Search

How long would it take to heat the world's oceans to the boiling point? Consider different energy sources, however, only those that are available on Earth (solar radiation counts).

On the surface of Mercury, the atmosphere is approximately as dense as the vacuum tubes at CERN, in which scientists conduct experiments to investigate particle physics. Would it be a good idea to move the experiments to Mercury and perform them on its surface? Mention as many arguments as you can and elaborate on them.

Bonus:: Suggest the best place to build an accelerator.

1. According to definitions by International System of Units, convert these into base units
   • pressure $1 \mathrm{psi}$,
   • energy $1 \mathrm{foot-pound}$,
   • force $1 \mathrm{dyn}$.
2. In the diffraction experiment, table salt's grating constant (edge length of the elementary cell) was measured as $563 \mathrm{pm}$. We also know its density as $2{,}16 \mathrm{g\cdot cm^{-3}}$, and that it crystallizes in a face-centered cubic lattice. Determine the value of the atomic mass unit.
3. A thin rod with a length $l$ and a linear density $\lambda $ lies on a cylinder with a radius $R$ perpendicular to its axis of symmetry. A weight with mass $m$ is placed at each end of the rod so that the rod is horizontal. We carefully increase the mass of one of the weights to $M$. What will be the angle between the rod and the horizontal direction? Assume that the rod does not slide off the cylinder.
4. How would you measure the mass of:
   • an astronaut on ISS,
   • a loaded oil tanker,
   • a small asteroid heading towards Earth?

Which factors influence the height of mountains on different planets? Make an attempt at a quantitative estimate. You can consider the highest mountains on the Earth, Mars, and other known planets.

FYKOS plans to send its own satellite into space. It will be powered by solar cells; hence, it cannot stay in the Earth's shadow for too long. What is the height above the Earth's surface for which the time of the satellite passing through the Earth's shadow is the shortest? In your calculations, assume (same as the organizers did) that the Earth is a perfect sphere, that sunrays close to Earth's surface are parallel, and that the Sun, the Earth and the satellite's trajectory are in the same plane.

Bonus: While solving the problem, you will encounter an analytically unsolvable equation. Do not use online solvers, but try to create your own solution.

Two aliens each live on their own space station. The stations are in free space and the distance between them is $L$. When one alien wants to visit the other, he has to board his non-relativistic rocket and fly to his neighbor. What is the shortest time an alien can spend on its way there and back? The mass of the rocket with fuel is $m$, without fuel $m_0$. The exhaust velocity is $u$. The fuel flow is arbitrary, and his neighbor won't let him load any fuel (he has little himself).

Imagine there is a comet that threatens the Earth once a generation, just when it is in the perihelion. What is the distance between the Earth and such a comet when the comet is in its aphelion? What is the length of the semi-major axis and the orbital eccentricity of the comet's trajectory? Do not consider gravitational influences other than from the Sun, and assume that one generation is $g = 20 \mathrm{years}$.

On average, what part of the day does a satellite in low orbit spend in the shadow of Earth? Assume that the satellite's orbit is circular and lies in the ecliptic plane at height $H = R/10$ above the surface of Earth, where $R$ is the mean radius of Earth.

Come up with as many physics reasons as possible on why an asteroid might have a higher temperature than its surroundings.

How could artificial gravity be implemented on a spaceship? What would be the advantages and disadvantages depending on the different characteristics of the spacecraft? Is it realistic to have gravity in different directions on different floors of the spaceship or for it to change rapidly, as we can sometimes see in sci-fi movies when „artificial gravity fails“?