Q4
(a) Consider the diagram below with a water flow rate Q. Derive the expression for Q in terms of the difference in the manometer heights h and the cross-section areas A₁ and A₂ : 15 marks (b) Discuss the phenomenon of Fraunhofer diffraction at a single slit and show that the intensities of successive maxima are nearly in the ratio 1 : 4/9π² : 4/25π² : 4/49π² 20 marks (c) Two spaceships approach each other, both moving with same speed as measured by a stationary observer on the Earth. Their relative speed is 0·7c. Determine the velocity of each spaceship as measured by the stationary observer on the Earth. 15 marks
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
(a) नीचे दिए गए आरेख पर विचार कीजिए, जिसमें Q जल-प्रवाह दर है। दाबमापी (मैनोमीटर) की ऊँचाइयों में अंतर h तथा अनुप्रस्थ-काट क्षेत्रफलों A₁ और A₂ के सापेक्ष Q के मान के लिए व्यंजक व्युत्पन्न कीजिए : 15 (b) एकल स्लिट फ्रॉनहोफर विवर्तन की परिघटना पर चर्चा कीजिए और दर्शाइए कि क्रमिक उच्चिष्ठ की तीव्रताओं का लगभग अनुपात है 1 : 4/9π² : 4/25π² : 4/49π² 20 (c) दो अंतरिक्ष-यान एक-दूसरे के पास पहुँच रहे हैं। पृथ्वी पर एक स्थिर प्रेक्षक द्वारा मापा जाता है कि दोनों एक ही गति से गतिमान हैं। उनकी सापेक्ष गति 0·7c है। पृथ्वी पर स्थित प्रेक्षक द्वारा मापे गए प्रत्येक अंतरिक्ष-यान के वेग का निर्धारण कीजिए। 15
Directive word: Derive
This question asks you to derive. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.
See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.
How this answer will be evaluated
Approach
Begin with a concise introduction linking the three phenomena—fluid dynamics, wave optics, and relativistic kinematics—as exemplars of classical and modern physics. Allocate approximately 30% of effort to part (a) deriving the Venturi flow rate, 40% to part (b) discussing Fraunhofer diffraction with intensity derivation, and 30% to part (c) solving the relativistic velocity transformation. For (b), note that 'discuss' requires qualitative explanation before the mathematical proof, while (c) demands explicit calculation with proper velocity addition formula.
Key points expected
- Part (a): Apply Bernoulli's equation and continuity equation between the two cross-sections, incorporate the manometer height difference h = (p₁-p₂)/ρg, and derive Q = A₁A₂√(2gh/(A₁²-A₂²))
- Part (b): Explain Fraunhofer diffraction conditions (plane wave, distant screen/lens), derive intensity distribution I(θ) = I₀(sinβ/β)² where β = (πa sinθ)/λ, locate secondary maxima by tanβ = β approximation, and prove the intensity ratio 1 : 4/9π² : 4/25π² : 4/49π²
- Part (c): Apply Einstein velocity addition formula u' = (u-v)/(1-uv/c²), set up equations with v = ±V (Earth frame), relative speed 0.7c, and solve quadratic to obtain V ≈ 0.41c for each spaceship
- Explicit statement of assumptions: incompressible, steady, irrotational flow for (a); far-field approximation, monochromatic source for (b); inertial frames, isotropic c for (c)
- Dimensional verification of final expressions and physical reasonableness checks (e.g., Q→0 as h→0; intensity maxima decrease; V < c always)
Evaluation rubric
| Dimension | Weight | Max marks | Excellent | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concept correctness | 20% | 10 | Correctly identifies Bernoulli-continuity coupling for (a), distinguishes Fresnel vs Fraunhofer regimes and uses correct intensity formula for (b), and applies proper relativistic (not Galilean) velocity transformation for (c); no conceptual conflation between classical and relativistic regimes | Correct core formulas but with minor errors—e.g., uses approximate β locations without justification, or states velocity addition without specifying frame conventions; some confusion about diffraction regimes | Fundamental misconceptions: treats manometer as direct pressure measurement without ρgh relation, uses single-slit interference formula I ∝ cos², or applies simple Galilean addition v_rel = 2V for (c) |
| Derivation rigour | 25% | 12.5 | Stepwise logical flow with explicit justification for each mathematical operation: elimination of velocities v₁, v₂ in (a); Taylor expansion for tanβ ≈ β + β³/3 leading to β ≈ (n+½)π and rigorous intensity evaluation for (b); complete algebraic solution showing quadratic in β = V/c for (c) | Correct final expressions but with gaps—jumps between steps, assumes secondary maxima at exact (n+½)π without derivation, or presents final answer without showing intermediate quadratic solution | Missing critical steps, circular reasoning, or 'proof by assertion'; e.g., states intensity ratio without deriving sinβ/β at approximate maxima, or simply asserts V = 0.35c without velocity addition formula |
| Diagram / FBD | 15% | 7.5 | Clear labeled diagrams: Venturi tube with manometer showing A₁, A₂, h, flow direction and pressure heads; single-slit geometry with incident plane waves, lens, screen showing intensity pattern with central and secondary maxima labeled; no diagram needed for (c) but may include spacetime diagram or velocity vectors | Diagrams present but incompletely labeled—e.g., missing manometer connection points, or intensity sketch without β-axis labeling; adequate but not illuminating | Missing essential diagrams, or seriously flawed—e.g., shows converging not parallel rays for Fraunhofer, omits manometer entirely, or diagrams contradict written derivation |
| Numerical accuracy | 20% | 10 | Precise calculation for (c): sets up (2V)/(1+V²/c²) = 0.7c, solves quadratic V² - (2/0.7c)V + c² = 0 correctly to obtain V = c(1-√(1-0.49))/0.7 ≈ 0.408c or 0.41c; correct arithmetic for intensity coefficients in (b) | Correct method but arithmetic errors—e.g., sign error in quadratic formula giving V > c, or approximate values like 0.4c without derivation; correct ratios but wrong numerical prefactors in intensity expression | Major numerical errors: uses classical addition giving V = 0.35c, or calculation yields unphysical result without comment; incorrect β values leading to wildly wrong intensity ratios |
| Physical interpretation | 20% | 10 | Interprets (a) as Venturi meter principle used in Ganga-Cauvery water management; explains (b) intensity decay via envelope of sinc² function and connects to resolving power of telescopes like AstroSat; discusses (c) relativity of simultaneity and why Galilean result violates causality, with V < c as fundamental limit | Brief physical context for each part without deep insight—mentions 'flow measurement,' 'diffraction pattern,' 'relativistic limit' without elaboration or real-world connection | Purely mathematical treatment with no physical insight; or incorrect interpretations—e.g., claims manometer measures velocity directly, or suggests spaceships can reach c with enough energy |
Practice this exact question
Write your answer, then get a detailed evaluation from our AI trained on UPSC's answer-writing standards. Free first evaluation — no signup needed to start.
Evaluate my answer →More from Physics 2022 Paper I
- Q1 An electron is moving under the influence of a point nucleus of atomic number Z. Show that the orbit of the electron is an ellipse. 10 mark…
- Q2 Consider two frames of reference S and S' having a common origin O. The frame S' is rotating with respect to the fixed frame S with a unifo…
- Q3 (a) A homogeneous right triangular pyramid with the base side $a$ and height $\dfrac{3a}{2}$ is shown below. Obtain the moment of inertia t…
- Q4 (a) Consider the diagram below with a water flow rate Q. Derive the expression for Q in terms of the difference in the manometer heights h…
- Q5 (a) Assume that the Earth's atmosphere is pure nitrogen in thermodynamic equilibrium at a temperature of 300 K. Calculate the height above…
- Q6 (a) Write down Maxwell's equations in a non-conducting medium with constant permeability and susceptibility (ρ = j = 0). Show that E⃗ and B…
- Q7 (a) A metal guitar string with a length of 70 cm vibrates at its fundamental frequency of 246.94 Hz in a uniform magnetic field of 10 T ori…
- Q8 (a) In a partially conducting medium, $\varepsilon_r = 18.5$, $\mu_r = 800$ and $\sigma = 1$ S m⁻¹. Find α, β, η and the velocity u, for a…