Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Junior Science

IOQJS – Part 1 (PHYSICS) 2020

1. Gravitational collapse is the contraction of an astronomical object under its own gravity. This draws the matter
inwards the center of gravity. A neutron star is an example of the collapsed core of giant start. A certain neutron star of
radius 10 km is mass 1.5 M0. The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of neutron star is nearly
(solar mass: M0 = 2 x 1030 kg)

(a) 2.0 x 108 m/s2 (b) 2.0 x 1012 m/s2 (c) 2.6 x 1016 m/s2 (d) 2.6 x 1020 m/s2

Solution:
Radius of the neutron star: r = 10 km = 10 x 103 m

Mass of the neutron star: m = 1.5 M0 = 1.5 x 2 x 1030 = 3 x 1030 kg

𝐺𝑚 6.67 × 10−11 × 3 × 1030

Acceleration due to gravity on the neutron star: g = =
𝑟2 104 2

6.67 × 3 × 1019
g= = 20.01 x 1011 = 2.0 x 1012 m/s2
108

Kalyan's Physics Challenge / IOQJS (Part 1) 2020

2. Two illuminated point objects O1 and O2 are placed at a distance 24 cm from each other along the principal axis of a
thin convex lens of focal length 9 cm such that images of both the objects are formed at the same position. Then the
respective distances of the lens from O1 and O2 (in cm) are

(a) 12 and 12 (b) 18 and 6 (c) 14 and 10 (d) 16 and 8

Solution:
Real image is formed on the other side and virtual image is formed on the same side of the object
Total separation between the point objects: 24 cm
Focal length of the convex lens: f = 9 cm
Let O1 be placed at a distance ‘x’ from the lens.

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
For real image: 𝑣 − 𝑢 = 𝑓 ⇒ 𝑣 + 𝑥 = 𝑓 ⇒ 𝑣 = 9 − 𝑥 ---- (1)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
For virtual image: 𝑣 − 𝑢 = 𝑓 ⇒ − 𝑣 + 24−𝑥 = 𝑓 ⇒ 𝑣 = 24−𝑥 − 9 ---- (2)

1 1 1 1 2 1 1
From (1) & (2): 9 − 𝑥 = 24−𝑥 − 9 ⇒ 9 = 24−𝑥 + x ⇒ x2 – 24x + 108 = 0

x = 18 or 6

Kalyan's Physics Challenge / IOQJS (Part 1) 2020

3. A nuclear reactor is working at 30% efficiency (i.e. conversion of nuclear energy to electrical energy). In this reactor
235 nucleus undergoes fission and releases 200 MeV energy per atom. If 1000 kW of electrical power is obtained in
92U
this reactor, then the number of atoms disintegrated (under fission) per second in the reactor is

(a) 1.04 x 1017 (b) 6.5 x 1012 (c) 3.125 x 1012 (d) 3.25 x 1032

Solution:
Efficiency of the nuclear reactor: η = 30%

Energy released per fission: 200 MeV = 200 x 10 6 x 1.6 x 10-19 = 3.2 x 10-11 J

Electrical power required: Pout = 1000 kW = 106 W

𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡 106
Power developed by the nuclear reactor: Pin = =
η 0.3

106ൗ 1017 1
0.3
Number of fission reactions per second: N = = = x 1017 = 1.04 x 1017
3.2 𝑥 10−11 3.2 𝑥 0.3 0.96

Kalyan's Physics Challenge / IOQJS (Part 1) 2020

4. Two blocks A and B are in contact with each other and are placed on a frictionless horizontal surface. A force of 90 N is applied
horizontally on block A (situation I) and the same force is applied horizontally on block B (situation II). Mass of A is 20 kg and B
is 10 kg. Then the correct statement is

(a) since both the blocks are in contact, magnitude of force by block A on B will be 90 N (situation I) and magnitude of force by
block B on A will also be 90 N (situation II)
(b) magnitude of force by block A on B is 30 N (situation I) & magnitude of force by block B on A is 60 N (situation II)
(c) magnitude of force by block A on B is 60 N (situation I) & magnitude of force by block B on A is 30 N (situation II)
(d) the 90 N force will produce acceleration of different magnitudes in A and B

Solution:
𝐹 90 90
Common acceleration of the blocks: a = = = = 3 m/s2
𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 20 +10 30

Let the reaction force between A & B in situation I be R:

Apply Newton’s second law for block B: Fnet = ma ⇒ R = (10) 3 = 30 N
Let the reaction force between B & A in situation II be R1
Apply Newton’s second law for block A: Fnet = ma ⇒ R1 = (20) 3 = 60 N
According to Newton’s third law, action of first block on second is equal to action of second on first

Kalyan's Physics Challenge / IOQJS (Part 1) 2020

5. In the adjoining circuit, R = 5 Ω. It is desired that the voltage across Rx should be 6 V, then the value of Rx should be

(a) 4 Ω (b) 12 Ω (c) 16 Ω (d) 20 Ω

Solution:
8𝑅
Effective resistance of the circuit: R1 =
5
R1 and Rx are now connected in series. The potential divides in direct ratio of resistors for series combination
Potential drop across Rx: 6 V
𝑅𝑥 1 𝑅𝑥
Potential drop across Rx: 6 = 1 (18) ⇒ = 1 ⇒ R1 + Rx = 3Rx
𝑅 +𝑅𝑥 3 𝑅 +𝑅𝑥
8𝑅 4𝑅 4 (5)
= 2Rx ⇒ Rx = = =4Ω
5 5 5

Kalyan's Physics Challenge / IOQJS (Part 1) 2020

6. An infinitely long conductor when carrying current I, produces a magnetic field B around it. If such a conductor is placed along
𝜇 2𝐼 𝜇
the X axis, then the magnitude of B at a distance r is given by the relation B = 4𝜋0 𝑟 (where 4𝜋0 = 10-7 N/A2 is a constant). The
following figure shows such an infinitely long conductor placed along X axis carrying current I and B at S is 2 x 10-4 T, directed
into the plane of the paper at S. Given r = 1 cm, then the correct statements are

(a) I = 10 A
(b) the number of electrons transported across the cross-section of the conductor during the 1 sec is 6.25 x 1019
(c) the direction of current I is from X2 to X1
(d) the electrons will flow in the direction X2 to X1

Solution:
𝜇0 2𝐼
Magnetic field due to current carrying straight conductor: B =
4𝜋 𝑟
2𝐼
(a) Magnetic field due to current carrying straight conductor: B = 2 x 10 -4 = 10-7 x ⇒ I = 10 A
0.01

𝐼𝑡 10 𝑥 1
(b) Number of electrons: N = = = 6.25 x 1019
𝑒 1.6 𝑥 10−19

(c) Direction of magnetic field: into the plane of the paper

Right hand rule: hold the conductor in right hand such that thumb indicates direction of
Current (X2 to X1), then fingers indicate the direction of magnetic field

Kalyan's Physics Challenge / IOQJS (Part 1) 2020

7. The ratio of the charge of an ion or sub-atomic particle to its mass (q/m) is called specific charge. Then the correct
options are

(a) SI unit of specific charge can be written as As/kg

(b) If all the isotopes of hydrogen are ionized, then tritium will have least specific charge among them
(c) Specific charge of an α particle will be greater than that of an electron
(d) Specific charge ratio of an electron is 1.75 x 1011 C/kg

Solution:
𝑞
(a) Specific charge: (SI unit: coulomb/kg = ampere (second)/kg)
𝑚

(b) Hydrogen isotopes: (hydrogen) H1, (deuterium) H2, (tritium) H3

specific charge: hydrogen (1/1); deuterium (1/2); tritium (1/3)

𝑒 1.6 𝑥 10−19
(d) Specific charge of electron: = = 1.75 x 1011 C/kg
𝑚 9.11 𝑥 10−31

Kalyan's Physics Challenge / IOQJS (Part 1) 2020