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Wonders of Physics


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2016 Pure Physics P1 Q40 – Voltage and Power of Bulb Y when X is switched off

2016 PPp1q40

Solutions: Option C
[There is another similar question in 2013 Nov Pure Physics P1Q40. The answer is Option C too. Refer to the last section of this post]

Refer to the 2 videos below. The 1st one is faster if you know that the bigger the resistance, by proportion, the bigger the potential difference of the component as it will take a larger portion of the emf wrt to the other components in series. This method is especially useful for MCQ.

If you are still unsure, you may put in values to find the I, V and P across the components. This will be more tedious and time-consuming.

Another similar question is 2013 Nov Pure Physics P1 Q40.

2013 PP p1q40

Solutions: Option C


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Double Pivots Question

A man is standing on a uniform plank of mass 20 kg and 6 m long. He is standing 1 m from the string at A.

IMG-0306

a) Find the unknown forces FA and FB.

The man now walks to the left of A.

IMG-0309

b) Determine the maximum distance in which the man can move before the plank topples.

Solutions:

a) Fa = 550 N and FB = 250 N

b) d = 0.67 m

Refer to the video tutorial for the explanation.

Click on this post for the comics on moments concepts

 

 


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Finding focal length f of the lens

A thin convex lens is placed on a plane mirror and an object pin is then moved along the axis of the lens until an image is seen to coincide with the object pin when viewed from above. What is then the distance between the pin and the lens? (Take f as the focal length of the lens)

IMG-028011

A     0.5 f            B     1.0 f          C      1.5 f          D      2.0 f

Answer: Option B

A common mistake is to assume this is the scenario (2nd scenario) where the object is at 2F and the image formed is at 2F, hence the image is the same size as the object, inverted and real. But this is not the case.

Refer to the video tutorial for the explanation.

This set up of the lens with the mirror is using the concept that when parallel light rays (parallel to principal axis) enter the lens, the rays will converge to a point after passing through the lens. This point is called the focal point, F. The distance between F and the optical center of lens is the focal length f. Refer to the diagram below.

Capture           IMG-0284a

When you adjust the object (pin) until both the object and the image coincide even when you move your eye forward or backward perpendicular to the axis, the distance between the optical center and the object (pin) is the focal length f.

At this position, as the rays from the object pass through the lens, due to refraction, the rays converge and becomes parallel to the axis. Due to the mirror, the parallel rays will be reflected back to the lens and then converge to a point that coincides with the object.

Refer to the video on how to get that position.

Before you start the experiment to find the focal length f, there is a fast and easy way to estimate the f. Refer to the video below.

Below is another image of another set-up but with the same concept.

focal length

Another similar question below. The answer is Option Blens

Click here to view the post on a typical lens experiment and things to take note.

Another experiment which involved the same technique. Pins inside and outside the beaker of water


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Different kind of sounds

Students tend to think that ultrasound is a totally different kind of wave, or it is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is wrong!

The different kind of waves below are just different kind of sounds. So the properties of sound apply to all. Ultrasound is also sound wave, just that the frequency is greater than 20 kHz which is outside the range of audible frequencies for us.

different type of sounds

Radio Waves vs Sound – Similarities and Differences

Transverse Waves and Longitudinal Waves