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Physics 101 Mystery Cache

Hidden : 8/19/2005
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is "revenge" for all the biology, chemistry, etc. puzzles that surfaced recently. The questions should be fun and educational. The cache is located in a public park area and will require a little walk on even paths. The answers to the questions have been verified by a full professor of physics at St. Lawrence University, Dr. Watson.

Park at the coordinates above. There is a gate just off the road on an asphalt path. It is OK to go in and park in the small area to the left (as verified by the Hunterdon County Park Commission). Note also that this area is all public land, with one part under the control of Hunterdon County, one part by Raritan Township, and one part by the State Game and Wildlife Commission. (So, in hunting season, be sure to wear something bright, preferably orange.) Alternate parking from another direction is at N40 30.826 W074 47.655. To find the coordinates of this cache, you need to solve some straightforward physics questions. We have included some help in the hints section (if needed). If you get stuck or want to confirm your coordinates, please send us an e-mail. Have fun! There are some "Burger Bucks" for the FTF and a Physics Book, Thirty Years that Shook Physics, the story of Quantum Mechanics by George Gamow (an enjoyable book, even for non-physicists) for anyone who wants it. The coordinates of the Physics 101 Cache are found by adding or subtracting the North and West offsets from the parking coordinates in the correct answer to each of the following questions:

You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.

1. A bullet is shot horizontally from a gun at 2800 ft/sec.  The gun is on a hill 64 feet above a level area.  Ignoring air resistance, how long will it take the bullet to reach the ground? (Use the acceleration due to gravity, "g" = 32 ft/sec2, Ignore air resistance)

            A) 1 seconds             N + .123         W + .254

            B) 2 seconds             N +.100          W - .100

            C) .1 seconds            N - .202          W + .222

            D) .64 seconds          N - .005          W - .055

 

2. Which of the following is the famous double star (yellow and blue) in the constellation Cygnus?

            A) Albireo                   N + .234         W + .176

            B) Deneb                   N - .123          W + .232

            C) Antares                 N + .077         W - .061

 

3. You plug in a toaster that draws 10 amps. into a 115 volt circuit.  The power rating (IN WATTS) for this toaster is:

            A) 115 watts              N - .263          W + .172

            B) 2200 watts            N + .007         W + .009

            C) 10 amps                N -.277           W - .182

            D) 1150 watts            N - .237          W - .363

 

4. Compute the current (in amps) in the following circuit:

 

            A) 4 amps                  N + .087         W - .177

            B) 8 amps                  N - .186          W - .282

            C) 25 amps                N + .050         W + .050

            D) 100 amps             N + .234         W - .234

 

 

5. what is the mass (in grams) of a block of gold 3 cm. by 3 cm. by 4 cm.?

            A) 551 gms.               N - .098          W - .182

            B) 695 gms.               N +.245          W - .111

            C) 701 gms.               N + .196         W + .373

            D) 1200 gms.            N - .202          W - .020

 

6. Your twin leaves in a rocket ship traveling at 1 x 108 m/sec.  He returns to earth in 10 earth years.  How many years has your rocket traveling twin aged?

(Use the speed of light = 3 x 108 m/sec.)

            A) 10 years                N + .066         W - .066

            B) 10.62 years           N - .078          W - .100

            C) 9.43 years             N + .199         W + .172

            D) 9.88 years             N - .009          W - .007

 

7. A balloon with a volume of 100 cubic centimeters is brought by a SCUBA diver to a depth of 99 feet.  What is the volume of this balloon at 99 feet? (Use 1 atmosphere = 33 feet of water, assume constant temperature)?

 

            A) 100 cm3                      N + .177         W - .123

                B) 25 cm3                     N - .025          W + .023

C) 50 cm3                     N - .092          W - .311

D) 33.3 cm3                N + .149         W + .194

 

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Sbe rnpu dhrfgvba, urer ner fbzr xrl jbeqf gung jvyy uryc lbh svaq jung lbh arrq: 1. snyyvat bowrpgf 2. frnepu rnpu nafjre 3. ibygf nzcf 4. Buz'f ynj / cnenyyry erfvfgbef 5. qrafvgl bs tbyq 6. gvzr qvyngvba 7. Oblyr'f ynj Gb svaq gur pnpur: Trr, V'z fghzcrq -- 10-15 sg. sebz nfcunyg

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)