Question 1

According to Einstein's theory of relativity, how much energy is contained in the material of a one kilogram rock that is at rest on the ground?

Accepted Answer

A)  None at all. 
B)  9 × 1010 joules 
C)  3 × 1016 joules 
D)  10- 16 joules 
E)  9 × 1016 joules 
A)  None at all. 
B)  9 × 1010 joules 
C)  3 × 1016 joules 
D)  10- 16 joules 
E)  9 × 1016 joules E

Question 2

To what form or forms of energy does the relationship E = mc2 apply?

Accepted Answer

A)  only kinetic energy and nuclear energy 
B)  thermal energy only 
C)  kinetic energy only 
D)  nuclear energy only 
E)  all forms of energy 
A)  only kinetic energy and nuclear energy 
B)  thermal energy only 
C)  kinetic energy only 
D)  nuclear energy only 
E)  all forms of energy E

Question 3

Velma is in a train headed north past Mort at 30 m/s. Velma has a slingshot that can shoot pebbles at 40 m/s. Velma shoots a pebble toward the rear of the train. Mort observes the pebble's velocity to be

Accepted Answer

A)  10 m/s north. 
B)  10 m/s south. 
C)  70 m/s south. 
D)  70 m/s north. 
E)  40 m/s south. 
A)  10 m/s north. 
B)  10 m/s south. 
C)  70 m/s south. 
D)  70 m/s north. 
E)  40 m/s south. B

Question 4

You separate two magnets that are initially held together by magnetic forces. How does this affect the mass and energy of the system of magnets?

Accepted Answer

A)  It creates additional mass, located within each magnet, and also additional energy. 
B)  It creates additional energy, located in the space between the two magnets, but not additional mass. 
C)  It creates additional mass, located within each magnet, but no additional energy. 
D)  It creates neither additional energy nor additional mass. 
E)  It creates additional mass, located in the space between the two magnets, and also additional energy. 
A)  It creates additional mass, located within each magnet, and also additional energy. 
B)  It creates additional energy, located in the space between the two magnets, but not additional mass. 
C)  It creates additional mass, located within each magnet, but no additional energy. 
D)  It creates neither additional energy nor additional mass. 
E)  It creates additional mass, located in the space between the two magnets, and also additional energy.

Question 5

One way of stating the principle of relativity is:

Accepted Answer

A)  Experiments conducted entirely within your own lab will come out differently, depending on the state of motion of the lab relative to other reference frames. 
B)  Observers that are accelerated will see light beams move at something other than lightspeed. 
C)  Light has the same speed for all nonaccelerated observers. 
D)  Unless you look outside, you cannot tell how fast you are going. 
E)  The speed of light is relative to the motion of the observer, provided that the observer is not accelerated. 
A)  Experiments conducted entirely within your own lab will come out differently, depending on the state of motion of the lab relative to other reference frames. 
B)  Observers that are accelerated will see light beams move at something other than lightspeed. 
C)  Light has the same speed for all nonaccelerated observers. 
D)  Unless you look outside, you cannot tell how fast you are going. 
E)  The speed of light is relative to the motion of the observer, provided that the observer is not accelerated.

Question 6

One experimental observation that demonstrates Einstein's ideas on the relativity of time, is

Accepted Answer

A)  electromagnetic waves from the early stages of the development of the universe have slower rates of vibration. 
B)  rapidly- rotating neutron stars spin more slowly than they would if they weren't moving rapidly away from us. 
C)  muons "live" longer when moving rapidly than they do when they are at rest. 
D)  a laser beam emitted from an orbiting satellite is observed from Earth. 
E)  the recent discovery of very fast- moving particles known as tachyons. 
A)  electromagnetic waves from the early stages of the development of the universe have slower rates of vibration. 
B)  rapidly- rotating neutron stars spin more slowly than they would if they weren't moving rapidly away from us. 
C)  muons "live" longer when moving rapidly than they do when they are at rest. 
D)  a laser beam emitted from an orbiting satellite is observed from Earth. 
E)  the recent discovery of very fast- moving particles known as tachyons.

Question 7

The center of our galaxy is 30,000 light years away. Could a person possibly travel there in her own lifetime?

Accepted Answer

A)  No, because a person cannot travel at lightspeed. 
B)  No, because the trip would take longer than 30,000 years, and nobody lives this long. 
C)  No, because time dilation applies only to clocks and not to biological phenomena such as a person's lifetime. 
D)  Yes, by traveling at nearly lightspeed, because of time dilation or the "relativity of time." 
E)  Yes, by traveling faster than lightspeed, because of time dilation or the "relativity of time." 
A)  No, because a person cannot travel at lightspeed. 
B)  No, because the trip would take longer than 30,000 years, and nobody lives this long. 
C)  No, because time dilation applies only to clocks and not to biological phenomena such as a person's lifetime. 
D)  Yes, by traveling at nearly lightspeed, because of time dilation or the "relativity of time." 
E)  Yes, by traveling faster than lightspeed, because of time dilation or the "relativity of time."

Question 8

Velma passes Mort at a high speed. Each holds a meter stick, oriented parallel to the direction of relative motion. Mort observes that

Accepted Answer

A)  his meter stick is longer than 1 m, and Velma's meter stick is 1 m long. 
B)  his meter stick is 1 m long, and Velma's meter stick is longer than 1 m. 
C)  his meter stick and Velma's meter stick are both shorter than 1 m. 
D)  his meter stick is 1 m long, and Velma's meter stick is less than 1 m long. 
E)  his meter stick and Velma's meter stick are both 1 m long. 
A)  his meter stick is longer than 1 m, and Velma's meter stick is 1 m long. 
B)  his meter stick is 1 m long, and Velma's meter stick is longer than 1 m. 
C)  his meter stick and Velma's meter stick are both shorter than 1 m. 
D)  his meter stick is 1 m long, and Velma's meter stick is less than 1 m long. 
E)  his meter stick and Velma's meter stick are both 1 m long.

Question 9

You are inside a jet plane moving at a constant velocity. You toss a rock straight up in the air, and then you keep your hand at the point of release. The rock will come down

Accepted Answer

A)  in your hand. 
B)  beside your hand. 
C)  behind your hand. 
D)  in front of your hand. 
E)  Actually the rock won't come down. 
A)  in your hand. 
B)  beside your hand. 
C)  behind your hand. 
D)  in front of your hand. 
E)  Actually the rock won't come down.

Question 10

You are in a spaceship moving past Earth at nearly lightspeed and you observe Mort, who is on Earth. You measure his mass, pulse rate, and size. How are they different from the values measured by Mort himself?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mass has increased, pulse rate has speeded up, and size is reduced along the direction of motion. 
B)  Mass has decreased, pulse rate has slowed down, and size is reduced along the direction of motion. 
C)  Mass has decreased, pulse rate has speeded up, and size is reduced along the direction of motion. 
D)  They are unchanged, i.e., they are normal. 
E)  Mass has increased, pulse rate has slowed down, and size is reduced along the direction of motion. 
A)  Mass has increased, pulse rate has speeded up, and size is reduced along the direction of motion. 
B)  Mass has decreased, pulse rate has slowed down, and size is reduced along the direction of motion. 
C)  Mass has decreased, pulse rate has speeded up, and size is reduced along the direction of motion. 
D)  They are unchanged, i.e., they are normal. 
E)  Mass has increased, pulse rate has slowed down, and size is reduced along the direction of motion.

Question 11

Mort is on Earth, and Velma passes him at a high speed. Mort and Velma each carry a standard kilogram. Concerning the kilograms, Mort observes that

Accepted Answer

A)  Velma's has a mass of 1 kilogram, but Mort's is less massive than 1 kilogram. 
B)  Velma's is less massive than 1 kilogram and Mort's has a mass of 1 kilogram. 
C)  Velma's is more massive than 1 kilogram and Mort's has a mass of 1 kilogram. 
D)  both have a mass of 1 kilogram. 
E)  Velma's has a mass of 1 kilogram, but Mort's is more massive than 1 kilogram. 
A)  Velma's has a mass of 1 kilogram, but Mort's is less massive than 1 kilogram. 
B)  Velma's is less massive than 1 kilogram and Mort's has a mass of 1 kilogram. 
C)  Velma's is more massive than 1 kilogram and Mort's has a mass of 1 kilogram. 
D)  both have a mass of 1 kilogram. 
E)  Velma's has a mass of 1 kilogram, but Mort's is more massive than 1 kilogram.

Question 12

In the "special theory of relativity," what does the word "special" refer to?

Accepted Answer

A)  This theory is restricted to the study of gravitational forces. 
B)  This theory is restricted to the observations of stationary observers. 
C)  This theory is restricted to the observations of non- accelerated observers. 
D)  This theory is restricted to the study of light beams. 
E)  This theory is restricted to the observations of accelerated observers. 
A)  This theory is restricted to the study of gravitational forces. 
B)  This theory is restricted to the observations of stationary observers. 
C)  This theory is restricted to the observations of non- accelerated observers. 
D)  This theory is restricted to the study of light beams. 
E)  This theory is restricted to the observations of accelerated observers.

Question 13

Velma's rocket ship is moving away from Mort at a speed of 0.75c. Mort fires a laser beam toward her spaceship, observing the tip of the laser beam to move away from him at speed c. According to the predictions of Galileo's relativity, Velma should observe this laser beam to pass her at a speed of

Accepted Answer

A)  1.75c. 
B)  0.25c. 
C)  1.25c. 
D)  0.75c. 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  1.75c. 
B)  0.25c. 
C)  1.25c. 
D)  0.75c. 
E)  None of the above.

Question 14

Velma's rocket ship is moving away from Mort at a speed of 0.75c. Mort fires a laser beam toward her spaceship, observing the tip of the laser beam to move away from him at speed c. Velma observes this laser beam to move past her at a speed of

Accepted Answer

A)  0.25c. 
B)  1.25c. 
C)  0.75c. 
D)  1.75c. 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  0.25c. 
B)  1.25c. 
C)  0.75c. 
D)  1.75c. 
E)  None of the above.

Question 15

Velma bicycles northward at an unchanging speed of 4 m/s, and Mort jogs southward at an unchanging speed of 4 m/s. Mort's velocity relative to Velma is

Accepted Answer

A)  8 m/s northward. 
B)  4 m/s northward. 
C)  8 m/s southward. 
D)  4 m/s southward. 
E)  zero. 
A)  8 m/s northward. 
B)  4 m/s northward. 
C)  8 m/s southward. 
D)  4 m/s southward. 
E)  zero.

Question 16

Using the graph above, how fast must Velma move past Mort if he is to observe her spaceship's length to be reduced by 50%?

Accepted Answer

A)  about 25% of lightspeed 
B)  about 85% of lightspeed 
C)  70% of lightspeed 
D)  50% of lightspeed 
E)  about 95% of lightspeed 
A)  about 25% of lightspeed 
B)  about 85% of lightspeed 
C)  70% of lightspeed 
D)  50% of lightspeed 
E)  about 95% of lightspeed

Question 17

"Unless you look outside, you cannot tell how fast you are going." This is one way of stating

Accepted Answer

A)  the principle of the constancy of lightspeed. 
B)  the principle of relativity. 
C)  the relativity of time. 
D)  the relativity of space. 
E)  Galileo's theory of relativity. 
A)  the principle of the constancy of lightspeed. 
B)  the principle of relativity. 
C)  the relativity of time. 
D)  the relativity of space. 
E)  Galileo's theory of relativity.

Question 18

Which of these happens when one kilogram of uranium undergoes nuclear fission?

Accepted Answer

A)  Heat and other forms of energy are created, but no matter is actually lost (or destroyed) in the process. 
B)  An unmeasurably small amount of matter is converted to other forms of energy. 
C)  About one percent of the matter is converted to other forms of energy. 
D)  About one percent of the matter disappears, but no other forms of energy are created. 
E)  All the uranium is converted to other forms of energy. 
A)  Heat and other forms of energy are created, but no matter is actually lost (or destroyed) in the process. 
B)  An unmeasurably small amount of matter is converted to other forms of energy. 
C)  About one percent of the matter is converted to other forms of energy. 
D)  About one percent of the matter disappears, but no other forms of energy are created. 
E)  All the uranium is converted to other forms of energy.

Question 19

Velma zooms past Mort at half of lightspeed. Velma observes Mort's clock to run

Accepted Answer

A)  slow. 
B)  fast. 
C)  on time. 
D)  None of the above. 
A)  slow. 
B)  fast. 
C)  on time. 
D)  None of the above.

Question 20

In Einstein's special theory of relativity, there is one basic principle [or assumption, or law] that seems very odd to our intuitions, and that is responsible for the odd nature of Einstein's conclusions. This basic principle is

Accepted Answer

A)  the idea that mass is relative, and is larger when it is moved faster. 
B)  the idea that all motion is merely relative motion, i.e., that it is impossible to determine how fast you are moving without measuring against something outside your laboratory. 
C)  the idea that light has the same speed for all nonaccelerated observers. 
D)  E = mc2. 
E)  relativistic length contraction. 
A)  the idea that mass is relative, and is larger when it is moved faster. 
B)  the idea that all motion is merely relative motion, i.e., that it is impossible to determine how fast you are moving without measuring against something outside your laboratory. 
C)  the idea that light has the same speed for all nonaccelerated observers. 
D)  E = mc2. 
E)  relativistic length contraction.

According to Einstein's theory of relativity, how much energy is contained in the material of a one kilogram rock that is at rest on the ground?

To what form or forms of energy does the relationship E = mc²apply?

Velma is in a train headed north past Mort at 30 m/s. Velma has a slingshot that can shoot pebbles at 40 m/s. Velma shoots a pebble toward the rear of the train. Mort observes the pebble's velocity to be

You separate two magnets that are initially held together by magnetic forces. How does this affect the mass and energy of the system of magnets?

One way of stating the principle of relativity is:

One experimental observation that demonstrates Einstein's ideas on the relativity of time, is

The center of our galaxy is 30,000 light years away. Could a person possibly travel there in her own lifetime?

Velma passes Mort at a high speed. Each holds a meter stick, oriented parallel to the direction of relative motion. Mort observes that

You are inside a jet plane moving at a constant velocity. You toss a rock straight up in the air, and then you keep your hand at the point of release. The rock will come down

You are in a spaceship moving past Earth at nearly lightspeed and you observe Mort, who is on Earth. You measure his mass, pulse rate, and size. How are they different from the values measured by Mort himself?

Mort is on Earth, and Velma passes him at a high speed. Mort and Velma each carry a standard kilogram. Concerning the kilograms, Mort observes that

In the "special theory of relativity," what does the word "special" refer to?

Velma's rocket ship is moving away from Mort at a speed of 0.75c. Mort fires a laser beam toward her spaceship, observing the tip of the laser beam to move away from him at speed c. According to the predictions of Galileo's relativity, Velma should observe this laser beam to pass her at a speed of

Velma's rocket ship is moving away from Mort at a speed of 0.75c. Mort fires a laser beam toward her spaceship, observing the tip of the laser beam to move away from him at speed c. Velma observes this laser beam to move past her at a speed of

Velma bicycles northward at an unchanging speed of 4 m/s, and Mort jogs southward at an unchanging speed of 4 m/s. Mort's velocity relative to Velma is

Using the graph above, how fast must Velma move past Mort if he is to observe her spaceship's length to be reduced by 50%?

"Unless you look outside, you cannot tell how fast you are going." This is one way of stating

Which of these happens when one kilogram of uranium undergoes nuclear fission?

Velma zooms past Mort at half of lightspeed. Velma observes Mort's clock to run

In Einstein's special theory of relativity, there is one basic principle [or assumption, or law] that seems very odd to our intuitions, and that is responsible for the odd nature of Einstein's conclusions. This basic principle is

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Exam 10: The Special Theory of Relativity

According to Einstein's theory of relativity, how much energy is contained in the material of a one kilogram rock that is at rest on the ground?

To what form or forms of energy does the relationship E = mc2 apply?

Velma is in a train headed north past Mort at 30 m/s. Velma has a slingshot that can shoot pebbles at 40 m/s. Velma shoots a pebble toward the rear of the train. Mort observes the pebble's velocity to be

You separate two magnets that are initially held together by magnetic forces. How does this affect the mass and energy of the system of magnets?

One way of stating the principle of relativity is:

One experimental observation that demonstrates Einstein's ideas on the relativity of time, is

The center of our galaxy is 30,000 light years away. Could a person possibly travel there in her own lifetime?

Velma passes Mort at a high speed. Each holds a meter stick, oriented parallel to the direction of relative motion. Mort observes that

You are inside a jet plane moving at a constant velocity. You toss a rock straight up in the air, and then you keep your hand at the point of release. The rock will come down

You are in a spaceship moving past Earth at nearly lightspeed and you observe Mort, who is on Earth. You measure his mass, pulse rate, and size. How are they different from the values measured by Mort himself?

Mort is on Earth, and Velma passes him at a high speed. Mort and Velma each carry a standard kilogram. Concerning the kilograms, Mort observes that

In the "special theory of relativity," what does the word "special" refer to?

Velma's rocket ship is moving away from Mort at a speed of 0.75c. Mort fires a laser beam toward her spaceship, observing the tip of the laser beam to move away from him at speed c. According to the predictions of Galileo's relativity, Velma should observe this laser beam to pass her at a speed of

Velma's rocket ship is moving away from Mort at a speed of 0.75c. Mort fires a laser beam toward her spaceship, observing the tip of the laser beam to move away from him at speed c. Velma observes this laser beam to move past her at a speed of

Velma bicycles northward at an unchanging speed of 4 m/s, and Mort jogs southward at an unchanging speed of 4 m/s. Mort's velocity relative to Velma is

Using the graph above, how fast must Velma move past Mort if he is to observe her spaceship's length to be reduced by 50%?

"Unless you look outside, you cannot tell how fast you are going." This is one way of stating

Which of these happens when one kilogram of uranium undergoes nuclear fission?

Velma zooms past Mort at half of lightspeed. Velma observes Mort's clock to run

In Einstein's special theory of relativity, there is one basic principle [or assumption, or law] that seems very odd to our intuitions, and that is responsible for the odd nature of Einstein's conclusions. This basic principle is

The Way of Science: Experience and Reason

Atoms: the Nature of Things

How Things Move: Galileo Asks the Right Questions

Why Things Move As They Do

Newtons Universe

Conservation of Energy: You Cant Get Ahead

Second Law of Thermodynamics: and You Cant Even Break Even

Light and Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism Radiation and Global Climate Change

The General Theory of Relativity and the New Cosmology

The Quantum Idea

The Quantum Universe

The Nucleus and Radioactivity: an New Force

Fusion and Fission: and a New Energy

The Energy Challenge

Quantum Fields: Relativity Meets the Quantum

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To what form or forms of energy does the relationship E = mc²apply?