IB Physics Engineering Mechanics

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A tutorial sheet of questions for the engineering physics topic is given below.

  1. A uniform spherical shell of mass M has an inner radius a and an outer radius b. Find the moment of inertia of the shell about an axis through its centre.
  2. What is the difference between torque and work done by a force?
  3. Does the angular momentum of a spinning object always have the same direction as its angular velocity?
  4. A disc of moment of inertia 3I has angular velocity ⍵ about its axis in a horizontal plane. Another disc of moment of inertia I is placed from a state of rest on the first disc with their axes coincident. After a short time both discs have a common angular velocity. Find the kinetic energy "lost" in this interaction. Where does it go?

HSC Physics Cavity Resonance Measurement of the Speed of Light

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Some questions on the measurement of the speed of electromagnetic waves using standing waves in a cylindrical metal cavity are given below. The method is that of Essen and Gordon-Smith (1947).

  1. How can a cylindrical cavity have a resonant frequency?
  2. Essen and Gordon-Smith (1947) state the following equation for the speed of electromagnetic waves in an evacuated cylindrical cavity. What do the symbols mean?