Nordic-Baltic Physics Olympiad 2018 simple way to find the x-coordinates of P2 and v2,p = v3,p .

tes of P2 and v2,p = v3,p . The total energy at P is then where we can easily identify two frequency com-
Solutions P3 and reconstruct their positions shown in blue
( )( )
ponents f high = f 1 + f 0 and f low = f 1 − f 0 .
in the figure. mv2p 1 Gm2 1
E= 1+ − 2+ = iii) We can express f low = f 1 − f 0 = 2 f 0 v/ c and
1. GRAVITATIONAL RACING Let’s apply the conservation of angular mo- 2 2 sin2 α d 2 sin α calculate the speed of car as
i) (a) Since all three bodies move along the same mentum at point P . Due to symmetry, the ve- Gm2
= 6.68 mv2p − 4.49 . f low
trajectory, they must be T3 away from each other locity vectors at P2 and P3 must intersect at the d v= c = 30 m/s.
(3) 2 f0
at any moment of time. Thus, it takes T3 to get x-axis. For the total angular momentum to be 0,
from O2 to O . they must intersect at P . Therefore, P2 and P3 When a body is at P , the gravitational force is
have tangents that pass through P . P2 and P3 equal to the centrifugal force. This means that 3. WEATHER FORECAST
(b) From symmetry, time taken to go from can then be reconstructed as shown in green in
P to O must be T4 . Furthermore, it takes T3 to the figure. mv2p Gm2 Gm2 i) The angle φ is equal to the latitude. This
get from P2 to P and from O to O3 . This means = 2 2 cos α = 1.96 2 , means that on the northern hemisphere the
Rp d d
that it takes T3 + T3 + T4 = 11 12
T
to get from P 2 to P
Coriolis force vector is rotated 90◦ clockwise
2 O
11T T
O3 or T − 12 = 12 to get from O3 to P2 . Q or
3
v2p d 2 from the velocity vector if both are drawn on
R d
p
α Gm = 0.510 . (4) the map. To maintain force balance, the Cori-
ii) Since there are no external forces at play, the Rp
olis force needs to be directed opposite to the
centre of mass of the three body system must O P
2 3 Combining equations ??, ?? and ?? gives pressure gradient force, i.e. in the direction of
stay in place and, due to symmetry, be located
increasing pressure. Thus the velocity needs to
at O . Thus, ⃗r 1 +⃗r 2 +⃗r 3 = 0, where ⃗r 1 , ⃗r 2 and ⃗r 3 ( )
3 v 2 v2p d 2 5 4 . 49 be directed along the isobars. The forces should
are position vectors from O . Differentiating, vi) The general idea is to apply energy conser- o 2
= 6.68v p + 0.510 − ,
vation in both configurations and use the radius 4 R p 2 r o d be directed counter-clockwise around the pres-
⃗
v1 + ⃗v2 + ⃗v3 = 0. (1) of curvature at P to find the value of Gm. From sure minimum, i.e. to the north in A and to the
rearranging, southwest in B. The answer may also be accepted
the figure, R p = 41.7, r 0 = 145.2, d = 242 and
√ if the velocity has a small component towards
iii) The total angular momentum is conserved. α = 11.6 deg (the units for distance are arbitrary, v 4
(
d2 5
(
4.49
))
o the pressure minimum, as long as this is much
Thus, we can find the angular momentum at a only the ratios carry any meaning). = 6.68 + 0.510 − = 2.8.
vp 3 R p 2r 0 d smaller than the component along the isobars.
moment of time that’s most convenient for us, The total energy at O is
such as the configuration when one of the bodies ii) In point A the isobars are approximately
is at O . Due to symmetry, ⃗r 2 = −⃗r 3 and ⃗v2 = ⃗v3 . 2 2 2
mv1,o mv2,o mv3,o Gm Gm Gm 2. SPEED CAMERA
2 2 2 straight, meaning that the velocity is constant
The total angular momentum is then E= + + − − − . and thus that all forces sum to zero. A small
2 2 2 r 12,o r 23,o r 31,o i) The Doppler shift formula has to be applied
slab of air with area A and thickness d z has the
J = m⃗r 1 ×⃗ v1 + m⃗r 2 ×⃗ v2 + m⃗r 3 ×⃗ v3 =
twice. First, the observer on the approaching car mass dm = ρ A d z.
We have v1,o = 2v2,o = 2v3,o = v o and r 12,o = sees both the incoming and reflected wave with
= m(⃗r 2 ×⃗v2 +⃗r 3 ×⃗ v3 ) = m(⃗r 2 ×⃗ v2 −⃗r 2 ×⃗ v2 ) = 0. r 31,o = 1 r 23,o = r o . Thus, frequency f ′ = f 0 (1 + v/ c). Now, the observer at The force from the pressure difference d p
2
the speed camera sees the reflected wave Dop- between opposite sides in F p = A d p, such that
iv) Using equation ?? and the fact that ⃗v2 = ⃗v3 , 3 mv2o 5Gm2 ′′ ′ 2 the force per mass is
E= − . (2) pler shifted to f 1 = f = f (1+v/ c) = f 0 (1+v/ c) .
⃗
v1 + 2⃗v2 = 0 must hold. Thus, ⃗ v2 = 21⃗ v1 . Note 4 2r o Finally, we can simplify: ¯ ¯
that this can only happen when ⃗v1 , ⃗v2 and ⃗v3 Fp Ad p 1 ¯¯ d p ¯¯
=− =− ¯
are parallel. Since the velocities of the bodies Total Energy at P is f 1 = f 0 (1 + v/ c)2 ≈ f 0 (1 + 2v/ c). dm ρ Adz ρ dz ¯
are tangent to the trajectory at their locations,
the trajectories of the bodies must have the same The pressure gradient can be estimated by
mv12,p mv22,p mv32,p Gm2 Gm2 Gm2 ii) Using the trigonometric identity given in
slope at O , O2 and O3 . This gives a convenient E = + + − − − . measuring the distance between a few nearby
2 2 2 r 12,p r 23,p r 31,p the problem, we can express the product of two isobars in the map, and ρ ≈ 1 kg m−3 . Force
way of reconstructing the positions of O2 and waves simply as a sum of waves
O3 using a ruler as shown in the figure in red. balance gives the equation
Additionally, r 12,p = r 31,p = d and r 23,p =
v) We can use symmetry to deduce that r 2,x = 2 d sin α. Furthermore, applying equation ?? cos(2π f 1 t) cos(2π f 0 t) =
¯ ¯ ¯ ¯
r 3,x and r 2,y = − r 3,y . Additionally, r 1,x + r 2,x + on the y-axis, v1,p − v2,p sin α − v3,p sin α = 0. 1 1
= cos [2π( f 1 + f 0 ) t] + cos [2π( f 1 − f 0 ) t] , 1 ¯¯ d p ¯¯ 1 ¯ dp ¯
¯ ¯
2 v Ω sin φ = =⇒ v =
ρ ¯ dz ¯ 2ρ Ω sin φ ¯ d z ¯
1
r 3,x = 0, so r 2,x = r 3,x = − 2 r 1,x . This gives a Thus, v1,p = v p = 2v2,p sin α = 2v3,p sin α since 2 2
 Using Ω = 7.27 × 10−5 s−1 , ϕ = 56◦ , the optical path difference between the neigh- distance h between the prism and the sheet that Since the first solution corresponds to the case
|d p/d z| ≈ 0.8/250 Pa m−1 = 0.0032 Pa m−1 we bouring beams is ( n + j )λ. Hence, d φ j − d φ0 = one stripe seen through the prism seems to be when the collision doesn’t happen, the speed of
get the estimation v = 22 m s−1 . Since the stu- j λ so that φ j − φ0 = j λ/ d . Angle difference exactly at the same position as the other stripe the second ball must be v2 = v.
dents are only asked for an estimation, a wide φ j − φ0 results in the distance of bright spots at seen beyond the edge of the prism. We measure ii) The balls experience Lorentz force due to the
range of numerical answers are accepted, as long screen being equal to a j = (φ j −φ0 )L, where L is the distance y between these two stripes on the external magnetic field. Since the Lorentz force
as the method is correct. the distance from the grating to the screen. So, sheet. Then, the deflection angle of the prism is is perpendicular to the line of motion and con-
iii) Now the isobars are curved, and from the we can measure the distance a j between such a found as β = y/ h, so that stant in magnitude, the balls move along a circu-
map one can estimate the radius of curvature pair of bright spots on the screen which are sep- lar orbit. Equating the Lorentz force with cent-
β y
r ≈ 206 km. The difference of the pressure arated by j − 1 bright spots, and calculate the α= = . 2
n − 1 h( n − 1) rifugal force gives mvR = qvB. Thus, R = qB
mv
gradient force and the Coriolis force must equal grating constant as
For y = and h = we obtain α = and ω = Rv = qBm . This means that one of the
the centripetal force: j λL
d= . charges moves along the orbit clockwise and the
aj iii) Finally, we use that part of the sheet other anticlockwise.
¯ ¯
v2 1 ¯¯ d p ¯¯ where there are neighbouring cyan and magenta
= ¯ − 2vΩ sin φ After each collision, one of the balls moves
r ρ dz ¯ In order to obtain better accuracy, it is neces- stripes. We use a closely positioned pair of such
sary to use as large as possible value of j (the stripes, and look at it through the prism. De- at speed v while the other one is at rest. The
moving ball travels a part of the full cyclotron
This is a second order equation in v with pos- largest such value that the both dots remain on pending on the orientation of the prism the pair
the screen). With L =, j =, and a 10 , we obtain of stripes is either brought close to each other, period (either clockwise or anticlockwise, de-
itive solution
d =. or, vice versa, moved apart. We use such orient- pending on the charge) before making a head-
ation for which the stripes are brought closer to on collision with the ball at rest. The mo-
√ ¯ ¯ mentum is given over to the first ball and the
each other, and find such a distance H between
r ¯¯ d p ¯¯ previously moving ball stays at rest and the mo-
v = − r Ω sin φ + ( r Ω sin φ)2 + the prism and the sheet for which the two stripes
ρ ¯ dz ¯ tion starts once again. During the subsequent
overlap exactly (resulting in a seemingly yellow-
ish stripe). We also measure the distance z collisions, the balls start drifting in one direc-
With ϕ = 60◦ , |d p/d z| ≈ 0.0034 Pa m−1 we between the stripes. Using our expression for tion as can be seen in the figure.
get the estimation v = 14 m s−1 . As a compar- the deflection angle β = αn − 1, we obtain an ex-
ison, if we neglect the curvature of the isobars ii) There are two ways of determining the prism pression for the change of the deflection angle
-q +q
we get 22 m s−1 . angle. First, one can use laser light and screen to δβ = αδ n, where δ n denotes the difference of v r r
α
4. FRESNEL PRISM determine, to which distance x is the brightest the refraction index for the cyan and magenta.
spot on the screen (the zeroth main maximum) Therefore, δn = δβ/α. We can find the change R
i) In order to find the grating pitch, we set up a shifted when the Fresnel prism is inserted into of the deflection angle from our measurement α
α
simple diffraction experiment: direct laser light the path of the beam at distance L from the data as δβ = z/H . So, δ n = z/(H α), and
through the grating to the screen; there will be screen. It appears that the angle β by which the
a long series of bright spots which correspond prism deflects the beam remains small, so that dn z
= .
to a series of main maxima; all angles are small, we can still use the small angle approximation: dλ H α(λm − λ c
so we can apply small-angle approximation. As β = x/L. Simple geometrical optics calculation
dn
compared with a pair of beams exiting the grat- yields Using z = and H = we obtain dλ =.
ing from two neighbouring slits perpendicularly, β x 5. MAGNETIC BILLIARD
a pair of beams exiting at a small angle φ ob- α= = .
n − 1 L( n − 1) i) After the first collision, let the velocities of iii) The average velocity of the balls is equal to
tains an additional optical path difference equal
to d sin φ ≈ d φ, see figure. Suppose that angle For L = and x = we obtain α = the first and second ball be v1 and v2 respect- the average speed of the collision points. From
φ0 corresponds to a main diffraction maximum An alternative approach is using the cyan ively. Applying the conservation of energy gives the figure, it can be seen that the direction of
mv2 mv12 mv22 2 2 2 the average velocity is π − α clockwise from
of a certain order n so that the optical path dif- stripes on the sheet. We look through the prism 2 = 2 + 2 or v = v1 + v2 . Conserva-
ference between the two beams is equal to an so that we can see stripes both through the tion of momentum yields mv = mv1 + mv2 or the initial direction 2r
of the incoming ball, where
integer number n of wavelengths. Then, for the prism, and bypassing the stream simultaneously. v = v1 + v2 . Combining the two equations gives α = arctan R . The collision point moves by
n + j -th main maximum, observed at angle α j , We find such two neighbouring stripes and such 2 2 2 2 2
v = v +(v − v2 ) = v −2vv2 +2v and v2 = 0; v. d = r cos α between two subsequent collisions.
2 2
In between the two collisions, one of the balls (r ′x , r ′y , r ′z ) and after leaving the cube, ⃗t′ = both elements so that the complex voltage amp-
moves 2π − 2α along a cyclotron (orbit. The time) ( t′x , t′y , t′z ). Every time the light bounces against { Pp 2 p litudes are I 1 /(iωC ) and I 1 R2 , respectively. Di-
taken is then t = 2π−ω2α = 2qBm
π − arctan 2Rr one of the sides of the cube, the respective com- 2 n − 1, if n < 2 vision by imaginary unit rotates a vector in com-
F = Pc
and the average velocity is ponent of ⃗r gets flipped. 2c, otherwise plex plane clock-wise by π/2, hence the voltage
i) The laser beam is limited to propagate in a vector on resistor is rotated with respect to the
d r ω cos α vrR ii) We proceed in a similar way as in the pre- voltage on the capacitor counter-clock-wise by
vavg = = = p = two-dimensional plane. Take t y = 0, r y = 0,
t 2 (π − α) R 4 r + R 2 (π − α)
2 ′ ′ vious part, the main difference being that the π/2. Similar analysis leads us to the conclusion
r y = 0 and t y = 0.
v y-component doesn’t have to be 0. that the voltage on the inductor L 1 is rotated
=√ ( ). In time d t, the laser pointer generates light
R2 with respect to the voltage on the resistor R0
4 + r2 π − arctan 2Rr with total energy P d t carrying momentum Pc d t.
The act of entering the cube keeps the light
moving in the same direction in the x-y plane. counter-clock-wise by π/2, and that the voltage
In that time, the same amount of light enters on the resistor R1 is rotated with respect to the
iv) Let the velocities of the two balls at any mo- Thus, tt xy = rr xy . Snell’s law can be written
the cube and exits it, only with different dir- √ √ √ voltage on the inductor L 0 clock-wise by π/2.
ment of time be ⃗v1 and ⃗v2 . The velocity of the ection. Applying Newton’s III law, the cube as t2x + t2y = n r 2x + r 2y , since t2x + t2y and The resulting phasor diagram is shown below.
centre of mass is then ⃗vCM = ⃗v1 +2⃗v2 . The equa- must attain a momentum of d⃗ p = Pc d t(⃗t−⃗t′ ) and √ 2
r x + r 2y are the sines of the angles of incidence
tion of motion of the system is thus experiences a force of F ⃗ = d⃗p = P (⃗t −⃗t′ ) =
√ dt c and departure respectively. Combining these
P
( t x − t′x )2 + ( t z − t′z )2 . This means that we t
q⃗ ⃗−F
v1 × B ⃗ + q⃗ ⃗+F
v2 × B ⃗ = m⃗
v˙ 1 + m⃗
v˙ 2 , c
′ 2 equations, we get r x = tnx , r y = ny . Similarly,
wish to maximize the quantity ( t x − t x ) + ( t z − ′
t x = nr ′x and t′y = nr ′y .
where F ⃗ is the force between the two balls, t′z )2 .
The act of reflecting against the sides of the
either the elastic forces during a collision or the Snell’s law can be written as nr x = t x and
cube doesn’t change the magnitude of r x and
electrostatic forces. Then nr ′x = t′x since t x and r x are the sines of angles
r y . Thus, t′z = t z . This means that the quant-
of incidence and departure respectively.
⃗=m d ity ( t x − t′x )2 + ( t y − t′y )2 needs to be maximized
q(⃗
v1 + ⃗
v2 ) × B (⃗
v1 + ⃗
v 2 ),
dt The laser beam can only reflect against the and this happens when r ′y = − r y and r ′x = − r x
√ √
side that is perpendicular to the x-axis, beam
d so F = 2 Pc t2x + t2y = 2n Pc r 2x + r 2y .
q⃗ ⃗=m
vCM × B ⃗
vCM . path with internal reflection is shown inthe fig-
dt ure. Thus, r ′z = r z and t′z = t z . Let’s investigate Using the same argumentation as in the pre-
This means that the centre of mass of the sys- the reflection against the x-face. The angle of in- vious subtask, the condition for p a reflection to
tem undergoes cyclotronic motion with a radius cidence is cos α = r x . The condition for total in- happen against the x-face is t < n2 − 1. Sim-
p x
of R = mvqB . Because every collision point can ternal reflection is sin√αn ≥ 1. Rearranging the ilarly, t y < n − 1 must hold for the y-face.
2
√ ii) From Thales theorem we can conclude that
only be located where the center of mass is, the ( )
terms yields cos α < 1 − n12 or r x < 1 − n12 . This means that r x + r y < 2 1 − n2 . On the the points F , D , and E in the figure above lay
2 2 1
collision points must also be limited to the same p
This means that t x < n2 − 1. on the circle drawn around the segment AB
circle. Thus, the maximum distance between other hand, t2x + t2y + t2z = 1 so t2x + t2y < 1 and r 2x +
( ( ) ) as a diameter. Hence, the voltage VAB which
mv
any two collisions is 2R = 2qB θr
r 2y < n12 . Thus, r 2x + r 2y < min 2 1 − n12 , n12 = we want to know equals by modulus to the dia-
θr θr
1
( ( ) )
6. CUBE The cube gets pushed by the light α α
n2
min 2 n2 − 1 , 1 . The maximum force the meter AB of the circumcircle of the triangle
reflecting against its surfaces. Since there is no cube can experience is then FDE for which we know the side lengths. By
partial reflection, light can only reflect inside the making use of the two formulas for the sur-
cube via total internal reflection. face
√ area of a triangle, the Heron formula A=
{ p Pp 2 p 1
The force is maximal when the laser beam 2 2 n − 1 , if n < 3/2 p ( p − a )( p − b )( p − c ), with p = ( a + b + c),
Let the cube’s faces be aligned to x-y-z axis F= P c abc
2
and let the light enter from the face which is bounces against the cube odd number of times. 2 c , otherwise and A = 4R with R denoting the radius of the
p
perpendicular to the z-axis. Then r ′x √ = − r x and t′x − t x < 2 n2 − 1. Thus, circumcircle, we conclude that the diameter of
F = P ( t − t′ )2 + ( t − t′ )2 < 2P ( n2 − 1). 7. LCR-CIRCUIT
the circumcircle
Before entering the cube, let the unit vec- c x x z z c
2 2
tor directed along the motion of the light Note that t x + t z = 1 so t x < 1. This means that i) Let us consider first the upper branch of the
2P
be ⃗t = ( t x , t y , t z ), after entering the cube, the force can’t be larger than c . The maximal circuit consisting of the capacitor C and resistor abc
′ 2R = √ .
⃗r = ( r x , r y , r z ), before leaving the cube, ⃗r = force is then R 2 . There is the same current I 1 through the 2 p( p − a)( p − b)( p − c)
With a = 7 V, b = 15 V and c = 20 V we obtain iii) The work W done on the system (consist- where the last equality follows from eqn (??). Determining which of the two possible cir-
p = 21 V and VAB = 2R = 25 V. ing of the whole submarine) by the surrounding From here one proceeds as already written cuits is inside the black box is trickier. One
8. AIR IN A SUBMARINE water is W = P c ∆V , where P c is the constant above. way to do it, is to notice that when we discon-
pressure of the surrounding water. There is no 9. BLACK BOX By measuring current with nect “blue” and “black” we can get a small spark,
i) We are supposed to calculate the volume heat exchange, so this work must be equal to the
3 with positive lead of multimeter connected to or feel a small pulse of current if we happen to
rate (in ms ) at which the water flows in. We change in internal energy of the system: touch the wires at that point. That is because
“blue”
know A = 10 cm2 . We apply Bernoulli’s equa- L ∂∂It = Ul – the current through the inductor
tion, where the initial point is in the sea and the W = ∆Ugas + ∆Uwater = c V n∆T + K turb (10) and negative lead connected to “black” can’t change instantaneously and the voltage will
final point is in the hole: we get I 0 ≈ 95 mA. generated by the inductor enough for spark or
where K turb is the quantity that we are after and high voltage pulse. Meanwhile if we have capa-
1 2 1 2 get: From this measurement alone, since we
P i + ρ vi = P f + ρ v f (5) citor in parallel with inductor while disconnect-
2 2 K turb = P c ∆V − c V n∆T. (11) made a circuit that continuously conducted cur-
| {z } rent,
ing the circuit we wont get the effect. By testing
=0 We need the value of n (NB. you can also figure with “white” lead parallel with “black” or with
it out from the ideal gas law): we can deduce that the circuit inside the “blue” we can determine that no spark happens
from which we get:
black box has to be one of following: in latter case and the circuit in the black box is
√ m
∆P √ n= (12) circuit B from the figure.
white white
vf = 2 ≈ 2 gh = 76.72 m/s. (6) M
ρ A B iv)
kg 3
where m = 1.23 m3 · 10m = 12.3 kg and M = By connecting voltmeter between “white”
Here v f is the speed at which the water flows kg
0.02897 mol . Plugging in the values we get n ≈ and “black” or “white” and “blue” we can see
in. This we can insert into the equation for the blue blue
424 mol. The final temperature can be calcu- the voltage decaying exponentially. That means
volume rate:
lated from the initial temperature by using that indeed, that the capacitor is connected to the
m3 litres 1−γ γ “white” wire and depending if the other lead is
p T is conserved.
Q = Av f = 0.153 ≈ 150 . (7) connected to “black” or “blue” we are charging
s s By plugging in all the other values we get:
black black
the capacitor to negative battery voltage through
ii) Atmospheric air consists mainly of diatomic 7
K turb ≈ 2.2 × 10 J. (13) voltmeter or discharging it through voltmeter
nitrogen and oxygen gas. At the temperatures Note that the order of the inductor and di- and inductor and diode. We have to be careful
involved these molecules have f = 5 degrees of ode in series does not change anything. not to touch both wires at the same time, since
freedom: 3 translational and 2 rotational. The Alternative solution: Alternatively, one can the resistance of good skin conductance is much
adiabatic constant γ is γ = ( f + 2)/ f = 7/5. One look at the gas and the water (inside the submar- The actual measured current value varies a smaller then the resistance of the voltmeter.
can also obtain this result from γ = ( c V + R )/ c V . ine) as separate subsystems. The work done on bit from one black box to another and also
We can measure the capacitance by measur-
For adiabatic compression we have the gas is equal to the change in internal energy changes very slightly due battery voltage drop-
ping and inductor heating up slightly. ing the exponent: for example by taking two
of the gas:
γ γ voltage readings and measuring the time inter-
p i Vi = p f Vf . (8) ∫ i) U
ln U1
P g dV = c V n∆T. (14) val between the readings. C = τR m2 ≈ 1 uF.
The final pressure is the pressure from the sea, Measuring voltage between “blue” and
which is approximately p 0 + ρ gh = (105 + 1000 · “black” we determine the electromotive force of v)
The work done on the water inside the submar- the battery U = 9.5 V.
9.8 · 300)Pa ≈ 3 MPa. This gives First we connect all three wires together.
ine by the water outside the submarine is P c ∆V .
( )5 The water inside the∫ submarine also does work ii) That means we have current running through
pi 7
inductor and the capacitor is charged to negat-
Vf = Vi ≈ 0. 9 m 3 (9) on the gas given by P g dV . The change in in- We get the internal resistance of the in-
pf
ternal energy of the water in the submarine is ductor from R l = U / I 0 ≈ 100 ohm. We can also ive of battery voltage. We connect voltmeter
then get some hint to the magnitude of the induct- between “white” and “black”, so that we meas-
Note: The final temperature is only about 2.6 ure the total of the capacitor and battery voltage.
∫ ance as we saw no exponential ramp up of cur-
times the initial temperature, such that the vi- The reading is zero at the start since all black
brational degrees of freedom of the molecules K turb = P c ∆V − P g dV = P c ∆V − c V n∆T rent when measuring, meaning L/R ≪ t.
box leads are connected. Now we disconnect the
does not have to be considered. (15) iii)
inductor battery current loop by disconnecting has reached zero.
“black” from other box leads and the multimeter We can get the upper and lower bounds for Rl
reading will jump to U c + U the inductance value by considering two differ- U 2 C I 2 L U c2 C (U c + U ) ∗ C = I ⇒ L ≈ 33.6 mH
ap prox32 V and starts to decay exponentially ent cases. + = ⇒ L ≈ 130 mH L
2 2 2
as before. We can do this many times to get a
maximum reading. Upper bound we can get when we neglect The correct value for the inductor L ≈
the resistive losses. In that case all the energy Lower bound we can get when we assume 100 mH is between those bounds and closer to
After disconnecting the “black”, the current at the end is in the capacitor. When we write the upper bound as we may guess since U c > U .
that most of the energy went to resistive losses,
goes through LCR circuit formed by inductor down the energy balance we get:
and capacitor, but instead of oscillating it stops in that case the inductor current decays exponen- It is possible to get more accurate value by
due to the diode when current through inductor tially and we can write expression for the down looking at it without the assumptions - as a
the total charge: damped harmonic oscillation.