School of Physics

The University of Western Australia

Physics for Scientists and Engineers (PHYS1001)

Test 1 – SEMESTER 1

Friday 31st March 2017

This paper contains: 14 pages and 1 answer sheet.

Allowed time: 50 minutes

SURNAME:

GIVEN NAMES:

STUDENT NUMBER:

INSTRUCTIONS:
• Carefully detach the answer sheet attached from the back of this test.
• CLEARLY write your student number and name in the appropriate spaces above,
and on the answer sheet.
• Both the answer sheet and test booklet must be handed in at the end of the test.
• Carefully read and follow the marking instructions on the answer sheet.
• There are fifteen equally weighted multiple choice questions, each with five choices.
• In each question choose the option that is closest to the correct answer.
• This test is worth 18% of the final mark for the semester.
• You may not bring any papers to the test.
• The only electronic devices permitted are approved scientific calculators. Mobile
phones and wearable electronics must be off or silent and left in your bag, under your
seat.
• An equation sheet and some blank pages for rough working have been attached to the
back of the test. You may detach these. No working will be marked.
• You must display your student ID card for the duration of the test.
• You must attend your allocated test session. See CAS for your allocation.
• Students attempting to attend the wrong session may not be admitted, or may
not have their test marked.
Test 1 Semester 1 Page 2 of 14 PHYS1001

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 3 of 14 PHYS1001

1. The coefficient of linear expansion of steel is 11 × 10−6 K−1 and the coefficient of volume
expansion of a certain cooking oil is 0.92 × 10−3 K−1 . A steel cooking pot is 90% filled
with this cooking oil, both at 24 ◦ C. If the pot and oil are both slowly and uniformly
heated, the temperature at which the oil will start to spill out of the pot is closest to:

A. 50 ◦ C B. 75 ◦ C C. 100 ◦ C
D. 150 ◦ C E. 200 ◦ C

Solution: The data given:

αs = 11 × 10−6 K−1
βs = 3αs
βo = 0.92 × 10−3 K−1
V io = 0.9Vis
Tis = Tio = Ti = 24 ◦ C = 297K
Tfs = Tfo = Tf = ? ◦C
V fo = V fs

Now consider volume expansion equation:

∆V = Vi β∆T
⇒ Vf = Vi (β (Tf − Ti ) + 1)

And start with

Vfo = Vfs
⇒ Vio (βo (Tfo − Tio ) + 1) = Vis (βs (Tfs − Tis ) + 1)
⇒ 0.9Vis (βo (Tf − Ti ) + 1) = Vis (3αs (Tf − Ti ) + 1)
0.1
⇒ Tf = Ti +
0.9βo − 3αs
0.1
= 297K +
0.9 (0.92 × 10−3 K−1 )− 3 (11 × 10−6 K−1 )
= 423K
= 150 ◦ C

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 4 of 14 PHYS1001

2. Initially the thermal speed of the particles in a sample of an ideal monatomic gas is
500 m/s. The pressure and volume of the gas are each doubled while the number of
moles of the gas is kept constant. The final thermal speed of the particles is closest to:

A. 125 m/s B. 250 m/s C. 500 m/s

D. 1000 m/s E. 2000 m/s

Solution: The data given:

vth1 = 500ms−1
p2 = 2p1
V2 = 2V1
n1 = n2 = n

Starting with the ideal gas law:

p1 V1 = nRT1
p1 V1 p2 V2
⇒ = nR =
T1 T2
p1 V1 p2 V2
⇒ =
T1 T2
p2 V2 T1
⇒ T2 =
p1 V 1
(2p1 ) (2V1 ) T1
=
p1 V 1
= 4T1

Now using the formula for thermal speed

r
3kT2
vth2 =
r m
3k (4T1 )
=
r m
3kT1
= 2
m
= 2vth1
2 500ms−1


=
= 1000ms−1

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 5 of 14 PHYS1001

Questions 3 to 7 all refer to the following information and Figure 1.

An ideal gas initially in a thermodynamic state i and finally in a state f is taken

through one of two possible processes, labeled 1 and 2, as shown in the pV diagram
labelled Figure 1 below. The plot shows – as dashed curves – two different isotherms for
temperatures T1 and T2 .

Figure 1: See Questions 3 to 7

The two processes shown on the plot above are as follows:

Process 1: An isochoric cooling from i → B, followed by an isobaric expansion

from B → f .
Process 2: An isobaric expansion from i → A, followed by an isochoric cooling
from A → f

There is one mole of this ideal gas and Vi = 1 m3 , Vf = 2 m3 and T1 = 300 K.

3. The temperature T2 of the gas when in state A is closest to:

A. 150 K B. 300 K C. 400 K

D. 500 K E. 600 K

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 6 of 14 PHYS1001

Solution: It is a constant pressure process from i to A (Charles’ Law which can be

derived from the Ideal Gas Law)

Vi VA
=
Ti TA
Vi Vf
⇒ =
T1 T2
Vf T1
⇒ T2 =
Vi
(2m3 ) (300K)
=
(1m3 )
= 600K

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 7 of 14 PHYS1001

4. The work done on the gas during process 1 is closest to:

A. 0.0 kJ B. −1.0 kJ C. −1.25 kJ

D. −2.5 kJ E. −5.0 kJ

Solution:
Z
W = − pdV
= − (Area under the curve)

The area under this curve is the area of a rectangle of width Vf − Vi and height pf .
So we need to determine pf , which we can do via the Ideal Gas Law:

pf Vf = nRT1
nRT1
⇒ =
Vf
(1mol) 8.314JK−1 mol−1 (300K)


=
2m3
= 1250Pa

So therefore
Z Vf
W = − pdV
Vi
= −pf (Vf − Vi )
− (1250Pa) 2m3 − 1m3


=
= −1250J
= 1.25kJ

5. The change of internal energy of the gas during process 1 is closest to:

A. 0.0 kJ B. −1.0 kJ C. −1.2 kJ

D. −2.4 kJ E. −4.8 kJ

Solution: For an ideal gas

∆U = nCV ∆T
and here ∆T = 0K, so ∆U = 0J

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 8 of 14 PHYS1001

6. The heat added to the gas during process 2 is closest to:

A. 0.0 kJ B. 1.0 kJ C. 1.25 kJ

D. 2.5 kJ E. 5.0 kJ

Solution: First law of thermodynamics:

∆U = Q + W
⇒ Q = ∆U − W
= −W ( since ∆U = 0 as ∆T = 0)
 Z Vf 
= − − pdV
Vi
= pi (Vf − Vi )
 
nRTi
= (Vf − Vi )
Vi
!
(1mol) 8.312JK−1 mol−1 (300K)


3 3


= 2m − 1m
1m3
= 2500J
= 2.5kJ

7. The change of entropy of the gas during process 2 is closest to:

A. 0.00 J K−1 B. 1.23 J K−1 C. 2.56 J K−1

D. 4.87 J K−1 E. 5.76 J K−1

Solution: There are two processes inside process 2: a constant pressure process
(Q = nCp ∆T ); and a constant volume process (Q = nCV ∆T ). So the change in

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 9 of 14 PHYS1001

entropy is:
Z
dQ
∆S =
T
Z T2 Z T1
= nCp dT + nCV dT
T1 T2
   
T2 T1
= nCp ln + nCV ln
T1 T2
   
T2 T2
= n (CV + R) ln − nCV ln
T1 T1
 
T2
= nR ln
T1
 
−1 −1

600K
= (1mol) 8.312JK mol ln
300K
−1
= 5.76JK

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 10 of 14 PHYS1001

8. Consider a thermodynamic process involving 1 mole of a monatomic ideal gas (CV =

3R/2). The gas has an initial temperature of 53 ◦ C and then adiabatically expands to
double its volume. The work done on the gas during this expansion is closet to:

A. −0.5 kJ B. −1.0kJ C. −1.5 kJ

D. −2.0 kJ E. −2.5 kJ

Solution: The data given is:

n = 1mol
3R
CV =
2
Ti = 53 ◦ C = 326K
Q = 0 (Adiabatic)
Vf = 2Vi
5
γ = (monatomic)
3
W = ?J

First law of thermodynamics:

∆U = Q + W
⇒ W = ∆U − Q
= nCV ∆T − 0
= nCV (Tf − Ti )

So we need Tf , fortunately it is said to be Adiabatic so therefore we have

Ti Viγ−1 = Tf Vfγ−1 (1)

 γ−1
Vi
⇒ Tf = Ti (2)
Vf
 γ−1
1
= Ti (3)
2

Subbing this into before:

 γ−1 !
1
W = nCV − 1 Ti
2

!   5 −1 !
3 8.314JK−1 mol−1 1 3
= (1mol) − 1 (326K)
2 2
= −1500J
= −1.5kJ

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 11 of 14 PHYS1001

9. A solid sphere of radius 15 cm contains a radioactive metal. Due to the ongoing radioac-
tive decay of the metal atoms, energy at a rate of 1.2 kW is being generated inside the
sphere. Assuming that the sphere is in a steady state, thermally radiating all of this
generated energy, the temperature of the sphere is closest to which of the following?
[Assume that the emissivity of the sphere is 1.]

A. 250 ◦ C B. 500 ◦ C C. 750 ◦ C

D. 1000 ◦ C E. 1250 ◦ C

Solution: The data given is:

r = 15cm = 15 × 10−2 m
P = 1.2kW = 1.2 × 103 W
T = ? ◦C
e = 1
σ = 5.67 × 10−8 Wm−2 K−4

Heat transfer by radiation

P = eσAT 4
  14
P
⇒T =
eσA
  41
P
=
eσ4πr2
! 41
3
(1.2 × 10 W)
=
10−8 Wm−2 K−4 4π (15 × 10−2 m)2


(1) 5.67 ×
= 523K
= 250 ◦ C

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 12 of 14 PHYS1001

Questions 10 and 11 both refer to the following information.

A 1.0 kg sample of water initially at 15 ◦ C is to be cooled down in a insulated con-

tainer by adding 52 g of ice at initially −10 ◦ C. Assume that the container is completely
sealed and is a perfect insulator so that the ice and water form an isolated system.

10. Once equilibrium is established, all of the ice has completely melted. Which of the
following is closest to the final temperature of the water within the container? [Use the
following data: the specific heat of water is 4190, the specific heat of ice is 2100 and the
heat of fusion is 334 × 103 all in SI units.]

A. 2 ◦ C B. 5 ◦ C C. 7 ◦ C
D. 10 ◦ C E. 12 ◦ C

Solution:

0 = Q1 + Q2
= m1 cwater ∆T1 + (m2 cice ∆T0 + m2 Lf + m2 cwater ∆T2 )
= m1 cwater (Tf − Ti1 ) + m2 cice (T0 − Ti2 ) + m2 Lf + m2 cwater (Tf − T0 )
m1 cwater Ti1 + m2 cice (Ti2 − T0 ) − m2 Lf + m2 cwater T0
⇒ Tf =
m1 cwater + m2 cwater
= 283K
= 10 ◦ C

11. Consider the entire contents of the container as a single system, a system which under-
goes a thermodynamic process starting as ice and water and ending up as water only.

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 13 of 14 PHYS1001

For this single system undergoing this thermodynamic process, let the change of entropy
and internal energy be denoted by ∆S and ∆U respectively. Which of the following
statements is true:

A. ∆U > 0 and ∆S > 0

B. ∆U > 0 and ∆S = 0
C. ∆U = 0 and ∆S < 0
D. ∆U = 0 and ∆S = 0
E. ∆U = 0 and ∆S > 0

Solution: ∆U = 0 and ∆S > 0

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 14 of 14 PHYS1001

12. A massless cord fixed to the ceiling passes around a pulley supporting a mass m. The cord
then passes over a second pulley free to rotate around a fixed centre as in the diagram.
Treat both pulleys as massless and frictionless, and ignore air resistance. When a force
F = mg is applied to the end of the cord, the acceleration of the block will be

A. 0
B. g/2
C. g/3
D. g
E. a function of the angle between F and the vertical.

Solution: Since the pulleys are massless and frictionless, F is the tension everywhere
along the cord. So if we consider the net force on the block we have 2F = 2mg
upwards and one mg downwards (due to gravity), so the net force is mg upwards
and the acceleration is g (upwards)

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 15 of 14 PHYS1001

13. A piano of mass 400 kg, suspended on a rope is being raised vertically at a constant rate
of 20.0 cm/s. Ignoring the mass of the rope, the tension in the rope will be closest to

A. 3.85 kN B. 3.92 kN C. 4.03 kN

D. 4.15 kN E. 4.23 kN

Solution: Raising vertically at a constant rate means there is no net accelleration.

This means the sum of the forces is zero. Therefore the tension in the string balances
out the force due to gravity which is F = mg = (400kg) (9.8ms−2 ) = 3920N = 3.92kN

14. Adele throws a stone from the Narrows Bridge with a speed of 50 km/h, releasing the
stone 1.2 m above the surface of the bridge. Ignoring air resistance, the stone will hit
the water below with the greatest speed if

A. It is thrown straight up.

B. It is thrown straight down.
C. The speed will be the same in all cases.
D. It is thrown out at an angle of 45 above horizontal.
E. It is thrown straight out horizontally.

Solution: The speed will be the same in all cases.

15. A wooden block, sliding down a wooden slope that makes an angle of 45 degrees to
the horizontal, gains 80 J of kinetic energy while losing 100 J of gravitational potential
energy. Ignoring air drag, it can be shown that the coefficient of kinetic friction between
the block and the slope must be

A. 0.2 B. 0.4 C. 0.6

D. 0.8 E. 1.0

Solution: The loss of 20J is due to friction. The work due to this frictional force is

W = Ff r x

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 16 of 14 PHYS1001

where x is the distance travelled down the slope. Test 1 SEM-1 2017 Solutions Image

1.png
basic trigonometry gives us

h
sin 45◦ =
x
h
⇒x =
sin 45◦
√
= 2h

And the loss in potential energy gives us

Ep = 100J = mgh
100J
⇒h =
mg

And force of friction is determined by the normal force times by the coefficient of
friction:

Ff r = µFN
= µmg cos 45◦
µmg
= √
2

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 17 of 14 PHYS1001

Putting it all together the work gives us

W = Ff r x
µmg √
= √ 2h
2
= µmgh
100J
= µmg
mg
= 100Jµ
W
⇒µ =
100J
20J
=
100J
= 0.2

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 18 of 14 PHYS1001

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 19 of 14 PHYS1001

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 20 of 14 PHYS1001

The following formulae and data might be useful:

Acceleration due to gravity at earths surface: g = 9.80 m s−2

Boltzmann’s constant k = 1.38 × 10−23 J K−1
The Stefan-Boltzmann constant σ = 5.67 × 10−8 W m−2 K−4
The universal gas constant R = 8.314 J K−1 mol−1
The specific heat of liquid water cwater = 4190 J kg−1 K−1
The specific heat of ice cice = 2100 J kg−1 K−1
The heat of fusion of water Lf = 334 × 103 J kg−1
Converting Celsius to Kelvin 0 ◦ C = 273 K
Converting litres to cubic metres 103 l = 1 m3

Thermal expansion: ∆L = αLi ∆T ∆V = β Vi ∆T β = 3α

Heating/Cooling: Q = mc∆T Q = mL
Kave,trans = 21 mvth
2 = 3 kT
p
Thermal motion in a gas: 2 vth = 3kT /m
−Tc
Heat Transfer by conduction: H = Qt = kA Th L H is heat flow in watts.
RV
First Law and Work: ∆U = Q + W W = − Vif p dV
Ideal Gas Law: pV = nRT Where n is the number of moles of gas.
Internal energy (ideal gas): U = 23 nRT (monatomic) ∆U = nCV ∆T
Cp
γ (ideal gas): γ = CV
γmonatomic = 35
γdiatomic = 75
γpolyatomic = 43  
Vf pf Vf −pi Vi
Work (ideal gas): Wisothermal = −nRT ln Vi Wadiabatic = γ−1
Specific Heat (ideal gas): Q = nCV ∆T Q = nCp ∆T
Cp = CV + R CV = f2 R
Adiabatic process in ideal gas: pV γ = constant T V γ−1 = constant  
Q Rf Tf
Entropy change: ∆S = T (constant T ) ∆S = i dQ T ∆S = mc ln Ti

dp 1
p = mv F= Ktrans = mv 2
dt 2
GM m GM m
Fgrav = − Ugrav = − + U0
r2 Z x r
dU
F (x) = − F (x)dx = U (x0 ) − U (x)
dx x0
f = µN

Vsphere = 34 πr3 Asphere = 4πr2

Acircle = πr2 Ccircle = 2πr

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Test 1 Semester 1 Page 21 of 14 PHYS1001

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