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Selected Physics Olympiad Problems

The document lists selected problems from various physics competitions, including International Physics Olympiads, Asian Physics Olympiads, and others, categorized by topics such as Mechanics, Electromagnetism, and Thermodynamics. Each problem is accompanied by a brief description highlighting its educational value or specific focus area. The collection aims to provide a resource for physics educators and students preparing for competitive examinations.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
618 views30 pages

Selected Physics Olympiad Problems

The document lists selected problems from various physics competitions, including International Physics Olympiads, Asian Physics Olympiads, and others, categorized by topics such as Mechanics, Electromagnetism, and Thermodynamics. Each problem is accompanied by a brief description highlighting its educational value or specific focus area. The collection aims to provide a resource for physics educators and students preparing for competitive examinations.
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

COLLECTED QUESTIONS FROM ALL PHOs

collected by @fijiks

PROBLEMS SELECTED BY PROF JAAN KALDA

PROBLEMS SELECTED BY PHYSOLY WEBSITE


Mechanics (including celestial mechanics)

Selected by PROF JAAN KALDA

From International Physics Olympiads (IPhO):

• IPhO-1982-Pr2: Excellent problem on physical pendulum.


• IPhO-1984-Pr2: Open-ended problem on oscillations dealing
with an interesting natural phenomenon (seiches).
• IPhO-1985-Pr3: Problem on Kepler’s laws with real practical
significance.
• IPhO-1988-Pr2: Physics of Maxwell’s disc (note: the figure
illustrating question 4 is disorienting and the respective official
solution is wrong; assuming a long rope, a correct solution is
reasonably simple).
• IPhO-1989-Pr2: Short problem on planetary dynamics requir-
ing mathematical insight.
• IPhO-1990-Pr3: Excellent short problem on rotational dynam-
ics requiring insight, but note: official solution oversimplifies
ellipticity calculations and you need to do the same (calculat-
ing the gravity field of an elliptical body is too mathematical;
ignoring this effect gives correct order of magnitude, though).
• IPhO-1991-Pr1: Teaches basics of collision of bodies.
• IPhO-1992-Pr2: Coupled oscillators in a physically meaningful
context.
• IPhO-1997-Pr1-Q5: Problem on scaling laws; note: this prob-
lem was also on the Physics Olympiad of the Soviet Union-1978.
• IPhO-1998-Pr1: Neat analysis of a rolling pencil.
• IPhO-2000-Pr1-Q1: Straightforward physically, but teaching
useful technical skills (tailoring solutions).
• IPhO-2012-Pr1-Part-A: Tests physical and mathematical in-
sight (about ballistic motion).

1
• IPhO-2014-Pr1-Part-A: Problem on a non-standard conserva-
tion law of a momentum-like quantity.
• IPhO-2019-Pr1: How a slinky falls - very nice physics!

From Asian Physics Olympiads (APhO):

• APhO-2005-Pr1-Part-B: Shows how to make use of the sep-


aration of fast and slow processes, and models reasonably a
real-life situation (swinging).
• APhO-2010-Pr1-Part-A: Learn about inelastic scattering on
composite particles (the linked text is heavily modified to make
it clearer).
• APhO-2010-Pr1-Part-B: Shows how to make use of a superpo-
sition of linear waves.
• APhO-2011-Pr2: A nice model of a real-life problem (creaking
door).
• APhO-2011-Pr3: A (relatively) simple model of phase transi-
tion (for a birthday balloon); tests your physical insight.
• APhO-2016-Pr1: Conceptually not a really difficult problem,
but you can polish your technical skills (using vector algebra
you can find shorter-than-official solutions).
• APhO-2017-Pr2: A nice problem on celestial dynamics - con-
ceptually not too challenging.

From Physics Cup:

• Physics Cup 2012 - Pr1: A tricky problem on Kepler’s laws.


• Physics Cup 2012 - Pr4: Will test your physical and mathe-
matical insight, including vector analysis (dynamics).
• Physics Cup 2019 - Pr3: A simple-for-Physics-Cup problem on
parabolic trajectories.

From Estonian-Finnish Olympiads:

2
• Est-Fin-2003-Pr5: Separation of fast and slow processes (vi-
brating surface).
• Est-Fin-2005-Pr3: Tests your understanding of Kepler’s laws
in several ways.
• Est-Fin-2005-Pr4: Polishing skills in hydrodynamics (centrifu-
gal pump).
• Est-Fin-2006-Pr5: Tests insight when dealing with pressure
forces (air-filled bag).
• Est-Fin-2006-Pr6: Geometrical approach to static equilibrium
problems.
• Est-Fin-2007-Pr2: Linear stability analysis for a slightly tricky
geometry (stressed elastic rod).
• Est-Fin-2009-Pr7: Develops model building and qualitative es-
timation skills (breaking soap film).
• Est-Fin-2011-Pr6: Very similar to the APhO-2011 Pr2 (violin
vs creaking door).
• Est-Fin-2012-Pr1: A many-part problem testing understanding
of planetary dynamics, skills in kinematics, and separation of
long and short time-scales.
• Est-Fin-2014-Pr6: Tests physical insight (kinematics).
• Est-Fin-2015-Pr4: Problem on optimal Keplerian trajectories.
• Est-Fin-2016-Pr1: About fuel consumption and interpreting
graphs.

From National Physics Olympiads (NBPhO):

• NBPhO-2017-Pr2: Yet another problem on Kepler laws.


• NBPhO-2018-Pr1: Planetary motion NOT on Kepler laws - a
surprising 3-body system.
• NBPhO-2019-Pr1: An optimization task with Kepler laws.

3
From German Physics Olympiads (GPhO):

• GPhO-2016-Pr1BC: You can get some insight into tightrope


walking + learn about Kapitza’s pendulum.
• GPhO-2017-Pr2: A fairly tricky problem with a water-filled
tube.
• GPhO-2019-Pr1C: Only in case you still hadn’t had enough
problems on Kepler’s laws.
• GPhO-2019-Pr3B: About Rayleigh-Taylor instability which has
an important role to play in physics.

From European Physics Olympiads (EuPhO):

• EuPhO-2017-Pr1,7: Pr1 is about natural modes of a hanging


rope; Pr 5 is a nice dynamics problem with collisions.
• EuPhO-2018-Pr1: Very classically-looking but not-so-easy prob-
lem.
• EuPhO-2019-Pr3 - about the shape of water stream coming out
from a water hose.

4
Electromagnetism

From International Physics Olympiads (IPhO):

• IPhO-1985-Pr2: Quite straightforward problem, but you’ll learn


what the Hall effect is.
• IPhO-1987-Pr3: This simple model of waveguides tests your
skills of dealing with AC and building electro-mechanical equiv-
alence.
• IPhO-1993-Pr1: A problem testing your insight in electrostat-
ics and making use of the characteristic time scales (RC).
• IPhO-1994-Pr2: A nice problem dealing with currents in su-
perconducting circuits.
• IPhO-1996-Pr1-Q5: Teaches useful tricks with the superposi-
tion principle (Ampere’s law).
• IPhO-1996-Pr2: Teaches how to deal with unusual conservation
laws (generalized angular momentum).
• IPhO-2000-Pr2: An excellent problem on the motion of charged
particles in electric and magnetic fields.
• IPhO-2002-Pr2: Teaches dealing with current densities, vector
analysis, and superposition principle.
• IPhO-2004-Pr1: Tests your understanding of electrostatics (ping-
ponging disc inside a capacitor).
• IPhO-2011-Pr3: Scattering of an ion by an atom.
• IPhO-2012-Pr1-Part-C: Dealing with magnetic fields in the pres-
ence of superconductors.
• IPhO-2012-Pr2: Tests your understanding of electrostatics (Kelvin
water dropper).
• IPhO-2014-Pr1-Part-C: A useful exercise on an LC-circuit with
two degrees of freedom.

5
• IPhO-2016-Pr2: A very nice problem on nonlinear voltage os-
cillations.

From Asian Physics Olympiads (APhO):

• APhO-2001-Pr2: A problem on the generalized momentum of


charged particles with an emphasis on vector analysis.
• APhO-2009-Pr2: A problem on magnetic dynamo and linear
instability.
• APhO-2011-Pr1: A nice problem testing your insight in elec-
trodynamics (Shockley-James Paradox).
• APhO-2013-Pr1: Electrical imaging in cylindrical geometry.
• APhO-2017-Pr1: A very nice problem related to electromag-
netism.
• APhO-2018-Pr1: A problem with many subquestions covering
various electromagnetism concepts.
• APhO-2019-Pr1: How polarizability is related to the added
mass.
• APhO-2019-Pr4: Yet another infinite grid of resistors.
• APhO-2020-Pr0: A problem on sheet resistance.

From Physics Cup:

• Physics Cup 2012 - Pr2: Teaches how to calculate the magnetic


fields in the presence of ferromagnetic materials.
• Physics Cup 2012 - Pr5: Calculation of natural frequencies
while making use of the separation of time scales.
• Physics Cup 2012 - Pr6: A nice problem covering electrical
imaging, electrostatic pressure, and electrostatic energy.
• Physics Cup WoPhO-2013 - Pr5(10): Dealing with magnetic
fields in the presence of superconductors.

6
• Physics Cup 2017 - Pr1: A really tough problem on electro-
statics.
• Physics Cup 2017 - Pr2: A tough problem on electric circuits.
• Physics Cup 2018 - Pr1: Infinite resistor lattices revisited.
• Physics Cup 2018 - Pr3: A challenging task on magnetostatics.
• Physics Cup 2019 - Pr1: How polarizability is related to the
added mass.
• Physics Cup 2019 - Pr4: Yet another infinite grid of resistors.
• Physics Cup 2020 - Pr0: A problem on sheet resistance.

From Estonian-Finnish Olympiads:

• Est-Fin-2006-Pr7: Tests your basic knowledge of cyclotron mo-


tion and ability of making appropriate approximations.
• Est-Fin-2007-Pr3: Teaches about time focusing.
• Est-Fin-2010-Pr1: A useful exercise on using optimal reference
frames.
• Est-Fin-2012-Pr7: A non-trivial problem on Ampere’s force.
• Est-Fin-2014-Pr1: Tests your understanding of circuits con-
taining L and C in various ways.
• Est-Fin-2015-Pr9: A useful exercise on coupled solenoids and
mutual inductance.
• Est-Fin-2016-Pr4: How dimmer works?

From National Physics Olympiads (NBPhO):

• NBPhO-2017-Pr7: A tricky problem with zener diode in AC


circuit.
• NBPhO-2018-Pr5,7: Pr 5: Colliding magnetic balls in B-field -
last task is fairly tricky; Pr 7: A challenging AC circuit prob-
lem.

7
From German Physics Olympiads (GPhO):

• GPhO-2016-Pr2: A simple approach to gravitational waves and


LIGO experiments.
• GPhO-2016-Pr3: Teaches about strong magnetic fields.
• GPhO-2017-Pr3: A challenging problem about acceleration of
charged particles with shock waves.
• GPhO-2019-Pr2Biii,iv: A little bit about TOKAMAK project.

From European Physics Olympiads (EuPhO):

• EuPhO-2017-Pr3: Learn how a piece of superconductor can


slide along magnetic rails.
• EuPhO-2018-Pr2: Boiling water using a solenoid.
• EuPhO-2019-Pr2: A rolling charged ball in magnetic field.

8
Thermodynamics

From International Physics Olympiads (IPhO):

• IPhO-1987-Pr1: Not too tricky problem teaching nice physics


(raining).
• IPhO-1992-Pr2: A solid problem on heat radiation with real-
life implications (satellite in sunlight).
• IPhO-1996-Pr1-Part-d: A small but useful exercise (triple-wall-
thermos).
• IPhO-1998-Pr2: A problem dealing with the basics of mechan-
ics and thermodynamics (ice flow and melting).
• IPhO-2008-Pr3: With a mathematical emphasis and with a
prescribed approach, but teaching important atmospheric physics
(adiabatic atmosphere).
• IPhO-2010-Pr2: A nice problem on chimney physics.
• IPhO-2012-Pr1-Part-B: Tests your insight into the physics of
gas flows.
• IPhO-2012-Pr3-Q4 and 6: Tests your understanding of the 1st
law of thermodynamics and adiabatic processes.
• IPhO-2014-Pr1-Part-B: Somewhat artificial and non-realistic
setup, but still a valid exercise on a polytropic process.

From Asian Physics Olympiads (APhO):

• APhO-2007-Pr3-Task-A: Quite mathematical, but teaches you


that the conduction electrons do not form an ideal gas.
• APhO-2010-Pr3-PartB: Somewhat mathematical, but with a
nice physics (sonoluminescence).
• APhO-2014-Pr1: An excellent problem on atmospheric circu-
lation.

9
• APhO-2018-Pr3: A problem with too many simple subques-
tions, but dealing with an interesting phenomenon - thermo-
electric effect.

From Physics Cup:

• Physics Cup 2012 - Pr3: Teaches the basics of kinematic theory


of gases.
• Physics Cup WoPhO-2013 - Pr4(9): A challenging problem on
the laws of thermodynamics.
• Physics Cup 2017 - Pr3: With this problem, you can get some
insight into adiabatic processes.
• Physics Cup 2018 - Pr5: Black sphere: mean free path in vac-
uum - a really difficult problem.
• Physics Cup 2019 - Pr2: A simple-for-Physics-Cup problem on
the 2nd law of thermodynamics.

From Estonian-Finnish Olympiads:

• Est-Fin-2004-Pr7: On Bernoulli’s law and heat balance (passive


air cooling).
• Est-Fin-2005-Pr7: Physics of the ventilation system of a zero-
energy house.
• Est-Fin-2006-Pr1: On humidity and mixing of cold and hot air.
• Est-Fin-2008-Pr7: A simplified version of the Pr3 from IPhO-
2008 (rising smoke).
• Est-Fin-2010-Pr2: Somewhat similar to IPhO-1996-Pr1-Part-
d, but with a trickier geometry (thermos bottle).
• Est-Fin-2011-Pr8: A tricky problem on heat conduction.
• Est-Fin-2013-Pr7: An ordinary problem on heat radiation, but
with a useful conclusion.

10
From National Physics Olympiads (NBPhO):

• NBPhO-2018-Pr8: A small exercise with pressure work and


energy balance.
• NBPhO-2019-Pr6: Thermodynamics of a self-gravitating gas
cloud.

From German Physics Olympiads (GPhO):

• GPhO-2019-Pr2D: About inertial confinement fusion project.

From European Physics Olympiads (EuPhO):

• EuPhO-2017-Pr2: To polish your skills in kinetic theory of


gases.
• EuPhO-2018-Pr3: A really challenging problem on surface en-
ergy.
• EuPhO-2019-Pr1: About the formation of ice pellets.

11
Wave Optics and Quantum Mechanics

From International Physics Olympiads (IPhO):

• IPhO-1990-Pr1-PartD: The basics of Bragg reflection.


• IPhO-1993-Pr3: Teaches several important concepts and tech-
niques (electrostatic biprism).
• IPhO-2003-Pr3-PartB: A problem on radiation pressure.
• IPhO-2005-Pr3: A highlight on the basics of quantum mechan-
ics.
• IPhO-2006-Pr1: A Mach–Zehnder interferometer for neutrons.

From Asian Physics Olympiads (APhO):

• APhO-2010-Pr3-PartB: Somewhat similar application of the


uncertainty principle.
• APhO-2016-Pr3: Magnetic fields + quantum physics - about
superconductors.

From Physics Cup:

• Physics Cup 2012 - Pr3: Laser speckles pattern.


• Physics Cup WoPhO-2013 - Pr3(8): Bubbles in laser light.
• Physics Cup 2019 - Pr5: Echelle grating - a really difficult
problem.

From Estonian-Finnish Olympiads:

• Est-Fin-2003-Pr7: A challenging problem on diffraction.


• Est-Fin-2004-Pr4: Tests your understanding of interference on
thin films.
• Est-Fin-2005-Pr5: On 2-dimensional interference patterns.
• Est-Fin-2015-Pr2: Physics of short light pulses.
• NBPhO-2018-Pr6: Another photon pressure problem.

12
Relativity, Geometrical Optics, etc

From International Physics Olympiads (IPhO):

• IPhO-1984-Pr1: A relatively simple problem on geometrical


optics (mirage effect).
• IPhO-1994-Pr1: A nice problem on ultrarelativistic particles.
• IPhO-1995-Pr1-PartC: A small exercise on relativistic dynam-
ics.
• IPhO-1995-Pr2: A somewhat mathematical problem on geo-
metrical optics.
• IPhO-1998-Pr3: A simple relativistic analysis of a nice astro-
physical effect.
• IPhO-2003-Pr3-PartA: A challenging problem on relativistic
dynamics.
• IPhO-2016-Pr3: A good exercise on relativistic dynamics.
• IPhO-2018-Pr2: ATLAS detector - exercises on relativistic dy-
namics.

From Asian Physics Olympiads (APhO):

• APhO-2007-Pr1-PartA: A nice problem on negative coefficient


of refraction.
• APhO-2007-Pr3-PartB: An exercise for mastering relativistic
dynamics.
• APhO-2014-Pr3: On gravitational lenses.

From Physics Cup:

• Physics Cup 2012 - Pr7: A really challenging problem on geo-


metrical optics.
• Physics Cup 2012 - Pr9: On relativistic inelastic scattering.

13
• Physics Cup 2017 - Pr4: Another challenging problem on geo-
metrical optics constructions.
• Physics Cup 2018 - Pr2: Relativistic space ships.

From Estonian-Finnish Olympiads:

• Est-Fin-2006-Pr2: Tests your insight to geometrical optics.


• Est-Fin-2012-Pr6: A problem about uranium decay and heat
balance.
• Est-Fin-2013-Pr9: Another problem for testing your skills in
geometrical optics.

14
Physics Problems SELECTED BY [Link]

Kinematics

• NAME : MINIMISATION
• Problem Name: IPhO 2012 T1
• Rating: 2
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 2
• Description: Minimizing the path of a projectile moving through
a sphere.

Physics Cup 2012 P1

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 3
• Length: 2
• Description: NA

Physics Cup 2019 P3

• Rating: 2
• Difficulty: 3
• Length: 3
• Description: NA

EuPhO 2019 T3

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 3
• Length: 1
• Description: NA

15
Mechanics

• Problem Name: NBPhO 2019 P7


• Rating: 2
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 1
• Description: Dominoes on Stairs: Calculating the terminal
speed of falling dominos.

IPhO 2003 P1

• Rating: 2
• Difficulty: 4
• Length: 4
• Description: A Swing with a Falling Weight: Analysis of a
swing’s rotational motion in various situations

NBPhO 2017 P4

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 1
• Description: Gravitational Waves: Estimating locations of
binary black boles by modelling stress and strain

USAPhO 2018 B3

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 1
• Length: 2
• Description: Poynting–Robertson Effect: Developing a sim-
ple model for the time for Dust Particles to be cleared of orbit

16
INPhO 2020 P5

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 2
• Description: Bullet in a Rod: A relatively standard but good
practice for problems on rotational collision

CPhO 2018 P3

• Rating: 2
• Difficulty: 3
• Length: 4
• Description: Rotating rod collision: Using conservation laws
and newton’s force equations to analyse the motion of a rod
under gravity when a projectile embeds in it

IPhO 1995 T3

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 2
• Description: Cylindrical Buoy: Modelling pertubations in a
buoy floating on sea-water

USAPhO 2019 B3

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 2
• Description: Pitfall: A good exercise using all areas of Clas-
sical mechanics to analyse the motion of a falling constrained
rod with masses at its ends

17
APhO 2010 T1

• Rating: 1
• Difficulty: 1
• Length: 1
• Description: NA

GPhO 2016 T1

• Rating: 2
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 2
• Description: Stabilizing unstable states: A good exercise
on rotational motion and provides insight into the working of
Kapitza’s pendulum

USAPhO 2017 B1

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 2
• Description: Dominoes on Table : Toppling of dominoes; En-
ergy lost in collision; Propagation speed of falling Dominoes.

USAPhO 2017 A1

• Rating: 2
• Difficulty: 1
• Length: 1
• Description: Two Wedges : Statics problem on two Wedges.
Can be solved elegantly using geometry.

18
EuPhO 2020 T2

• Rating: 4
• Difficulty: 3
• Length: 1
• Description: NA

19
Electricity & Magnetism

USAPhO 2012 B2

• Rating: 2
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 2
• Description: Magnetic Monopole: Generalizing Gauss’s Law
to apply on hypothetical magnetic monopoles. Introduces neat
techniques to calculate flux.

INPhO 2015 P2

• Rating: 2
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 2
• Description: Electrostatic Shielding: Understanding the na-
ture of electrostatic forces on uncharged spherical conductor by
point charges in various situations.

INPhO 2020 P2

• Rating: 2
• Difficulty: 1
• Length: 1
• Description: The Feynman Disk Paradox: Analogous to the
well-known disk paradox; Analyzes the torque produced due to
electromagnetic induction in charged cylinder.

20
CPhO 2018 P4

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 4
• Length: 4
• Description: Ioffe-Pritchard Magnetic Trap: Model of a fa-
mous magnetic trap used to trap atoms and uses calculation
of magnetic fields and binding energy requiring clever approx-
imation skills.

IPhO 2010 T1

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 3
• Description: Image Charges: An excellent problem for prac-
tice on image charges. The problem requires having clear fun-
damentals of electrostatics of conductors.

Physics Cup 2020 P1

• Rating: 1
• Difficulty: 1
• Length: 1
• Description: NA

Physics Cup 2017 P1

• Rating: 4
• Difficulty: 4
• Length: 4

21
• Description: Interaction Force: Estimating the interaction
force between a point charge and a circular metallic disc kept far
away using differential form of Gauss’ Law and vector calculus
amongst other higher-order integration techniques.

INPhO 2011 P1

• Rating: 2
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 2
• Description: Electron Escaping a Wire: An excellent problem
describing the parameters in an electron escaping a wire. The
problem requires good knowledge of vector components and
fundamentals to solve.

IPhO 1994 P2

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 3
• Length: 3
• Description: - NA

APhO 2012 T1

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 3
• Length: 3
• Description: - NA

22
Thermodynamics

USAPhO 2011 A4

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 1
• Length: 1
• Description: Stefan Boltzmann Law: Using a simplified model
of electromagnetic radiation and quantum mechanics to derive
the famous law.

INPhO 2013 P7

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 3
• Length: 3
• Description: Brunt-Väisälä Frequency: Using a model of a
balloon in the atmosphere executing Brunt-Väisälä oscillations.

USAAO 2019 P7

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 2
• Description: Black Hole Physics: A nice stellar physics prob-
lem which provides a crude model of black holes using Chan-
drashekar limit and Hawking’s temperature.

23
INPhO 2005 P11

• Rating: 4
• Difficulty: 3
• Length: 3
• Description: Birth of a Star: Estimating the minimum mass a
gaseous hydrogen cloud contracting under gravity should have
to become a star taking into account Pauli’s electron degener-
acy pressure. Has many real-life applications.

IPhO 2014 T2

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 3
• Length: 4
• Description: Van Der Waals: Analysis of non-ideal gas using
Van Der Waals model and application of different concepts like
surface tension using it.

IPhO 1997 T1

• Rating: 2
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 2
• Description: Mountain Physics: Analyzing the movement of
moist air masses moving on through a mountain.

IPhO 1992 T3

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 2

24
• Description: Satellite in Sunshine: A brilliant mix of concep-
tual and calculative analysis on Planck’s radiation law and the
Stefan-Boltzmann’s law.

USAPhO 2019 A2

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 2
• Description: Green Revolution: Investigating a simple ther-
modynamic model for the conversion of solar energy into wind.

APhO 2012 T3

• Rating: 4
• Difficulty: 3
• Length: 3
• Description: - NA

Physics Cup 2018 P5

• Rating: 4
• Difficulty: 5
• Length: 4
• Description: - NA

APhO 2010 T3

• Rating: 4
• Difficulty: 3
• Length: 4
• Description: - NA

25
IPhO 1989 T1

• Rating: 2
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 3

NBPhO 2014 T9

• Rating: 4
• Difficulty: 3
• Length: 3
• Description: - NA

Waves & Optics

USAPhO 2018 B2

• Rating: 1
• Difficulty: 1
• Length: 1
• Description: Telescope Mirror: Using the Uncertainty Prin-
ciple to Estimate Size of Telescope to Observe Distant Stars

INPhO 2020 P4

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 2
• Description: Source in Circular Motion: A lovely problem
requiring detective-like casework on the various possibilities of
the position of wave detectors

26
NBPhO 2012 P1

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 2
• Description: - NA

IPhO 1995 T2

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 3
• Length: 3
• Description: - NA

IPhO 2015 T2(b)

• Rating: 4
• Difficulty: 3
• Length: 2
• Description: - NA

Physics Cup 2012 P0

• Rating: 2
• Difficulty: 3
• Length: 2
• Description: - NA

27
NBPhO 2019 P5

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 2
• Length: 2
• Description: - NA

EuPhO 2020 T3

• Rating: 4
• Difficulty: 4
• Length: 3
• Description: - NA

Modern Physics & Relativity

USAPhO 2017 A4

• Rating: 2
• Difficulty: 1
• Length: 1
• Description: Relativistic Collision: Introduces a clever tech-
nique to model the collision between two subatomic particles
at relativistic speeds and also talks briefly about Cosmic Mi-
crowave Background Radiation.

INPhO 2020 P3

• Rating: 2
• Difficulty: 1
• Length: 2
• Description: Two-Electron Bohr Model: Creating a new Bohr
Model for a two-electron system revolving around a nucleus.

28
Physics Cup 2012 P9

• Rating: 3
• Difficulty: 3
• Length: 3
• Description: Particle Collisions: A problem on an electron
that is given electrical power to collide with a positron to pro-
duce gamma rays.

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