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PHYSICS SOCIETY Hey! Hey! Welcome to Welcome to our cohort!!!! our cohort!!!! =) =) Ahem* It is said *Ahem* It is said that you are a =) =) Physics major if You You claim claim that that due due to to your your precise precise determination determination of of momentum, momentum, and and di di t Hi b Hi b according according to to Heisenberg, Heisenberg, your your homework homework could could be be ANYWHERE!!! ANYWHERE!!! You You have have no no life life… and and you you can can PROVE PROVE it it mathematically mathematically. *swt swt* You’ll You’ll assume assume a chicken chicken to to be be a sphere sphere – it’s it’s easier easier math! math! You You can can solve solve the the wave wave equation, equation, but but you you can’t can’t calculate calculate your your total total school school fees fees You You cross cross roads roads at at an an angle angle it it shortens shortens your your walk walk to to class, class, Eh Eh eh eh… don’t decide … don’t decide such things based on such things based on Eh Eh eh eh… don’t decide … don’t decide such things based on such things based on doesn’t doesn’t it? it? On On failing failing a simple simple domestic domestic task task and and being being told, told, “it’s “it’s not not rocket rocket science!!”, science!!”, you you reply,” reply,” if if it it was, was, I WOULD WOULD be be able able to to do do it!” it!” such things based on such things based on hearsay! You’re about hearsay! You’re about to find out its truth!! to find out its truth!! Read on… =) Read on… =) such things based on such things based on hearsay! You’re about hearsay! You’re about to find out its truth!! to find out its truth!! Read on… =) Read on… =)

PHYSICS SOCIETYphyweb.physics.nus.edu.sg/~physoc/images/km09/booklet4.pdf · v) NUS offers experience that can look good in my resume [5] What would be the best virtue in your opinion?

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Page 1: PHYSICS SOCIETYphyweb.physics.nus.edu.sg/~physoc/images/km09/booklet4.pdf · v) NUS offers experience that can look good in my resume [5] What would be the best virtue in your opinion?

PHYSICSSOCIETYCIETY

Hey! Hey! Welcome to Welcome to

our cohort!!!! our cohort!!!! =)=)

Ahem* It is said *Ahem* It is said that you are a =)=) y

Physics major if…

�� YouYou claimclaim thatthat duedue toto youryour preciseprecisedeterminationdetermination ofof momentum,momentum, andand

didi tt H i bH i baccordingaccording toto Heisenberg,Heisenberg, youryourhomeworkhomework couldcould bebe ANYWHERE!!!ANYWHERE!!!

�� YouYou havehave nono lifelife…… andand youyou cancan PROVEPROVEitit mathematicallymathematically.. **swtswt**

�� You’llYou’ll assumeassume aa chickenchicken toto bebe aaspheresphere –– it’sit’s easiereasier math!math!

�� YouYou cancan solvesolve thethe wavewave equation,equation, butbutyouyou can’tcan’t calculatecalculate youryour totaltotal schoolschool feesfees

�� YouYou crosscross roadsroads atat anan angleangle ––itit shortensshortens youryour walkwalk toto class,class,

Eh Eh eheh… don’t decide … don’t decide such things based onsuch things based onEh Eh eheh… don’t decide … don’t decide

such things based onsuch things based on

yy ,,doesn’tdoesn’t it?it?

�� OnOn failingfailing aa simplesimple domesticdomestic tasktask andandbeingbeing told,told, “it’s“it’s notnot rocketrocket science!!”,science!!”,youyou reply,”reply,” ifif itit was,was, II WOULDWOULD bebe ableabletoto dodo it!”it!”such things based on such things based on

hearsay! You’re about hearsay! You’re about to find out its truth!! to find out its truth!!

Read on… =)Read on… =)

such things based on such things based on hearsay! You’re about hearsay! You’re about to find out its truth!! to find out its truth!!

Read on… =)Read on… =)

Page 2: PHYSICS SOCIETYphyweb.physics.nus.edu.sg/~physoc/images/km09/booklet4.pdf · v) NUS offers experience that can look good in my resume [5] What would be the best virtue in your opinion?

And what do we have here (Contents) ··········································· 2

Welcome (Introduction to the department =p) ······························ 3

Testing testing (Physic conceptual questions) ······························ 5

Orientation!!! (Poster) ································································· 6

Personality test ············································································· 7

Tallying Your Scores (Score sheet for personality test) ··············· 9

And you are a… (Results of Personality test) ··························· 10

Answers and Explanations (to Physics questions) ······················ 11

Physoc’s Top 10! ········································································ 12

Nothing in life is to be feared,

it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less. No, no, you’re not

thinking… you’re merely being logical.

A perfection of means, and a confusion of

aims, seems to be our main problem.

It doesn’t matter how beautiful your theory is, it doesn’t matter how smart you are. If it doesn’t

agree with experiment, it’s wrong!

Wonderful Physicists said these… can you

guess who?

Hint hint: Hmmm… Marie

curie was pretty wonderful.

So was Albert Einstein,

Richard Feynman and Neil’s

Bohr.

Page 2 of 12 Physics Society 2009

Page 3: PHYSICS SOCIETYphyweb.physics.nus.edu.sg/~physoc/images/km09/booklet4.pdf · v) NUS offers experience that can look good in my resume [5] What would be the best virtue in your opinion?

��

����

On�your�first�day�of�school…�You�alight�at�the�science�bus�stop�(LT27�bus�stop)�and�set�off�to�find�your�LT.�And…�you�realize�that�science�faculty�isn’t�as�small�as�you�thought�it�was.�

On�your�first�day�of�lab…�You�realize�that�science�really�isn’t�as�small�as�you�thought�it�was…�and�that�the�physics�department�seems�rather�far,�and�forsaken,�and�a�bit�old…�=(�

On�your�first�day�of�tutorial…�You�realize�that�you�are�officially…�lost!��

�� This� short� introduction� to� the� physics� department� attempts� to� avoid� all� these�unfortunate� events� by…� telling� you� beforehand� that� Science� is� rather� big,� and� the� Physics�department�might� look� a� little� –� only� a� little� –� old,� and� is� relatively� quieter� than� the� more�“happening”�places�of�science.�But�oh�well,�this�is�your�department�for�the�next�four�years.�=)�� The�Physics�department�is�made�up,�primarily,�of�three�blocks:�S11�to�S13.�S15,�which�is�the�block�for�Quantum�Information�Technology�(QIT)�is�technically�also�part�of�the�department.�However,�it�is�a�block�that�is�of�hardly�any�consequence�to�you�now,�and�hence,�will�be�left�out�of�this�article.�Our�department�is�located�towards�the�further�end�of�Science�–�about�a�mere�5�minute� walk� from� Yusof� Isyhak� House� (YIH).� So,� if� you’re� to� attend� lab� sessions� or� tutorials,�alight�after�the�LT27�bus�stop.�The�layout�of�the�blocks�is�as�such…��Level�2�is�the�most�used�and�is�considered�the�“common”�1�level.�At�all�levels,�S11,�S12�and�S13�meet� at� a� cross� rode� with� an� elevator� somewhere� beside� S11.� At� level� two,� there’s� also� a�water� cooler� –� the� only� one� in� the� whole� of� Physics� department� actually� =p.� Opposite� the�elevator� is� the� Physoc� notice� board,� which� we� shall� come� to� in� a� minute.� But� for� now,� I’ll�answer�your�question�of�how�do� I�get� to� the�weird�crossroad�thingy� from�the�bus�stop� (bus�stop�AFTER�LT27�that�is)?��� There�are�two�ways.�The�first�is�to�walk�uphill.�Following�the�path,�you�will�come�across�a�left�turn.�Taking�that�turn�and�entering�through�the�glass�door��will�lead�you�to�S12�at�level�2.�Continue�on�till�you�reach�another�glass�door,�and�you’re�at� the�crossroad!�The�second� is� to�

������������������������������������������������������������1�In�NUS,�common�levels�are�said�to�connect�all�the�blocks�of�NUS,�and�they�are�distinguishable�by� their�yellow�ceiling.�Hence,� if�you� follow�the�yellow�ceiling,�you�ought� to�be�able� to�walk�from�Science�all� the�way�to�Arts,� to�Business!�For�S11�S13� itself,�all� floors�connect� the�three�buildings.�But�to�cross�over�to�some�other�random�S�building�of�Science,�you�ought�to�go�to�level�2,�the�official�common�floor.�

Physics Society 2009 Page 3 of 12

Page 4: PHYSICS SOCIETYphyweb.physics.nus.edu.sg/~physoc/images/km09/booklet4.pdf · v) NUS offers experience that can look good in my resume [5] What would be the best virtue in your opinion?

walk�downhill�from�the�path,�and�turn�right…�and�right�again.�You’ll�reach�the�elevator�at�level�one.�If�you�use�the�elevator�to�get�to�level�two,�you’d�get�to�the�much�talked�of�crossroad!�� Your�labs�will�be�at�level�four.�The�whole�of�S12�(4th�level�only)�is�your�year�1�laboratory.�Tutorials� are� normally� held� at� S13� level� 4.� Tutorial� rooms� are� smalllll…� so� be� prepared� to�squeeze!��� Are�there�any�short�cuts�from�the�LT27�bus�stop/science�canteen/the�more�happening�places�of�science�to�the�physics�department,�you�ask?�Sure�there� is!�And�thank�God�there� is�too,�because,�firstly,�FOOD�is�far�from�Physics�department,�and�secondly,�because�most�of�the�LTs�are�rather�far.��� Ah…�I�shall�not�detail�out�the�path�so�as�to�not�bore�you.�Just�try�following�the�path.�=)�You’ll�get�the�hang�of�it�soon�enough.�When�unsure,�come�to�Physoc!�We’ll�show�you�the�way!�� One�extraordinary�thing�about�the�Physics�department�is�that�there’s�a�mezzanine�level!�There’s�actually�a�level�between�level�1�and�level�2.�And�so,�if�you�see�S13M01�or�something�of�that�sort,�it�means�room�01�of�the�mezzanine�level�of�S13.�The�Physics�department�office�is�o�the�mezzanine�level�of�S11.�Unlike�the�rest�of�levels,�the�mezzanine�level�is�not�common�–�that�is,�you�can’t�get�to�S13�mezzanine�level�from�the�mezzanine�level�of�S12.��� Amongst�the�other�rooms/facilities�we�have� in�the�Physics�department� is�the�resource�room,� level�2�of�S12�and�conference�room�at� the�mezzanine� level�of�S13.�Physoc�uses� these�two�rooms�quite�a�bit.�We�have�various�labs�as�well,�including�a�computer�lab�on�the�4th�level�of�S13.�Physics�department�also�has�an�on�site�library�with�rather�amazing�books�and�couches�even!�This� library�is� in�your�1st�year�lab�itself…�=)�Hence,�those�who�stay�far�from�school�and�have�time�between�their�classes�can�hang�out�there�if�they�dislike�hanging�out�in�the�science�library.��� Of�course,�the�most�interesting�room�of�all�is…�*drum�roll*�Physoc!�On�the�second�level�of� S13,� it,� unfortunately,� is� a� small� room,� sandwiched� between� two� tutor� offices.� Physoc�consists� of� 14� committee� members� with� the� rest� of� the� Physics� cohort� (hopefully)� being�members.�We�exist�to�look�out�for�the�welfare�of�the�Physics�major.�We�also�attempt�to�bridge�the� gap� between� staff� and� students� by� hosting� events.� Admittedly,� we� have� not� done�extremely�well,�but�we’re�trying�where�we�can.�=)�Hence,�do�drop�by�if�you�have�any�queries,�any�problems�and�any�complains.�We’re�willing�to�help�over�anything,�from�finding�your�way�around,�to�any�admin/logistics�stuff,�to�even�just�a�need�for�a�listening�year.�We�can’t�promise�that� we’ll� be� able� to� solve� anything� satisfactorily,� but� we� will� try� to� help� where� we’re� able.�That,�we�promise.�� Moving�on�from�ourselves,�we�try�to�fulfill�one�of�our�tasks�here�in�this�very�article…�that�is�to�intro�you�to�the�staff.�In�your�first�year,�you�have�4�compulsory�physics�modules�and�two�compulsory�math�modules.�In�your�first�semester,�you’ll�be�doing�PC1141,�PC1142�and�in�your�second�sem,�PC1143�and�PC1144.�Here�are�short�descriptions�of�each�module�and�the�lecturer�taking�them.��

Page 4 of 12 Physics Society 2009

Page 5: PHYSICS SOCIETYphyweb.physics.nus.edu.sg/~physoc/images/km09/booklet4.pdf · v) NUS offers experience that can look good in my resume [5] What would be the best virtue in your opinion?

1. When�an�object�attached�to�a�string�is�undergoing�circular�motion….��

2. �

3. The�earth�takes�24�hours�to�complete�a�spin�on�its�axis,�and�365�¼�days�to�make�a�complete�revolution�around�the�sun.�How�many�complete�spins�on�its�axis�does�the�earth�make�in�1�(normal)�year?�i)� 364�days� ii)� 365�days� iii)�366�days� iv)� I�dunno…�=(��

4. �

��

5. A�10cm�by�10cm�by�10cm�block�of�ice�is�immersed�in�a�beaker�of�water.�It�floats�with�1cm�above�the�surface�of�the�water.�If�the�block�is�removed�and�1�cm�of�its�height�is�shaved�off,�how�many�cm�above�the�surface�of�the�water�would�the�block�be�when�it�is�re�immersed�in�water?��

Levi�expresses�the�strength�of�his�jeans with�two�horses�attempting�to�pull�the�jeans�apart.�Suppose�Levi�had�only�one�horse�instead�of�two.�Tying�the�other�end�of�the�jeans�to�a�fence�would…�

i) Cut�the�tension�on�the�pants�by�one�half.��ii) Not�change�the�tension�on�the�pants�at�all.��iii) Double�the�tension�on�the�pants.�iv) Result�in�horse�pulling�with�half�the�force�that�

the�fencepost�exerts.�v) Reduce�the�possibility�of�splitting�the�pants.�

In�this�position�(below),�the�Tension,�Weight�and�Centripetal�force�will�be�pointing�in�the�directions�shown�

T� FCentripetal�

mg�

Which�directions�would�the�3�forces�be�pointing�in�when�the�object�is�in�the�position�above?�

A

B�

mg�

2mg�

�=30��

Two� blocks� are� on� a� frictionless� smooth�plane�as�shown�in�the�diagram�to�the�right.�If�the�tension�in�the�string�connecting�A�to�B�is�0,�what�would�the�tension�in�the�string�be�if�the�positions�of�A�and�B�were�swapped?�

A taste of uni-like Physics conceptual

questions… =)

Dizzy dizzy… =(

Physics Society 2009 Page 5 of 12

Page 6: PHYSICS SOCIETYphyweb.physics.nus.edu.sg/~physoc/images/km09/booklet4.pdf · v) NUS offers experience that can look good in my resume [5] What would be the best virtue in your opinion?

Page 6 of 12 Physics Society 2009

Page 7: PHYSICS SOCIETYphyweb.physics.nus.edu.sg/~physoc/images/km09/booklet4.pdf · v) NUS offers experience that can look good in my resume [5] What would be the best virtue in your opinion?

[1] What’s your favourite animal of this list? i) Dolphin ii) Owl iii) Squirrel

iv) Dog v) Swan

[2] What’s the first thing you think of when your alarm clock rings in the morning? i) Zzzzzz… ii) Start planning your day in bed

iii) Hmmm… what was I dreaming about? iv) Random thing about life…

v) People (who I’m going to meet… anyone)

[3] Who do you admire most in this list? i) Mother Theresa ii) Maxim iii) Princess Diana

iv) Bill Gates v) None of the above

[4] What do you look for when you come to NUS? i) Exposure and experience that will help mature me

ii) ? I need to study… =( iii) Eh… it just happened. No particular reason

iv) My friends were all going to NUS and to meet new people!

v) NUS offers experience that can look good in my resume

[5] What would be the best virtue in your opinion? i) Responsibility ii) Kindness

iii) Acceptance of people/Forgiveness iv) Wisdom

v) Ability to let go of situations and move on

[6] Which below would be the wish you would prefer to make? i) Peace and quietness… ii) Happiness

iii) Less pain in the world iv) Things will fall into place in your future

v) Prosperity

[7] When you meet an acquaintance whom you’ve not met in a long time, you… i) Pretend to not see him/her ii) Nod back if he acknowledges first

iii) Smile politely and nod at him iv) Wave like madddd

v) It depends on how close of an “acquaintance” he/she is

[8] Amongst the areas in your life, what do you value most? i) The mental part – ability to think ii) My social life!!!

iii) My achievements iv) The physical part – sports, activities and such

v) My emotional part – emotions are extremely valuable

Physics Society 2009 Page 7 of 12

Page 8: PHYSICS SOCIETYphyweb.physics.nus.edu.sg/~physoc/images/km09/booklet4.pdf · v) NUS offers experience that can look good in my resume [5] What would be the best virtue in your opinion?

[9] Which body organ would you be most afraid to lose? i) Eyes ii) Mouth

iii) Erm… I’m not sure iv) Hands

v) Brain (as in ability to think like Alzheimer disease and losing your mind)

[10] When you’re frustrated with something/someone, which of the following is what you’d most

likely do? i) Talk it out and deal with it head-on

ii) Not say anything/bash your head on the wall

iii) Mention it cursorily/make references iv) I’ve never really been all that frustrated

v) You spend a lot more time thinking about ways to bring it up

[11] When panicking, what would your reaction most likely be? i) Panic? How does that feel like?

ii) Make yourself busy, just move around and do anything you can

iii) *blank* - you don’t, and can’t, do anything

iv) Think of the best way to respond to the situation v) Scream

[12] Which situation will throw you into a panic attack? i) Being all alone ii) Crowds of people and lack of space

iii) Things not going according to plan in an event

iv) Panic again? I’m not sure what you’re speaking of

v) An unknown situation, lack of knowledge and control – not knowing how to respond

[13] What would you pay most attention to at a book? i) Condition of the book ii) Content of the book

iii) Size of the words iv) Er, what’s there to pay attention to?

v) Language

[14] You prefer mingling with people who are…? i) Similar to you in terms of personality ii) You prefer a variety of friends

iii) People who listen and agree with you

iv) People who aren’t picky and constantly stressed

v) People who really listen and respond according to their own beliefs

[15] Which area of physics intrigues you the most? i) Quantum Mechanics ii) Relativity

iii) Thermodynamics iv) Kinematics and Dynamics

v) Electromagnetism

Page 8 of 12 Physics Society 2009

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AB

CD

E

1iv

)i)

v)iii

)ii)

2iii

)v)

ii)i)

iv)

3v)

iii)

ii)iv

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iv)

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iii)

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iv)

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iii)

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Physics Society 2009 Page 9 of 12

Page 10: PHYSICS SOCIETYphyweb.physics.nus.edu.sg/~physoc/images/km09/booklet4.pdf · v) NUS offers experience that can look good in my resume [5] What would be the best virtue in your opinion?

To�all�the�A(s)…��You’re an introvert. While we all believe that no man is an island, you find that it’d be nice if people would give you more time and space. You’re perfectly happy sitting in your room alone, doing your own things; if people occupy too much of your time, you find that you yourself are crowded out of your own life. =( If�you�have�visited�Physoc�(and�if�you�haven’t�you�should,�S12�02�08),�you’d�note�that� the� room� is� realllllllyyyyy� tiny.� We� fit� 14� people� in� there� every� meeting.�Gosh,�it’d�be�nice�to�have�a�quiet�one�once�in�a�while…�=)�You’d�fit�perfectly.�Do�come!��

To�all�the�B(s)…��You’re an extremely friendly person. Bubbly and always at the center of attention, you have many friends and many more acquaintances. You would do much to see people happy, leading you yourself, often, to be the source of their joy. Warm�people�are�extremely�necessary!�Who’d�break�–�or�melt,� if�you� like�–�all�the�ice,�if�not?�You�are�most�welcomed�into�physoc…�It’s�a�damp,�cold�–�freezing�almost�–�place…�mostly�cuz�the�air�conditioning�is�always�turned�on�to�full�blast.�But,�all�the�same…..�=p��

To�all�the�C(s)…��You’re a perfectionist. You absolutely hate things that are out of place and not going in the way you plan it to. You’re great at organizing and getting things done. You might be at loggerheads with the carefree person though, and would avoid him at all costs were you doing a group project that affects your grades. =) Which� committee� would� pass� up� on� having� a� person� who� gets� things� done?�What� more� a� person� who� gets� them� done� perfectly?!� Physoc� would� definitely�appreciate�your�contribution!�Do�join�us�in�our�coming�semester�and�help�us�get�things�perfectly�in�place.��

To�all�the�D(s)…��You’re a carefree person. You’re a person who sets your own pace and are not easily disturbed by the things going on around you. You keep your cool and often reduce tension amongst people. It’s relaxing to hang around you… though, of course, the more driven people might find it difficult to cope with you. There’s�almost�more�to�do�and�more�to�stress�out�over�in�our�little�Physoc�room.�Having� a� calming� and� relaxing� person� who’s� carefree� might� help� lighten� the�atmosphere�in�Physoc.�Do�come�by�and�absorb�us�into�your�no�stress�pace.�=)���

To�all�the�E(s)…��You’re a reflective person. Generally rather quiet on the outside, you are a rather troubled person. Seeing things that people sometimes miss, drawing implications that seem to be inconsequential to others, you are generally more appreciative of both the emotional and mental sides of things…. And often, the hard unyielding line between the two never seem clear enough to others. At�the�pace�we�are�often�moving�in,�Physoc�can�never�get�too�much�of�a�person�who�stops� to� think�and�realizes� the� implications�of� their�actions.�We�would�be�more� than� happy� to� have� a� person� who� seriously� think� through� about� the�implications�of�our�plans�and�take�not�of�the�things�that�we,�the�non�reflective�people�might�miss.�

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*Ahem* =P Excuse the lame attempt of publicizing

Physoc.

Do stop by, however Orientation is on the 5th of August, from 1pm till 5pm. As for the AGM, we’ll keep you posted. Besides, Physoc tries

(rather hard) to extend out of merely the committee, so

even if you’re not interested in running for

committee and stuff, or you want to try and settle down in university life before you

start any committee-running-business, come

anyway. We’re more than interested to know how we can involve you in Physoc. The main aim of Physoc is, after all, to cater to the needs of Physics majors – you that is! We’re open to

suggestions….

Ps: The last question was just for fun. I’m not sure if

our preference for Physics is dependent on our

personality.

Editor’s�notes…�

Page 10 of 12 Physics Society 2009

Page 11: PHYSICS SOCIETYphyweb.physics.nus.edu.sg/~physoc/images/km09/booklet4.pdf · v) NUS offers experience that can look good in my resume [5] What would be the best virtue in your opinion?

� �

� �

1) All�three�forces�will�be�pointing�downward,�into�the�centre�of�the�circle.�

�Does�this�bother�you?�=)�If�it�doesn’t�you�can�skip�to�the�next�question.�If� it� does…� you� need� only� remember� that�centripetal�force�is�the�net�force.�Hence…��i) Equilibrium� of� forces� is� NOT� nullified.� In� the�

first�case,�T� is�bigger�than,�and�in�the�opposite�direction� from� mg.� In� this� second� case,� T� and�mg�are�in�the�same�direction.�In�both�cases�the�net�force�points�toward�the�centre�of�the�circle�

ii) The�net�force�only�changes�the�direction�of�the�block.� It� is� never� strong� enough� (if� circular�motion�does�exist)�to�cause�the�block�to�drop.

Physics

T mg

FCentripetal�

2) Tension�will�still�be�0.��Because� there’s� no� friction� on� either�blocks,� the� only� force� governing� their�motion�comes�from�g�(acceleration�due�to�gravity),�which� is�a�constant.�Due�to�the� incline,� a� =� g� sin� �,� for� both� the�blocks.� Having� the� same� acceleration�and� initial� velocity� ensures� the� same�displacement.�It�follows�that�there’d�be�no� tension� although� the� weight�component� and� net� force� acting� on�both�A�and�B�are�different.��

4) Answer:�ii)�Not�change�the�tension�on�the�pants�at�all.��

Every�action�has�an�equal�and�opposite�reaction.�Hence� the� action� of� the� horse� on� the� pants�merits� an� equal� and� opposite� reaction� between�the�pants�and�the�horse.�Tension�along�a�body�is�constant� and� thus,� there� exists� a� tension�between� the� pants� and� the� fence.� By� Newton’s�Third� Law,� the� fence� acts� on� the� pants� with� the�same� force.� That� would� render� it� similar� to� two�horses�pulling�on�it!�

5) 0.9�cm�Because� the� volume� of� ice� is� decreased� by� 10%,� the� weight� and�required� buoyant� force� decreases� by� 10%.� Because� the� buoyant�force� depends� on� the� volume� of� water� displaced� (volume� of� ice�immersed)� and� the� area� of� ice� immersed� cannot� be� decreased,�hence� the� height� of� ice� immersed� decreases� by� 10%.� Therefore,�only�0.9x9cm�=�8.1cm�of�ice�is�immersed�in�water�and�9cm��8.1cm�=�0.9cm�of�ice�above�surface�of�water.�

180��

360��

3) Answer:�(iii)�366�days��In� 365� ¼� days,� the� earth� makes� 365�complete�spins�about�its�axis.�However,�taking� 24�hour� snap� shots� of� the� Earth�and�the�Sun�would�show�us�the�Earth�at�different�points�in�its�orbit�but�with�the�same� side� facing� Earth!� Thus� it� can� be�seen� that� this� same� side� of� the� earth�(since� the� sides� are� arbitrary,� that�means� all� the� sides� of� the� earth…� and�hence,� the� earth� as� a� whole)� makes� a�360�� turn� –� an� extra� “spin”� about� its�axis.�

=

Physics Society 2009 Page 11 of 12

Page 12: PHYSICS SOCIETYphyweb.physics.nus.edu.sg/~physoc/images/km09/booklet4.pdf · v) NUS offers experience that can look good in my resume [5] What would be the best virtue in your opinion?

You can’t honestly be a Physics major

without knowing…. At least 10 ways to knowing…. A l a ay

utilize Physics in daily life!!!!!

Some guy: Hey… do you believe in fate?You: Actually… I don’t. I’m sorry… but

with the discovery of quantum mechanics whichh leavess uss inn thee stickyy situationn off

Spoil a pick-up line…

Confessing your love… 10

6

which leaves us in the sticky situation of being unable to predict the final outcomes

even when you do know all the initial conditions… I mean if it doesn’t work in

the lab, why’d it work in life?!

7

��� �(say it aloud and you’ll

get it.)

Mom: Clean up your room!!!You: But mom… that’s

going against the 2nd law of thermodynamics!

Upon being hit by a falling apple, you exclaim aloud,

“Phew… aren’t I lucky that kinetic energy is only half

of mv square.

3

7

2

Bring a bottle of Coke and Panadol into class. Caution: You’ll have a sticky face at

the end of it all.

Impress people

When being viva-ed(you’ll understand what

that is in your lab sessions)) byy yourr yearr 44

Annoying seniors8 9

4

sessions) by your year 4 seniors, remember that

your main source of error in the lab is God. If

He wills it to fail, it fails. =p

Setting aside time for…

5

1Physoc orientation! Understanding the

nature of time reminds you that you can’t be at two places at one time so… block out these 4 hours early on! Refer to page 6 inside for

details! =p

1