In class, I solve the problems in this document to show

the students how to apply the theories being studied. Pay

attention to the strategies and mathematical/logical
techniques which are essential for writing out the full
solutions step by step.

Unit 1 SHM

Ex: [equation from ω, x at t]

A block on a horizontal frictionless surface whose mass m

is 680 g is fastened to a horizontal spring whose spring
constant k is 65 N/m. The block is pulled a distance x =
11 cm from its equilibrium position at x = 0 and
released from rest. At t=0.2 s, the block is at x=5.5 cm
and moving to the positive direction.
What is the position as a function of time?
(ans: x (t )=0.11cos ⁡(9.8 t−3.01) )

Ex: [equation from x, v at t]

In a horizontal block-spring system, m=0.2 kg and k=5
π
N/m. At t= 10 s, the spring is compressed to the left by 6
cm and the block has a velocity v= - 40 cm/s.
(a) What is the position as a function of time?
(b) What’s the maximum velocity?
(c) What’s the net force at t=0?
m
(ans: x (t )=0.101cos ( 5t +0.64 ) ; 0.505 s ;−0.405 N )

Ex: (find times from equation)

In a horizontal spring-block system, the function is given
by x (t )=0.06 cos ( 5 t+ 0.84 ) . Find the time(s) in the first cycle of
the oscillation at which the speed is 60% of its
maximum value?
(ans: 0.589 s ; 0.959 s ; 1.22 s ; 0.331 s )
Ex: (energy)
The SHM of a block attached to a spring whose spring
constant is 7 N/m is expressed by x (t )=1.7 cos ( 1.7 t+ 0.8 ). What
are (a) the position(s) and (b) the earliest time when
the kinetic energy is ½ the potential energy.
(ans: ± 1.39 m; 1.02 s )

Ex: [equation and energy] simple pendulum

A simple pendulum consists of a bob of mass 40 g and a
string of length of 80 cm. At t=0, the angular
displacement is -0.15 rad and the linear velocity is 60
cm/s toward the equilibrium position. Find:
(a) the angular position as a function of time;
(b) the maximum kinetic energy;
(c) the maximum height above the equilibrium position.
(ans: θ ( t )=0.262 cos ( 3.5 t+ 4.10 ) ; 10.7 mJ ; 2.73 cm )

Ex: [pendulum]
Suppose that a simple pendulum consists of a small
60.0 g bob at the end of a cord of negligible mass. If the
angle between the cord and the vertical is given by
θ ( t )=0.8 cos ( 4.43 t+ ϕ ) .
What are (a) the pendulum's length and (b) its maximum
1
kinetic energy and (c) the angle(s) when K E= 4 U g?
(ans: 0.499 m ; 9.38 ×10−2 J ; ±0.731 rad )
Unit 2 wave on a string

Ex1: A wave traveling along a string is described by

y ( x , t )=0.00327 sin ⁡(72.1 x −2.72t ).

(a) What are the wavelength and period?

(b) What are magnitude and direction of the velocity of
this wave?
(c) What are the displacement y(x,t), and transverse
velocity u(x,t) of the string at x = 22.5 cm and t =
18.9 s?
(d) What is the phase difference of the two particles
separated by 2.00 cm at a given time?

(ans: 0.0871 m ,2.31 s ; 0.0377 m/s ¿ t h e rig h t ; 1.92 ×10 m , 0.00720 m/ s ; 1.44 rad )
−3

Ex2: [find wave function]

A transverse wave on a string traveling in the negative x
direction has a wavelength of 2.5 cm and amplitude of
0.03 m. The string has a mass density 100g/m and
undergoes a tension of 0.625 N. The displacement at
x=0 and t=0 is y=-0.02 m and the particle velocity is
positive.
(a) Write the wave function y(x,t)=ym sin(kx-/+ωt+φ).
(b) What’s the phase change during a time interval of 3.2
ms at a given x position?

(ans: y ( x , t )=0.03 sin ( 251 x+628 t−0.730 ) ; 2.01 rad )

Ex3: Interference of two waves, same direction, same
amplitude
Two identical sinusoidal waves, moving in the same
direction along a stretched string, interfere with each
other. The amplitude ym of each wave is 9.8 mm, and the
phase difference between them is 100°.
(a) What is the amplitude y′m of the resultant wave due to
the interference?
(b) What phase difference, in radians and wavelengths,
will give the resultant wave an amplitude of 4.9 mm?

(ans: 12.6 mm ; ± 2.64 rad , ±0.42 wavelength)

Ex4: standing wave function

Two overlapping waves travel in opposite directions, each
with a speed of 40 cm/s. They have the same amplitude
of 2 cm and a frequency of 8 Hz.
(a) Write the wave function for the resulting
standing wave.
(b) Write the wave functions for the component
waves.
(c) What is the location of the antinode closest to
x=20cm?
(d) What is the maximum displacement of a particle
at x=0.5 cm?
(e) What is the amplitude of the wave at t=15.2 ms?

(ans: y ( x , t )=4 cmcos ( 16 πt ) sin ( 40 πx ) ;

y 1 ( x , t )=2 cmsin ( 40 πk−16 πt ) ;
y 2 ( x , t )=2 cmsin(40 πk + 16 πt) ;
21.25 cm∨18.75 cm ; 2.35 cm; 2.89 cm)
Ex5: Resonance of transverse waves, standing waves,
harmonics
The figure below shows a pattern of resonant oscillation
of a string of mass M = 2.500 g and length L = 0.800 m
and that is under tension F= 325.0 N.
(a) What is the wavelength λ the standing wave?
(b) What is the harmonic number n?
(c) What is the frequency f of the standing wave?
(d) What is the maximum of the transverse velocity um of
the element oscillating at x = 0.180 m?
(e) Locate the particles that have the maximum
transverse velocity
(antinodes)?

m
(ans: 0.4 m; 4 ; 806 Hz ; 6.26
s
; 0.1m , 0.3 m, 0.5 m ,0.7 m)

Ex6: The wave function of a standing wave on a string is

given by
y ' ( x , t )=0.02 sin ( 0.3 x ) cos ( 25t )

Where x and y are in centimeters and t is in seconds.

(a) Find the wavelength and wave speed of the
component waves.
(b) What is the length of the string if this function
represents the third harmonic? Make a sketch of the
standing wave.
(c) At what points is the particle velocity permanently
zero?
(d) what’s the maximum transverse velocity at t=0.2s?

83.3 cm
(ans: 20.9 cm ,
s
; 31.4 cm; 0 , 10.5 cm ,21 cm , 31.4 cm ; 0.479 cm/s )

Unit 3 Sound wave

Ex: Sound resonance in open pipe and closed pipe

Weak background noises from a room set up the

fundamental standing wave in a cardboard tube of
length L = 67.0 cm with two open ends. Assume that
the speed of sound in the air within the tube is 343 m/s.
(a) What fundamental frequency do you hear from
the tube?
(b) If you jam your ear against one end of the tube,
what fundamental frequency do you hear from the
tube?
(ans: 256Hz, 128Hz)

Ex: Sound resonance in pipes

Pipe A, which is 1.20 m long and open at both ends,
oscillated at its third lowest harmonic frequency. It is
filled with air for which the speed the sound is 343 m/s.
Pipe B, which is closed at one end, oscillated at its
second lowest harmonic frequency. This frequency of B
happens to match the frequency of A. An x axis extends
along the interior of B, with x=0 at the closed end.
(a) Sketch the standing wave in pipe B. How many
nodes are along that axis?
(b) What are x locations of those nodes in pipe B?
(c) What is the fundamental frequency of pipe B?
(ans: Two; 0, 0.4m; 143Hz)
Ex: Doppler effect
The figure indicates the directions of motion of a sound
source and a detector for six situations in stationary air.
For each situation, is the detected frequency greater
than or less than the emitted frequency, or can't we tell
without more information about the actual speeds?
Source Detector
(a) → • 0 speed

• 0 speed
(b) ←
→
(c) → ←

←
(d) ←
→
(e) →

(f) ←

Ex: Double Doppler shift in the echoes used by bats

Bats navigate and search out prey by emitting, and then
detecting reflections of, ultrasonic waves, which are
sound waves with frequencies greater than can be
heard by a human.

Suppose a bat emits ultrasound at frequency 82.52 kHz

while flying with velocity as it chases a moth
that flies with velocity .
(a) What frequency does the moth detect?
(b) What frequency does the bat detect in the
returning echo from the moth?
(ans: 82.8kHz; 83.0kHz)

Ex: (Doppler and beats)

A police car, whose siren has a natural frequency of 500
Hz, approaches a large wall at 30 Km/h. A stationary
observer detects the direct and the reflected waves.
What is the beat frequency? (There are two possible
answers.)
(ans: 0; 24Hz)

Ex: (interference at a selected point)

Two speakers are put at two corners (0, 0) and (0, 4)m in
a living room. They produce coherent sounds in phase.
You are seating in a chair at (6, 1)m. What is the second
lowest frequency for which the sound intensity you
hear is at maximum?
(ans: 1096Hz)
Ex: (interference at a selected point)
Two speakers are set up 4.0 m apart. They both produce
sound at a frequency of 256 Hz. There is a maximum in
the sound intensity at point P1 which is 3.0 m directly in
front of one of the speakers. Will the sound have
maximum or minimum intensity at point P2 which is
equidistant from the two speakers?
 (ans: minimum)

Unit 4 Double, Single-slit

Ex: Double-slit interference pattern

The wavelength λ of the light is 546 nm, the slit

separation d is 0.12 mm, and the slit–screen separation
D is 55 cm.
(a) What’s the angular separation between 2nd
(m=1) and 4th (m=3) dark fringes? Δ θ
(b) What is the distance/width between adjacent
maxima? Δ y
(c) What’s the distance from center to the 2nd dark
fringe? y
(ans: 9.07 × 10−5 rad ; 2.50 mm; 3.75 mm ¿

Ex: Double-slit, two wavelengths

A pair of slits separated by 0.24 mm is illuminated by
light containing two wavelengths, 480 nm and 560 nm.
The pattern is viewed on a screen at a distance of 1.2 m
from the slits. What is the first position relative to the
central peak at which two maxima coincide?
(ans: 1.68cm)

Ex: Single-slit diffraction pattern with white light (400nm

to 700nm)
A slit of width a is illuminated by white light.

(a) For what value of a will the first minimum for red light
of wavelength λ = 650 nm appear at θ = 15°?
(b) What is the wavelength λ′ of the light whose first
side diffraction maximum is at 15°, thus coinciding with
the first minimum for the red light?
(c) For λ = 650 nm, find the linear widths of central peak
and side peak. The slit-screen separation is 50 cm.
(ans: 2.51 μm; 433nm; 0.259m, 0.130m)

Ex: (double-single combined pattern)

In a double-slit experiment, the wavelength λ of the light
source is 405 nm, the slit separation d is 19.44 μm, and
the slit width a is 3.88 μm. Consider the interference of
the light from the two slits and also the diffraction of
the light through each slit.
(a) How many bright interference fringes are within the
central peak of the diffraction envelope?
(b) How many bright fringes are within either of the first
side peaks of the diffraction envelope?
(c) If the distance from the slits to the screen D is 2 m,
find the distance between the 3rd side maximum and 2nd
minimum in the interference pattern seen on the
screen.
(d) Sketch the intensity graph of interference pattern for
10 orders on each side.
(ans: 9; 4; 62.5mm; )

Ex: (double-single combined pattern)

Laser light of wavelength 500 nm illuminates two
identical slits, producing an interference pattern on a
screen 90.0 cm from the slits as shown in the figure.
(a) Find the width and the separation of the two
slits.
(b) What are the orders of next missing bright
fringes on either side which are not shown in the
figure?

(ans: d=75 μm , a=25 μm; m=± 9)

Unit 5 Grating, Thin film

Ex: (grating)
The hydrogen lamp includes a spectrum of a red line at
656 nm and a blue-violet line at 434 nm. A diffraction
grating that has 4500 grooves/cm is illuminated by the
lamp.
(a) Find the angular width for the second-order
spectrum obtained.
(b) How many orders of complete spectra you can
see on a screen?
(c)What is the greatest angle at which the light with the
longer wavelength appears?
(d) Does spectra overlap occur? Explain.
(ans: 0.231rad; three; 1.09rad; Yes, m=2 for 656nm is
after m=3 for 434nm)
Ex: (thin film)
The figure shows four situations in which light reflects
perpendicularly from a thin film of thickness L, with
indexes of refraction as given.
(a) For which situations does reflection at the film
interfaces cause a zero phase difference for the two
reflected rays?
(b) For which situations will the film be dark if the path
length difference 2L causes a phase difference of 0.5
wavelength? (ans: 1,4; 1,4)
Ex: Thin-film interference of a water film in air
White light, with a uniform intensity across the visible
wavelength range of 400 to 690 nm, is perpendicularly
incident on a water film, of index of refraction n2 = 1.33
and thickness L = 320 nm, that is suspended in air. At
what wavelength λ is the light reflected by the film
brightest to an observer?

(ans: 567nm)

Ex: Thin-film interference of a coating on a glass lens

A glass lens is coated on one side with a thin film of
magnesium fluoride (MgF2) to reduce reflection from the
lens surface. The index of refraction of MgF2 is 1.38;
that of the glass is 1.50. What is the least coating
thickness that eliminates (via interference) the
reflections at the middle of the visible spectrum (λ =
550 nm)?
(ans: L=99.6nm)
Unit 6 Lenses

Ex: (one lens)

A praying mantis preys along the central axis of a thin
lens, 20 cm from the lens. The lateral magnification of the
mantis provided by the lens is m = -0.25.
(a) Find the focal length of the lens.
(b) Determine the type of image produced by the lens,
the type of lens, whether the object (mantis) is inside
or outside the focal point, on which side of the lens
the image appears, and whether the image is
inverted.
(ans: 4.0cm; real, converging, outside, right side,
inverted)

Ex: (Image produced by a system of two thin lenses)

A converging lens of focal length 4 cm is placed 12 cm
ahead of a diverging lens of focal length 2 cm. A small
object is 8 cm in front of the converging lens. Find
(a) the position of the final image;
(b) the total transverse magnification of the final image.
(c) Draw the principal diagram to scale.
(Ans: -1.33cm; -0.333)

Ex: (two lenses, 1st image is virtual)

A seed O1 that is placed in front of two thin coaxial
lenses 1 and 2, with focal lengths f1 = +24 cm and f2 =
+9.0 cm, respectively, and with lens separation L = 10
cm. The seed is 6.0 cm from lens 1. Where does the
system of two lenses produce an image of the seed?
(Ans: 18cm)
Ex: (magnifier)
Someone with a near point Pn of 25 cm views a thimble
through a simple magnifying lens of focal length 10 cm
by placing the lens near his eye. What is the angular
magnification of the thimble if it is positioned so that its
image appears at (a) Pn and (b) infinity?
(Ans: 3.5; 2.5)

Ex: (compound microscope)

The focal length of the objective of a microscope is 8 mm
and that of the eyepiece is 3 cm. The distance between
the lenses is d=17.5 cm. If the final virtual image is at
40 cm from the eyepiece (a) find the distance of the
original object from the objective; (b) find the angular
magnification.
(Ans: 0.846cm; -156)

Ex: (refracting telescope)

A refracting telescope used to view the moon has an
objective of focal length 1.8 m and an eyepiece of focal
length 11 cm. What is the angular magnification if the
final virtual image is 40 cm from the eyepiece?
(Ans: -20.9)
Unit 7 Quantum physics

Ex: Rank the following radiations according to their

associated photon energies, greatest first: (a) yellow
light from a sodium vapor lamp, (b) a gamma ray
emitted by a radioactive nucleus, (c) a radio wave
emitted by the antenna of a commercial radio station,
(d) a microwave beam emitted by airport traffic control
radar.

Answer: b, a, d, c

Ex: Photoelectric effect

Light of wavelength 200 nm shines on an aluminum
surface; 4.20 eV is required to eject an electron.
(a) What is the kinetic energy of the fastest ejected
electrons?
(b) What is the stopping potential for this situation?
(c) What is the cutoff wavelength for aluminum?

(ans: 2.01 eV; 2.01V; 300nm)

Ex: Photoelectric effect
The figure shows data for targets of cesium, potassium,
sodium, and lithium. The plots are parallel.
(a) Rank the targets according to their work functions,
greatest first.
(b) Rank the plots according to the value of h they yield,
greatest first.
(c) What’s the work function of sodium?

Answer:

(a) lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium; (b) all tie; (c) 2.3
eV
 Ex: matter wave

For an electron and a proton that have the same (a)

momentum, (b) speed, or (c) kinetic energy,

which particle has the shorter de Broglie wavelength?

Answer: (a) same; (b) proton; (c) proton;

Ex: matter wave

In an old-fashioned television set, electrons are

accelerated through a voltage (potential difference) of 54
V.

(a) What is the de Broglie wavelength of such electrons?

For comparison,

(b) what’s the de Broglie wavelength of a 10g bullet

moving at 400m/s?

(ans: 0.167nm; 1.66 ×10

−34
m)

Ex: Uncertainty principle: position and momentum

(a) Assume that an electron is moving along an x axis
and that you measure its speed to be 2.05 × 106 m/s,
which can be known with a precision of 0.50%. What
is the minimum uncertainty (as allowed by the
uncertainty principle in quantum theory) with which
you can simultaneously measure the position of the
electron along the x axis?
(b) A 10 g bullet has a speed of 400 m/s measured with
the same precision (0.50%). What is the minimum
uncertainty in the measurement of its position?
(ans: −8
1.13 ×10 m ; 5.28 ×10
−33
m)
Unit 8 Nuclear physics

Ex: Binding energy per nucleon

What is the binding energy per nucleon for 120

50 Sn? Given
mass of the Sn atom is 119.902,197u.
(ans: 8.50MeV)

Ex:
Based on Figure above, which of the following nuclides do
you conclude are not likely to be detected: 52Fe (Z =
26), 90As (Z = 33), 158Nd (Z = 60), 175Lu (Z = 71), 208Pb (Z
= 82)?

Answer:
90 158
As and Nd
Ex: Q value in an alpha decay
We are given the following atomic masses:

Calculate the energy released during the alpha decay of

238
U. The decay process is

(ans: 4.25 MeV)

Ex: Q value in a beta decay

Calculate the disintegration energy Q for the beta decay

of 32P, as described by Equation 32P ⟶ 32S +e−¿ ¿.
The needed atomic masses are 31.973 91 u for 32P and
31.972 07 u for 32S.

(ans: 1.71MeV)
Ex: (decay law)
The nuclide 131I is radioactive, with a half-life of 8.04 days.
At noon on January 1, the activity of a certain sample is
600 Bq. Using the concept of half-life, without written
calculation, determine whether the activity at noon on
January 24 will be a little less than 200 Bq, a little more
than 200 Bq, a little less than 75 Bq, or a little more than
75 Bq.

Answer:

a little more than 75 Bq (elapsed time is a little less than

three half-lives)

Ex: (decay law)

What is the initial decay rate of 1 g of radium 226? Its

half-life is 1620 year, and its molecular mass is M=226
g/mole.

(ans: 3.6 ×10 Bq≈ 1 Ci)

10
Ex: (decay law) Finding the half-life from the activity and
mass

A 2.71 g sample of 39❑ K 35❑Cl from the chemistry stockroom is

found to be radioactive, and it is decaying at a constant
rate of 44.90 Bq. The decays are traced to the element
potassium and in particular to the isotope 40K, which
constitutes 0.0117% of normal potassium. Calculate the
half-life of this radioactive nuclide 40K.
(ans: 1.25 ×10 9 year )

Ex: (decay law) Radioactive dating of a moon rock

In a Moon rock sample, the ratio of the number of (stable)

40
Ar atoms present to the number of (radioactive) 40K
atoms is 10.3. Assume that all the argon atoms were
produced by the decay of potassium atoms, with a half-
life of 1.25 × 109 y. How old is the rock?
(ans: 4.37 × 109 year )
Unit 9 Special relativity

Ex: Standing beside railroad tracks, Alice suddenly

startled by a relativistic boxcar traveling past her as
shown. Inside, a well-equipped hobo fires a laser pulse
from the front of the boxcar to its rear. Is her
measurement of the speed of the pulse greater than,
less than, or the same as that measured by the hobo?

Answer: same (constant speed of light postulate);

Ex: Time dilation for a space traveler who returns to Earth

Your starship passes Earth with a relative speed of

0.9990c. After traveling 10.0 y (your time), you stop at
lookout post LP13, turn, and then travel back to Earth
with the same relative speed. The trip back takes
another 10.0 y (your time). How long does the round
trip take according to measurements made on Earth?
(Neglect any effects due to the accelerations involved
with stopping, turning, and getting back up to speed.)
(ans: 448 year)
 Ex: Time dilation and travel distance for a relativistic
particle

The elementary particle known as the positive kaon (K+)

is unstable in that it can decay (transform) into other
particles. Although the decay occurs randomly, we find
that, on average, a positive kaon has a lifetime of
0.1237 μs when stationary—that is, when the lifetime is
measured in the rest frame of the kaon.
If a positive kaon has a speed of 0.990c relative to a
laboratory reference frame when the kaon is produced,
how far can it travel during its lifetime according to
Kaon and according to lab frame?
(ans: 36.7m; 260m)

Ex: Time dilation and length contraction as seen from

each frame
Sally and Sam's spaceship of proper length L0 = 230 m
pass each other with constant relative speed v. Sally
measures a time interval of 3.57 μs for the ship to pass
her. In terms of c, what is the relative speed v between
Sally and the ship?
(ans: 0.210c)

Ex: Time dilation and length contraction in outrunning a

supernova
Caught by surprise near a supernova, you race away from
the explosion in your spaceship, hoping to outrun the
high-speed material ejected toward you. Your Lorentz
factor γ relative to the inertial reference frame of the
local stars is 22.4.
(a) To reach a safe distance, you figure you need to cover
9.00 × 1016 m as measured in the reference frame of
the local stars. How long will the flight take, as
measured in that frame?
(b) How long does that trip take according to you (in
your reference frame)?
(ans: 9.51 year; 0.425 year)

Ex: Energy and momentum of a relativistic electron

(a) What is the total energy E of an electron with a kinetic
energy 2.53 MeV?
(b) What is the magnitude p of the electron's
momentum, in the unit MeV/c?
(ans: 3.04 MeV; 3.00 MeV/c)

Ex: Energy and an astounding discrepancy in travel time

The most energetic proton ever detected in the cosmic
rays coming to Earth from space had an astounding
kinetic energy of 3.0 × 1020 eV (enough energy to warm
a teaspoon of water by a few degrees).

(a) What was the proton's Lorentz factor?

(b) Suppose that the proton travels along a diameter of

the Milky Way galaxy (9.8 × 104 light year).
Approximately how long does the proton take to travel
that diameter as measured from the common reference
frame of Earth and the Galaxy and from the proton
frame? Which time is proper?

(ans: 11 4
3.20 ×10 ; 9.8 × 10 year , 9.7 s ( proper ) . ¿