Bautista, Aldo Midterm 4 Due: Dec 12 2005, 10:00 pm Inst: Maxim Tsoi

This print-out should have 17 questions.

Multiple-choice questions may continue on
the next column or page find all choices
before answering. The due time is Central
time.
001 (part 1 of 1) 10 points
An ambulance is traveling North at
47.2 m/s, approaching a car that is also traveling North at 31.5 m/s. The ambulance driver
hears his siren at a frequency of 848 cycles/s.
The velocity of sound is 343 m/s.
47.2 m/s
31.5 m/s
Ambulance

Car

What is the wavelength at the car drivers

position for the sound from the ambulances
siren?
Correct answer: 0.348821 m.
Explanation:
Basic Concepts: The Doppler Effect:
Wavelength of Sound Created by Source with
Rest Frequency f and Speed vsource is
=

vsound vsource
.
f

However, as sources/observers move

through the medium at different velocities,
they see the sound waves move past them at
different velocities. As a result, the number
of wavefronts passing them in a given time interval; i.e., the frequency of the sound, must
change.
The relationship between observed frequency and observed wavelength is always
given by
0
f = vrel ,
where vrel is the relative speed of the sound
wave and the observer/source.
Therefore, the wavelength of the sound
emitted in front of the ambulance is
0
v
vamb
= sound
f
(343 m/s) (47.2 m/s)
=
(848 cycles/s)
= 0.348821 m .
The negative sign arises because the ambulance driver is traveling in the same direction
as these sound waves and therefore perceives
them as being slower than sound waves emitted when the ambulance is at rest. This results in a smaller wavelength; intuitively, the
wavefronts are compressed together by the
motion of the siren.

Wave Speed Relative to Moving Observer is

0

v = vsound vobserver .
Observed Frequency is
0

002 (part 1 of 1) 10 points

A skyrocket explodes 114 m above the ground.
Three observers are spaced 81 m apart, with
observer A directly under the point of the
explosion.

v
f = .

Note: The wavelength is specified in the

reference frame of the medium of propagation.
Solution: Sound waves always travel at a
given speed with respect to their medium of
propagation.
Note: Both the ambulance and car drivers,
as well as any observers at rest (on the side
of the road, for example), will measure the
same wavelength for the sound from the siren,
because length measurements will not depend
on the velocity of the measurer.

114 m
A

B
81 m

C
81 m

Find the ratio of the sound intensity heard

by observer A to that heard by observer B.
Caution : Obviously the observer-size is not
drawn to scale . For practical purpose, you

Bautista, Aldo Midterm 4 Due: Dec 12 2005, 10:00 pm Inst: Maxim Tsoi
may treat each observer as a point on the
ground.
Correct answer: 1.50485 .
Explanation:
Given :

h = 114 m and
d = 81 m .

rA = 114 m

Source

rC
rB
B

C
81 m
81 m
The intensity at a distance r from the
source is
P
,
I=
4 r2
and distances from the source to points A and
B are
rA = h and
p
rB = h 2 + d2 ,
so

h2 + d2
IA
r2
= B2 =
IB
h2
rA
(114 m)2 + (81 m)2
=
(114 m)2
= 1.50485 .
003 (part 1 of 1) 10 points
Two planets A and B, where B has twice the
mass of A, orbit the Sun in elliptical orbits.
The semi-major axis of the elliptical orbit of
planet B is two times larger than the semimajor axis of the elliptical orbit of planet A.
What is the ratio of the orbital period of
planet B to that of planet A?

TB
1.
= 8 correct
TA
TB
2.
=1
TA
1
TB
=
3.
TA
2

r
1
TB
=
4.
TA
8
1
TB
=
5.
TA
4
1
TB
=
6.
TA
8
r
1
TB
7.
=
TA
2
TB
=2
8.
TA

TB
9.
= 2
TA
TB
10.
=8
TA
Explanation:
Basic Concept: Keplers Third Law is

4 2
2
a3 = K S a3 ,
T =
G MS
where
KS =

4 2
= 2.97 1019 s2 /m2 ,
G MS

and where a is the semi-major axis of the

elliptical orbit of the planet (a = r the radius
of a planet in a circular orbit).
Solution: According to Keplers third law,
the square of the orbital period is proportional
to the cube of the semi-major axis a of the
elliptical orbit. Therefore,
TA2
TB2
=
.
a3A
a3B
Therefore,
TB
=
TA

aB
aA

32

= 23/2 =

8.

004 (part 1 of 1) 10 points

A harmonic wave
y = A sin[k x t ] ,
where A = 1 meter, k has units of m1 ,
has units of s1 , and has units of radians, is
plotted in the diagram below.

Bautista, Aldo Midterm 4 Due: Dec 12 2005, 10:00 pm Inst: Maxim Tsoi
t = 0)

At the time t = 0

+1

A (meters)

y = A sin k x

2
= A sin
x

2
= A sin
x
9m
12 m

18 m

Which wave function corresponds best to

the diagram?

2
1
1. y = A sin
xt
3m
3

2
2
2. y = A sin
xt
9m
3

2
5
3. y = A sin
xt
15 m
3

2
4
4. y = A sin
xt
9m
3

2
5
5. y = A sin
xt
3m
3

2
5
6. y = A sin
x t
cor9m
3
rect

2
1
7. y = A sin
xt
9m
3

2
2
8. y = A sin
xt
15 m
3

2
4
9. y = A sin
xt
15 m
3

2
2
10. y = A sin
xt
3m
3
Explanation:
From the diagram of the wave function the
wave-length = 9 m (6 horizontal scale divisions of 1.5 m each, see diagram below).
Notice: Since one wave-length is 2 ra2

dians, each horizontal division is

=
6
3
radians.
The given wave function (sine function with

(gray curve in diagram below), therefore

=5

=
radians .
3
3

Checking the wave function y at x = 0, we

have agreement with the diagram below

5
y = sin 0
= 0.866025 m .
3

At the time t = 0
0

+1
A (meters)

6m

(dark curve in diagram below) is shifted 5

divisions to the right (negative phase shift) of
a no-phase-shift sine function

2
y = sin
x
9m

1
x (meters)

1
x (meters)

9m
=9m

18 m

Therefore, the wave function is

2
5
y = A sin
xt
.
9m
3
005 (part 1 of 1) 10 points
What physics mistakes occur in a science fiction movie that shows a distant explosion in
outer space, where you see and hear the explosion at the same time?

Bautista, Aldo Midterm 4 Due: Dec 12 2005, 10:00 pm Inst: Maxim Tsoi
1. First, the explosion cannot occur in outer
space; second, if it could, since there is no
matter in the outer-space, while both waves
can travel without matter, the faster-moving
light would reach you before the sound.
2. First, in outer space there is no air
to carry sound; second, if there were, the
faster-moving light would reach you before
the sound. correct

M1 = 250 kg ,
M2 = 290 kg .

and

At the midpoint between the two masses, the

forces exerted by the masses M1 and M2 are
oppositely directed and from
F =G

mM
,
r2

so the net force on the mass m is

m (M1 M2 )
m (M1 M2 )
= 4G
2
d2
d
2

= 4 6.672 1011 N m2 /kg2

(31.9 kg) (250 kg 290 kg)

(0.371 m)2
= 2.47411 106 N

F =G
3. None of these
4. First, the explosion cannot occur in outer
space; second, if it could, since there is no
matter in the outer-space the sound would
reach you before the light.
5. First, in outer space there is no material
to carry light; second, if there were, the sound
would reach you before the light.
Explanation:
First, in outer space there is no air or
other material to carry sound, so you cannot hear the sound. Second, if there were,
faster-moving light would reach you before
the sound.
006 (part 1 of 2) 10 points
Given: The universal gravitational constant
is 6.672 1011 N m2 /kg2 .
Objects with masses of 250 kg and 290 kg
are separated by 0.371 m. A 31.9 kg mass is
placed midway between them.
290 kg
250 kg
31.9 kg


007 (part 2 of 2) 10 points

Leaving the distance between the 250 kg and
the 290 kg masses fixed, at what distance from
the 290 kg mass (other than infinitely remote
ones) does the 31.9 kg mass experience a net
force of zero?
Correct answer: 0.19238 m.
Explanation:
At a point between M1 and M2 at a distance
r from M2 , the net force will be zero when

0.371 m
Fig: Three co-linear masses.
Find the magnitude of the net gravitational
force exerted by the larger masses on the
31.9 kg mass.
Correct answer: 2.47411 106 N.
Explanation:
Given : d = 0.371 m ,

which has a magnitude of 2.47411 106 N .

Thus

G m M1
G m M2
=
2
(d r)
r2
r2 M1 = (d r)2 M1
p
p
r M1 = (d r) M2
p
p
p
M 1 + M2 = d M2
r

d M2

r=
M1 + M2

(0.371 m) 290 kg

=
250 kg + 290 kg
= 0.19238 m .
008 (part 1 of 1) 10 points

Bautista, Aldo Midterm 4 Due: Dec 12 2005, 10:00 pm Inst: Maxim Tsoi
A standing wave is a superposition of two
harmonic waves described by
y1 = A sin(k x + t)
y2 = A sin(k x t) ,

and

where A = 2.76485 cm, k = 11.9381 m1 and

= 18.8496 s1 .
Determine the smallest positive value of x
corresponding to a node .
Correct answer: 0.263158 m.
Explanation:
On a standing wave, the distance of the
nearest two nodes is
d=

,
2

where is the wavelength. In this problem,

x = 0 is a node, which can be seen by adding
y1 and y2 .
So the smallest positive value of x corresponding to a node is
1

2
1
= (0.526316 m)
2
= 0.263158 m .

x=

va + v t
fc
va + v c
va + v t
4. ft =
fc
va v c
Explanation:
Basic Concepts: The Doppler shifted frequency, f 0 , heard in the truck is
3. ft =

f0 =

va v o
f,
va v s

(1)

where va is the speed of sound in air, vo is the

speel of the observer, and vs is the speed of
the source,
The upper sign is used when the relative
velocities are toward one-another, and vice
verse.
Solution: The relative velocity of the observer is away from the source so the lower
sign is used in the numerator ( ), and
the relative velocity of the source is towards
the observer so the upper sign is used in the
denominator ( ). Therefore Eq. 2 becomes
va v t
ft =
fc .
va v c
This is version four of four versions.

009 (part 1 of 1) 10 points

A police car is traveling at a speed, vc , to
the right. A truck is traveling at a speed, vt ,
to the right. The frequency of the siren on the
police car is fc .
The speed of sound in air is va . Let vt be
the speed of the observer in the truck, and
vc be the speed of the source, the police car.
vc
vt
Police

Truck

010 (part 1 of 1) 10 points

The figure below shows a complex wave pattern on a string moving towards a rigid hook
at the wall on the right. After some time, the
wave is reflected from the wall.
v

Select the wave pattern for the reflected wave.

v

What is the frequency, ft , heard by an

observer in the moving truck?
va v t
fc
va + v c
va v t
2. ft =
fc correct
va v c
1. ft =

1.

correct
v

2.

Bautista, Aldo Midterm 4 Due: Dec 12 2005, 10:00 pm Inst: Maxim Tsoi

v
3.

4.

8R
v
Earth

5.

Explanation:
Consider the wave pattern image reflected
about the rigid hook on the wall.
v

Satellite

Caution: Neglect the rotational kinetic energy due to the Earths rotation.
Find the energy required to launch a satellite from Earth into the circular orbit at the
specified radius r = 8 R.
14 G M m
13
R
14 G M m
2.
15
R
9 GM m
3.
8
R

1.
v
After the time it takes for the wave to be
reflected from the wall, this image is the wave
pattern traveling to the left along the string.
Note: Reflection about a point (hook) is the
same as reflection about the y-axis (wall) followed by reflection about the x-axis (string).
The leading part of the wave must remain in
front and the wave is flipped over.
This is the third wave pattern of four possible wave patterns presented by this question.
011 (part 1 of 1) 10 points
The radius of the satellite around the center
of the Earth is r = 8 R.
Hint: You may find it useful to take into
account that the gravitational force is a conservative force.
Hint: The universal gravitational force law
is

4. None of these
7 GM m
8
R
17 G M m
6.
16
R
13 G M m
7.
16
R
16 G M m
8.
13
R
15 G M m
9.
correct
16
R
16 G M m
10.
15
R
Explanation:
Basic Concepts: Force of gravity between
two masses m1 and m2 at a distance r
5.

m1 m2
and
r2
m1 m2
,
Ug = G
r
Fg = G

~ = G M m r .
F
r2

Bautista, Aldo Midterm 4 Due: Dec 12 2005, 10:00 pm Inst: Maxim Tsoi
where G is the gravitational constant.
Centripetal acceleration for circular motion
is
v2
ar =
,
r
for the radial acceleration, where v is the
tangential speed.
Solution: Since the gravitational force supplies the centripetal force,
m ar = m

v2
mM
=G 2
r
r

so that
m v2 = G

mM
mM
=G
.
r
8R

Then the kinetic energy of the satellite in

orbit is found to be
Kr =

1
mM
m v2 = G
.
2
2 (8 R)

2. l2
3. l2/4
4. l2/2
correct
5. l1/4
6. l1/2
Explanation:
Each end of the open tube is approximately
a displacement antinode, so the length of
a tube to produce a fundamental resonance
should be l2 /2. (Corresponding to the distance between (1/4) l2 and (3/4) l2 in the
figure above.)
013 (part 1 of 1) 10 points
The diagrams below show different standing waves on a string of length L = 346.5 cm.
Which of this waves has wavelength =
77 cm?

Assume 100 percent efficiency, the energy required E is the same as the initial kinetic
energy. This leads to the conservation of energy

1.

UR + E = Ur + Kr
E = Ur UR + Kr
GM m GM m GM m
+
+
=
8R
R
16R
GM m
2
16
1
=
+
+
R
16 16 16
15 G M m
=
.
16
R

2.

012 (part 1 of 1) 10 points

This picture shows the displacements s of the
air molecules in a traveling sound wave as a
function of distance, x.
l1

correct

3.

l2

Which of the following tubes, open at both

ends, is closest to the right length so as to
resonate at its fundamental frequency when
placed in this sound wave?
1. l1

4.

Bautista, Aldo Midterm 4 Due: Dec 12 2005, 10:00 pm Inst: Maxim Tsoi

where n is the number of vibrating segments

of the string. More precisely, the wave on
the string has n antinodes and n + 1 nodes:
One node at each end of the string, plus n 1
nodes in the middle.
The wave in question has wavelength =
77 cm on a string of length L = 346.5 cm,
hence according to eq. (1),

5.

n =
6.

L
346.5 cm
=
= 9,
/2
(77 cm)/2

which means the wave has 9 antinodes and 10

nodes: One at each end, and 8 in the middle.
In other words, it looks like

7.

8.

9.

Explanation:
A standing wave on a string has nodes
where the string does not vibrate; these nodes
are spaced half-wavelength from each other:
x0 = 0,

x1 =

,
2

x3 = 3

,
2

x4 = 4

x2 = 2

,
2

,....
2

A fixed end of the string cannot vibrate, so it

must be a node of the standing wave. For the
string fixed at both ends, both ends must be
nodes of the wave, hence
L = n

,
2

n = 1, 2, 3, . . . ,

(1)

014 (part 1 of 1) 10 points

Earthquakes produce two kinds of seismic
waves: The longitudinal primary waves
(called P waves) and the transverse secondary
waves (called S waves). Both S waves and
P waves travel through Earths crust and
mantle, but at different speeds; the P waves
are always faster than the S waves, but their
exact speeds depend on depth and location.
For the purpose of this exercise, we assume
the P waves speed to be vP = 8720 m/s
while the S waves travel at a slower speed of
vS = 4240 m/s.
Suppose a seismic station detects a P wave
and then t = 39.3 s later detects an S wave.
How far away is the earthquake center?
Correct answer: 324.337 km.
Explanation:
Suppose the earthquake happens at time
t = 0 at some distance d. The P wave and
the S wave are both emitted at the same
time t = 0, but they arrive at different times,
respectively tP = d/vP and tS = d/vS . The
S wave is slower, so it arrives later than the
P wave, the time difference being
t =

d
d
d(vP vS )

=
.
vS
vP
vP vS

Bautista, Aldo Midterm 4 Due: Dec 12 2005, 10:00 pm Inst: Maxim Tsoi
Consequently, given this time difference and
the two waves speeds vP and vS , we find the
earthquake center being
d=

vP vS t
= 324.337 km
vP v S

away from the seismic station.

015 (part 1 of 1) 10 points
Tension is maintained in a string as in the
figure. The observed wave speed is 23 m/s
when the suspended mass is 2.6 kg .
The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s2 .

Given the gravitational constant G is

6.67259 1011 N m2 /kg2 , calculate the orbital speed of the spacecraft.
Correct answer: 1633.45 m/s.
Explanation:
The Gravitational force is going to be the
centripetal force, which is,
GM m
v2
=
m
d2
d
(where d is the mean distance from the spacecraft to the Moons center), we find
r
GM
v=
q d
6.67259 1011 N m2 /kg2
s
7.36 1022 kg

1.8406 106 m
= 1633.45 m/s .

2.6 kg
What is the wave speed when the suspended
mass is 2.6 kg?
Correct answer: 23 m/s.
Explanation:
Let : m = 2.6 kg .
The velocity is
s
F
v=

r
mg
=

s
(2.6 kg) (9.8 m/s2 )
=
0.0481664 kg/m
= 23 m/s .
016 (part 1 of 2) 10 points
When it orbited the Moon, the Apollo 11
spacecrafts mass was 13600 kg, and its mean
distance from the Moons center was 1.8406
106 m. Assume its orbit was circular and
the Moon to be a uniform sphere of mass
7.36 1022 kg.

017 (part 2 of 2) 10 points

What is the minimum energy required for the
craft to leave the orbit and escape the Moons
gravitational field?
Correct answer: 1.81435 1010 J.
Explanation:
The total energy is
E =K +U =

1
GmM
m v2
.
2
d

In the first part of the problem we found an

expression for v in terms of G, M and d.
Substituting this expression in the formula
for the total energy, we obtain
1 GM
GmM
m

2
d
d
GmM
=
2d
= 6.67259 1011 N m2 /kg2
13600 kg 7.36 1022 kg

2 1.8406 106 m
= 1.81435 1010 J .

E=

Denote the total energy of Apollo 11 orbiting

around the moon by Eorb , and the minimum

Bautista, Aldo Midterm 4 Due: Dec 12 2005, 10:00 pm Inst: Maxim Tsoi
energy Emin required to make the craft to
escape from the moon gravitational field to
infinity by Emin . Since the potential energy of
the Apollo at infinity is U = 0, the minimum
total energy of the Apollo at infinity is K +
U = 0 + 0 = 0. Conservation of energy
implies that Eorb + Emin = K + U = 0. In
other words:
Emin = Eorb = E = 1.81435 1010 J .

10