Department of Physics

PHY 144: Exam

Part Two: Assignment

Examiners: Dr TT Thabethe, Dr PNM Ngoepe, Date: 25/11/2020

Mr TF Mokgadi, Mr T Mohlala, Mr SM Omogiate Total: 40
External Examiner: Dr DF Langa
Please read the following carefully.

1. The University of Pretoria commits itself to producing academic work of integrity. I affirm that I am aware
of and have read the Rules and Policies of the University, more specifically the Disciplinary Procedure and
the Tests and Examinations Rules, which prohibit any unethical, dishonest or improper conduct during tests,
assignments, examinations and/or any other forms of assessment. I am aware that no student or any other
person may assist or attempt to assist another student, or obtain help, or attempt to obtain help from another
student or any other person during tests, assessments, assignments, examinations and/or any other forms of
assessment.
2. Answer the questions in your own handwriting on separate, blank paper (lined or unlined). Take a photo of your
answers or scan them as a Pdf document. Use of apps like CamScan is encouraged. Late submissions will not
be accepted.
3. Where applicable, draw diagrams (e.g. free-body diagrams).
4. Answers must be given in a systematic and logical fashion. Show that you understand the relevant physics and
that you can apply it. A correct answer does not imply that you will receive full marks: All calculations must be
shown.
5. Only substitute numerical values in the final step of calculations, i.e. after making the variable that you are
required to calculate, the subject of the formula. Round your answers to at least two decimal places.
6. This is an OPEN BOOK test assignment. You may use any source available to you to assist in answering the
questions, like your textbook and lecture notes. You may NOT, however, obtain help from any person, such as a
tutor or a friend.
7. A correctly completed Declaration of Originality must be submitted with your test assignment. If it is incorrectly
completed or omitted in the submission, you will receive no marks.
8. All exam regulations of the University of Pretoria apply during this test and any contravention will be treated in a
serious manner.
9. If any misconduct with respect to this test assignment is suspected, you will receive a mark of zero and will
have to attend a formal disciplinary hearing, which may result in your expulsion from the University of Pretoria.

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Question 1 [11]

Three blocks of masses m1 = 2 kg, m2 = 4 kg, and m3 = 6 kg are connected by strings on an

inclined plane of 60 as shown. A force of Fapplied = 120 N is applied upwards along the incline
to the uppermost block, causing an upward movement of the blocks along the incline. The
connecting strings are massless.

(a) Draw complete free-body diagrams for all three blocks separately. (3)

Calculate:

(b) The acceleration (magnitude and direction) of the blocks. (5)

(c) The tension (magnitude and direction) in string 2. (3)

Question 2 [8]

An aeroplane is diving at an angle of θ = 20.0° below the horizontal at a speed of 1000.00 km/h,
when it drops a package. It takes the package 3.00 s to hit the ground after it is dropped. Ignore
the effects of air resistance. Calculate:

(a) At which height above the ground the package was dropped. (2)
(b) The horizontal distance the package moves when it is dropped, before it hits the ground.
(2)
(c) The magnitude and direction of the velocity of the package just before it hits the ground.
(4)

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Question 3 [9]

Below is the table showing the velocity, direction (θ) and the momentum (P) before and after
collision for car-1 of 500 kg and car-2 of 1000 kg.

Before/Initial After/Final

|𝑣| (m/s) θ (O) from |𝑃| |𝑣| θ O

) from |𝑃|
+ve x-axis (kg·m/s) (m/s) +ve x-axis (kg·m/s)

Car-1 10 30 15 3000

Car-2 0 0 2 -30

(a) Calculate and fill the missing values in the table. (2)
(b) Using the vector components of the momenta, calculate the magnitude and direction of
the final momentum of the system. (5)
(c) Is the collision elastic or inelastic? Show. (2)

Question 4 [7]

A 2.40 × 102 N force is pulling an 85 kg stone across a horizontal surface. The force acts at an
angle of 20 above the surface. The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.222, and the stone moves
a distance of 8 m. Calculate:

(a) The work done by the pulling force. (2)

(b) The work done by the kinetic frictional force. (3)
(c) The total work done by all the forces. (2)

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Question 5 [5]
(a) A bridge is 1280 m long and is made of steel. During the seasonal change between winter
and summer, the temperature changes from −12 °C to 38 °C. Calculate the change in length
at those temperatures changes (αsteel = 1.27 × 10-5 K-1). (2)

(b) The calorimeter cup is filled with alcohol of 0.1 kg at 15 °C. The cup is made of aluminum

and has a mass of 0.02 kg. The calorimeter cup (with alcohol) is heated by proving energy
of 0.892 kJ and the temperature increased to 28 °C. Calculate the specific heat capacity of
carbon [the specific heat capacity for aluminum is 0.9 kJ kg-1 K-1] (3)

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