Romanian Master of Physics 2014

Experimental Problem no.1 (10 points)

Determination of length, mass and density using a chronometer
This experimental problem I propose that - using a chronometer and a piece of paper calibrated in
arbitrary units a.u. - to determine the geometric dimensions of a can and express the results in
meters. Also, the problem propose that - using experimental measurements you've done on the
can - to determine its mass in kilograms, and its density in SI units. For this you will be provided
with an experimental set, consisting of:
A. A cylindrical tin closed at one end (a can).
B. A sheet of paper marked with equidistant lines; distance between the lines is NOT known.
C. A chronometer.
D. A very strong thread, inextensible, perfectly deformable and of negligible mass.
E. A plastic template contour of Romanian borders allowing a proper suspension of can.
F. A tank vessel containing chemically pure water (water is assumed ideal fluid without viscosity).
G. A plastic syringe with unknown internal volume; on the syringe are marked equidistant divisions.
The volume of liquid removed from the syringe when the piston travel a division is the fifth part of
the volume of the syringe. Water will be added in the can in "portions" corresponding to the volume
of a division - considered as "elementary volume".
H. Double-sided scotch tape for mounting the template on table.
I. Absorbent paper towels.
J. A toothpick (of negligible mass) serving to yield the initial rotation of the can and to observe its
oscillations.
Study small rotating oscillations of empty can and of the can that have added one or more
elementary volumes of water. Considers that the gravitational acceleration is g 9,8 m s 2 and
that the density of water is 0 1,0 103 kg m3 . Write all data known or measured and all the
results you get in different workloads using two significant figures.
Fill in the appropriate boxes in the answer sheet with your results.
In solving the problem uses the following notations:
L - For the length of each of the two suspension wires
a r L - For the radius of the cover of can
b pL - For the height of the can
t q L - For sheet thickness of which the can was made

a2 b r2 p
v L3 - For elementary volume corresponding to a division marked on the
N N
syringe. In expression N is five time the number of syringe of water
necessary to completely fill the can.
0 - For unknown density of can material.
m - For unknown mass of empty can.
m1 - For the unknown mass of elementary volume of water v .
Keep in mind that t a .
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 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

Consider the coordinate system Oxyz shown in the figure below. When the can is in balance, the
center of the circular upper face of the box is the origin O of the system; the Ox system axis
passing through the two mounting holes of the suspension wires. Axis Oy is perpendicular to the
axis. The Oz axis of the coordinate system is the axis of symmetry of the box.
Task no. 1 - Deduction of the expressions useful for solving experimental problem
Assume that the can rotates so that the centers of its circular faces remain on Oz axis. In the new
situation, the direction of each wires forms angle with the vertical original direction. During
rotation, the wires are always stretched; a diameter of circular face of can rotates with the angle ,
and the can rises with h . Consider that one of the suspension wires is trapped in C . In Figure 1 is
represented the evolution of the radius OC of the top face of the can.

Figure 1
In the figure 1, OC is the radius of the top face of the can in the equilibrium position and O'C" is
the radius of the top face of the can when the box is rotated by the angle around the axis of
symmetry. O'C' is a segment of length equal to the radius, parallel to OC and at a distance h of
OC .
1.a. Write the expression for the coordinates of C " - the place where a suspension wire is caught -
in the situation where the box is rotated by the angle around the vertical axis of symmetry.
Express your answer in terms of, a , h and .
1.b. Deduce the expression of angle as function on the angle , length L and radius a of can
cover .
1.c. Deduce the expression of angle and elevation h , when the angle is small enough to
admit that sin ; cos 1; 0 . Express the results as functions of, L , a and .
2

1.d. Deduce the expression of the interior volume V , as well as the expressions for the mass m
and moment of inertia J of the empty can. Express results as appropriate functions of L, r , p, q,
and 0 .

1.e. Determine the expression of the mass mk and of moment of inertia J k of the can filed with k
elementary volumes of water. Express the results as appropriate functions of L, r , p, q, , 0, N
and k .
1.f. Deduce the expression of the momentum MT of the forces acting on the can when it is rotated
by a small angle . Express your answer in terms of mk , g, a, L and .

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 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

1.g. Neglecting damping, determine the equation of motion describing the rotation of the can with a
small angle and show that it performs simple harmonic motion. .
2
1.h.Period of oscillatory motion of the can has the expression Toscil where

q r 2 p p r
k
g N
2 w r 2
L r
r 2 q 2 p
2
Find the unknown coefficient w in the above expression.

Task no. 2 Measurements

2.a. Using paper marked in arbitrary unit (a.u.) determines the volume of metallic material of the
can in arbitrary units. Arbitrary unit is the distance between two lines on paper sheet provided. On
the chair there is a stack - compact packaging - of 10 metal sheets identical to that used for the
can. You can use it if you need.

2.b. Using marked paper determines the volume of can in a.u. .

3

2.c. Determine the size of elementary volume in a.u. .

3

2.d. Measure the period of the rotating oscillation for the empty can and for the can having added
one or more elementary volumes of water. Put the measured data in a table for each amount of
water (measured time, number of oscillations and period)
Task no. 3 Interpretation of experimental data
3.a. In the appropriate box in Answer sheet builds a linear plot of experimental data that allow you
to determine the geometric dimensions of the box, its mass and density of its material. Express all
these characteristics in SI units.
3.b.Use the graphical representation obtained in the task 3.a. to determine the geometric
dimensions of the can in meters.
3.c. Using the graphical representation obtained in the task 3.a. determine the mass of the can in
kilograms.
3.d. Calculate the density of the metallic material of the can and the elementary volume of water
and express the results in SI.
3.e. Write the errors when measuring length in arbitrary units and for measuring time using
chronometer. Decide whether the errors are larger when the amount of water increases. Justify
your answer.

Problem proposed by:

Prof. Dr. Delia DAVIDESCU
Prof. Daniel CROCNAN
Conf. Univ. Dr. Adrian DAFINEI

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 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

Answer Sheet
Experimental Problem no.1 (10 points)
Determination of length, mass and density using a chronometer
Task no.1 - Deduction of the expressions useful for solving experimental problem
1.a. The coordinates of C " - the place where
a suspension wire is caught - in the situation
0,20p
where the box is rotated by the angle
around the vertical axis of symmetry

1.b. Expression of angle as function on the angle , length L and radius a of can cover

0,60p

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 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

1.c. Expression of angle and elevation h , when the angle is small enough

0,40p

1.d. Expressions of the interior volume V , as well as the expressions for the mass m and
momentum of inertia J of the empty can

0,60p

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 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

1.e. Expressions of the mass mk and of moment of inertia J k of the can filed with k elementary
volumes of water

0,40p

1.f. Expression of the momentum MT of the forces acting on the can when it is rotated by a small
angle

0,80p

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 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

1.g. Equation of motion describing the rotation of the can with a small angle showing that the
can performs simple harmonic motion(when neglecting damping)

0,60p

1.h. The value of the unknown coefficient w

0,40p

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Task nr.2 - Measurements

2.a. Calculation of the volume of metallic material of the can in a.u.
3

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0,80p

2.b. Calculation of the volume of the can in a.u.

3

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 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

0,20p

2.c. Calculation of the elementary volume of water in a.u.

3

0,20p

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 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

2.d. Measurement of the periods of the rotating oscillation for the empty can and for the can having
added one or more elementary volumes of water. Writing the measured data in a table for each
amount of water (measured time, number of oscillations and period)

1,80p

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 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

2.d. (data)

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 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

Task no.3 Interpretation of experimental data

3.a. Appropriate linear plot of experimental data allowing you to determine the geometric
dimensions of the box, its mass and density of its material in SI units

1,80p

3.a. (further calculations)

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Experimental Problem no. 1 Answer Sheet Page 14 of 26

 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

3.b. Calculation of the dimensions of the can in meters using the graph obtained in task 3.a.

0,50p

3.c.. Calculation of the mass of the can in kilograms using the graph obtained in task 3.a.

0,20p

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 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

3.d. Calculations of density of the metallic material of the can and of the value of elementary
volume of water v in SI units.

0,20p

3.e. The values of errors when measuring length in arbitrary units and for measuring time using
chronometer. Decision if the error increases when the amount of water increases. Justification

0,30p

Experimental Problem no. 1 Answer Sheet Page 16 of 26

 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

Experimental Problem no. 2 (10 points)

Electrical Black Box
This experimental problem propose an analysis for an electrical
black box, which has three terminals - denoted by 1,2,3. To
discover the elements that compose it, it is provided a measuring
device comprising a voltage source variable (denoted by S),
connected in series with an ammeter (denoted by A); the two
terminals of the device are denoted by P and Q. To the same
terminals P and Q is mounted a voltmeter (denoted by V).
Ammeter and power supply have negligible internal resistance;
internal resistance of the voltmeter can be considered as being
infinite.
The terminals 1, 2 and P are placed in electrical contact. If
terminals 3 and Q are also in electrical contact and the tension
furnished by the source varies, pairs of values (indicated by the measuring instruments) are
obtained. These data are given in the table 1. Current intensity is positive when the current passes
through the ammeter from P to Q.
Table 1
U(V) -6 -4 -2 0 2 4
I(A) -0,2 1,2 2,6 4,0 5,4 6,8
Then, terminals 2, 3, P are putted in electrical contact. If and terminals 1, Q are also in electrical
contact, the pairs of values indicated by the measuring instruments - where the voltage supplied by
the source varies - are given in table 2.
Table 2
U(V) 0 2 4 6 8 10
I(A) -5,2 -4,0 -2,8 -1,6 -0,4 +0,8
Finally, terminals 3, 1, P are putted in electrical contact. If terminals 2, Q are also in electrical
contact, the pairs of values indicated by the measuring instruments - where the voltage supplied by
the source varies - are given in table 3.
Table 3
U(V) -6 -4 -2 0 2
I(A) -0,6 0 0,6 1,2 1,8
Assume that all current-voltage dependencies are linear.
In this problem, calculation of errors is NOT requested.
Task 1
1.a. Plot current - voltage dependence for the data set in Table 1.
1.b. Determine the numerical values of the intersections with coordinate axes of the graph .
Determine also the slope of graph outlined in task 1.a. If applicable, write the result as a fraction.
1.c. Plot current - voltage dependence for the data set in Table 2.
1.d. Determine the numerical values of the intersections with coordinate axes of the graph .
Determine also the slope of graph outlined in task 1.a. If applicable, write the result as a fraction.
1.e. Plot current - voltage dependence for the data set in Table 3.
1.f. Determine the numerical values of the intersections with coordinate axes of the graph outlined
in task 1.e . Determine also the slope of graph outlined in task 1.e. If applicable, write the result as
a fraction.
Experimental Problem no. 2 - Subject Page 17 of 26
 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

Task 2
2.a. Determine the values of the electrical resistance of the resistors and electromotive force (emf)
of ideal voltage sources that form the simplest circuit (a circuit triangle, delta, ), which has the
behavior described by the above data. Keep in mind that the ideal voltage source connected in
series with the resistor having the lowest electrical resistance, has an emf of 10V.
2.b. Draw the equivalent circuit diagram for black box. Write on diagram the values of electrical
resistance and emf of the sources - as they results in the task 2.a.
Task 3
3.a. For the equivalent circuit that you have determined in the task no. 2, plot the current-voltage
dependence, when the terminals P and Q are in electrical contact with terminals 1 and 2
respectively. Write numerical values of the intersections with the axes of coordinates of the graph
plotted.

Topic was proposed by:

Prof. Dr. Delia DAVIDESCU
Conf. Univ. Dr. Adrian DAFINEI

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 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

Answer sheet
Experimental Problem nr. 2 (10 points)
Electrical Black box
Task no. 1
1.a. Plotted current - tension characteristic for data in Table 1

0,70p

1.b. Determined values of the intersection of current-voltage characteristic with the axes of
coordinates. Determined value of the slope of line outlined in 1.a

0,30p

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 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

1.c. Plotted current - tension characteristic for data in Table 2

0,70p

1.d. Determined values of the intersection of current-voltage characteristic with the axes of
coordinates. Determined value of the slope of line outlined in 1.c.

0,30p

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 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

1.e. Plotted current - tension characteristic for data in Table 3

0,70p

1.f. Determined values of the intersection of current-voltage characteristic with the axes of
coordinates. Determined value of the slope of line outlined in 1.e.

0,30p

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 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

Task no. 2
2.a. Calculus of the values of the resistance of the resistors and electromotive force (emf) of ideal
voltage sources that form the simplest circuit which has the behavior described by the above data.

4,60p

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2.a. (further calculations)

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 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

2.a. (further calculations)

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 Romanian Master of Physics 2014

2.b. Drawing of the equivalent circuit diagram, having written the determined values of electrical
resistances and electromotive voltages of sources

0,40p

Task no. 3
3.a. Plotting of the current-voltage dependence in the case of the terminals P and Q are bound to
the terminals 1 and 2 respectively; writing of the numerical values of the intersections of graph with
the axes of coordinates.

2,00p

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3.a.

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