Kalyan’s Physics Challenge

1. A metal rod of length L at temperature T, when heated to temperature T1, expands to new length L1.
These quantities are related as L1 = L (1 + 𝛼(T1 – T)) where 𝛼 is a constant for that material and
called coefficient of linear expansion. Correct SI unit of 𝛼 is

1. m-K-1 2. m-K 3. K-1 4. 𝛼 is a pure number

Sol. Final length of the rod: L1 = L (1 + 𝛼(T1 – T))

𝐿1 −𝐿
From the above expression, we can write: 𝛼 = 𝐿(𝑇 1 −𝑇)
SI unit of length is “meter” (m) and that of temperature is “kelvin” (K).
𝑚 1
From the expression, the unit of 𝛼: = = K-1
𝑚𝐾 𝐾
The coefficients of areal and volume expansions: 𝛽 and 𝛾 also have the same units.

2. Two plane mirrors M1 & M2 have their reflecting faces inclined at 𝜃. Mirror M1 receives a ray AB,
reflects it at B and sends it as BC. It is now reflected by mirror M2 along CD, as shown in the
figure. Total angular deviation 𝛿 suffered by the incident ray AB is

1. 𝛿 = 900 + 2𝜃 2. 𝛿 = 1800 + 2𝜃 3. 𝛿 = 2700 - 2𝜃 4. 𝜹 = 3600 - 2𝜽

Sol. Let the angle of incidence at B be x.

Angle of incidence at C: 𝜃 – x
Deviation at B: 𝛿 1 = 180 – 2x (anti clock)
Deviation at C: 𝛿 2 = 180 – 2(𝜃 – x) = 180 - 2𝜃 + 2x (anti clock)
Total deviation: 𝛿 = 𝛿 1 + 𝛿 2
𝛿 = 180 – 2x + 180 - 2𝜃 + 2x = 3600 - 2𝜽

3. In the adjacent figure, line AB is parallel to screen S. A linear obstacle PQ between the two is also
parallel to both. AB, PQ and screen S are coplanar. A point source is carried from A to B, along the
line AB. What will happen to the size of the shadow of PQ (cast due to the point source) on the
screen S?

(a) It will first increase and then decrease

(b) It will first decrease and then increase
(c) It will be of the same size for any position of the point source on the line AB
(d) Umbra will increase and penumbra will decrease till central position

Sol. Consider similar triangles: OPQ & OMN

1
∆𝑂𝑃𝑄 𝑃𝑄 2 𝑃𝑄 (ℎ) 𝑃𝑄 2 ℎ 𝑃𝑄
∆𝑂𝑀𝑁
= 𝑀𝑁2 → 12 = 𝑀𝑁2 → 𝐻 = 𝑀𝑁 ---- (1)
𝑀𝑁 (𝐻)
2
Consider similar triangles: APQ & AM1N1
1
∆𝐴𝑃𝑄 𝑃𝑄 2 𝑃𝑄 (ℎ) 𝑃𝑄 2 ℎ 𝑃𝑄
= (𝑀1 𝑁1 )2 → 1 2 1 = (𝑀1 𝑁1 )2 → 𝐻 = 𝑀1 𝑁1 ---- (2)
∆𝐴𝑀1𝑁1 𝑀 𝑁1 (𝐻)
2
From (1) & (2): MN = M1N1

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4. Two particles P1 and P2 move towards origin O, along X and Y axes at constant speeds u1 and u2
respectively as shown in figure. At t = 0, the particles P1 and P2 are at distances a and b respectively
from O. Then the instantaneous distance s between the two particles is given by the relation

(a) s = [a2 + b2 + (u12 + u22) t2 – 2t (au1 + bu2)]1/2

(b) s = [a2 + b2 + (u12 + u22) t2 – 2t (bu1 + au2)]1/2
(c) s = [a2 + b2 + (u12 + u22) t2 + 2t (au1 + bu2)]1/2
(d) s = [a2 - b2 + (u12 + u22) t2 – 2t (au1 + bu2)]1/2

Sol. Initial positions of the particles from O: a, b

Instantaneous positions of the particles: a – u1t, b – u2t
Instantaneous distance between the particles:
s = √(𝑎 − 𝑢1 𝑡)2 + (𝑏 − 𝑢2 𝑡)2
s = √a2 + b2 + (u12 + u22) t2 – 2t (au1 + bu2)

5. Two sound waves in air have wavelengths differing by 2 m at a certain temperature T. Their notes
have musical interval 1.4. Period of the lower pitch note is 20 ms. Then, speed of sound in air at
this temperature T is

1. 350 m/s 2. 342 m/s 3. 342 m/s 4. 342 m/s

Sol. Period of the lower pitch note: T1 = 20 ms → f1 = 1 1

= = 50 Hz
𝑇1 20 𝑥 10−3
𝑓
Musical interval between the notes: 𝑓2 = 1.4 → f2 = 1.4 f1 → f2 = 70 Hz
1
Difference in wavelengths: ∆λ = λ1 – λ2 = 2 m
𝑣 𝑣 1 1 1 1
λ1 – λ2 = 𝑓 − 𝑓 = 𝑣 (𝑓 − 𝑓 ) = 𝑣 (50 − 70) = 2
1 2 1 2
20
𝑣 (3500) = 2 → 𝒗 = 350 m/s

6. Image is obtained on a screen by keeping an object at 25 cm and at 40 cm in front of a concave

mirror. Image in the former case is four times bigger than in the latter. Focal length of the mirror
must be

1. 12 cm 2. 20 cm 3. 24 cm 4. 36 cm

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Sol. Object distance in the first case: u1 = 25 cm and Object distance in the second case: u2 = 40 cm
𝑓 𝑓 𝑓
Magnification of concave mirror: m = 𝑓−𝑢 → m1 = 𝑓−25 and m2 = 𝑓−40
𝑓 4𝑓
Given: magnification: m1 = 4m2 → = → f = 20 cm
𝑓−25 𝑓−40

7. An electric generator consumes some oil fuel and generates output of 25 kW. Calorific value
(amount of heat released per unit mass) of the oil fuel is 17200 kcal/kg and efficiency (output to
input ratio) of the generator is 0.25. Then, mass of the fuel consumed per hour and electric energy
generated per ton of fuel burnt are respectively

1. 0.5 kg, 20000 kWh 2. 0.5 kg, 5000 kWh 3. 5 kg, 5000 kWh 4. 5 kg, 20000 kWh

Sol. Output of the generator: P0 = 25 kW = 25,000 W; Efficiency of the generator: 𝜂 = 0.25

𝑃 25000 25000
𝜂 = 𝑃𝑜 → 0.25 = 𝑃𝑖
→ Pi = 0.25
= 100000 W
𝑖
Energy input required per hour: E = Pt = 105 x 3600 = 360 x 106 J
Calorific value of the fuel: 17200 kcal/kg = 17200 x 103 x 4.2 = 72.24 x 106 J/kg
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 360 𝑥 106
Mass of fuel consumed per hour: 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑘𝑔
= 72.24 𝑥 106 ≅ 5 kg
Electrical energy generated per ton of the fuel:
18060 𝑥 106
E0 = 𝜂 Ei = 0.25 x 72.24 x 106 x 1000 = 18060 x 106 J = ≅ 5000 kWh
3.6 𝑥 106

8. A paramedical staff nurse improvises a seconds pendulum (time period 2 s) by fixing one end of a
string of length L to a ceiling and the other end to a heavy object of negligible size. Within 60
oscillations of this pendulum, she finds that the pulse of a wounded soldier beats 110 times. A
symptom of bradycardia is pulse < 60 per minute and that of tachycardia is > 100 per minute. Then
the length of the string is nearly – and soldier has symptom of ---.

1. 1 m, bradycardia 2. 4 m, bradycardia 3. 1 m, tachycardia 4. 4 m, tachycardia

Sol. Time period of the seconds pendulum: T = 2 s

𝑙 𝑙
Time period of a pendulum: T = 2𝜋 √ → 2 = 2𝜋 √ →𝒍=1m
𝑔 9.8
Time taken for 60 oscillations: t = 60 x 2 = 120 s = 2 min
Pulse of the wounded soldier: n = 110 → 55 per min
So, the wounded soldier is suffering from bradycardia.

9. A tiny ball of mass m is initially at rest at height H above a cake of uniform thickness h. At some
moment, the particle falls freely, touches the cake surface and then penetrates in it at such a
constant rate that its speed becomes zero on just reaching the ground (bottom of the cake). Speed of
the ball at the instant it touches the cake surface and its retardation inside the cake are respectively

𝐻 𝑯
(a) √2𝑔ℎ and g ( ℎ − 1) (b) √𝟐𝒈(𝑯 − 𝒉) and g ( 𝒉 − 𝟏)
ℎ ℎ
(c) √2𝑔ℎ and g (𝐻 − 1) (d) √2𝑔(𝐻 − ℎ) and g (𝐻 − 1)

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Sol. Final velocity of a freely falling body: v = √𝟐𝒈(𝑯 − 𝒉)

After striking the cake, the ball travels with constant retardation to
come to rest at the bottom.
v2 – u2 = 2as → 0 - 2𝑔(𝐻 − ℎ) = -2ah
𝑯
-2gH + 2gh = - 2ah → a = g ( 𝒉 − 𝟏)

10. A glass cube of refractive index 1.5 and edge 1 cm has a tiny black spot at its center. A circular
dark sheet is to be kept symmetrically on the top surface so that the central spot is not visible from
the top. Minimum radius of the circular sheet should be
1 1 1
(given: = 0.707, = 0.577, = 0.447)
√2 √3 √5

1. 0.994 cm 2. 0.447 cm 3. 0.553 cm 4. 0.577 cm

Sol. Refractive index of the glass: n = 1.5

Edge of the cube: 1 cm
ℎ 0.5 0.5
Radius of the circular sheet: r = = = = 0.447 cm
√𝑛2 −1 √2.25 −1 √1.25

11. 3 𝑡ℎ
A block of wood floats on water with (8) of its volume above water. It is now made to float on a
salt solution of relative density 1.12. The fraction of its volume that remains above the salt solution
now, is nearly

1. 0.33 2. 0.44 3. 0.67 4. 0.56

Sol. Laws of floatation: Fg = Fb → v𝜌sg = vw 𝜌w g → 𝜌s = 5 (𝜌w = 1 gm/cc for water)

8
5
Laws of floatation: Fg = Fb → v𝜌sg = vl 𝜌l g → v 8 = vl (1.12)
(relative density is numerically equal to density in CGS units)
5 𝑣𝑙
vl = 8 𝑥 1.12 v = 0.55 v → 𝑣
= 0.55
𝑣𝑙
Fractional volume above the salt solution: 1 - 𝑣
= 1 – 0.55 = 0.44

12. Each resistance in the adjacent circuit is R Ω. In order to have

an integral value for equivalent resistance between A & B, the
minimum value of R must be

(a) 4 Ω (b) 8 Ω (c) 16 Ω (d) 29 Ω

Sol. Given: the equivalent resistance between A & B is integer value.

Option verification method is suitable for this problem.
Carry out the calculation of equivalent resistance by
substituting the options one by one to get the correct option to be (b).

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13. Suppose our scientific community had chosen force, speed and time as the fundamental mechanical
quantities instead of length, mass and time respectively and they chose the respective units of
1
magnitudes 10 N, 100 m/s and 100 s. Then the unit of mass in their system is equivalent to ----------
in our system.

1. 103 kg 2. 10-3 kg 3. 10 kg 4. 10-1 kg

Sol. Fundamental mechanical quantities: length, mass and time

Fundamental mechanical quantities in new system: force, speed and time
Formula for mass in terms of new mechanical quantities: m = Favbtc
Applying dimensional analysis, we get: a = 1, b = -1 and c = 1.
𝐹𝑡 10 𝑥 1
So, m = 𝑣
= 100 𝑥 100 = 10-3 kg

14. Three objects of the same material colored white, blue and black can withstand temperature up to
2000 0C. All these are heated to 1500 0C and viewed in dark. Which option is correct?

(a) white object will appear brightest

(b) blue object will appear brightest
(c) black object will appear brightest
(d) being at the same temperature, all will look equally bright

Sol. Kirchhoff’s law of heat radiation:

For an arbitrary body emitting and absorbing thermal radiation in thermodynamic equilibrium with
the surroundings, the emissivity is equal to the absorptivity. (all good absorbers are good emitters)
The black object is a good absorber; hence it is a good emitter.
So, when different coloured objects at same temperature are viewed in dark, black object will
appear brightest.

15. Two equally charged identical pith balls are suspended by identical massless strings as shown in
the adjacent figure. If this set up is on Mercury (g = 3.7 m/s2), Earth (g = 9.8 m/s2) and Jupiter
(g = 24.5 m/s2), then the angle 2𝜃 will be

(a) maximum on Mercury

(b) maximum on earth as it has atmosphere
(c) maximum on Jupiter
(d) the same on any planet as Coulomb force is independent of gravity

Sol. Equilibrium in vertical direction: T cos 𝜃 = mg --- (1)

𝑘𝑞2
Equilibrium in horizontal direction: T sin 𝜃 = Fe = 𝑥2
--- (2)
𝑘𝑞2 𝑘𝑞2
From (1) and (2): tan 𝜃 = 𝑚𝑔𝑥2 = 𝑚𝑔 4𝑙2 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃
𝑘𝑞2 𝟏
tan3 𝜃 = 4𝑚𝑔𝑙2 → tan 𝜽 ∝ 𝟑
√𝒈

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16. A car running with a velocity of 30 m/s reaches midway between two vertical parallel walls
separated by 360 m, when the driver sounds the horn for a moment. Speed of sound in air is
330 m/s. After blowing the horn, the first three echoes will be heard by the driver respectively at

1. 1.2 s, 2.4 s, 3.0 s 2. 1.0 s, 2.4 s, 3.0 s 3. 1.0 s, 2.0 s, 3.0 s 4. 1.2 s, 2.4 s, 3.6 s

Sol. Time taken for first echo: t1 = 180+180−30𝑡1

330
330t1 = 360 – 30t1 → 360 t1 = 360 → t1 = 1 s

Time taken for second echo: T2 = 1+ t2

210+210+30𝑡2
t2 = 330
→ 300 t2 = 420 → t2 = 1.4 s
T2 = 1 + 1.4 = 2.4 s
Time taken for third echo: T3 = 2.4 + t3
108+108−30𝑡3
t3 = 330
→ 360 t3 = 216 → t3 = 0.6 s
T3 = 2.4 + 0.6 = 3 s

17. A beaker completely filled with water at 4 0C. Consider the following statements:
(I) Water will overflow if the beaker is cooled for some time
(II) Water will overflow if the beaker is heated for some time

select correct option regarding (I) and (II)

(a) only (I) is correct (b) only (II) is correct

(c) both (I) and (II) are correct (d) neither (I) nor (II) is correct

Sol. Water has maximum density (minimum volume) at 4 0C.

Due to anomalous expansion, it expands on both sides of this temperature (4 0C).
So, water will overflow when the beaker is cooled or heated from an initial temperature of 4 0C.

18. Refer the adjacent circuit. The voltmeter reads 117 V and ammeter reads 0.13 A. If the resistance of
voltmeter and ammeter are 9 kΩ and 0.015 Ω respectively, the value of R is

1. 500 Ω 2. 1kΩ 3. 1.5 k Ω 4. 2kΩ

Sol. Reading of the voltmeter: 117 V and Reading of the ammeter: 0.13 A
117
Apply Ohm’s law: v = ir → 117 = 0.13 r → r = 0.13 = 900 Ω
9𝑅 9𝑅
Effective resistance: r = 9+𝑅 → 0.9 = 9+𝑅 → 8.1 + 0.9 R = 9R
8.1R = 8.1 → R = 1 kΩ

19. A bar magnet is allowed to fall freely from the same height towards a current carrying loop along
its axis as shown in the four situations I to IV. Arrows show direction of conventional current.
Choose the situations in which the potential energy of the magnet coil interaction is maximum

1. I, III 2. I, IV 3. II, IV 4. II, III

Sol. I. South pole is developed on the upper face of the loop. So, there is repulsion between the
magnetic south pole and the south pole of the loop.
II. South pole is developed on the upper face of the loop. So, there is attraction between the

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magnetic north pole and the south pole of the loop.

III. North pole is developed on the upper face of the loop. So, there is attraction between the
magnetic south pole and the north pole of the loop.
IV. North pole is developed on the upper face of the loop. So, there is repulsion between
magnetic north and north pole of the loop.

20. Choose the correct option from the following statements from electrostatics:

(I) If two copper spheres of same radii, one hollow and the other solid are charged to the same
electrical potential, the solid sphere will have more charge
(II) A charged body can attract another uncharged body
(III) Electrical lines of force originating from like charges will exert a lateral force on each other,
while those originating from opposite charges can intersect each other.

(a) only (I) is correct (b) only (II) is correct

(c) only (I) & (II) are correct (d) all (I), (II) & (III) are correct

Sol. I. Any charge given to a conductor (copper) resides on the outer surface of the conductor
irrespective of whether it is solid or hollow.
II. A charged body can attract another uncharged body by the method of induction.
III. Electrical lines of force can never intersect with each other. If they do so, at the point of
intersection, two tangents are possible indicating that the electric field has two directions at
the same point.
21. When surface tension experiment with capillary tube is performed, water rises up to 0.1 m. If the
experiment is carried out in space, water will rise in capillary tube

(a) up to a height of 0.1 m (b) up to a height of 0.2 m

(c) up to a height of 0.98 m (d) along its full length

Sol. Height of liquid in capillary tube: h = 𝟐𝑻 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 where

𝒓𝝆𝒈
T – surface tension of the liquid
r – radius of the capillary tube
𝜌 – density of the liquid
g – acceleration due to gravity
𝜃 – angle of contact (for water it is zero)
When the experimental is performed in space, g = 0, thus h becomes infinity (theoretical).
Practically, the liquid rises to the full height of the capillary tube and stops.

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