UCCS Astronomy Lab II
PES 110
Spring 2010 Relativity Lab
name: __________________
True or False:
1. T F
The special theory of relativity describes consequences of two assumptions:
For all inertial observers the laws of nature are the same, and the speed of light is constant.
2. T F
The speed of light is the same in all reference frames.
(This is Einstein’s 2nd postulate.)
3. T F
The proper time interval is the shortest time interval between two events.
(The time between events that happen at the same place in a reference frame is called the proper time and
the time interval Δt measured in any other reference frame is always longer than the proper time.)
4. T F
Absolute motion can be determined by means of length contraction.
(Absolute motion cannot be detected.)
5. T F
The light-year is a unit of distance.
(A light-year is the distance light travels (in a vacuum) in one year.)
6. T F
For two events to form a space-time coincidence they must occur at the same place.
(For two events to form a space-time coincidence, they must not only occur at the same place but must
also occur at the same location.)
7. T F
If two events are not simultaneous in one frame, they cannot be simultaneous in any other frame.
(The fact that two events are not simultaneous in one frame tells us nothing about their simultaneity in
any other frame.)
8. T F
The universe consists of matter and energy moving through space with the passage of time.
Multiple Choice
9. Einstein published a paper that dealt with something called the “photoelectric effect” which essentially
presented concrete evidence of:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Suspended particles in water giggling even after water had been still for a long time.
Special theory of relativity dealing with space and time.
The wave-particle duality of light.
Gravity on planet Earth.
10. The ___________ published in 1905, shows that space and time are intertwined but does not deal with the
affects of gravity.
a.
b.
c.
d.
General Theory of Relativity
Special Theory of Relativity
String Theory
Quantum Gravity
11. The __________ published in 1915 offers a new view of gravity such as the expansion and fate of the
universe and strange objects known as black holes.
a.
b.
c.
d.
General Theory of Relativity
Special Theory of Relativity
String Theory
Big Bang Theory
12. The special theory is “special” because it deals only with the special case in which we ignore the role of
__________.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Light
Time
Space
Gravity
13. The theory of relativity is based on the idea that all __________ is relative.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Gravity
Motion
Matter
Heat
14. The special theory of relativity tells us that no material object can reach or exceed the speed of __________
(in a vacuum).
a. Sound
b. Light
c. Thunder
15. One prediction is that the length you measure an object to have depends on how that object is moving; the
faster it moves, the shorter its length along its direction of motion. Refers to:
a. Length contraction
b. Time Dilation
16. A clock moving past you at extremely high speeds runs __________ than a clock that is at rest.
a. Faster
b. Slower
17. The following equation: R = 2 G M / c^2
a.
b.
c.
d.
refers to:
Time Dilation
Length Contraction
Schwarzschild radius
Free fall acceleration
18. A spaceship travelling at 0.5c fires a laser in the same direction of the spaceship’s travel. What is the speed
of the laser?
a.
b.
c.
d.
1.5c
0.5c
0.25c
1.0c
19. The __________ of an object is the length measured by an observer at rest relative to the object.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Proper length Lp
Proper time Tp
Length contraction
Time dilation
20. The length of an object measured by someone in a reference frame that is moving with respect to the object
is always less than the Lp. This effect is known as:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Proper length
Length contraction
Proper time
Time dilation
21. Up until 1887, scientists believed that light would need a medium in which to propagate calling this
medium:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Luminiferous aether
Dark matter
Nebulae
Open cluster
22. Special relativity tells us that the three dimensions of space and the one dimension of time together form an
inseparable, four-dimensional combination called __________.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Dark energy
Flatland
Space-time
Black holes
23. Gravity arises from __________ of space-time. The presence of mass causes the __________, and the
resulting __________ determine how other objects move through space-time.
a. Distortions
b. Weightlessness
c. Hyperspace
24. According to general relativity, a sudden change in the curvature of space in one place should propagate
outward through space like ripples on a pond. Einstein called these ripples:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Gravitational red-shift
Gravitational blue-shift
Gravitational waves
Wormholes
25. A tunnel through hyperspace is often called a __________, through which we can travel.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Mountain pass
Wormhole
String
Membrane