Kalyan’s Physics Challenge

1. A particle is travelling with uniform acceleration of magnitude ‘a’. During successive time
intervals ∆t1, ∆t2 and ∆t3 its average velocities are v1, v2 and v3 respectively, then

𝑣 −𝑣 𝑣 −𝑣 𝒗 −𝒗 𝒗 −𝒗
A) ∆𝑡2 − ∆𝑡1 = ∆𝑡3 − ∆𝑡2 B) ∆𝒕𝟐 + ∆𝒕𝟏 = ∆𝒕𝟑 + ∆𝒕𝟐
2 1 3 2 𝟏 𝟐 𝟑 𝟐
𝑣1 − 𝑣2 𝑣3 + 𝑣2 𝑣2 + 𝑣1 𝑣3 + 𝑣2
C) ∆𝑡2 + ∆𝑡1
= ∆𝑡3 + ∆𝑡2
D) ∆𝑡2 − ∆𝑡1
= ∆𝑡3 − ∆𝑡2

Sol. given: v1 = 𝑠1 + 𝑠2 ; v2 = 𝑠2 + 𝑠3; v3 = 𝑠3 + 𝑠4 and the particle is moving with uniform velocity: a
2 2 2

s2 = s1 + a ∆t1
s3 = s2 + a ∆t2 = s1 + a ∆t1 + a ∆t2 = s1 + a (∆t1+ ∆t2)
s4 = s3 + a ∆t3 = s1 + a (∆t1+ ∆t2) + a ∆t3 = s1 + a (∆t1+ ∆t2 + ∆t3)
𝑠2 + 𝑠3 𝑠 +𝑠
𝑣2 −𝑣1 −1 2 𝑠 +𝑠 −𝑠 −𝑠 𝑠3 − 𝑠1 s1 + a (∆t1+ ∆t2) − 𝑠1 a (∆t1+ ∆t2) (∆t1+ ∆t2)
= 𝑠3 +2 𝑠4 𝑠 +𝑠
2
= 𝑠2 + 𝑠3 − 𝑠1 − 𝑠2 = =s + a (∆t1+ ∆t2 + ∆t3) − s1 - a ∆t1
= a (∆t = (∆t
𝑣3 −𝑣2 − 2 3 3 4 2 3 𝑠4 − 𝑠2 1 2 + ∆t3) 2 + ∆t3)
2 2

𝑣2 −𝑣1 (∆t + ∆t ) 𝒗 −𝒗 𝒗 −𝒗
𝑣3 −𝑣2
= (∆t 1 + ∆t2 ) → ∆𝒕𝟐 + ∆𝒕𝟏 = ∆𝒕𝟑 + ∆𝒕𝟐
2 3 𝟏 𝟐 𝟑 𝟐

2. A river is flowing at 4 km/hr from west to east. Two swimmers P and Q can both swim at 2 km/hr
in still water. The minimum time in which it is possible for the swimmers to cross the river is tmin.
Both of them start swimming from the same point O on the bank of the river in different directions
as shown. The point X is directly across from the point O. Choose the correct statement:

(A) P will reach the point X in time tmin.

(B) Q will reach the point X in time tmin
(C) P will reach a point somewhere east of X in time tmin
(D) Q will reach a point somewhere east of X in time tmin.

Sol. Speed of the river: vr = 4 kmph

Speed of the swimmers in still water: vmr = 2 kmph
𝑂𝑋
Time taken by the swimmer to reach the opposite point: t =
𝑣𝑚𝑟 cos 𝜃
𝑂𝑋
This time becomes minimum when cos 𝜃 is maximum: tmin = 𝑣
𝑚𝑟
(the swimmer starts perpendicular to river flow)
𝑂𝑋 𝑂𝑋 𝑂𝑋
Drift produced due to river velocity: d = (vr – vmr sin 𝜃) 𝑣 =𝑣 vr = (4) = 2 (OX)
𝑚𝑟 cos 𝜃 𝑚𝑟 2

3. A stone of mass m falls from a height H on soft muddy ground and sinks to a depth H/2. Assume
that the mud exerts a constant resistive force of magnitude F. Neglecting air resistance, F is

A 2mg B mg/2 C 3mg D Mg

INJSO – 2019 Page 1

Kalyan’s Physics Challenge

Sol. Velocity acquired by the stone during free fall: u = √2𝑔𝐻

Final velocity of the stone: v = 0 m/s
1 1 1
Change in kinetic energy: ∆k = mv2 − mu2 = 0 − m (2gH) = −mgH
2 2 2
𝐻
Work done by the resistive force: wr = −Fs = −F 2
𝐻 𝐻
Work done by gravitational force: wg = mg 2
= mg 2
𝐻 𝐻 𝐻 3𝐻
Work energy theorem: w = ∆k; −F + mg = −mgH → −F = −mg → F = 3 mg
2 2 2 2

4. A wire of length L and resistance R has uniform cross section. A potential difference of 10 V is
applied across the wire as shown. A cell of emf E (< 10 V) and of internal resistance r is connected
through a galvanometer between points A and C. The point C, at a distance 𝑙 from A, is chosen
such that the galvanometer reads zero. The length 𝑙 depends on

A E only B E and L only C E and r only D E, r and L only

Sol. Let the resistance per unit length: 𝜌 = 𝑅

𝐿
10 − 0 10
Current through the primary circuit: I = 𝑅
= 𝑅
Since balance is obtained at point C, no current flows
through the galvanometer.
10 𝑅 10𝑙 𝑬𝑳
E = IR1 = 𝑅 𝐿
𝑙= 𝐿
→ 𝒍 = 𝟏𝟎

5. A concave mirror of focal length f and diameter d (d << f) is kept horizontally and filled with
water. Rays of light parallel to the mirror axis are incident on it. After reflection, the rays will focus
close to

A 0.25 f B 1.33 f C f D 0.75 f

Sol. Apply Snell’s law at N: n1 sin 𝜃1 = n2 sin 𝜃2

4 4 4
3
sin i = 1 x sin r → sin r = 3 sin i → r = 3 i (small angles: d << f)
𝑁𝐻 𝑁𝐻
r = sin r = tan r = 𝐺𝐻 and i = sin i = tan i = 𝐹𝐻
4 𝑁𝐻 4 𝑁𝐻 3
r = 3 i → 𝐺𝐻 = 3 𝐹𝐻 → GH = 4 FH = 0.75 FH = 0.75f

6. Two mirrors OA and OB make an angle 500

with each other. An object C is placed on the
angular bisector of the angle AOB. The total
number of images of the object formed by the
mirror will be

A. 5 B. 6 C. 7 D. 8

INJSO – 2019 Page 2

Kalyan’s Physics Challenge

Sol. Let the line OC make an angle 𝜃1 with OB (first mirror) and an angle 𝜃2 with OA (second mirror).
Given: 𝜃1 = 𝜃2 = 250
The images formed by the first mirror (OB) are at angles: 𝜃1, 𝜃1 + 2𝜃2, 3𝜃1 + 2𝜃2 and so on.
The images formed by the first mirror (OB) are at angles: 250, 750, 1250, 1750.
The images formed by the second mirror (OA) by symmetry are at the same angles.
So, a total of 8 images are formed.

7. A 420.0 W heater is used to raise the temperature of water flowing through a tube of length 2.4 m
by 5.0 0C. Assuming that the efficiency of heating is 50%, the flow rate of water (in liter/min) is

A 0.3 B 0.6 C 1.2 D 1.8

Sol. Power of the heater: P = 420 W and Length of the tube: 2.4 m
Temperature difference required: ∆𝜃 = 5 0C
Power output of the heater: P0 = 50% P = 0.5 x 420 = 210 W
𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑚𝑠 ∆𝜃 𝑣𝜌𝑠 ∆𝜃 𝑣
Power = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
= 𝑡
= 𝑡 = 𝑡 𝜌𝑠 ∆𝜃
𝑣 𝑃 210
𝑡
= 𝜌𝑠 0∆𝜃 = 1000 𝑥 4200 𝑥 5
= 10-5 m3/s
-5 1000 𝑙𝑡
Flow rate of water: 10 x 1 = 0.6 𝒍𝒕/𝒎𝒊𝒏
𝑚𝑖𝑛
60

8. Consider two arrangements of N identical resistors, one in parallel and the other in series. Each of
these arrangements are connected to batteries of the same voltage. The ratio of power dissipated in
the parallel arrangement to the series arrangement is

A N B 1/N C N2 D 1/N2

Sol. Effective resistance for parallel combination: Rp = 𝑅

𝑁

Effective resistance for series combination: Rs = NR

𝑉2 𝑁𝑉 2
Power dissipated in parallel combination: Pp = 𝑅 = 𝑅
---- (1)
𝑝

𝑉2 𝑉2
Power dissipated in series combination: Ps = 𝑅𝑠
= 𝑁𝑅 ---- (2)
𝑁𝑉2
𝑅
(1) / (2): 𝑉2
= N2
𝑁𝑅

9. White light from a distant extended source is incident on a convex lens. Its image is seen on a
screen kept at the focal plane of the lens. The top half of the lens is covered with a green filter and
bottom half with a red filter. Choose the correct statement.

(A) The top half of the image will be green, and the bottom half will be red.
(B) The top half of the image will be red and the bottom half will be green.
(C) The image will be white
(D) The image will be yellow

INJSO – 2019 Page 3

Kalyan’s Physics Challenge

Sol. Light rays coming from distant source (infinity) are parallel to each other.
These rays will be focused by the lens at a point in focal plane.
Upper half of the lens has green filter: green light passes through the lens.
Bottom half of the lens has red filter: red light passes through the lens.
The green light and the red light meet at a point in the focal plane to form
the image: Red + Green = yellow

10. In Rutherford’s experiment, the correct plot for the number (N) of alpha particles scattered against
scattering angle 𝜃 is

Sol. N (𝜃) = 𝑁𝑖 𝑛𝐿𝑍2 𝑘 2 𝑒 4

4𝑟 (𝐾𝐸)2 𝑠𝑖𝑛4 (𝜃⁄
2
2)
Ni = No. of incident alpha particles
r = target to detector distance
n = atoms per unit volume of the target
KE = kinetic energy of alpha particles
L = thickness of the target
𝜃 = scattering angle
Z = atomic number of the target
e = electron charge
k = Coulomb’s constant

11. As shown in the grid figure given below, there is a foot rule of dimensions 12” x 3” kept on and
above the principal axis of a small concave mirror of radius of curvature 24”. Distances from the
pole of the mirror along the principal axis are marked. The 6” mark of the foot rule is at the center
of curvature of the mirror.
Draw the image of the foot rule of the grid in the answer sheet using the same scale to which the
foot rule is drawn. Show the calculations required for drawing the image in the box provided in the
answer sheet.

INJSO – 2019 Page 4

Kalyan’s Physics Challenge

Sol. For the starting end of the foot rule: u = 30”

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
For the image distance: 𝑣 + 𝑢 = 𝑓 → 𝑣 + 30 = 12 → 𝑣 = 12 - 30 = 20 → v = 20”
𝑣 20 𝟐
magnification of the starting point: m1 = 𝑢 = 30 = 𝟑

For the ending point of the foot rule: u = 18”

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
For the image distance: + = → + = → = - = → v = 36”
𝑣 𝑢 𝑓 𝑣 18 12 𝑣 12 18 36
𝒗 𝟑𝟔
Magnification of the ending point: m2 = = =2
𝒖 𝟏𝟖

12. No. Frequency (Hz) L (cm)

1 400 19.9
2 500 16.0
3 750 10.0
4 1000 7.5
5 1250 5.1

The experiment of a Resonance Tube is commonly performed to determine the speed of sound. The
experimental set up is as follows. A hollow tube open at both ends can be suitably lowered into
water inside a jar as shown in the figure. A speaker of variable frequency is held just above the top
end of the tube.
Sound waves from the speaker are allowed to enter into the tube from the top. On gradually raising
or lowering the tube in water, it is observed that when a certain length is above the water level, a
loud sound is audible due to resonance. The length of the tube above the water at this position is
𝜆
recorded as L. According to the theory, if λ is the wavelength of the sound then, [4 = 𝐿 + 𝑒] where
e is the end correction given by e = 0.3d (d is inner diameter of the tube)

A given setup of this experiment uses a tube of inner diameter 5.0 cm. Values of L recorded for
different frequencies are given below.

INJSO – 2019 Page 5

Kalyan’s Physics Challenge

Sol. (A) Choose proper variables X and Y to produce a suitable linear graph which can be used to
determine the speed of sound. Indicate these variables in the answer sheet.
𝜆
Given: 4 = 𝐿 + 𝑒 = L + 0.3 x 5 x 10-2 = L + 0.015
𝑣 1 4 𝟏 𝟒 𝟎.𝟎𝟔 4 0.06
4𝑓
= L + 0.015 → 𝑓 = 𝑣 (𝐿 + 0.015) → 𝒇 = 𝒗 L + 𝒗
(y = mx + c: m = 𝑣
and c = 𝑣
)

(i) The variable on x axis (X): L

1
(ii) The variable on y axis: (Y): 𝑓

(B) Fill the data table used to plot the graph

(C) Determine the speed of sound using the graph plotted.
From the graph: c = 0.00018
0.06
= 0.00018 → v = 333.33 m/s
𝑣

NO. 1/f L (cm)

1 2.5 x 10-3 19.9

2 2 x 10-3 16.0

3 1.33 x 10-3 10.0

4 1 x 10-3 7.5

5 0.8 x 10-3 5.1

INJSO – 2019 Page 6