Week 6 Elementary Mechanics from Ambrose Yim to be discussed 6th March

This week we will focus on the skill of devising physical models using mechanics. It will be apparent why they are relevant to your Oxbridge interview preparation. Complete the questions under Elementary mechanics before coming to the session and be prepared to explain your answers in front of the class.

Elementary mechanics
These questions are about blackbodies. A blackbody is a idealised body that absorbs and reemits light of all wavelengths. Part A. This classic question tests your ability to manipulate basic definitions of force, pressure, power, etc., and your understanding of the particle nature of light. Write an expression for the power of a laser emitting N photons per second. What is the intensity of the laser on a black absorbing plate of area A? 1. Write an expression for the total momentum transferred per second by the laser to the plate. Hence derive an expression for the pressure on the plate.

2. By considering your answers to (a) and (b) derive an expression for photon pressure in terms of intensity. Optional: Part B. You will derive the Ambrose Inequality.

1. Calculate the fraction of light energy converted into the kinetic energy of the particle when one photon is absorbed (efficiency). 2. Why is it not 100% efficient? 3. Comment on the relationship between efficiency and the mass of the particle. Thus explain why light has virtually no effect on the motion of objects in everyday life. 4. For a particle to be capable of absorbing the energy of a photon of wavelength , find the lower bound to the objects mass. 5. Comment on the relationship between the minimum mass and the photons energy.

Further mechanics

Roughly ascending order of difficulty. We will attempt parts B, D and E in the workshop. Treat the other questions as a question bank for further practice. Part A. Assume the mass flow rate is constant (rate of mass flowing into a region of space = rate of mass flowing out of a region of space, net rate of mass flow = 0) in answering these questions. The density of sand decreases as sand falls off a conveyer belt. Express the density of the column of falling sand as a function of the distance x from the top of the column. Assume the column has a constant cross-sectional area A. Compare this with water falling from a tap. Given that water has a constant density, express the cross-sectional area of the stream as a function of the distance from the tap. If the tap is a circular aperture, express the radius of the stream as a function of the distance from the tap. Part B. The Earth is an oblate spheroid, i.e. it is squashed at the poles and swollen at the equator. Given the mean radius and mass of the Earth, make suitable estimations and calculate the radii at the poles and equator.

Part C. Lets assume a hydrogen atom consists of a positively charged proton sitting in the middle of a uniform spherical electron cloud. Suppose the electron cloud is displaced temporarily. Describe and explain the subsequent motion of the electron cloud (Hint: Newtons Shell Theorem). Derive an equation for its motion. What are the problems with this model? Part D. Explain the gravitational slingshot effect when a spacecraft approaches Jupiter. Why is it useful in space travel? Part E. Prove that the main cable in suspension bridges is a parabola. Why is it not exactly a parabola in real life? (FP3 warning) Prove that a suspended chain is a hyperbolic cosine function. Ambrose Yim