Page 1 of 8

MOCK EXAMINATION (CONCOUR TYPE QUESTIONS): PHYSICS PAPER 1 AND 2

PHASE I ENGINEERING CLASSES (POLYTECHNIQUE YAOUNDE, MAROUA AND DOUALA; IUT
DOUALA; ENSPT – SUPP’TIC YAOUNDE)
DURATION: 4 HOURS (2 HOURS EACH)
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:
 THIS QUESTION PAPER COMPRISES PAPER 1 AND PAPER 2 EACH CONSISTING OF FOUR
EXERCISES ALL COMPULSORY.
 ANSWER EACH PAPER ON A SEPARATE SHEET AND SUBMIT DIFFERENTLY
 CANDIDATES ARE ADVISED TO ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS JUSTIFIABLY SHOWING A CLEAR,
ORDERLY AND PRECISE WORKING.
 CALCULATORS ARE ALLOWED

PHYSICS PAPER 1 (MECHANICS AND FIELDS)

EXERCISE 1: MOTION OF A SOLID (5 POINTS)

Friction is assumed to be negligible.

A point solid (S) of mass m is dropped (released) without an initial velocity at A and slides to B along the line of
steepest slope of a plane inclined at an angle α to the horizontal. We let AB = ℓ. The inclined plane connects
tangentially at B to a cylindrical part BC of radius r. (S) then describes an arc of a circle BC, with B and C on the same
horizontal.

For numerical applications we will take: m = 500 g; g = 10 m/s²; r = 2 m; ℓ = 7.07 m; α = 45°.

1. Establish the expression for the norm (magnitude) of the velocity of (S) as it passes through B as a function of ℓ, α
and g. Calculate this speed. 0.75pt
 Page 2 of 8

2. Characterise the velocity vector of the solid (S) at C. 0.50pt

3. Establish as a function of m, g and α, and possibly ℓ and r, the expression for the force exerted by the track on the
moving body at B,

3.1 Assuming that (S) is always on the inclined plane. 0.50pt

3.2 Assuming that (S) is on the arc of a circle. 0.75pt

3.3 Show that this force undergoes a discontinuity in its intensity. Calculate the value of this discontinuity. 0.75pt

4. In the reference frame (Cxy) establish as a function of ℓ and α the equation y = f(x) of the trajectory of (S). 1.00pt

5. At M, the moving body finds the horizontal plane passing through B and C. Express the distance CM as a function
of ℓ and α. distance CM. Perform a numerical application. 0.75pt

EXERCISE 2 (07 POINTS): Motion in a uniform gravitational field.

The two parts of this problem are independent.

Part A - Motion of a satellite.

1. The Earth is assumed to have a spherically symmetric mass distribution with centre O. The effect of the Earth's
rotation is neglected.

1.1 Establish the expression for gravity g(z) created by the Earth at an altitude z from the law of gravitation. 0.50 pt

1.2 Derive the expression for the mass 𝑀𝑇 of the Earth as a function of 𝑔0 , 𝑅𝑇 and G the gravitational constant. 0.50
pt

1.3 Calculate 𝑀𝑇 . 0.50 pt

2. Assume that a satellite of the Earth, assimilated to a material point of mass m, is subject only to the gravitational
force F exerted by the Earth and describes, in the geocentric reference frame, a circular trajectory with centre O.

2.1. Show that the satellite's motion is uniform. 0.50 pt

2.2 Express the velocity V and the period of revolution T of the satellite as a function of 𝑔0 , 𝑅𝑇 , G and z. 0.50 pt

Given data:

 Earth radius: RT = 6,83.106 m

 Gravitational constant: G = 6.67.10 – 11 USI
 Gravitational field on the ground: g0= 9.8 N/kg

Part B - Free fall motion.

A child throws a ball of mass 100g into the sky. The ball leaves his hand 1.5 m above the ground with a velocity of 10
m.s-1. The angle between the velocity vector at the moment of the throw and the horizontal is 45°. Take g = 10 m.s-2.

1. Calculate the kinetic energy of the ball at the instant of the throw in J. 0.50 pt

2. Calculate the speed of the ball at the top of its trajectory. 0.50 pt

3. Calculate the time for which the ball remains in the air at an altitude greater than 1.5 m. 1.00 pt

4. Calculate the horizontal distance travelled by the ball to the ground. 0.50 pt
 Page 3 of 8

EXERCISE 3 Motion of electron in a cross - field (7 points)

An electron of charge q=−1.6 10−19 𝐶 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑚 = 9.1 × 10−31 𝑘𝑔 assimilated to a point mass M moves in a
referential of the laboratory ℛ which is supposed Galilean with a Cartesian reference
(𝑂, 𝑒⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗𝑥 , ⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑒𝑧 )𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝐸⃗ = 𝐸𝑒⃗⃗⃗⃗𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 a magnetic field 𝐵
𝑒𝑦 , ⃗⃗⃗ ⃗ =
𝐵𝑒⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗𝑦 . 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚 . 𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 𝑏𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑎𝑛 coordinates of the point M in ℛ and the initial
velocity ⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑒𝑧 𝑠𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑣0 = 500𝑘𝑚𝑠 −1 (𝑓𝑖𝑔𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤).
𝑣0 = 𝑣0 ⃗⃗⃗⃗

We place, on the plane 𝜋 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑧0 = 10𝑐𝑚, an observation screen, parallel to the plane (𝑂, ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑒𝑥 , ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑒𝑦 ) that has
to intercept M.

1) In the case where 𝐸 = 10𝑉𝑚−1 and B=0, the abscissa 𝑥𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑀 𝑜𝑛 𝐸 𝑖𝑠 ∶

𝐴) 7.2𝑚𝑚 𝐵) 3.5𝑚𝑚 𝐶) − 3.5𝑐𝑚 𝐷) − 7𝑐𝑚 𝐸) 𝑁𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑠

2) In the case where 𝐸 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵 = 10−5 𝑇 . 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑖𝑠 ∶

A) A circle B) A parabola C) An arc D) An ellipse E) A straight line

3) The radius R of the trajectory is:

A) 10.9𝑐𝑚 𝐵 ) 13.8𝑐𝑚 𝐶) 15.1 𝑐𝑚 𝐷) 28.4𝑐𝑚 𝐸) 14.2𝑐𝑚

4) The abscissa 𝑥𝑚 of the point M on 𝜋 𝑖𝑠 ∶

A) 1.8𝑐𝑚 𝐵)3.8𝑐𝑚 𝐶) − 4.3𝑐𝑚 𝐷) − 6.6𝑐𝑚 𝐸) 3.3𝑐𝑚

5) Supposing that 𝐸 = 1𝑘𝑉𝑚−1 . 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐵 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑀 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 uniform and rectilinear is
:

A) 2𝑇 𝐵) 2𝑚𝑇 𝐶) − 4𝑚𝑇 𝐷) − 2000𝑚𝑇 𝐸) − 400𝑚𝑇

𝑞𝐵
6)We suppose E and B are not null, and let 𝜔𝑐 = 𝑚
. The differential equation describing the evolution of the
𝑑2 𝑥
abscissa x of M is in the form: 𝑑𝑡 2
+ 𝜔𝑐 2 𝑥 = 𝑎. Where a is a constant independent of time. a equals:
𝑞 𝑞 𝑞 𝑞 𝑞
𝐴) (𝐸 + 𝐵𝑣0 ) 𝐵) − (𝐸 + 𝐵𝑣0 ) 𝐶) (𝐸 − 𝐵𝑣0 ) 𝐷) (−𝐸 + 𝐵𝑣0 ) 𝐸) (𝐸 + 𝐵)
𝑚 𝑚 𝑚 𝑚 𝑚
2𝐸
7) Suppose 𝐵 = 𝑣0
. 𝐴𝑛 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑥(𝑡) 𝑖𝑠 ∶

𝑚𝐸 𝑚𝐸 𝑚𝐸
A) – 𝑞𝐵2 (1 + cos(𝜔𝑐 𝑡)) 𝐵) – 𝑞𝐵2 (1 − cos(𝜔𝑐 𝑡)) 𝐶) 𝑞𝐵2 (1 + cos(𝜔𝑐 𝑡))
 Page 4 of 8

𝑚𝐸
𝐷) − 𝑞𝐵2 (−1 +cos(𝜔𝑐 𝑡)) E) None of the previous answers.

EXERCISE 4 (05 POINTS)

We consider the device below, made up of:

- A pulley of internal radius 𝑟1 , 𝑒𝑥𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 𝑟2 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 inertia J = 1.1× 10−2 𝑘𝑔𝑚2 , 𝑟2 =
4𝑟1
- A spring, of spring constant k and initial length 𝑙0
- A mass m = 2kg ,sliding without friction on an inclined plane, making an angle of
20 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙.
- An inextensible, weightless string.

Considering the positive direction as the direction up the inclined plane, and the centre of gravity of
the mass block 𝐺0 as the origin of the reference,
1) Represent on the diagram, all the forces acting on the system.
2) We displace down the plane, the centre of gravity of the mass block from its equilibrium position
𝐺0 , 𝑏𝑦 𝑎 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑎, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 speed.
a) By applying the theorem of centre of inertia, determine the differential equation that describes the
motion of the block and deduce the period of the motion.
b) Using the theorem of conservation of kinetic energy, obtain the differential equation above, and hence
determine the equation of motion.
 Page 5 of 8

PHYSICS PAPER 2 (MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL OSCILLATIONS, WAVES AND OPTICS,

MODERN PHYSICS)
EXERCISE 1: (OSCILLATORY MOTION) – 08 POINTS
PART 1: Electrical oscillations (04 POINTS)

In an electrical experiment, a
series between two points A and B. A sinusoidal voltage source 𝑢𝐴𝐵 = 220√2𝑠𝑖𝑛(100𝜋𝑡) is maintained between A
and B. D is the point where the coil and resistor are connected. The rms or effective values of the voltages 𝑈𝐴𝐵 , 𝑈𝐴𝐷 ,
𝑈𝐵𝐷 are measured with the help of 3 voltmeters The voltmeters indicate respectively: UAB = 220 V; UAD = 90 V and
UDB = 160 V.

1. Calculate the frequency and effective current drawn by the source. 1.00pt

2. Construct the Fresnel diagram of rms voltages for this experiment. 1.00pt

Scale: 1 cm for 40 V.

3. Determine the expression for the instantaneous current i(t). 1.00pt

4. Calculate R and L. 1.00pt

Part 2: The simple pendulum. (04 points)

A simple pendulum consists of a point solid (S) of mass m = 100 g, suspended from an inextensible wire of length of
length L = 80 cm. The wire is moved away from the vertical by an angle θ0 and then without any initial velocity. The
position of the pendulum at date t is given by the angle θ that it with the vertical. Friction is neglected. Let g = 10
m.s-2.

1.1. For what values of 𝜃0 are the oscillations harmonic? 0.50 pt

1.2 The origin of the potential energy is taken to be the lowest position of (S).

1.2.1. Establish the expression for the mechanical energy of the system. 1.00 pt

1.2.2. Under the conditions given in 1.1, give the period 𝑇0 and the time law of θ as a function of time. 1.00 pt

1.3 The sphere S is electrified (charged) and carried an electric charge q. The pendulum is placed between two plane
and horizontal metallic armatures (plates), within which lies a uniform vertical electric field 𝑬 directed from up to
down and has magnitude E = 25 kVm-1 . The new period T of small amplitude oscillations is slightly greater than 𝑇0 :
𝑇0 = 1.05𝑇. Calculate q. 1,50 pt

EXERCISE 2: WAVES (08 POINTS)

Part A: Interference of light (05 POINTS)
 Page 6 of 8

Consider the Young’s arrangement shown below: S1 and S2 are two point sources of light distant a = 1 mm apart.
The plane (P) of the observation screen parallel to S1S2 is located at a distance D = 1 m from the position I of the
segment S1S2. Point O is the orthogonal projection of I onto (P).

On the straight line perpendicular to IO at point O and parallel to S1 and S2, a point M is marked by its distance X
from point O (X is the abscissa of M on an oriented axis collinear with this line). The two sources, S1 and S2, are
obtained using an appropriate interferential device, from a point source S located on the axis IO.

1. The source S emits monochromatic radiation of wavelength 𝜆.

a. Describe what is observed on the screen. 1.00pt

b. Calculate the wavelength, knowing that the inter-fringe (fringe separation) is i = 0.579 mm. 1.00pt

2. Source S now emits two radiations of wavelengths 𝜆1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜆2 .

a. In the first experiment, green and red radiations of wavelengths 𝜆1 = 500 nm and 𝜆2 = 750 nm respectively are
used.

i. At the centre O of the screen, a yellow coloration is observed. Explain this observation. 0.50pt

ii. What is the appearance of the interference field (pattern) at point M1 such that: OM1 = 0.75 mm? 0.50pt

iii. What is the appearance of the interference field (pattern) at point M2 such that: OM2 = 1.5 mm? 0.50pt

b. In a second experiment the wavelengths 𝜆1 and 𝜆2 are close: 𝜆1 = 560 nm and 𝜆2 = 528 nm. At what minimum
distance x from point O is total extinction of the light observed? 0.50pt

3. The source S emits white light which we will assume to be composed of all the radiations of wavelength such that:
400 nm ≤ λ ≤ 800 nm.

a. What can be seen on the screen? Briefly justify your answer. 0.50pt

b. What are the wavelengths of the extinguished radiation at point M such that OM = x = 1.5 mm? 0.50pt

PART B: Mechanical waves (03 points)

A vibrating blade moves at a frequency f = 25 Hz. It is fitted with a fork whose two equal points, spaced d = 1.8 cm
apart, produce vertical sinusoidal disturbances at two points S1 and S2 on the surface of a sheet of water, of
amplitude a = 1 mm, propagating, in all directions on the surface of the liquid, with the same velocity c = 0.4m.s-1. All
damping effects are neglected. At the initial instant, point S1 passes through its maximum elongation.

a. Write the equation of motion of S1 as a function of time. 1.00pt

b. Write the time equation of motion of a point M located at distances d1 and d2 from S1 and S2 respectively. Use
the Fresnel construction. 1.50pt

c. Determine the number of points of maximum vibration on the segment S1S2. 0.50pt
 Page 7 of 8

EXERCISE 3: RADIOACTIVITY (05 POINTS)

A - Disintegration of radium 226
1. The nucleus of radium 226 222
88𝑅𝑎 disintegrates spontaneously to form a nucleus of radon 86𝑅𝑛, which is itself
radioactive. This disintegration is accompanied by the emission of radiation 𝛾 of wavelength 6,54.10-12 m.

1.1 Write down the equation for the radium 226 decay reaction and specify the type of radioactivity. 0.75pt

1.2 Explain the presence of the radiation 𝛾 emitted during the decay of radium. What information does it provide
about the daughter nucleus? 0.50pt

2. Determine the energy released by the decay of a radium nucleus, denoted as E and express it in joules. 0.75pt

3. The activity of one gram of radium is equal to A = 3,70.1010 Bq.

3.1. Determine the number N of radium nuclei present in the 1 g sample. 0.50pt

3.2 Calculate the half-life T of radium, in years. 0.50pt

3.3. After how long will 3/4 radium nuclei disintegrate? 0.75pt

B - Phosphorus decay
Artificially produced phosphorus 30 is spontaneously transformed by b+ decay into silicon 30 (14 30Si), a nucleus
obtained directly in its ground state.

1. Why is phosphorus 30 said to be an isotope of phosphorus 31? 0.25pt

2. Write down the equation for the decay of phosphorus 30. 0.50pt

3. Is radiation emitted during the decay of phosphorus 30? Justify. 0.50pt

Given data: (NB: Noyau = nucleus)

EXERCISE 4: Exploitation of the results of a physics experiment (05 POINTS)

We have a photo-emissive cell with cathode C and anode A. Let 𝑊0 be the work involved in extracting an electron
from this cell. The cell is illuminated with monochromatic radiation of the same power P but of different frequencies
𝜈. The cell's stopping potential U0 is recorded for each of the radiations. The following results are obtained:
 Page 8 of 8

1. Define: stopping potential. 0.50pt

1 1
2. Graphically represent the variation of 𝑈0 as a function of : 𝑈0 = 𝑓 ( ). 1.50pt
𝜆 𝜆

Scales: 5 cm for 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝒎−𝟏 and 1 cm for 0.1 V.

3. Establish a theoretical relationship between 𝑈0 , 𝜆 and 𝑊0 . 0.50pt

4. From the graph, determine :

a. The threshold wavelength 𝜆0 of this cell; 0.50pt

b. The elementary charge e. 0.50pt

5. A potassium cathode cell with a threshold frequency 𝜈0 = 6. 1014 Hz is illuminated with light of wavelength

wavelength 𝜆 = 420 nm.

a. Determine the maximum kinetic energy of the electrons leaving the cathode. 1.00pt

b. Does this energy change if the radiant power is doubled? Justify your answer. 0.50pt

Data : Planck's constant: h = 6.63. 10-34 J.s; Velocity of light in a vacuum: c = 3. 108 m.s-1.