- 1. Relativistic mechanics is a branch of physics that combines classical mechanics with special relativity. It describes the motion of objects moving at speeds close to the speed of light, where the effects of relativity become significant. In relativistic mechanics, the concepts of space and time are intertwined, leading to effects such as time dilation and length contraction. The famous equation E=mc2, which relates energy and mass, plays a central role in relativistic mechanics. This field is essential for understanding the behavior of particles in high-energy environments, such as particle accelerators and the early universe.
According to special relativity, what is always constant?
A) d: Distance
B) a: Speed of light
C) b: Time
D) c: Mass
- 2. What is the correct formula for length contraction in special relativity?
A) a: L' = L / (1 - v2 / c2)
B) c: L' = L * sqrt(1 - v2 / c2)
C) d: L' = L * (1 - v2 / c2)
D) b: L' = L / (1 + v2 / c2)
- 3. Who first proposed the theory of special relativity?
A) b: Isaac Newton
B) c: Max Planck
C) d: Richard Feynman
D) a: Albert Einstein
- 4. What is the space-time continuum in relativity?
A) a: The four-dimensional union of time and space
B) c: The time experienced by each observer
C) d: The measurement of cosmic distances
D) b: The three-dimensional space we live in
- 5. How does the concept of simultaneity change in special relativity?
A) a: All frames agree on simultaneity
B) c: Events become more synchronous
C) d: Simultaneous events stop happening
D) b: Events that are simultaneous in one frame may not be in another frame
- 6. According to relativity, the energy of an object at rest is fully equivalent to its mass times the square of the speed of light (E = mc2). This principle is known as:
A) Planck's radiation law
B) Bohr's quantization rule
C) Mass-energy equivalence
D) Heisenberg uncertainty principle
- 7. How does special relativity modify the concept of 'now'?
A) a: 'Now' is fixed for all observers
B) b: 'Now' synchronizes events universally
C) d: 'Now' is in the future
D) c: 'Now' is relative and different for observers in relative motion
- 8. What is the theory that reconciles Newtonian mechanics with electromagnetism?
A) Special relativity
B) General relativity
C) Thermodynamics
D) Quantum mechanics
- 9. The Lorentz transformations are a set of equations that describe how measurements of space and time differ between two inertial frames moving at a constant velocity with respect to each other. They were derived by:
A) Hendrik Lorentz
B) Max Planck
C) Erwin Schrödinger
D) Wolfgang Pauli
- 10. At very high speeds approaching the speed of light, the relativistic mass of an object tends towards infinity, thus requiring:
A) Negative mass
B) Frictionless motion
C) Infinite energy to accelerate further
D) Quantum tunneling
- 11. What aspect of relativity refers to the distortion of spacetime caused by massive objects?
A) Particle physics
B) General relativity
C) Special relativity
D) Quantum mechanics
- 12. In special relativity, how does the velocity of an object affect its mass?
A) d: The mass becomes zero with velocity
B) c: The mass remains constant with velocity
C) a: The mass decreases with velocity
D) b: The mass increases with velocity
- 13. What effect does length contraction have on an object moving close to the speed of light?
A) d: It becomes narrower
B) c: It appears shorter
C) b: It remains constant
D) a: It lengthens
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