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Entrance exam 2014 – 2015 PHYSICS 6 July 2014

Duration 2 H

Exercise I [18 pts]: Mercury atom

Given: mass of a mercury atom: mHg = 3.3410-25 kg; mass of an electron: me = 9.110-31 kg;
c = 3.00108 m/s; h = 6.6310-34 Js; 1 eV = 1.6010-19 J.

A- Emission and absorption of a photon

1. One of the visible radiations emitted by a mercury vapor lamp corresponds to the transition from
the energy level E4 to the energy level E3. Calculate the value of the corresponding wavelength 4/3.
2. Determine the value of the wavelength of the radiation that can be emitted by a mercury atom
when it is taken initially in the energy level E1.
3. A mercury atom is considered initially in the ground state E0. This atom receives two photons of
wavelengths 1 = 253.7 nm and 2 = 589.0 nm. Is there any interaction between the mercury atom and each of these two
photons? Justify the answer.

B- Collision between an electron and a mercury atom

In 1914, Franck and Hertz (Nobel Prize 1925) made a surprising discovery by bombarding a mercury vapor, the atoms
being supposed at rest, with electrons of adjustable kinetic energy KE of a few eV.
1. We consider the case where KE is less than a certain threshold, ES = 4.90 eV, and we suppose that the collision is
perfectly elastic.
2 me
a) Show that the speed va of a mercury atom, after the collision, is given by va = v; v is the speed of the electron
me +mHg
just before the collision, the velocities being collinear.
b) Deduce that the electron, after the collision, keeps practically the same kinetic energy KE.
2. a) When KE reaches the value KE = ES = 4.90 eV, the electron, after the collision, loses practically all of its kinetic
energy. Interpret this result.
b) For ES = 4.90 eV < KE < 5.40 eV, the kinetic energy of some electrons, after the collision, diminishes precisely by
4.90 eV of its initial value, while the other electrons keep their kinetic energy KE. Interpret this result.
c) What could happen to mercury atoms that undergo collision with electrons having the kinetic energy KE = 6.00 eV?

C- Photoelectric Effect

When a potassium photocathode receives successively two radiations emitted by the mercury vapor lamp, one of
wavelength 1 = 253.7 nm and the other 2 = 444.0 nm, we notice that the maximum kinetic energy of the ejected electrons
are respectively 2.70 eV and 0.60 eV.
1. a) Using Einstein’s relation and these data, determine the value of the Planck’s constant h.
b) Deduce the work function WS of the potassium photocathode.
2. Can the radiation due to the electronic transition E3  E2 contribute to the emission of a photoelectron? Why?

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Exercise II [20 pts]: Free and forced oscillations (Pohl's pendulum)

The Pohl’s pendulum consists of a spiral spring (R) and of a copper wheel (D) that can rotate around a
fixed horizontal axis () passing through its center O, J being its moment of inertia with respect to ();
(R), of elastic constant C, is connected from one side to (D) at O, and, from the other, to the exciter
arm at A. (D) is shifted by an angle 0 (0 > 0) from its equilibrium position and then released without
speed at the instant t0 = 0. (D) starts to oscillate. At an instant t, the angular elongation of (D) is ; its
d
angular velocity is ̇ = dt and (R) exerts on (D) a couple of restoring torque Γ = - Cθ and it thus stores
an elastic potential energy PEe = ½ C2,  being in rad.

A-The exciter arm is fixed

1. a) Applying the conservation of the mechanical energy of the system (pendulum-Earth), derive the differential equation of
motion of the pendulum in the absence of any damping force.
b) The solution of this differential equation is of the form (t) = m cos(0 t + ). Determine the expressions of the
constants 0 and m and the value of .
2. Assuming that (D) is subjected, at an instant t, in addition to the couple of torque Γ, to a braking couple of torque
Mf = -k̇ , where k = k0 + I2; k0 and  are constants, where k is adjusted by a current I carried by a system producing a
magnetic field acting on the wheel (D) which will thus carry an induced current (called "Eddy current").
a) State the law interpreting the damping of (D) due to this induced current.
b) Show that the differential equation of motion of (D) can be written as: ̈ + 2̇ + 20 = 0, where  = k/2J and 0 = √C/J.
c) The solution of this differential equation is of the form:  = B e-t cos (t+), B and  being constants and  the
pseudo-angular frequency of expression:  = √20 − 2. Deduce the expression of the pseudo-period T.
(t)
d) Take  = ln( ). Show that  = T.
(t+T) (o)
20
3. For different values of I ( I1 = 0 A, I2 = 0.400 A then I3 = 0.700 A), we record the three
19o
curves (a) for I1, (b) for I2 and (c) for I3. (See adjacent figure) 10
a) Determine, using the curve associated to I2, the corresponding values of 2 and 2.
b) The curve giving the variations of  as a function of I2 is carried by a straight line. 1o
0 1 2 3 4 5 t(s)
i) Determine the equation giving  as a function of I, knowing that for I1 = 0 A, we (c)
have 1 = 0.017 and 1 = 0.0085 s-1 and for I3 = 0.700 A, we have 3 = 1.40 and -10
(b)
3 = 0.69 s-1. (a)

ii) Deduce the values of k0 and , knowing that J = 10-4 kgm2.

c) Starting from what value of I do we obtain an aperiodic mode?

B-The exciter arm is made to move

The exciter arm is made to move in an alternating sinusoidal motion of adjustable
frequency f. By increasing f from zero, and by measuring the amplitude m of the
oscillations for each value of f, we obtain the graph giving the variations of m as a
function of f.
1. What phenomenon would be obtained for f close to 0.5 Hz? Interpret the answer.
2. How would the maximum amplitude m(max) of oscillations vary when we
increase I?

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Exercise III [22 pts] : Maximum electric quantities and phase shift

A- Theoretical study
N G P
Consider the circuit of the adjacent figure. The coil is of inductance L = 0.16 H and of negligible resistance; i
the capacitor is of capacitance C = 1.0 F and the resistor is of adjustable resistance R. The generator (G) q
C
maintains across its terminals an alternating sinusoidal voltage of adjustable angular frequency  and of A
expression u = uPN = Um sin(t + ), where Um = 8.0 V and -/2 rad <  < /2 rad. R
In steady state, the circuit carries, at an instant t, a current i of expression i = Im sin(t) and thus the L
capacitor carries a charge q. Take LC20 = 1.
1. Determine, as a function of t and the data, the literal expressions of the voltages uR = uBN, uC = uPA and B
uL = uAB.
2. a) Show, by applying the law of addition of voltages and giving t two specific values,
1
L − Um
C
that : tan = and Im = .
R 1 2
√R2 +(L − )
C
b) Deduce the literal expressions of the amplitudes of UCm and ULm of uC and uL
respectively.

B- Maximum value of UCm and phase shift (u)

A voltmeter, in AC mode, is connected across the capacitor and an oscilloscope, suitably
connected, displays the voltages u and uR. Take R = 250 . By increasing , starting (uR)
from low values, we notice that UCm takes a maximum value UCm(max) for the value C
of . In this case, the adjacent figure shows the waveforms of the voltages u and uR.
SV = 2 V/div; Sh = 0.5 ms/div
1. Determine the value of C.
2. Calculate the value of Im and deduce that of UCm (max).
3. Determine the value C of .

C- Maximum value of ULm and phase shift

The voltmeter, in AC mode, is now connected across the coil. Take R = 250 . By increasing , starting from low values,
we notice that ULm takes a maximum value ULm(max) for the value L of .
0
1. Show that L = 2 2 2
and calculate its value.
C 0
√1−R
2
2. Calculate the value L of  and that of ULm(max).

D- Compare L and C, and also UCm(max) and ULm(max) and determine the expression among L, C and 0.

E- Maximum average power consumed by the circuit and phase shift

Take  = 500  rad/s and R is of adjustable value.
1. Give, as a function of R and of the data, the literal expression of the average power P consumed by the circuit.
2. R is made to vary; we notice that the power P takes a maximum value P1 for a value R1 of R.
a) Determine the value of R1 and that of P1.
b) Calculate, in this case, the value R of .

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 Solution of Entrance exam physics 2014-2015 Exercise I: Mercury atom
A-1 The energy of the emitted photon: E = E4 – E3 = – 0.90 – (–3.70) = 2.80 eV 2
E = 2.801.60×10-19 = 4.48 ×10-19 J.
hc 6.63  10 34  3  108
43 = = = 4.44010-7 m or 444.0 nm (violet-indigo).
E 4.48  10 19
A-2 Energy of the emitted photon: E = E1 – E0 ; E = –5.50 – (–10.40) = 4.90 eV E = 4.901.6010-19 = 7.8410-19 J. 2
34
hc 6.63  10  3  10 8
10 = = = 2.53710-7 m = 253.7 nm, value less than 400 nm, (UV – range)
E 7.84  10 19
A-3 For the wavelength 1 = 253.7 nm, it is emitted during the transition E1  E0, so the atom taken initially in the state 1.5
E0 absorbs the photon and passes to the energy level E1.
hc 6.63  10 34  3  108 7.84  10 19
OR: The energy of the photon received: E = = E = 7.8410 -19
J = = 4.9 eV.
1 253 .7  10  9 1.60  10 19
Let En be the energy level reached: E1 = En –E0 = En – (–10.4) = 4.90 eV
 En = –10.4 + 4.9 = – 5.5 eV. Thus the transition takes place from the level E0 to the level E1.
Since 2 is greater than 1, then E2 < E1, thus the atom does not undergo any transition, so it does not interact
B-1-a The system (electron - mercury atom) is pseudo-isolated, thus we have the conservation of the linear momentum of the 2.5
system: ⃗Pav = ⃗Pap  mev
⃗⃗ + ⃗0 = mev
⃗⃗ ′ + mHg v⃗a ;
The algebraic measurement in the direction of the motion gives: me v = me v' + mHg va.
mHg
 me (v–v') = mHg va.  v – v' = va. (1)
me
The collision being elastic, thus there is conservation of the kinetic energy of the system:
½ me v2 + 0 = ½ me v'2 + ½ mHg va2  me (v2 - v'2) = mHg va2 . (2) ; (2)/(1)  v + v' = va. (3)
mHg 2 me
(3) and (1)  2v = (1 + ) va  va = v.
me me +mHg

B-1-b 29.1 10−31 2

va = v  5.510-6 v.
9.1 10−31+3.34 10−25
KEatom 1 2 m Hg v a2
 =  10-5.
KEelectron 1 2 m e v e2
The kinetic energy of the mercury atom, after the collision, is negligible with respect to that of the electron before the
collision. According to the conservation of the kinetic energy, the electrons which have undergone collision keep
substantially the same kinetic energy.
B-2-a When KE reaches the value KE = ES = 4.90 eV, an electron, after the collision, loses practically all of its kinetic 1
energy. In fact, during this collision, the mercury atom taken initially in the ground state absorbs the kinetic energy
that is exactly equal to the difference E1 – E0 = 4.90 eV ; the electron loses all of its kinetic energy.
B-2-b For 4.90 eV < KE < 5.40 eV, the mercury atom, taken initially in the ground state, absorbs due to the collision, the 1.5
energy 4.90 eV and passes to the energy level E1 and the electron continues with a kinetic energy equal to KE – 4.90.
The atom cannot pass to the energy level E2 because E2 – E0 = 5.40 eV > KE.
Electrons which do not interact with the atoms keep their kinetic energy KE.
B-2-c For KE = 6.00 eV, the mercury atom initially taken in the ground state can pass after the collision, to the energy level 1.5
E1 = –5.50 eV or to the energy level E2 = – 5.00 eV ; since
KE – E0 = 6.00 – 10.40 = – 4.40 eV > –5.00 eV > = – 5.50 eV. Thus, after the collision, a mercury atom can pass to the
level E1 by absorbing an energy of 4.90 eV and or to the level E2 = – 5.00 eV by absorbing an energy of 5.40 eV.
C-1-a hc 2.5
From the Einstein’s relation: E(photon) = = WS + KE(max)

For 1 = 253.7 nm  KE1(max) = 2.701.6010-19 = 4.3210-19 J
For 2 = 444.0 nm  KE2(max) = 0.601.6010-19 = 0.9610-19 J
1 1   1
Thus : KE1(max) – KE2(max) = hc[ – ] = hc 2
1  2 1 2
[(4.32  10 19  0.96  10 19 )  253 .7  10 9  444  10 9 ]
 hc = h = 6.6310-34 Js.
(444  10  9  253 .7  10  9 )
C-1-b For 1 = 253.7 nm : E(photon) = 4.90 eV  WS = 4.90 – 2.70 = 2.20 eV. 0.5
C-2 The energy of the photon due to the electronic transition E3  E2 is : 1
E32= – 3.70 –(–5.00)
E32 = 1.30 eV < WS, so there will be no emission of photoelectrons.
 Exercise II: Free and forced oscillations (Pohl’s Pendulum)

A-1-a Mechanical energy of the system (pendulum, Earth): ME = KE + PEe = ½J'2+ ½ C2 = constant. 2.5
The derivative of the ME with respect to time, gives:
½ 2 J''' + ½ 2 C' = 0, with ' 0,
C
The differential equation of motion of the pendulum:'' +  = 0.
J
A-1-b The solution of this differential equation:  = m cos(0t + ) ; 3
'= – 0m sin(0t + ) and'' = – 20 m cos(0t + ).
Substituting in the differential equation, we get:
C C C
– 20 m cos(0t + ) + + m cos(0t + ) = 0  20 = and 0 =
J
J J
At t0 = 0, 0 = –0m sin( ) = 0   = 0 or .
Similarly , at t0 = 0, 0 = m cos() > 0   = 0 and m = 0.
A-2-a According to Lenz law, statement . . . . 1.5
A-2-b d 2.5
According to the theorem of angular momentum: ∑ 𝑚𝑂 = = J''
dt
d
 – C – k = J''
dt
(the moments of the weight and of the reaction of the rotational axis with respect to () are zero)
k d C k C
'' + +  = 0. Thus, taking  = and 20 = ,
J dt J 2J J
The differential equation can be written as:''+ 2' + 20  = 0.
A-2-c 2 2 0.5
The pseudo-period: T = =
 02  2
A-2-d m e  t cos(t  ) 1 1.5
As  = ln  (t T)
  = ln  T   = T
m e cos[( t  T)  ] e
A-3-a 20 2
For I2 = 0.4 A, we find that T2  2 s and that 2 = ln = 0.47
12.5
 2 0.47
 2 = = = 0.235 s-1.
T2 2
A-3-b-i The graph of  as a function of I2 is carried by a straight line  = a I2 + b. 2
0.69 = a0.72 + b and 0.235 = a0.42 + b
 a = 1.38 A-2 and b = 0.014 s-1.
So:  = 1.38I2 + 0.014 (I in A).
A-3 b-ii k 1.5
=  k = 2J  k = 210-41410-3 + 2.7610-4 I2
2J
 k = 2.810-6 + 2.7610-4 I2
 k0 = 2.810-6 Nms/rad ;  = 2.7610-4 Nms/radA2.
A-3-c For 0 = ,  no longer exists, then there will be no oscillations 1
2
So 0 =  = 1.38 I2+ 0.014 = =
T0
(  0.014)
 I2 = = 2.27  I = 1.51 A.
1.38
B-1 For f close to 0.5 Hz we obtain the amplitude resonance phenomenon, because, when f is made to vary, the 1
amplitude reaches a maximum for a value close to 0.5 Hz.
B-2 The maximum amplitude of oscillation decreases as I increases, since the damping increases with I. 1
 Exercise III: Maximum electric quantities and phase shift

A-1 The voltage uBN = uR across the resistor is: uBN = uR = R i = R Imsin(t) 3
dq duC 1 Im
We have i = and q = C uPA = C uC  i = C . thus: uC = ∫ i dt = – cos(t) + cte where the cte is zero
dt dt C C
Im Im 
because uC is an alternating sinusoidal function  : uC = cos(t+) = sin(t- ).
C C 2
di 
uAB = uL = L = L Imcos(t) = L Imsin(t+ ).
dt 2
A- According to the law of addition of voltages: uPN = uPA + uAB + uBN. 3
2a Im  
Um sin(t + ) = sin(t – ) + L Imsin(t + ) + R Imsin(t).
C 2 2
Im 1
For t = 0  Umsin = – + L Im + 0  Umsin = (L – )Im. (1)
C C

For t =  Umcos = 0 + 0 + R Im  Umcos = RIm. (2)
2
1
L − 1 2 Um
(1)/(2)  tan  = C
; (1)2 + (2)2  Um
2
= Im[R2 + (L − ) ]  Im = 2
R C
√R2 +(L − 1 )
C

A- The expressions of the amplitudes of uC and uL are respectively: 1.5

2b UCm =
Im
=
Um
and ULm = L Im =
L Um
.
C 1 2 √R2 +(L − 1 )
2
C√R2 +(L − )
C C
2 2
B-1 The period TC = Shx = 0.55.6 = 2.8 ms ; the value of C = = = 2244 rad/s. 1.5
TC 2.810−3
URm 7.8
B-2 The value of URm = SVy = 23.9 = 7.8 V. Thus, the value Im = = = 3.1210-2 A. 2
R 250
Im 3.1210−2
The value of UCm(max) = = = 13.9 V
CC 224410−6
d 0.3
B-3 C = – 2 = – 2 = – 0.336 rad. 1.5
D 5.6
L Um
C-1 ULm = L Im = 2
; ULm is maximum when its derivative with respect to  is zero. 2.5
√R2 +(L − 1 )
C
1 1
2(L − C)(L + )
1 2 C2
L Um √R2 +(L − C) −L Um
1 2 1 1
2√R2 +(L − C) 2 2(LL −
CL
)(L + 2 )
dULm dULm 1 CL
 = 1 2 2
; =0 √R2 + (LL − ) − =0
d [R2 +(L − ) ] d CL 2
1
C 2√R2 +(LL − )
CL

1 L 1
 R2 + L22L + –2 – L22L + =0
C2 2
L C C2 2
L
2 L 2 LC 2 1
 R2 + – 2 = 0  R2 + –2 = 0  R2 + –2 =0
C2 2
L C C2 2
L C2 C2 2
L C2 2
0
R2 C 2 1 1 1 1 R2 C 2 1 R2 C2 2 0
 = –  = – = [1 – 0
]  L = = 2787 rad/s.
2 2
0 2
L 2
L 2
0 2 2
0 2 2 2 2
√1−R C 0
2
1 1
C-2 LL − C 0.162787 − 1.5
10−6 2787
We have tan L = L
= = 0.348  L = + 0.335 rad.
R 250

LL Um 0.1627878
ULm(max) = = 2
= 13.47 V
2 1
√2502 +(0.162787 − )
√R2 +(LL − 1 ) 10−6 2787
CL

D We find that L = – C, UCm(max) = ULm(max) 1

and that LC = 27872244 = 6254000  20 = 25002 = 6250000 rad2/s2
E-1 The expression of the average power P consumed by the circuit is given by: 1
2 2 RU2
m
P = RI = ½ R Im = 1 2
.
2[R2 +(L − ) ]
C

E- dP 2.5
The average power P is maximum when = 0.
2a dR
1 2 1 2 2
dP U2 2 2
m [R +(L − C) ]−RUm 2R dP U2
m [(L − C) −R1 ]
=½ 1 2 ; for R = R1 ; =½ 1 2 =0
dR [R2 +(L − ) ]2 dR [R2 2
C 1 +(L − C) ]

1 2 1 1
 (L − ) − R21 = 0  R1 = |L − |, since R1> 0. R1 = 0.16500 – = 385 .
C C 10−6 500
R1 U2
m R1 U2
m U2
m 82
P1 = = = = = 4.1510-2 W.
2[R2 2
1 +R1 ] 4R2
1 4R1 4385
1
E- L − C  1
2b In this case, tan R = = – 1  R = – rad.
R1 4