β > 0 ),the damping coefficient
is small enough that the point mass can still perform oscillating motion.

(i) What is the trajectory of the stable motion?

(ii) If we wish to detect rotation, then the bigger the amplitude of the y-axis
motion of the mass , the better it is. This can be done by changing the frequency
of the electric field to resonance frequency. Ignore the contribution of β , and
find the resonance frequency ω R of the system, and explain how this can be
used to detect rotation.

(iii) Whether we can detect the angular speed of the rotation depend on the
quality factor of the resonance Q , if the width of the peak is Δω , then
Q = ω R /Δω . Estimate the quality factor of each resonant frequency. For
Q >> 1 , find when it is possible to get the rotating angular speed from the
resonant frequency.

4. Transformation between length and time

As the figure below shows, the origin of the inertial reference frame S is O . A rigid ruler has
two marks on P * and O* , the origin of the inertial reference frame S * is fixed at O* , there are
two observers, one is at O , one is at O* . the x-axis of both coordinate systems are collinear,
and the relative motion between the two frames is along the x-axis, the speed is a constant v ,
when O and O* coincide, the time at the origin of the two frames are zero. The speed of light
in vacuum is c , and let γ = (1 − v 2 /c2 )−1/2 .

Part A

Fix the ruler in S * . S * move in the positive x direction with speed v, while S remains
stationary. t is the time when P * and O coincide, measured in frame S
Let l and l* denote the length of P * O* measured in S and S * respectively.
(i) find the ratio between l and l*

(ii) Let t be defined as above, and t* is the time when P * and O coincide, measured in frame
S * , find the find the ratio between t and t*

(iii) Let t be defined as above, what is t* O* , which is what the clock on O* reads at time t
seen by the observer at O ?

Part B

In this part, different to Part A, we let S * be the stationary frame, and S is moving to the
negative x direction with speed v . When O and O* coincide, the time at the origin of the two
frames are still zero

We know that in the situation described, the length of P * O* measured by S * is L* = l* ,

answer the following:
*
(iv) In the situation described above, when the time on S * is ˉt = t* O* , what is the time ˉt at O,
the origin of S ? t* O* is what we got in (iii), and is defined as above.

(v) what is the time T * when O reaches P * , measured by the observer at S * ? How about the
time T when O reaches P * , measured by the observer at S ? When the time of S is T , what
*
is the time ˉtO* at the origin of S * ? If the measured length of P * O* is L , what is L* /L ?

(vi) when the time at S is T , the observer at O sends a signal to tell the observer at O* that
O has reached P * . The signal travels with speed c′ with respect to S * . If we want the signal
to reach before the time of S * is T * , what is the minimum value of c′ ?

5. Diffraction pattern of chiral material

Using diffraction pattern of tell left-handed and right handed molecules apart:

We first consider the diffraction pattern of one-dimensional lattice:

(A) ​The figure shows the incident wave (with wave

number k ), the incident angle is θ , the diffracted
→
wave has wave vector k ′ = (k, θ′, ϕ′ ) , find the
condition on θ′ for constructive interference to
happen
(B) If the amplitude of the diffracted wave emitted from
each lattice point is proportional to that of the incident wave, and the emitted wave is
→ →
→ → → → →
spherical, then the diffracted wave is ψ inc (Rm ){eik|r−Rm | /|r→ − Rm |} ≈ ψ inc (Rm ){eik|r−Rm | /|r|}
→
when
= ei k·r , Rm = ma ˆz , find the total diffracted wave ψ D
→
→ → →
|r|
→
≫ Rm is satisfied. L​et ψ inc (r)
→

from N lattice point.

(C) ​Find the condition of constructive interference from ψ D .
Consider the diffraction from one-dimensional left/right-handed symmetric lattice:
The figure on the right shows an one dimensional
lattice with right handed symmetry, the small balls
represent the atoms, it’s the place that can produce
diffracted waves. We ignore the diffracting effect of
the connecting rods for the atoms, the thin rods
have length b , and the neighboring rods are
separated by distance a . also, as the z-coordinate
increases, the thin rods rotate relative to each other with angle Δϕ = β ϕ0 . β =± 1 ,
ϕ0 = 2π/3 . The figure shows the case when β =− 1 (corresponding to clockwise rotation),
different beta represents different chirality.
(D) ​the position of the atom is Rm = ρ→m + ma ˆz , find ρ→m , β is not yet determined.
→

→ →
(E) ​Use m = 3M + j , where j = 0,± 1 , k is the same as in ​(A)​, k ′ = (k, θ′, ϕ′ ) , find ψ D . ​Find
the condition of constructive interference from ψ D .
​ onsider the special case of θ = π /2, a = b = λ , and the condition for constructive
(F) C
interference is fixed at first order, find the relation between the intensity of wave I (
2
I = |ψ| = ψ ψ * ) and ϕ′.
(G) ​Substitute ϕ′ = φ + π /2 into I (φ) , and prove that I (φ) is an even function.
(H) Discuss the feature of I at φ ≈ 0 (or ϕ′ ≈ π /2 ) for β =± 1 .

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