National University of Singapore

PC1222 Fundamentals of Physics II

(AY2017/18, Semester 2)

Term Test
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes

6 April 2018

Instructions to Students:

1. This test paper consists of 30 multiple choice questions with different grading.
2. Please shade all your answers with a full dark circle on the optical answer sheet provided.
3. This is a closed book test. However, you are allowed to bring in an A4-sized double-sided
helpsheet.
4. A list of physical constants is provided on page 2.
5. Please submit both question paper and answer sheet at the end of the test.
List of Physical Constants

Base of natural logarithm:

e = 2.71828

Gravitational acceleration:
g = 9.80 m/s2

Coulomb’s constant:
k = 8.99 x 109 N·m2/C2

Permittivity of vacuum:
ε0 = 8.85 x 10-12 C2/(N·m2)

Permeability of vacuum:
0  4 x 10-7 T  m/A

Mass of electron:
me = 9.1094 x 10-31 kg

Mass of proton:
mp = 1.6726 x 10-27 kg

Magnitude of the charge of an electron:

e = 1.6022 x 10-19 C

Electron volt:
1 eV = 1.6022 x 10-19 J

Speed of light:
c = 2.9979 x 108 m/s

Planck’s constant:
h = 6.63 x 10-34 J·s

peta P 1015 1 000 000 000 000 000

tera T 1012 1 000 000 000 000
giga G 109 1 000 000 000
mega M 106 1 000 000
kilo k 103 1 000
hecto h 102 100
deka da 101 10
base unit 100 1
deci d 10-1 1/10 0.1
centi c 10-2 1/100 0.01
milli m 10-3 1/1 000 0.001
micro μ 10-6 1/1 000 000 0.000 001
nano n 10-9 1/1 000 000 000 0.000 000 001
Angström Å 10-10 1/10 000 000 000 0.000 000 000 1
pico p 10-12 1/1 000 000 000 000 0.000 000 000 001

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Answer all questions

Questions 1 to 15 carry one mark each.

1. The following figure shows the electric field vectors at different positions in space. Referring to
the same figure, which of the following pairs of charges will experience the same force?

(a) A charge +q placed at position 1 and a charge +0.5q placed at position 2.

(b) A charge +2q placed at position 2 and a charge –q placed at position 4.
(c) A charge +q placed at position 3 and a charge –3q placed at position 1.
(d) A charge +1.5q placed at position 2 and a charge –q placed at position 3.
(e) A charge +2q placed at position 1 and a charge +0.5q placed at position 4.

2. Three point charges are arranged at the two corners and

centre of a square as shown in the figure on the right.
Which arrow best represents the direction of the resultant
electric field at the top right corner of the square?
(a) A
(b) B
(c) C
(d) D
(e) E

3. The following diagram shows electric field vectors at different positions of a set of equipotential
surfaces. At which position is the electric field vector most correctly depicted?

(a) A
(b) B
(c) C
(d) D
(e) E

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4. Rank from smallest to largest, the energy U stored in each of the capacitors shown below.

(a) U3 < U4 < U2 < U1

(b) U2 < U1 < U4 < U3
(c) U1 < U2 = U4 < U3
(d) U3 < U1 = U4 < U2
(e) U1 = U2 < U3 < U4

5. Lightbulbs are typically rated by their power dissipation when operated at a given voltage.
Which of the following lightbulbs has the largest resistance when operated at the voltage for
which it’s rated?
(a) 9 W, 7.2 V
(b) 6 W, 6 V
(c) 4 W, 4.5 V
(d) 2 W, 3 V
(e) 0.8 W, 1.5 V

6. How much does it cost to watch a complete 21-hour-long documentary series on a 140-W
television set? Assume that electricity costs $0.22/kWh.
(a) $0.65
(b) $0.75
(c) $0.87
(d) $1.34
(e) $1.47

7. Two identical batteries are connected in series in a circuit with a

single resistor as shown in the figure on the right. V = 0 V at the
negative terminal of the lower battery. Rank from highest to
lowest, the potentials VA to VE at the labelled points. You may
assume the wires are ideal.
(a) VB > VC > VD > VE > VA
(b) VA > VB = VC > VD = VE
(c) VB = VC > VA > VD = VE
(d) VB = VC > VD = VE > VA
(e) VA > VB > VC > VD > VE

8. Which of the following equations correctly describes 15 Ω I3 3.0 V

the circuit in the figure based on Kirchoff’s rules?
I2
(a) I1 = I 3 – I 2 I1
(b) 15I1 – 30I2 = 21 20 Ω 25 Ω
(c) 18 – 30I2 + 25I3 = 0
12 V 9.0 V
(d) 30I2 – 25I3 = 12 6.0 V
(e) 15I1 + 25I3 = 15 10 Ω

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9. The sun emits streams of charged particles (solar wind) that move towards the earth at very
high speeds. Suppose a proton moves towards the equator of the earth at a speed of 500 km/s
which is perpendicular to the earth’s magnetic field of 5.0 x 10-5 T at a particular point, what is
the magnitude of the force on the proton?
(a) 8.0 x 10-21 N
(b) 8.0 x 10-18 N
(c) 6.4 x 10-21 N
(d) 4.0 x 10-21 N
(e) 4.0 x 10-18 N

10. A square loop is rotating in the plane of the page around an axis through its
centre as shown in the figure on the right. A uniform magnetic field is
directed into the page. What is the direction of the induced current in the
loop?
(a) Clockwise
(b) Counterclockwise
(c) Alternating clockwise and counterclockwise direction.
(d) There is no induced current.
(e) There is not enough information to determine the direction of flow of the induced current.

11. A Boeing 747 aircraft with a wingspan of 68 m is cruising at 255 m/s over northern Canada,
where the magnetic field of the earth (magnitude 5.0 x 10-5 T) is directed straight down. What
is the potential difference between the tips of the aircraft’s wings?
(a) 0.867 V
(b) 1.33 V
(c) 1.88 V
(d) 2.88 V
(e) 3.47 V

12. Which of the following statement(s) about electromagnetic (EM) waves is(are) true?
(i) All EM waves are transverse waves: the electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular to each
other and to the direction of propagation of the wave.
(ii) The energy carried by EM waves is equally shared by both the electric and magnetic fields in a
given volume.
(iii) EM waves require a medium to propagate.
(iv) In vacuum, all EM waves travel with the speed of light.
(v) Doppler effect in EM waves is caused by a change in speed of the EM waves.

(a) Only statement (i) is true.

(b) Only statements (ii) and (v) are true.
(c) Statements (i), (ii) and (iv) are true.
(d) Statements (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) are true.
(e) Statements (i), (ii), (iv) and (v) are true.

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13. Unpolarised light of equal intensity is incident on four pairs of polarising filters. Rank from
lowest to highest, the intensities IA to ID transmitted through the second polariser of each pair.

A B C D
(a) IB < IC < IA < ID
(b) IC < IB < ID < IA
(c) ID < IA < IB < IC
(d) IB = IC < ID < IA
(e) IB = IC < IA < ID

14. A light ray containing both blue and red wavelengths is incident at an angle on a slab of glass.
Which of the sketches in the figure below represents the most likely outcome.

(a) A
(b) B
(c) C
(d) D
(e) None of the above

15. A certain camera lens has a focal length of 175 mm. Its position can be adjusted to produce
images when the lens is between 180 mm and 210 mm from the plane of the film. Over what
range of object distances is the lens useful?
(a) Between 2.85 m and 8.10 m
(b) Between 1.05 m and 6.30 m
(c) Between 0.75 m and 6.00 m
(d) Between 0.70 m and 5.65 m
(e) Between 0.35 m and 4.60 m

Questions 16 to 25 carry two marks each.

16. Four lightweight balls A, B, C and D are suspended by threads. Ball

A has been touched by a copper rod that was rubbed with wool.
When the balls are brought close together, without touching, the
following observations are made:
 Balls B, C and D are attracted to ball A.
 Balls B and D have no effect on each other.
 Ball B is attracted to ball C.
What are the charge states of balls A, B, C and D? Use the
triboelectric series chart shown on the right to help you.
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Ball A Ball B Ball C Ball D
(a) + ̶ ̶ ̶
(b) + 0 ̶ 0
(c) ̶ + + +
(d) ̶ 0 ̶ 0
(e) ̶ 0 + 0

17. Two closely spaced uncharged circular disks form a parallel-plate capacitor. Transferring
1.6 x 109 electrons from one disk to the other causes the electric field strength between them
to be 1.2 x 105 N/C. What is the diameter of the disks?
(a) 1.24 cm
(b) 1.75 cm
(c) 1.92 cm
(d) 2.19 cm
(e) 3.84 cm

18. A point charge of +9.00 nC is located at the origin of the x-y coordinate system. Find the work
done by the electric field to bring a negative charge of –3.00 nC from infinity to the location
x = 30.0 cm on the x axis. You may assume that the electric potential at infinity is zero.
(a) +8.09 x 10-7 J
(b) –8.09 x 10-7 J
(c) +2.70 x 10-6 J
(d) –2.70 x 10-6 J
(e) +4.05 x 10-7 J

19. A 20 pF parallel-plate capacitor with an air gap between the plates is connected to a 100 V
battery. A Teflon slab (κ = 2.0) is then inserted between the plates and completely fills the gap.
Will electrons flow onto or out of the negative plate when the Teflon slab is inserted? What is
the new charge now on the capacitor?
(a) Onto, 1.0 nC
(b) Out, 1.0 nC
(c) Onto, 2.0 nC
(d) Out, 2.0 nC
(e) Onto, 4.0 nC

20. Rank from largest to smallest the equivalent capacitance (CA to CD) of the following four groups
of capacitors.

(a) CA > CC > CD > CB

(b) CB > CD > CA > CC
(c) CB > CD > CC > CA
(d) CB > CC > CD > CA
(e) CD > CA > CB > CC

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21. Find the current through the 15 Ω resistor in the circuit 5.0 Ω 10 Ω
shown in the figure on the right.
(a) 0.867 A
(b) 0.720 A
12 V 20 Ω
(c) 0.384 A 15 Ω
(d) 0.209 A
(e) 0.192 A

22. A 10 cm by 6 cm rectangular loop is hinged on one of its long

sides on the ground. A magnetic field of 0.1 T points vertically
upwards. If the loop is brought down so that its plane goes
from 60⁰ to 0⁰ (that is, it lies flat with respect to the ground)
in a time of 3 seconds, what are the direction (looking from
above the ground) of the induced current and the average
magnitude of induced voltage in the loop?
(a) Clockwise, 0.1 mV
(b) Anticlockwise, 0.1 mV
(c) Clockwise, 0.2 mV
(d) Anticlockwise, 0.2 mV
(e) Clockwise, 0.4 mV

23. A spaceship is approaching a space station with a speed of 1.8 x 105 m/s. The space station has
a beacon that emits blue light with a frequency of 6.4 x 1014 Hz. What is the change in frequency
of the emitted light observed on the spaceship?
(a) 1.921 x 1011 Hz
(b) 3.843 x 1011 Hz
(c) 4.804 x 1011 Hz
(d) 5.764 x 1011 Hz
(e) 7.686 x 1011 Hz

24. A violet light ray travels in a slab of crown glass (n = 1.521)

surrounded by air. The ray is incident on the right surface at an
angle of 55⁰ with the normal and then reflects from points A, B
and C. At which point(s) does(do) part of the ray enter the air?
What if the air is replaced by water (n = 1.333)?
Air Water
(a) B B
(b) B A&C
(c) A&C B
(d) B A, B & C
(e) A&C None

25. A concave makeup mirror is designed so that a person 25 cm in front of it sees an upright image
magnified by a factor of two. What is the radius of curvature of the mirror?
(a) 25 cm
(b) 33 cm
(c) 50 cm
(d) 66 cm
(e) 100 cm
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Questions 26 to 30 carry three marks each.

26. The charging circuit for the flash system of a camera uses a 100 μF capacitor that is charged
from a 250 V power supply. What maximum resistance can be in series with the capacitor if the
capacitor is to charge to at least 85% of its final voltage in no more than 8.0 s?
(a) 21 kΩ
(b) 42 kΩ
(c) 80 kΩ
(d) 250 kΩ
(e) 490 kΩ

27. An electron travels with speed 1.5 x 107 m/s between two
parallel charged plates shown in the figure on the right.
The plates are separated by 1.0 cm and are charged by a
120 V battery. What magnetic field strength and direction
will allow the electron to pass the plates without being
deflected?
(a) 0.80 mT, into the page
(b) 0.80 mT, out of the page
(c) 1.25 mT, into the page
(d) 1.25 mT, out of the page
(e) 1.8 mT, into the page

28. Two long wires carrying current as shown in the

figure on the right are separated by a distance of
2d. Find the ratio of the magnitudes of the
magnetic fields at positions A, B and C. Note that B
is positioned midway between the wires.
(a) 1:4:3
(b) 2:18:3
(c) 2:18:9
(d) 4:36:9
(e) 4:36:27

29. An object 10.0 cm tall is placed at the zero mark of a meter-stick. A spherical mirror located at
some point on the meter-stick creates an image of the object that is upright, 4.0 cm tall, and
located at the 42.0-cm mark of the meter-stick. State the type of mirror used and find the focal
length of the mirror.
(a) Concave mirror, f = 10 cm
(b) Concave mirror, f = 20 cm
(c) Convex mirror, f = –8.0 cm
(d) Convex mirror, f = –10 cm
(e) Convex mirror, f = –20 cm

30. A person with hyperopia (farsightedness) is unable to focus on objects closer than 35.0 cm and
corrective lenses are to be prescribed so that she can focus on objects 20.0 cm from her eyes.
If both contact lenses and eyeglasses are to be prescribed and the distance between the eyes
and the eyeglasses is 2.00 cm, determine the powers (in diopters) of both the contact lenses
and the eyeglasses.

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Contact lenses Eyeglasses
(a) 1.52 1.97
(b) 1.97 2.14
(c) 2.14 2.53
(d) 2.14 2.70
(e) 2.14 2.85

-------------------End of test paper-----------------------

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Answers
1. (d) 11. (a) 21. (c)
2. (b) 12. (c) 22. (a)
3. (b) 13. (e) 23. (b)
4. (d) 14. (c) 24. (d)
5. (b) 15. (b) 25. (e)
6. (a) 16. (e) 26. (b)
7. (c) 17. (b) 27. (a)
8. (d) 18. (a) 28. (d)
9. (e) 19. (e) 29. (e)
10. (d) 20. (c) 30. (c)

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