KAZAN (VOLGA REGION) FEDERAL UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL PHYSICS

A.N. Turanov

PROBLEMS AND EXERCISES IN MEDICAL PHYSICS

WITH EXAMPLES AND SOLUTIONS

For English-speaking students of medical, biomedical

and pharmaceutical fields of study

Kazan – 2023

1
 Contents

Introduction………………………………………………………….….…4
1. Mechanics.………...……………………………………………....….…5
2. Molecular physics.……...……………………………………..…….....13
3. Electricity and magnetism.....………………………………………….20
4. Sound and waves.....……………………………………………......….26
5. Optics…………………………………………..……………...…….....29
6. Tasks for independent solution.……..………………………..………..32

List of literature
When compiling this collection of problems, the following list
of literature sources was used:
Aganov, A.V. Medical Physics Part 1. Mechanics. Molecular physics /
A.V. Aganov, K.S. Usachev. – Kazan.: Kazan University Press, 2022. –
280 p.
Young, H.D. University Physics with Modern Physics / H.D. Young,
R.A. Freedman. – Pearson Education, Inc.; 15th edition, 2019. – 1600 p.
Serway, R.A. Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Phys-
ics / R.A. Serway, J.W. Jewett, Jr. – Cengage Learning, 2018. –1484 p.

3
 Introduction

Solving basic and even elementary problems in physics is an im-

portant element of training when studying the discipline "Medical Physics"
by the first-year students of medical specialties of foreign groups of Kazan
Federal University. Different students` levels, wide spectrum
of educational curriculums, variety of systems of units adopted in their
home countries, and even different systems of mathematical notation result
in substantial challenges that students and teachers have to get over to-
gether. A detailed analysis of problems and their solutions given in this
collection, with an emphasis on units of measurement and the correct for-
malization, that are given in this brochure, will help students who have ar-
rived from abroad not only to master one of the basic training courses for a
future physician, but also to adapt to study at a Russian university.
I thank the reviewers of this text. Special thanks to the authors
of the books cited above in the List of literature.
I welcome any feedback from students and professors, especially
concerning errors or deficiencies. Please, feel free to contact me:
Alex Turanov, e-mail: anturanov@kpfu.ru

4
 1. MECHANICS

Example 1.1.
The speed of a body is 36 km/h (kilometers per hour). Convert km/h to m/s
(meters per second).
Solution Unit conversations:
1 km = 1000 m,
1 h = (60 min/h)(60 s/min) , “min” means minute.
Thus:
( )( )
υ = 36 km/h = ( )( )
= = 10 [m/s].
Answer: 10 m/s.

Example 1.2.
The lengths of the vectors ⃗ is 2 and ⃗⃗ is √ ; the angle between them
is 45º. Calculate their scalar product ⃗ ⃗⃗.
Solution
√
( )=
√
⃗ ⃗⃗ | ⃗|| ⃗⃗ | ( ) = √  =2
Answer: 2.

Example 1.3.
A body moves along a straight line equally slowly down with a constant
deceleration (a < 0). The deceleration is 2 m/s2, the initial speed is 50 m/s,
the time interval of deceleration is 10 s. Calculate the speed of the body
at the end of this time interval.
Solution For movement along a straight line, the definition of deceleration:
,
units of measurement for deceleration (and acceleration) are m/s2, a > 0
in a case of acceleration, and a < 0 in a case of deceleration; is the initial

5
speed, units are m/s; is the final speed, units are m/s; t is time interval
of speed changes, measured in units s (seconds). Then,
υf = υi + at = (50 m/s) – (2 m/s2)(10 s)= 30 [m/s].
Answer: 30 m/s.

Example 1.4.
The body moves along a straight line with a constant acceleration (a > 0),
and covers a distance of 100 m in 2 s. The initial speed is 30 m/s. Calculate
the acceleration of this body.
Solution The magnitude of displacement of a body moving along a straight
line with a constant acceleration is given by the expression:

S = υi  t + ,
where S is a magnitude of displacement of the body, units are m; a is a
body`s acceleration, units are m/s2, a > 0; is its initial speed, units are
m/s; t is time of acceleration, units are s . Then,
(  ) (( ) ( )( ))
a= = = 20 [m/s2].
( )
Answer: 20 m/s2.

Example 1.5.
Two forces, F1 , 50 N (newtons), and F2 , 30 N, act on a body in opposite
directions toward each other. The mass of a body is 2 kg (kilograms). Cal-
culate the acceleration of the body.
Solution Newton`s second law of dynamics gives
∑ ⃗⃗⃗ ⃗ ,
where ∑ ⃗⃗⃗ is the net force, units are N, m is the body`s mass, units are kg,
⃗ is the acceleration, units are m/s2. The projections of forces acting on
the body have opposite directions, and the direction of the acceleration is
the same as the direction of the greater force. Therefore,
( ) ( )
a= = = 10 [m/s2].
Answer: 10 m/s2.

6
Example 1.6.
A mass m (10 kg) hangs on a spring that has spring constant k (200 N/m).
Calculate the extension of the string x when the mass attached to
the string is at rest and at static force equilibrium.
Solution The standard acceleration of free fall g = 9.8 m/s2. Newton`s sec-
ond law:
∑ ⃗⃗⃗ ⃗ .
There are two forces acting on the mass: its force of gravity m·g , and the
tension force of the spring, kx (Hooke`s law); k is the spring constant,
units are N/m; x is the elongation (deformation) of the spring, units are
m.
If a mass is at static equilibrium, then its acceleration a = 0. The forces
have opposite directions
mg - kx = 0
 ( )( )
x = = = 0.49 [m].
Answer: 0.49 m.

Example 1.7.
A body (mass m is 5 kg) is at the height h of 2 m relative to the surface of
the Earth. Calculate its potential energy U.
Solution The standard acceleration of free fall g = 9.8 m/s2. Potential ener-
gy U of a body in gravitational field, units are J - joules, is
U = mgh ,
where m is a mass, units are kg, h is a height, units are m. Thus,
U = (5 kg)(9.8 m/s2)(2 m) = 98 [J].
Answer: 98 J.

Example 1.8.
A body fell down from the height h of 20 m. Calculate its speed to the sec-
ond power (2) at the moment of the collision with the ground if its initial
speed was zero.

7
Solution The standard acceleration of free fall g = 9.8 m/s2. The principle
of mechanical energy conservation states:
(Ki + Ui ) – (Kf + Uf) = A ,
where A is a work of conservative forces, units are J, subscripts i and f de-
note initial and final states, correspondingly, K is the kinetic energy, units

are J: , m is a mass of a body, υ is its speed; U is its potential en-
ergy.

In this example: =0, Ki = 0, Ui = mgh , Kf = , Uf = 0, A = 0 . So,

0 + mgh = +0
  = ( )( ) = 392 [m2 ].
Answer: 392 m2 .

Example 1.9.
A 100-watt lamp worked for 30 s. Calculate the energy consumed by the
lamp.
Solution A power can be evaluated as
P= ,
where P is a power, units are W – watts, W is an energy, units are J, t is a
time interval, units are s.
W = Pt = (100 W)(30 s) = 3000 [J].
Answer: 3000 J.

Example 1.10.
A power is 1492 W. Convert W to Horsepower [HP].
Solution Unit conversations:
1 HP = 746 W.
P = 1492 W = = 2 [HP].
Answer: 2 HP.

8
Example 1.11.
A body moves along a straight line at the constant speed  (100 m/s) under
the action of the force F (5 N). The directions of the velocity and the force
are the same. Calculate the power related with this process.
Solution We can use the equation:
P = F ,
where P is a power, F is a force,  is a speed.
P = (5 N)(100 m/s) = 500 [W].
Answer: 500 W.

Example 1.12.
Two particles are at a distance r1 under the gravitational attraction F1. Cal-
culate the force of gravitational attraction F2 between the same particles, if
the distance between them is increased 2 times.
Solution Universal gravitational law reads as:
F = G ,
where F is a magnitude of the gravitational force acting on either particle,
m and M are their masses, r is the distance between them, G is
the gravitational constant, in SI units, 6.67×10-11 N·m2/kg2 . For both dis-

tances: = G and = G , then

.
Since r2 = 2r1

(  )
= .
F2 = F1/4
Answer: .

Example 1.13.
A particle (mass 1 kg) slides down at the speed of 5 m/s. Calculate the
momentum of the particle.
Solution The momentum p (units are kg·m/s) is:
9
p = m·υ ,
where m is a mass, units are kg, υ is a speed, units are m/s.
p = (1 kg)·(5 m/s) = 5 [kg·m/s].
Answer: 5 kg·m/s.

Example 1.14.
A point particle (mass 1 kg) moves on a circle trajectory with the radius
of 2 m under the angular acceleration 5 rad/s2 (rad is radian). Calculate
the torque associated with this motion.
Solution A torque (or a moment of force) τ, units are N·m
τ = I·α ,
where the moment of inertia (or rotational inertia) about a rotational axis
for a point particle is I = m·R2, units of I are kg·m2 ; R is a radius of rota-
tion, units are m; α is an angular acceleration, units are rad/s2. Therefore,
τ = m·R2·α = (1 kg)·(2 m)2·(5 rad/s2) = 20 [N·m] (note that the units
of torque are N·m, not J - joule!).
Answer: 20 N·m.

Example 1.15.
One load (mass m1 is 2 kg) lies on the left shoulder (radius R1 is 1 m)
of a see-saw. Another load (mass m2) lies on the right shoulder (radius R2
is 2 m). The see-saw is at balance. Evaluate mass m2.
Solution The system is at equilibrium. Therefore, magnitudes of torque for
left and right shoulders of the see-saw are equal:
τ1 = τ2 ,
F1·R1 = F2·R2 ,
where F1 and F2 are the weights of the loads:
m1·g·R1 = m2·g·R2
( )( )
m2 = = = 1 [kg].
Answer: 1 kg.

10
Example 1.16.
A child (mass m is 20 kg) slides down from the height of 5 m and reaches
its end with the speed 2 m/s. Calculate the thermal energy generated in this
process due to friction.
Solution The standard acceleration of free fall g = 9.8 m/s2. The principle
of mechanical energy conservation:
(Ki + Ui ) – (Kf + Uf) = Th ,
where Th is a thermal energy, units are J, subscripts i and f denote initial
and final states, correspondingly, K is a kinetic energy, U is a potential en-
ergy.
In this example:

Ui = m·g·h , Ki = 0 , Uf = 0 , Kf = .
So,

m·g·h + 0 = 0 + + Th
 ( )( )
Th = m·g·h - = (20 kg)·(9.8 m/s2)·(5 m) - =
= 980 – 40 = 940 [J].
Answer: 940 J.

Example 1.17.
The first ball (mass m1 is 2 kg) moving east at the speed of 10 m/s collides
head-on with the second ball (mass m2 is 1 kg) that was at rest. Calculate
the velocities (speed and direction) of each ball after an elastic collision.

Solution The system is isolated. This means that under these circumstances
the law of momentum conservation applies as:
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ (1)
where ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ is the velocity of the first ball before the collision, ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗=0
is the velocity of the second ball before the collision, since this ball was in-
itially at rest, ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ is the velocity of the first ball after the collision, ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
is the velocity of the second ball after the collision.

11
 The collision of these balls is elastic. This means that under these
conditions the law of mechanical energy conservation applies as:

(2)
Let us align the coordinate axis with the east direction since both
balls shall, presumably, move east after the collision. In this case both
f1 ≥ 0 and f2 ≥ 0. If this assumption is wrong, then signs of f1 and/or f2
will be negative. From (1) one may conclude that
 
and f2 = .
Substitution of this expression into (2) gives:
   
( ) .
The binomial expansion for the second power is:
( ) , then
      
 .

Multiplication of the above expression by gives:

    

( ) ( )  ( )  .
Collecting terms of the same power with respect to one obtains
the following equation for : 3· - 40· f1 + 100 = 0 .
The above is a quadratic equation which has two sets of solutions (roots)
for f1 and f2 as follows:
1) f1 = 10 [m/s]; f2 = 0 [m/s]; These roots are related to a formal mathe-
matical solution which describes a situation that is impossible in real life:
it assumes that the first ball must go through the second without interaction
with the latter.
2) f1 = [m/s]; f2 = [m/s].
Answer: m/s east; m/s east.

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 2. MOLECULAR PHYSICS

Example 2.1.
An ideal gas (the amount of substance  = 1 mol, mol is mole unit) is in
the vessel of V = 100 l (l is liter) at the temperature of T = +27 ºC. Calcu-
late the gas pressure, P, in the vessel.
Solution Unit conversations:
V = 100 (l) = (100 l)·(10-3 m3/l) = 0.1 [m3],
T = +27 ºC = 273 +27 (K) = 300 [K].
The ideal gas law is:
PV = RT ,
where P is a pressure, units are Pa – pascal, V is gas volume, units are m3;
T is an absolute temperature, units are K – kelvins;  is the amount
of substance, units are mol – mole;  , where N is a total
number of molecules; Na = 6.022×1023 molecules/mol is the Avogadro`s
number; mtot is a total mass of the gas, units are kg, M is a molar mass of
the gas, units are kg/mol; R is the ideal gas constant, R = 8.31 J/molK.
( )(  )( )
P= = = 24930 [Pa].
Answer: 24930 Pa.

Example 2.2.
A force, F = 10 N, is acting normally on the surface with the area
A = 2×104 cm2 (cm is centimeter). Calculate pressure, P, at the surface.
Solution Unit conversations:
A = 2×104 (cm2) = 2×104×10-4 (m2) = 2 [m2].
The definition of pressure:
P= ,
where P is a pressure, units are Pa; F is a normal force, units are N; A is
a surface area, units are m2.
P= = 5 [Pa].
Answer: 5 Pa.

13
Example 2.3.
Calculate an oceanic pressure, P, at depth L = 0.01 km. The atmospheric
pressure P0 = 105 Pa. The density of water  = 1000 kg/m.
Solution The standard acceleration of free fall g 10 m/s2. Unit conversa-
tions:
L = 0.01 (km) = 0.01×103 (m) = 10 (m).
A pressure underwater is:
P = P0 + gL
where P is a pressure, units are Pa; P0 is the atmospheric pressure;  is the
density of fluid, units are kg/m3; g is the standard acceleration of free fall;
L is the depth, units are m.
P 105 Pa + (103 kg/m3)(10 m/s2)(10 m) = 2×105 [Pa].
Answer: 2×105 Pa.

Example 2.4.
A hydraulic lift has two pistons with cross section areas A1 = 0.1 m2 and
A2 = 2 m2, which support masses m1 = 1 kg and m2, respectively. Calcu-
late m2.
Solution The pressure that is applied to both cylinders is the same, thus,
P1 = P2 ,
,

m2 = m1 ,

m2 = (1 kg) = 20 [kg].
Answer: 20 kg.

Example 2.5.
The diameter of syringe`s cylinder is D1 = 1.0 cm. The diameter
of syringe`s needle is D2 = 1.0 mm (mm is the millimeter). The syringe is
full of liquid. A nurse moves the syringe`s plunger with the speed of υ1.
Calculate the speed of flow of liquid, υ2, from the syringe`s needle.

14
Solution Unit conversations:
1 cm = 10 mm.
The equation of continuity for incompressible liquid is:
υ1A1 = υ2A2 ,
where A1 and A2 are areas of cross sections, units are m2; υ1 and υ2 are
speeds of liquid through these sections, units are m/s. The area of a circle
A= , where D is the diameter of circle, units are m. Thus,

υ1 = υ2 ,
υ1 = υ2 ,

( ) = ( ) = 100υ1 .

Answer: 100υ1 .

Example 2.6.
A fluid flows laminar through a pipe under the pressure difference
P = 106 Pa. The viscosity of the fluid η = 0.314 Pas. The length
of the pipe L = 12.5 m, the radius of the pipe R = 10 cm. Calculate
a volumetric flow rate Q.
Solution Unit conversations:
R = 10 (cm) = 10×10-2 = 0.1 [m].
Hagen-Poiseuille equation is:
Q= ,
where Q is a volumetric flow rate, units are m3/s, R is the pipe`s radius,
units are m, η is the viscosity of the fluid, units are Pas, L is the pipe`s
length, units are m, P is pressure difference at two ends of pipe, units
are Pa.
( )
Q= ( )= = 10 [m3/s].
(  )( )
Answer: 10 m3/s.
15
Example 2.7.
The speed of flow in a circular pipe is υ = 1 m/s. Diameter of the pipe
D = 0.1 m. The density of the liquid is  = 1000 kg/m3. The viscosity
of the liquid η = 0.1 Pas. Calculate Reynolds number, Re, of the flow.
Solution Reynolds number is defined as:
Re = ,
where ρ is the density of the fluid, units are kg/m3, υ is the flow speed,
units are m/s, η is kinematic viscosity of the fluid, units are Pas, D is
a characteristic linear dimension, units are m (when liquid flows within
a circular pipe then D is the inside diameter of the pipe, or D is diameter
of a ball moving in liquid).
( )( )( )
Re = = 1000 [dimensionless or unitless].

Answer: 1000.

Example 2.8.
A temperature reading T = +50 ºC. Convert this value to an absolute tem-
perature value.
Solution
T (K) 273 + T (ºC) = 273 +50 = 323 [K].
Answer: 323 K.

Example 2.9.
An energy value is W = 5 cal (cal is the calorie). Convert this value to
Joules.
Solution Unit conversations:
1 cal = 4.186 J.
W = (5 cal)(4.186 J/cal) = 20.93 [J].
Answer: 20.93 J.

16
Example 2.10.
A gas initially contained in a vessel of the volume Vi = 1 m3 is compressed
to the volume Vf = 0.5 m3 by the constant pressure P = 1 atm (atm is
the atmosphere). Calculate work, performed on the gas, Wg .
Solution Unit conversations:
1 atm = 105 Pa.
The work is done by the gas (when Vf > Vi ) or performed on the gas (when
Vf < Vi )
W = P(Vf - Vi ) ,
where W is a work performed on/by the gas, units are J, P is a pressure in
this system, units are Pa, Vf and Vi are the final and initial volumes
of the gas, correspondingly, units are m3.
W = (105 Pa)(0.5 m3 - 1 m3) = -5×104 [J]
The work on gas is
Wg = -W = 5×104 [J].
Answer: 5×104 J.

Example 2.11.
A system received a heat Q = 10 J and performed a work W = 5 J. Calcu-
late the change of energy, U, of the system.
Solution The first law of thermodynamics
U = Q – W ,
where U is a change of the internal energy of the system, units are J, Q is
a quantity of heat, units are J, W is the work done by the system, units
are J.
U = 10 J- 5 J = 5 [J].
Answer: 5 J.

Example 2.12.
An initial pressure of the ideal gas is Pi. The volume of the gas decreased
twofold as a result of an isothermal process. Calculate the final pressure,
Pf, of the gas.
Solution The equation of an isothermal process for the ideal gas is:
17
PiVi = PfVf ,
where Pi and Pfare the initial and the final pressures of the gas, units are
Pa, Vi and Vf are the initial and the final volumes of the gas, units are m3.
Since Vi = 2Vf , then Pi2Vf = PfVf ,
Pf = 2Pi .
Answer: 2Pi .

Example 2.13.
A heat engine consumes from a hot reservoir the heat Qh = 10 J per each
thermodynamic cycle. It converts some of the consumed heat to a work
and transfers the rest of the heat, Qc = 2 J, to a cold reservoir. Calculate
the efficiency  of this heat engine [%].
Solution The efficiency of a heat engine is:
 = 1- | | ,
where Qh and Qc are the quantities of heat transferred from a hot reservoir
to a cold reservoir and from a cold reservoir to a hot reservoir, respective-
ly, units are J.
 = 1- = 0.8 = 80 [%].
Answer: 80 %.

Example 2.14.
A liquid is at the height h = 0.1 m in a capillary tube, the capillary radius is
R = 1 mm. The density of the liquid is ρ = 800 kg/m3. The standard accel-
eration of free fall g = 10 m/s2. Calculate the surface tension, σ,
of the liquid.
Solution Unit conversations:
R = 1 (mm) = 1×10-3 (m).
The height of a liquid in a capillary is:

,
 

18
where h is the height of liquid in a capillary, units are m, σ is the surface
tension at the liquid`s surface, units are N/m, ρ is the density of the liquid,
units are kg/m3, R is the capillary radius, units are m.
   ( )( )( )( )
σ= = 0.4 [N/m].
Answer: 0.4 N/m .

Example 2.15.
What volume, V, of helium is needed in a balloon if this balloon is to lift
a load of m = 180 kg (including the weight of empty balloon)? The density
of helium is ρHe = 0.179 kg/m3, the density of air is ρair = 1.29 kg/m3.
Solution Second Newton`s law is:
∑ ⃗⃗⃗ ⃗ .
There are three forces acting on the balloon: the force of gravity of helium
mHeg , the force of gravity of the empty balloon mg , and the buoyant
force. Archimedes` principle is:
FArch = ρgV ,
where FArch is the buoyant force, units are N, ρ is the density of the fluid,
units are kg/m3, V is the volume of a body immersed in the fluid (liquid or
gas), units are m3, the standard acceleration of free fall g = 9.8 m/s2.
The system is in static equilibrium, consequently a = 0. Directions of both
force of gravity forces are opposite to the direction of the buoyant force.
Thus,
mHeg + mg - ρairgV = 0 ,
since mHe = ρHeV , then
ρHeV + m - ρairV = 0
V= = = 162 [m3].
Answer: 162 m3 .

19
 3. ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM

Example 3.1.
Two point charges, q1 = +25 nC (n is nano prefix, this prefix denotes a fac-
tor of 10-9, C is the coulomb) and q2 = -75 nC, are separated by the dis-
tance of 3 cm. Calculate the electric force between the charges.
Solution Unit conversations:
q1 = +25 nC = +25×10-9 C,
q2 = -75 nC = -75×10-9 C,
r = 3 cm = 0.03 m.
Coulomb`s law:
| |
F= ,
where F is an electric force, units are N, q1 and q2 are two point charges,
units are C (coulomb), r is the distance between the charges, units are m,
the Coulomb constant (the electric force constant) k = 9×109 N·m2/C2.
Thus,
|( )( )|
F = (9×109 N·m2/C2)· ≈ 0.019 [N].
( )
Answer: 0.019 N.

Example 3.2.
A positive point charge q = +3 μC (μ is micro prefix, this prefix denotes a
factor of 10-6) is surrounded by a sphere with the radius r = 0.2 m. Calcu-
late the electric flux Ф (Nm2C-1) through the sphere`s surface.
Solution The Coulomb constant k = 9×109 N·m2/C2. Unit conversations:
q = +3 μC = +3×10-6 C.
Gauss`s law:
Ф= ,
where Ф is the total electric flux, units are V·m (V is volt), q is the charge,
units are C, = 8.854×10-12 C2·N·m2 is the vacuum permittivity.
Ф = 4πkq ≈ 43.14(9×109 N·m2/C2)(3×10-6 C) = 3.4×105 [Nm2/C].
Answer: 3.4×105 Nm2/C .
20
Example 3.3.
A parallel-plate capacitor (the insulator is air) has capacitance of С = 1 F
(F is farad). If the plates of the capacitor are 1 mm apart, then what is
the area A of the plates?
Solution The Coulomb constant k = 9×109 N·m2/C2. Unit conversations:
d = 1 mm = 1×10-3 m.
The capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor in vacuum
,
where C is the capacitance, units are F, A is the area of its plates, units
are m2, d is the separation (distance) between the plates, units are m,
the vacuum permittivity = 8.854×10-12 C2·N·m2 or = . Thus,

A=    =

= 43.14(9×109 N·m2/C2)(1 F)(1×10-3 m) = 1×108 [m2].

Answer: 1×108 m2.

Example 3.4.
Calculate the equivalent capacitance, when two capacitors С1 = 1 F and
С2 = 3 F are connected in series.
Solution The equivalent capacitance of a series capacitors` combination is:
= = [ ],

C= = 0.75 [F].
Answer: 0.75 F.

Example 3.5.
Calculate the equivalent capacitance, when two capacitors С1 = 1 F and
С2 = 3 F are connected in parallel.
Solution The equivalent capacitance of the parallel capacitors` combina-
tion is:

21
C = C1 + C2 = 1 F + 3 F = 4 [F].
Answer: 4 F.

Example 3.6.
The difference of electric potentials between two ends of a conductor is
V = 2 V. The current through the conductor is I = 0.5 A (A is ampere).
Calculate the resistance, R, of the conductor.
Solution Ohm`s law
R=
where R is the resistance, units are Ω, V is the potential difference, units
are V, I is the current, units are A.
R= = 4 [Ω].
Answer: 4 Ω.

Example 3.7.
A wire has the diameter d = 1 mm, its length l = 314 m, and its resistivity
ρ = 2×10-8 Ωm. Calculate the resistance R of the wire.
Solution Unit conversations:
d = 1 mm = 10-3 m.
The relationship between resistance and resistivity is
R = ρ
where R is the resistance, units are Ω, ρ is the resistivity, units are Ωm, l is
the length, units are m, A is the cross-section area, units are m2. The area
of a circle A = , where d is the diameter of the circle, units are m.
Thus,
R = ρ = (210-8 Ωm) ≈ 8 [Ω].
( )

Answer: 8 Ω.

22
Example 3.8.
Calculate the equivalent resistance, when two resistors R1 = 1 Ω and
R2 = 3 Ω are connected in parallel.
Solution The equivalent resistance of a parallel combination of resistors is:
= = [ ],

R= = 0.75 [Ω].
Answer: 0.75 Ω.

Example 3.9.
Calculate the equivalent resistance, when two resistors R1 = 1 Ω and
R2 = 3 Ω are connected in series.
Solution The equivalent resistance of series combination of resistors is:
R = R1 + R2 = 1 Ω + 3 Ω = 4 [Ω].
Answer: 4 Ω.

Example 3.10.
Calculate the rate of energy dissipation (the conversion of electrical energy
into heat), P, in the resistor R = 10 Ω, if current I = 2 A.
Solution The rate of energy dissipation is:
P = VI (1),
where P is a power (rate of energy dissipation), units are W, V is
the potential difference, units are V, I is the current, units are A. Ohm`s
law
R = (2),
where R is the resistance. From (2): V = RI , substituting this into (1)
gives
P = I2R = (2 A)2(10 Ω) = 40 [W].
Answer: 40 W.

23
Example 3.11.
A proton moves within a uniform magnetic field with the magnitude
B = 5 T. Proton`s speed υ = 2×105 m/s. Proton`s velocity and direction
of the magnetic field constitute the angle α = 30°. Calculate the magnitude
of magnetic force acting on the moving proton.
Solution The proton charge is q = 1.6×10-19 C.
sin(30°) = 0.5
The magnetic force acting on a moving charged particle is
⃗ ⃗ ⃗⃗ ,
where ⃗ is the magnetic force, units are N, q is the charge, units are C, ⃗ is
the velocity vector, units are m/s, ⃗⃗ is the magnetic field, units are
T – tesla. The magnitude of magnetic force is:
F = qυBsin(α) = (1.6×10-19 C)(2×105 m/s)(5 T)0.5 = 8×10-14 [N].
Answer: 8×10-14 N.

Example 3.12.
Two parallel straight superconducting cables lay 4.5 mm apart and carry
equal currents of I = 15000 A. The length of each cable is L = 1 m. Calcu-
late the magnitude of the interaction force F between these cables.
Solution Unit conversations:
d = 4.5 mm = 4.5×10-3 m.
The magnitude of the interaction force between two long straight parallel
current-carrying conductors is
F=
where F is the magnitude of the force, units are N, the vacuum magnetic
permeability μ0 = 4π×10-7 (Tm/A), I1 and I2 are the currents through
the conductors 1 and 2, units are A, L is the length of conductors, units
are m, d is the distance between conductors, units are m.

24
 (  )( )( )( )
F= = 1×104 [N].
( )
Answer: 1×104 N.

Example 3.13.
A solenoid consists of a helical winding of a wire on a cylinder.
The solenoid has n = 107 turns of the wire per meter and carries the current
I = 2 A. Find the magnitude of the magnetic field B at the middle
of the solenoid`s length.
Solution From Ampere`s law
B = μ0nI
where B is the magnetic field, units are T, the vacuum magnetic permeabil-
ity μ0 = 4π×10-7 (Tm/A), n is the number of turns of the wire per unit
length, units are m-1, I is the current, units are A.
B = (4π×10-7 Tm/A)(107 m-1)(2 A) = 25.12 [T].
Answer: 25.12 T.

25
 4. SOUND AND WAVES

Example 4.1.
The frequency of a sound wave is f = 500 Hz. Calculate its period T.
Solution For a simple harmonic motion
T= ,
where T is the period of sound vibration, units are s, f is the frequency,
units are Hz – hertz.
T= = 0.002 [s].
Answer: 0.002 s.

Example 4.2.
The speed of sound in air at 20 °C is υ = 344 m/s. The frequency of a
sound wave is f = 172 Hz. Calculate its wavelength λ.
Solution Wavelength is:
λ= ,
where λ is the wavelength, units are m, υ is the speed of the wave, units are
m/s, f is the frequency, units are Hz.
λ= = 2 [m].
Answer: 2 m.

Example 4.3.
The distance to the point source of sound increased doubled. Calculate
how many times the intensity of sound has decreased.
Solution The intensity of sound vibrations originated from a point source
of sound at a distance r is:
,
where I is the intensity of sound, units are W/m2, P is the power of a point
source, units are W, r is the distance to the point source, units are m.
, , , therefore,
26
 ( ) ( ) .
Answer: 4 times.

Example 4.4.
The intensity of sound is I = 1 W/m2. Calculate the power, P, of the sound
passing through the window with the surface area 3 m2.
Solution The sound intensity is
I= ,
where I is the sound intensity, units are W/m2, P is the sound power, units
are W, A is the area, units are m2.
P = I·A = (1 W/m2)·(3 m2) = 3 [W].
Answer: 3 W.

Example 4.5.
The speed of sound in ideal gas at T1 = 127 °С is 1 = 100 m/s. Calculate
the speed, 2, of sound at T2 = -173 °С.
Solution Unit conversations:
T1 = 127 °С = (273 + 127) K = 400 K
T2 = -173 °С = (273 – 173) K = 100 K
The speed of sound in ideal gas is

√ ,
where υ is the speed of sound, units are m/s, the ideal gas constant
R = 8.31 J/molK, T is an absolute temperature of the gas, units are K, M is
molar mass of the gas, units are kg/mol, is the adiabatic index (dimen-
sionless), , where i is the number of degrees of freedom of the gas mole-
cules motions (3 for a monatomic gas, 5 for a diatomic gas etc.). Thus,
√
√ , √ , then =√
√

27
 √ = (100 m/s)·√ = 100·√ = = 50 [m/s].
Answer: 50 m/s.

Example 4.6.
The intensity of sound is I = 100I0. The threshold of hearing at 1000 Hz is
I0 = 10-12 W/m2. Calculate the loudness of sound (sound intensity level) β .
Solution The definition of sound intensity level is:
β [dB] = 10· ( ) (1).
Let us recall that “log” means logarithm to the base 10, dB is decibel.
I = 100I0 substitution of this into (1) leads to:
β = 10· ( ) = 10· = 10·2· = 20 [dB].
Answer: 20 dB.

Example 4.7.
A car traveling at the speed s = 360 km/h creates a sound with
the frequency fs = 1 kHz. The car approaches a standing person. Calculate
the frequency of the sound fL that this person hears.
Solution Unit conversations:
( )( )
s = 360 km/h = = 100 [m/s].
The equation of Doppler effect is
,
where fL is the frequency heard by a listener, units are Hz, fs is
the frequency of source, units are Hz,  = 343 m/s is the speed of sound
in air, L is the speed of the listener, units are m/s, s is the speed
of the source, units are m/s.
= (1000 Hz)·( ) [Hz].
Answer: 1412 Hz.

28
 5. OPTICS

Example 5.1.
The speed of light in a substance is υ = 1.5×108 m/s. Calculate
the refractive index n of the substance`s material.
Solution The speed of light in vacuum c = 3×108 [m/s]. The refractive in-
dex is
n= = = 2 [dimensionless].
Answer: 2.

Example 5.2.
The distance between an object and a thin lens is o = 12 cm. The distance
from the lens to the object`s image is i = 6 cm. Calculate the focal
length f .
Solution Object-image relation for a thin lens is:
,
where o and i are the object and image distances, f is the focal length
of the lens, units are m or other units of length, but they must be the same
for all tree values.
= [ ],

f= = 4 [cm].
Answer: 4 cm.

Example 5.3.
The focal length of a thin lens is f = 10 cm. Calculate the power
of the lens, P [diopters].
Solution Unit conversations:
f = 10 [cm] = 0.1 [m].
The power of the lens is:

29
P= = = 10 [diopters].
Answer: 10 diopters.

Example 5.4.
A light beam is incident from a substance 1 (refractive index n1 = 2.5) up-
on a substance 2 (refractive index n2 = 1.5) normally to the boundary sur-
face between the substances. Calculate the reflectivity of the boundary sur-
face between the substances, R [%].
Solution The reflectivity of the boundary surface is
R=| | =| | = 25 [%].
Answer: 25 %.

Example 5.5.
A film has the thickness d = 100 nm and a refractive index n = 1.5.
A monochromatic light (wavelength in air λ = 600 nm) is incident normal-
ly upon this film. Can we see the reflection (maximum) of this light?
Solution The angle of incidence is 0°, and in this case: sin(0°) = 0,
cos(0°) = 1. Thus, the maximum reflection condition for thin-film interfer-
ence is
2·n·d = (m – 0.5)·λ ,
where m = 0, 1, 2, 3, …
( )
m= +0.5= +0.5 = 1.
Answer: m = 1, yes.

Example 5.6.
You pass a laser beam λ = 600 nm through a narrow slit and observe
the diffraction pattern on a screen D = 6 m away. The distance on the
screen between the centers of the first minima outside the central bright
fringe is 25 mm. How wide is opening of the slit a ?
Solution Unit conversations:
λ = 600 nm = 600×10-9 [m]

30
25 mm = 25×10-3 [m]
Condition for the first minima diffraction pattern from a single slit
is m = 1:
a= ,
where a is the width of the slit, λ is the wavelength, D is the distance from
the slit to the screen, y is the distance on the screen between centers
of the first minima and the center of image symmetry, units are m for all
variables.
( )( )
= 2.88×10-4 [m].
Answer: 2.88×10-4 m.

Example 5.7.
A gamma-ray photon has the energy of E = 2.209×10-13 J. Calculate
the wavelength λ of this electromagnetic radiation.
Solution The energy of an individual photon is
E = hf = ,
where E is the energy of photon, units are J, Planck constant
h = 6.626×10-34 Js, f is the frequency of electromagnetic radiation, units
are Hz, the speed of light in vacuum c = 3×108 m/s, is the wavelength,
units are m.
(  )( )
λ= = = 9×10-13 [m].
Answer: 9×10-13 m.

31
 6. TASKS FOR INDEPENDENT SOLUTION

Mechanics

6.1.1. The speed of a body is 18 km/h. Convert km/h to m/s. (Ans.: 5 m/s)
6.1.2. The lengths of the vectors ⃗ is 2 and ⃗⃗ is 1, the angle between them
is 60º. Calculate their scalar product. (Ans.: 1)
6.1.3. A body moves along a straight line with a constant acceleration
(a > 0). The acceleration is 1 m/s2, the initial speed is 50 m/s, the time in-
terval of acceleration is 10 s. Calculate the final speed. (Ans.: 60 m/s)
6.1.4. The body moves along a straight line with a constant acceleration
and passed 100 m in 4 s. The acceleration is 10 m/s2. Calculate the initial
speed. (Ans.: 5 m/s)
6.1.5. Two forces, F1 = 100 N and F2 = 20 N, act on a body in opposite di-
rections toward each other. The mass of a body is 2 kg. Calculate
the acceleration of the body. (Ans.: 40 m/s2)
6.1.6. A mass m (20 kg) hangs on a spring that has spring constant
k (20 N/m). Calculate the extension of the string, when the mass attached
to the string is at rest and at static force equilibrium. (Ans.: 10 m)
6.1.7. A body (mass m is 5 kg) is at the height h = 5 m relative to the sur-
face of the Earth. Calculate its potential energy. (Ans.: 250 J)
6.1.8. A body moves along a straight line at the constant speed  (10 m/s)
under the action of the force F = 2 N. The directions of velocity and force
coincide. Calculate the power related with this process. (Ans.: 20 W)
6.1.9. Two particles are at a distance r1 under the gravitational attraction
F1. Calculate the force of gravitational attraction F2 between the same par-
ticles, if the distance between them is decreased 3 times. (Ans.: F2 = 9·F1)
6.1.10. A point particle (mass 2 kg) moves on a circle trajectory with the
radius of 3 m under the angular acceleration of 10 rad/s2. Calculate the
torque associated with this motion. (Ans.: 180 N·m)

32
6.1.11. A child (mass m is 20 kg) slides down from the height of 5 m and
reaches its end with the speed of 8 m/s. Calculate the thermal energy gen-
erated in this process due to friction. (Ans.: 360 J)
6.1.12. The first ball (mass m1 is 2 kg) moving east at the speed of 10 m/s
collides head-on with the second ball (mass m2 is 2 kg) that was at rest.
Calculate the velocities of each ball after perfectly inelastic collision.
(Ans.: 5 m/s, east)

Molecular physics

6.2.1. A force, F = 20 N, acting normally on a surface with the area

A = 2×104 cm2. Calculate pressure at the surface. (Ans.: 10 Pa)
6.2.2. A hydraulic lift has two pistons with cross sectional areas
A1 = 0.1 m2 and A2 = 0.2 m2, which support masses m1 = 10 kg and m2, re-
spectively. Calculate m2. (Ans.: 20 kg)
6.2.3. The speed of flow in a circular pipe is υ = 1 m/s. Diameter
of the pipe is D = 0.1 m. The density of the liquid is  = 1000 kg/m3.
The viscosity of the liquid is η = 0.2 Pas. Calculate Reynolds number
of the flow. (Ans.: 500)
6.2.4. A system received a heat Q = 1000 J and performed a work
W = 50 J. Calculate the change of energy of the system. (Ans.: 950 J)
6.2.5. An ideal gas (the amount of substance 10 mol) is in the vessel
of V = 100 liters at the temperature of T = +27 ºC. Calculate the gas pres-
sure in the vessel. (Ans.: 249300 Pa)
6.2.6. Calculate an oceanic pressure at depth L = 0.10 km.
The atmospheric pressure is P0 = 105 Pa. The density of water is
 = 1000 kg/m3. (Ans.: 11×105 Pa)
6.2.7. The diameter of syringe`s cylinder is D1 = 2.0 cm. The diameter
of syringe`s needle is D2 = 1.0 mm. A nurse moves the syringe`s plunger
with the speed υ1. Calculate the speed of flow of the liquid from the sy-
ringe`s needle. (Ans.: υ2 = 400·υ1)

33
6.2.8. A fluid flows laminar through a pipe under the pressure difference
P = 104 Pa. The viscosity of the fluid is η = 0.314 Pas. The length
of the pipe is L = 12.5 m, the radius of the pipe is R = 50 cm. Calculate
a volumetric flow rate Q. (Ans.: 62.5 m3/s)
6.2.9. An initial pressure of the ideal gas is Pi. The temperature of the gas
decreased twofold as a result of an isovolumetric (isochoric) process. Cal-
culate the final pressure of the gas. (Ans.: Pf = Pi/2)
6.2.10. A heat engine consumes from a hot reservoir the heat Qh = 100 J
per each thermodynamic cycle, converts some of the consumed heat to
a work and transfers the rest of the heat Qc = 20 J to a cold reservoir. Cal-
culate the efficiency  of this heat engine [%]. (Ans.: 80 %)
6.2.11. A liquid is at the height of h = 0.1 m in a capillary tube,
the capillary radius is R = 2 mm. The density of the liquid is
ρ = 800 kg/m3. Calculate the surface tension of the liquid. (Ans.: 0.8 N/m)
6.2.12. The density of ice is ρice = 900 kg/m3, that of water is
ρwater = 1000 kg/m3. What fraction of iceberg (by volume – Vabove/Vwhole) is
above the surface of the water? (Ans.: 0.1)

Electricity and magnetism

6.3.1. A point charge q = -1 μC is surrounded by a sphere with the radius

r = 1 m. Calculate the electric flux Ф through the sphere`s surface. (Ans.:
-1.13×105 N·m/C)
6.3.2. Calculate the equivalent capacitance, when three capacitors
С1 = 50 nF, С2 = 150 nF, and С3 = 75 nF are connected in series. (Ans.:
25 nF)
6.3.3. Calculate the electric potential energy for the charge q = +1 mC at
the distance of r = 9 cm from the charge Q = +10 C. (Ans.: 109 J)
6.3.4. A wire has the diameter d = 2 mm, its length l = 314 m, and its resis-
tivity ρ = 2×10-8 Ωm. Calculate the resistance of the wire. (Ans.: 2 Ω)

34
6.3.5. Calculate the equivalent resistance, when the three resistors
R1 = 50 kΩ, R2 = 150 kΩ, and R3 = 75 kΩ are connected in parallel. (Ans.:
25 kΩ)
6.3.6. Calculate the work of electrical forces A in uniform electric field
with magnitude E = 1 N/C upon displacement L = 1 km of charge
q = +1 mC in the direction of the field. (Ans.: 1 J)
6.3.7. Calculate the rate of energy dissipation in the resistor R = 100 Ω,
if current I = 1 mA. (Ans.: 10-4 W)
6.3.8. A proton moves within a uniform magnetic field with the magnitude
B = 5 T. Proton`s speed υ = 2×105 m/s. Proton`s velocity and direction
of the magnetic field constitute the angle α = 0°. Calculate the magnitude
of Lorentz force. (Ans.: 0 N)
6.3.9. Two parallel straight superconducting cables lay 4.5 mm apart and
carry equal currents of I = 1.5 kA. The length of each cable is L = 1 m.
Calculate the magnitude of the interaction force between these cables.
(Ans.: 100 N)
6.3.10. A solenoid consists of a helical winding of a wire on a cylinder.
The solenoid has n = 107 turns of the wire per meter and carries the current
I = 4 A. Calculate the magnitude of magnetic field B at the middle
of the solenoid`s length. (Ans.: 50.27 T)

Sound and waves

6.4.1. The speed of sound at 20 °C is υ = 344 m/s. The frequency

of a sound wave is 344 Hz. Calculate its wavelength λ. (Ans.: 1 m)
6.4.2. Calculate the underdamped response of an oscillator x at the moment
t = 2 s if damping coefficient is g = 1 s-1, the amplitude is A = 10 m,
the period is T = 1 s, the starting phase is α = 0 on the cosine fashion.
(Ans.: 1.35 m)
6.4.3. The distance to the point source of sound has increased 3 times. Cal-
culate how many times the intensity of sound has decreased. (Ans.: 9)
6.4.4. The intensity of sound is I = 2 W/m2. Calculate the power
of the sound passing through the window of 1 m2. (Ans.: 2 W)
35
6.4.5. The speed of sound in ideal gas at T1 = -223 °С is 1 = 300 m/s. Cal-
culate the speed of sound at T2 = -73 °С. (Ans.: 600 m/s)
6.4.6. The intensity of sound is I = 0.1I0. Calculate the loudness of sound.
(Ans.: -10 dB)
6.4.7. A car traveling at the speed s = 180 km/h creates a sound with
the frequency fs = 1 kHz and approaches a standing person. Calculate
the frequency of the sound that this person hears. (Ans.: 1170 Hz)

Optics

6.5.1. The speed of light in a substance is υ = 1×108 m/s. Calculate

the refractive index n of the substance`s material. (Ans.: 3)
6.5.2. The distance between an object and a thin lens is o = 12 cm.
The distance from the lens to the object`s image is i = 4 cm. Calculate
the focal length of the lens. (Ans.: 3 cm)
6.5.3. The focal length of a thin lens is f = 5 cm. Calculate the power
of the lens. (Ans.: 20 diopters)
6.5.4. Light beam is incident from a substance 1 (refractive index n1 = 1)
upon a substance 2 (refractive index n2 = 1.5) normally to the boundary
surface between the substances. Calculate the reflectivity of the boundary
surface between the substances. (Ans.: 20 %)
6.5.5. A thin film has a thickness d = 200 nm and a refractive index
n = 1.5. A monochromatic light (λ = 600 nm) is incident normally upon
this film. Can we see the reflection of this light? (Ans.: no)
6.5.6. You pass a laser beam light λ = 600 nm through a narrow slit and ob-
serve the diffraction pattern on a screen D = 6 m away. The distance on the
screen between the centers of the second minima outside the central bright
fringe is 25 mm. How wide is opening of the slit? (Ans.: 5.76×10-4 m)
6.5.7. A gamma-ray photon has energy of E = 1.103×10-13 J. Calculate
the wavelength λ of this electromagnetic radiation. (Ans.: 18×10-13 m)

36