1.

Differenciate the following:

Considering that:

Dx n = nx n−1
Dcos(x) = − sin(x)
Deu = eu

Dun = nun−1 Du

Duv = uDv + vDu

Dsinh(x) = cosh(x)
dx
Dlnx =
x
1
x −n =
xn
m n
x n = √x m
𝟏
𝐚) 𝐲 = 𝟑𝐱 𝟐 + 𝟐𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐱 + 𝟑𝐞−𝟒𝐱
1
d(x2 )
d(cosx) d(e−4x )
 y′ = 3 +2 +3
dx dx dx
1
′ 1 −1 d(−4x)
 y = 3 (2) (x 2 ) + 2(− sin(x)) + 3(e−4x ) dx
3 −1
 y′ = x 2− 2 sin(x) + 3(e−4x )(−4)
2
3 1
 y ′ = (2) ( 1 ) − 2 sin(x) − 12e−4x
x2
′ 3
 y =2 − 2 sin(x) − 12e−4x
√x

𝐛) 𝐲 = (𝐚𝐱 + 𝐛𝐱 𝟐 ) 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝐜𝐱) + 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐡(𝐚𝐱 𝟐 ) + 𝐥𝐧(𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝐚𝐱)) (𝐚, 𝐛 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬)

sin(cx) (ax+bx2 ) sinh(ax2 ) ln(sin(ax))

 y ′ = (ax + bx 2 ) d + sin(cx) d +d +d
dx dx dx dx
(sin(ax))
d
′ 2 )(c 2 ))
 y = (ax + bx ∗ cos(cx)) + sin(cx) (a + 2bx) + 2ax(cosh(ax + dx
sin(ax)
acos(ax)
 y ′ = c(ax + bx 2 ) cos(cx) + (a + 2bx) sin(cx) + 2ax(cosh(ax 2 )) + sin(ax)
cosu
 Luego, usando cot(u) = sinu

 y ′ = c(ax + bx 2 ) cos(cx) + (a + 2bx) sin(cx) + 2ax(cosh(ax 2 )) + acot(ax)

1
 𝐜) 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝛌, 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝟏 , 𝐂𝟐 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓 𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬.

𝟏
𝐉 𝛌 = 𝐂𝟏 𝐂𝟐
𝛌𝟓 (𝐞𝐓𝛌 − 𝟏)
C2 −1
1
Taking Jλ = C1 C2 = C1 (λ5 eTλ − λ5 )
(λ5 eTλ −λ5 )

C2 −1
d (λ5 eTλ −λ5 )
 J ′ = C1 dλ
C2
C2 −2 (λ5 eTλ −λ5 )
 J ′ = −C1 (λ5 e Tλ − λ5 ) d dλ
C2
C2 −2 C2
′ eTλ λ5
 J = −C1 (λ5 eTλ −λ ) 5
[λ d5
+ eTλ d dλ − 5λ4 ]
dλ
C2 −2 C2 C2
C
 J ′ = −C1 (λ5 eTλ − λ5 ) [λ5 (− Tλ22 eTλ ) + eTλ (5λ4 ) − 5λ4 ]
C2
C2 −2 C2
′ C2 λ3 eTλ
 J = −C1 (λ5 eTλ −λ ) 5
[− + 5λ4 eTλ − 5λ4 ]
T
C2
C2
C2 λ3 eTλ
C1 [− +5λ4 eTλ −5λ4 ]
T
 J′ = − C2 2
(λ5 eTλ −λ5 )

𝟐.
a) Find and classify the stationary points of y = x 3 − 2x 2 − x + 2.
b) Sketch the function.

Solution a)

To find the stationary points, with y ′ = 0.

Differentiating:

y ′ = 3x 2 − 4x − 1

Hence:

3x 2 − 4x − 1 = 0
Using the general formula:

2
 −b ± √b 2 − 4ac
x1 ,2 =
2a
With a = 3, b = −4 y c = −1. Substituting, we have:

(4 ± √16 − 4(3)(−1))
x1 ,2 =
6
4 ± √28 4 ± 2√7 2 ± √7
x1 ,2 = = =
6 6 3
Hence:

(2 + √7) (2 − √7)
x2 = ≈ 1.548 y x1 = ≈ −0.215
3 3
Then, the first derivate test:

 If there exists a positive number r such that for every y in (x - r, x) we have f'(y) ≥ 0, and for every y in
(x, x + r) we have f'(y) ≤ 0, then f has a local maximum at x.
 If there exists a positive number r such that for every y in (x - r, x) we have f'(y) ≤ 0, and for every y in
(x, x + r) we have f'(y) ≥ 0, then f has a local minimum at x.
 If there exists a positive number r such that for every y in (x - r, x) ∪ (x, x + r) we have f'(y) > 0, or if there
exists a positive number r such that for every y in (x - r, x) ∪ (x, x + r) we have f'(y) < 0, then fhas neither a
local maximum nor a local minimum at x.
 If none of the above conditions hold, then the test fails. (Such a condition is not vacuous; there are
functions that satisfy none of the first three conditions.)

Hence:

Stationary Point Stationary Point

-2 (2 − √7) 0 (2 + √7) 3
𝑥1 = 𝑥2 =
3 3
𝑓′(−2) = 19 𝑓′(0) = −1 𝑓′(3) = 14

Change of positive to negative sign Maximum Change of negative to positive sign Maximum

Then, the stationary points (critical) are:

(2−√7)
𝑥1 = which indicate a maximum.
3

(2+√7)
𝑥2 = which indicate a minimum.
3

Now, we show the sketch of the graph:

3
3. Integrate the following:
Using:
1 𝑥
𝑎) ∫(2𝑥 2 + 4𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 + 𝑒 −4 𝑑𝑥

1 𝑥
 2 ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 + 4 ∫ 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥𝑑𝑥 + ∫ 𝑒 −4 𝑑𝑥
3 𝑥
2
 2 (3) 𝑥 2 + 4 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥) − 4𝑒 −4 + 𝐶

𝜋
8𝑥 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥
𝑏) ∫ 𝑑𝑥
𝜋 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 + 4𝑥 2
2

𝜋 8𝑥+𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 𝜋
 ∫𝜋 𝑑𝑥 = ∫𝜋 (8𝑥 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥)(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 + 4𝑥 2 )−1 𝑑𝑥
2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥+4𝑥 2 2

𝐵𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔:
𝑢 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 + 4𝑥 2
𝑑𝑢
𝑑𝑢 = (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 + 8𝑥)𝑑𝑥  𝑑𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥+8𝑥. Substituting,

𝜋 𝜋 (8𝑥+𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥)(𝑢)−1 𝑑𝑢 𝜋
 ∫𝜋 (8𝑥 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥)(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 + 4𝑥 2 )−1 𝑑𝑥 = ∫𝜋 = ∫𝜋 𝑢−1 𝑑𝑢
2 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥+8𝑥 2
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 2
 [𝑙𝑛(𝑢)] 𝜋 = [𝑙𝑛(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 + 4𝑥 2 )] 𝜋 = [𝑙𝑛(𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜋)) + 4(𝜋)2 ] − [𝑙𝑛 (𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( 2 )) + 4 (2 ) ]
2 2
2) 2) 4𝜋 2
 𝑙𝑛(4𝜋 − 𝑙𝑛(1 + 𝜋 = 𝑙𝑛 (1+𝜋2)

𝜋
3𝑥
𝑐) ∫ 𝑠𝑖𝑛(2𝑥) 𝑑𝑥
0 2

𝑈𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑦 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑠: ∫ 𝑢𝑑𝑣 = 𝑢𝑣 − ∫ 𝑣𝑑𝑢 .

𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ:
𝑥
𝑢=
2

4
 1
𝑑𝑢 = d𝑥
2
𝑑𝑣 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛(2𝑥) 𝑑𝑥
1
𝑣 = − 𝑐𝑜𝑠(2𝑥)
2
Hence:
𝜋 𝜋
𝑥 𝑥 1 1 1
 ∫03 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛(2𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 = [(2) (− 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠(2𝑥)) + 2 ∫ 𝑐𝑜𝑠(2𝑥) (2 𝑑𝑥)] 3
0
𝜋 𝜋
𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠(2𝑥) 1 𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠(2𝑥) 1 1
 [− + 4 ∫ 𝑐𝑜𝑠(2𝑥) 𝑑𝑥] = [− 3 + 4 (2) 𝑠𝑖𝑛(2𝑥)] 3
4 4
0 0
𝜋 𝜋
𝑐𝑜𝑠(2( )) 1 1 𝜋 0𝑐𝑜𝑠(2(0)) 1 1
3 3
 [− + 4 (2) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (2 ( 3 ))] − [− + 4 (2) 𝑠𝑖𝑛(2(0))]
4 4
𝜋 1 𝜋
(− ) 1 √3 √3 𝜋 √3 2π+3√3
 (− 3 2
)+8( 2 ) = 6
+ 16 = 24 + 16 =
4 4 48

4. Find the derivatives 𝑓 ′ (𝑥), 𝑓"(𝑥) up to 𝑓 6 (𝑥) for the function 𝑦 = (1 + 𝑎𝑥)5 and evaluate
each of the derivatives for 𝑥 = 0.

Hence use Maclaurin’s series expansion to show that the binomial expansion of this function is:

𝑦 = (1 + 𝑎𝑥)5 = 1 + 5𝑎𝑥 + 10𝑎2 𝑥 2 + 10𝑎3 𝑥 3 + 5𝑎4 𝑥 4 + 𝑎5 𝑥 5

Solution:

Given 𝑦 = (1 + 𝑎𝑥)5 ,

Then using the chain rule, we have:

𝑦 ′ = 5(1 + 𝑎𝑥)4 (𝑎) = 5𝑎(1 + 𝑎𝑥)4  𝑓 ′ (0) = 5𝑎

𝑦 ′′ = 20𝑎2 (1 + 𝑎𝑥)3  𝑓 ′′ (0) = 20𝑎2
𝑦 ′′′ = 60𝑎3 (1 + 𝑎𝑥)2  𝑓 ′′′ (0) = 60𝑎3
𝑦 4 = 120𝑎4 (1 + 𝑎𝑥) = 120𝑎4 + 120𝑎5 𝑥  𝑓 4 (0) = 120𝑎4
𝑦 5 = 120𝑎5  𝑓 5 (0) = 120a5
𝑦 6 = 0  𝑓 6 (0) = 0

Now, the Maclaurin’s series is given by:

∞
𝑓 𝑛 (𝑎)
𝑓(𝑥) = ∑ (𝑥 − 𝑎)𝑛
𝑛!
𝑛=0

5
Then:

5𝑎 20𝑎2 2 60𝑎3 3 120𝑎4 4 120𝑎5 5

𝑓(𝑥) = (1 + 𝑎𝑥)5 = 1 + (𝑥) + 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 𝑥
1! 2! 3! 4! 5!

Hence:

20 2 2 60 3 3 120 4 4 120 5 5
𝑓(𝑥) = (1 + 𝑎𝑥)5 = 1 + 5𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑎 𝑥
2 6 24 120

And 𝑓(𝑥) = (1 + 𝑎𝑥)5 = 1 + 5𝑎𝑥 + 10𝑎2 𝑥 2 + 10𝑎3 𝑥 3 + 5𝑎4 𝑥 4 + 𝑎5 𝑥 5

5. During the exploration of their moon Zoglito, the two mice from planet Zog discover a lake of
mercury (nestling amongst the hills of cheese). One of then drops in a cylinder of solid steel and
they note that it oscillates slowly up and down with a period of 14.6 s. Assuming that the
cylinder is 10 cm long and floats vertically, find its equilibrium position, show that the motion is
SHM and find the acceleration due to gravity on Zoglito.

(Note: Density of mercury=13600 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3 and density of steel=7800 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3

Solution:

Let be:

𝑣=steel cylinder volumen

𝑥=block volume fraction submerged

𝜌𝑠 =Density of steel

𝜌𝑚 =Density of mercury

Therefore, for there to balance the weight of the cylinder must be equal to the weight of
mercury evacuated, ie:

𝑣𝜌𝑠 = 𝑥𝑣𝜌𝑚

Then:
𝜌𝑠
𝑥=
𝜌𝑚

Hence:

7800 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3 39
𝑥= −3
= ≈ 0.57
13600 𝑘𝑔 𝑚 68

6
Then, the fraction of the block that emerges from the mercury is:

39 29
1− = ≈ 0.426 ≈ 42.6%
68 68
And since the length of the cylinder is 10 cm, then emerge 4.26 cm .

Now, to find the acceleration of gravity, consider:

𝑚𝑎 = 𝑚𝑔 − 𝑝𝑢𝑠ℎ

Then:
𝜌𝑚 13600 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3
𝜌𝑠 𝑣𝑎 = 𝜌𝑠 𝑣𝑔 − 𝜌𝑚 𝑣𝑔  𝑎 = 𝑔 (1 − )  𝑎 = 9.81𝑚 𝑠 −2 (1 − )
𝜌𝑠 7800 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3
𝐻𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒:
𝑎 = −7.29 𝑚𝑠 −2

Finally, it is clear that this is a simple harmonic motion, since we have:

𝑇 = 14.6 𝑠
1 1 5 −1 5
𝑓= = = 𝑠 = 𝐻𝑧.
𝑇 14.6 𝑠 73 73
𝐴𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑 = 10 𝑐𝑚.

6. a) In the delightful book Mr Thompkins in Paperback (Gamow, CUP, 1993 edition, ISBN
0521447712) George Gamow invented a world in which gazelle running through a bamboo
grove resulted in a diffraction pattern. If the spacing of the bamboo trunks is 3 m, and 50 kg
gazelle is running at 10 𝑚 𝑠 −1 , estimate the value of Planck’s constant in Gamow’s world.

b) Assuming that an electron in a hydrogen atom can be modelled as a particle in a 1-D box of
the same dimensions as a hydrogen atom in our world, estimate the energies of ground state
and first excited state of the hydrogen atom in Gamow’s world. Comment very briefly on the
consequences.

Solution a)
ℎ
Considering the De Broglie equation 𝜆 = 𝑚𝑣, where 𝜆 is the wavelength of a photon, 𝑣 is the
velocity, 𝑚 represents the mass and ℎ Planck’s constant. Then solving for h, we have:

ℎ = 𝑚𝜆𝑣

Then: 𝜆 = 3 𝑚, 𝑚 = 50 𝑘𝑔 𝑦 𝑣 = 10 𝑚𝑠 −1 and substituting values, we have:

ℎ = (50𝑘𝑔)(3𝑚)(10 𝑚𝑠 −1 ) = 1500 𝐽𝑠

Solution b)
7
The immediate consequence of having a planck’s constant too much is that in the Gamow’s
world the quantum events are normal or currents.

7.
a) A hunter is aiming to spear a fish whose image can be seen in clear water. Should he aim
above or below the image of the fish?

b) Show that a ray of light, passing through a plate of optical glass with parallel sides, of
thickness s, suffers a displacement x perpendicular to the line of the original path given by:
𝑠
𝑥= × 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑖 − 𝑟)
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑟
Explain why there would be no dispersive effect, if a beam of white light were passed through
the glass block.

Solution a)

He should not aim on the fish because the image is deformed by the diffraction.

Solution b)

When a monochromatic light beam impinges on a transparent sheet of flat parallel faces is
refracted on both sides of the sheet.

If the refractive index sheet 𝑛2 is located at half 𝑛_1 refractive index, according to Snell's law:

On the first face: 𝑛1 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑖1 ) = 𝑛2 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑖1 )

On the second face: 𝑛2 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑟1 ) = 𝑛1 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑖2 )

Combining both equations, we have:

𝑖1 = 𝑖2

The light beam emerging from the sheet parallel to the incident beam.

The light beam undergoes a lateral displacement x (distance between the directions of
incident and emergent ray) whose value is:
𝑠
𝑥 = 𝐴𝐵 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜃) 𝐴𝐵 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑟 𝜃 = 𝑖1 − 𝑟1
1)

𝑠
Hence: 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑟 ) × 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑖1 − 𝑟1 )
1

8
8.
a) A double-convex lens, both surfaces of which have radii of 20 cm, is made of glass whose
refractive index is 1.5. Find the focal length of the lens.

b) An object 40.6 mm high is placed 52.4 cm from a converging lens. An image is formed 25.8
cm from the lens. Find the size of the image, whether it is real or virtual and the focal length of
the lens.

c) A convex spherical mirror of radius of curvature 2 m is mounted on a wall. You walk towards
it at a speed of 1.5 𝑚𝑠 −1 . When you are at a distance of 5 m, find the location of your image
and its apparent speed.

Solution a)
1 1 1
Considering that 𝑓 = (𝑛 − 1) (𝑅1 + 𝑅2) with n=1.5, R1=R2=20 cm,

1 1 1 1 1 1
Then 𝑓 = (1.5 − 1) (20 𝑐𝑚 + 20𝑐𝑚) = (2) (10𝑐𝑚) = 20𝑐𝑚

Hence 𝑓 = 20𝑐𝑚.

Solution b)
𝑝𝑞
Considering that the focal length is given by 𝑓 = 𝑝+𝑞 with p=52.4 cm, q=25.8 cm, then:

(52.4 𝑐𝑚)(25.8 𝑐𝑚)

𝑓= = 17.288 𝑐𝑚
52.4 𝑐𝑚 + 25.8 𝑐𝑚

9
 𝑞𝑦
Now, the size of the image is given by 𝑦 ′ = − , where:
𝑝

𝑦′=Size of the image

𝑦=Size of the object

𝑞=Distance of the image

𝑝 = Distance of the object

(25.8 𝑐𝑚)(0.406 𝑐𝑚)
Then: 𝑦 ′ = − = −0.1999 𝑐𝑚.
52.4𝑐𝑚

Finally the image is real and inverted.

Solution c)
𝑝𝑓 𝑅
The distance of image is given by = 𝑝−𝑓 , with 𝑓 = 2 , where:

𝑞=Distance of the image

𝑝= Distance of the object

𝑓= Focal length

R= radius of curvature

Then, if p=5m, R=2m, f=1, but the mirror is divergent, then: R= -2m and f= -1m.

Then,

(5𝑚)(−1𝑚) 5
𝑞= =− 𝑚
5𝑚 + 1𝑚 6

The minus sign indicate that the image is virtual.

Now, the apparent speed is given by:

5
(1.5𝑚𝑠 −1 ) (− 𝑚) 1
𝑣= 6 = − 𝑚𝑠 −1
5𝑚 4

10
9. Write short notes (a total of 1 page maximum) on:
a) The energy levels in the hydrogen atom and their dependence on the quantum numbers n, l
and m.

b) Fine-structure splitting.

c) Zeeman effect.

d) Energy levels in multi-electron atoms.

Solution a)

The hydrogen atom represents the simplest possible atom, since it consists of only one
proton and one electron. Nevertheless, the solution of the Schroedinger equation for the
hydrogen atom is rather complex because of the three-dimensional nature of the problem.
The potential energy function U(r) expresses the electrostatic potential energy of a
positively charged proton and a negatively charged electron as a function of their
separation.

U(r) = -q2/(4πε0r) = -e2/r.

Here e2 is defined as q2/(4πε0). In SI unit 1/(4πε0) = 9*109 Nm2/C2, and q = 1.6*10-19 C.

The energy levels in a hydrogen atom can be obtained by solving Schrödinger’s equation:

(∂2Ψ/∂x2) + (∂2Ψ/∂y2) + (∂2Ψ/∂z2) + (8π2m/h2)(E+e2/r)Ψ = 0

The wave functions ψnlm(r,θ,ϕ) = Rnl(r)Ylm(θ,ϕ) are products of functions Rnl(r), which
depend only on the coordinate r, and the spherical harmonics Ylm(θ,ϕ), which depend only
on the angular coordinates. They are characterized by three quantum numbers, n, l, and m.

The link below lets you explore plots of these functions. The energy levels only depend on
the principal quantum number n. The electron wave functions however are different for
every different set of quantum numbers. For each principal quantum number n, all smaller
positive integers are possible values for the quantum number l, i.e. l = 0, 1, 2, ..., n - 1. The
quantum number m can take on all integer values between -l and l.

Solution b)

In atomic physics, the fine structure describes the splitting of the spectral lines of atoms due to
first order relativistic corrections.

The gross structure of line spectra is the line spectra predicted by non-relativistic electrons with
no spin. For a hydrogenic atom, the gross structure energy levels only depend on the principal
11
quantum number n. However, a more accurate model takes into account relativistic and spin
effects, which break thedegeneracy of the energy levels and split the spectral lines. The scale of
the fine structure splitting relative to the gross structure splitting is on the order of (Zα)2,
where Z is the atomic number and α is the fine-structure constant, a dimensionless number
equal to approximately 7.297×10−3.

The fine structure can be separated into three corrective terms: the kinetic energy term, the
spin-orbit term, and the Darwinian term. The full Hamiltonian is given by:

Solution c)

The Zeeman effect is the splitting of a spectral line into several components in the presence of a
static magnetic field. It is analogous to the Stark effect, the splitting of a spectral line into
several components in the presence of an electric field. The Zeeman effect is very important in
applications such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electron spin
resonance spectroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Mössbauer spectroscopy. It
may also be utilized to improve accuracy in Atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Solution d)

In atoms with multiple electrons, the energy of an electron depends not only on the intrinsic
properties of its orbital, but also on its interactions with the other electrons. These interactions
depend on the detail of its spatial probability distribution, and so the energy levels of orbitals
depend not only on n but also on . Higher values of are associated with higher values of
energy; for instance, the 2pstate is higher than the 2s state. When = 2, the increase in energy
of the orbital becomes so large as to push the energy of orbital above the energy of the s-orbital
in the next higher shell; when = 3 the energy is pushed into the shell two steps higher. The
filling of the 3d orbitals does not occur until the 4s orbitals have been filled.

10.
Four stationary charges are arranged in the diamond pattern shown.

Determine:

a) The magnitude and direction of the electric field at the centre of the diamond.

b) The electric potential at the centre of the diamond.

12
c) For an electron placed at the centre of the diamond, determine the force exerted on the
electron and the potential energy of the electron.

Solution a)
𝑘𝑄
Considering that 𝐸 = ∑ 𝑟 2 𝒓̂ where:

E= Electric Field

Q= Charge

r=Distance

k=9𝑥109 𝑁𝑚2 𝐶 −2

𝒓̂=Unit vector

Then:

Taking Q1=4 𝜇𝐶, Q2=4 𝜇𝐶, Q3=-3 𝜇𝐶, Q4=-3 𝜇𝐶, r1=4cm, r2=2cm, r3=4cm y r4=2 cm.

Then:

𝑘𝑄1 (9𝑥109 𝑁𝑚2 𝐶 −2 )(4𝑥10−6 𝐶) 𝑁

𝐸1 = = −2 2
= 22.5𝑥106
𝑟1 (4𝑥10 𝑚) 𝐶
9 2 −2 )(4𝑥10−6
𝑘𝑄2 −(9𝑥10 𝑁𝑚 𝐶 𝐶) 6
𝑁
𝐸2 = = = −90𝑥10
𝑟2 (2𝑥10−2 𝑚)2 𝐶

𝑘𝑄1 (9𝑥109 𝑁𝑚2 𝐶 −2 )(3𝑥10−6 𝐶) 𝑁

𝐸3 = = −2 2
= 16.875𝑥106
𝑟1 (4𝑥10 𝑚) 𝐶
9 2 −2 )(3𝑥10−6
𝑘𝑄2 −(9𝑥10 𝑁𝑚 𝐶 𝐶) 6
𝑁
𝐸2 = = = −67.5𝑥10
𝑟2 (2𝑥10−2 𝑚)2 𝐶

Hence:
𝑁 𝑁 𝑁 𝑁
E=E1+E2+E3+E4 E=22.5𝑥106 𝐶 − 90𝑥106 𝐶 + 16.875𝑥106 𝐶 − 67.5𝑥106 𝐶 =
𝑁
−118.125𝑥106 𝐶

Solution b)

𝑘𝑄
Considering that 𝑉𝐴 = ∑ , where:
𝑟

VA=Electric potencial

Q=Charge
13
r=Distance

k=9𝑥109 𝑁𝑚2 𝐶 −2

Then:

Taking Q1=4 𝜇𝐶, Q2=4 𝜇𝐶, Q3=-3 𝜇𝐶, Q4=-3 𝜇𝐶, r1=4cm, r2=2cm, r3=4cm y r4=2 cm.

We have:

𝑘𝑄1 (9𝑥109 𝑁𝑚2 𝐶 −2 )(4𝑥10−6 𝐶)

𝑉1 = = = 0.9𝑥106 𝑉
𝑟1 4𝑥10−2 𝑚
𝑘𝑄2 (9𝑥109 𝑁𝑚2 𝐶 −2 )(4𝑥10−6 𝐶)
𝑉2 = = −2
= 1.8𝑥106 𝑉
𝑟2 2𝑥10 𝑚
𝑘𝑄3 (9𝑥109 𝑁𝑚2 𝐶 −2 )(−3𝑥10−6 𝐶)
𝑉3 = = = −0.675𝑥103 𝑉
𝑟3 4𝑥10−2 𝑚
𝑘𝑄1 (9𝑥109 𝑁𝑚2 𝐶 −2 )(−3𝑥10−6 𝐶)
𝑉4 = = = −1.35𝑥106 𝑉
𝑟1 2𝑥10−2 𝑚
Hence:

𝑉𝐴 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2 + 𝑉3 + 𝑉4

𝑉𝐴 = 0.9𝑥106 𝑉 + 1.8𝑥106 𝑉 − 0.675 𝑥103 𝑉 − 1.35𝑥106 𝑉 = 0.675 𝑉

Solution c)

Considering that the electron’s is Q=1,602×10-19 C and:

𝐸𝑝 = 𝑄𝑉𝐴, where:

Ep=Potential energy

Q=Charge

VA=Electric Potential

Then:

𝐸𝑝 = (1,602 × 10−19 𝐶)(0.675𝑉) = 1.08𝑥10−19 𝐽

11. It is found experimentally that the electric field in a certain region of the Earth’s
atmosphere is directed vertically down. At an altitude of 300 m the field is 58 𝑁𝐶 −1 and at an
altitude of 200 m it is 110 𝑁𝐶 −1 .

14
a) Find the net amount of charge contained in a cube of side length 100 m located at an altitude
between 200 m and 300 m. Neglect the curvature of the Earth.

b) How would your answer change if the electric field was directed vertically upwards instead?

Solution a)

According to the problem it can be tried as is shown in the figure

𝑧̂

𝐸⃗ = −𝐸𝑧̂

-𝑧̂

Where 𝐸⃗ is the electric field, the normal components of the cube are 𝑧̂ y −𝑧̂ respectively.

Applying the Gauss’ Law

𝑄
= ∮ 𝐸⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑠
𝜀0

Of the figure, we know that the surfaces are parallel (and antiparallel) to the field.

So, for the upper surface

𝑄
= −𝐸 ∫ 𝑑𝑠 = −𝐸𝐴
𝜀0

For the other surface

𝑄
= 𝐸 ∫ 𝑑𝑠 = 𝐸𝐴
𝜀0

Then

𝑄 = (−𝐸𝐴 + 𝐸𝐴)𝜀0 = [−(58𝑁𝐶 −1 )(100𝑚)2 + (110𝑁𝐶 −1 )(100)2 ]𝜀0

Therefore

10−9
𝑄 = 520000𝑁𝐶 −1 𝑚2 𝜀0, but 𝜀0 = 𝐹𝑚−1
36𝜋

15
 10−9
Then 𝑄 = 520000𝑁𝐶 −1 𝑚2 ( 𝐹𝑚−1 ) = 4.59𝜇𝐶
36𝜋

Solution b)

If the field direction changes, we have

𝑄 = (𝐸𝐴 − 𝐸𝐴)𝜀0 = [(58𝑁𝐶 −1 )(100𝑚)2 − (110𝑁𝐶 −1 )(100𝑚)2 ]𝜀0

Therefore

𝑄 = −4.59𝜇𝐶

So, the sense of the charge changes.

12. A cosmic ray of energy 100 MeV consists of the nucleus of 10𝐵𝑒. Calculate its speed
4
(ignoring relativist effects).

The cosmic ray is moving perpendicular to the galactic magnetic field (𝐵 = 5 × 10−10 Tesla).
Find the acceleration of the cosmic ray.

Find the gyroradius of the cosmic ray (in AU) and comment on why it is hard to locate the
source of cosmic rays.

Solution:

𝑚𝑣 2
The speed is given by 𝐸 = , where:
2

E=energy

m=mass

v=speed

(1.6x10−19 J)(100x106 eV)

But 100 Mev=( = 1.6x10−11 J.
1eV

10
And the mass m of the Be is calculated as:
4
m = 4(1.672641x10−27 kg) + 6(1.674948x10−27 kg) = 1.6740252x10−26 kg.

Hence:

2E
Solving for v, we have v = √ m .

Substituting data:

16
 2(1.6x10−11 J)
v=√ = 43.72172239x106 ms−1
1.6740252x10−26 kg

d𝐮 Q
Now, the acceleration is given by 𝐚 = = m 𝐯 × 𝐁, but as is perpendicular, then:
dt

Q QvB
a = m vBsin(90) = , where:
m

a = acceleration of cosmic ray

10
Q = Charge of nucleus of Be.
4
v = Speed of cosmic ray

B = magnetic field

And the charge Q of the nucleus is given by:

Q = 4(1.6x10−19 C) = 6.4x10−19 C
(6.4x10−19 C)(43.72x106 ms−1 )(5x10−10 T)
Then: a = = 833.7467x103 ms −2
1.6740252x10−26 kg

In general the source of the cosmic ray is difficult to detect because its speed and acceleration
are extremely large.

17