FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Quiz about Relativity From a Relative Layman
Quiz about Relativity From a Relative Layman

Relativity From a Relative Layman Quiz


A (relatively) simple quiz covering the background and a few simple applications of Einstein's famous theory.

A multiple-choice quiz by uglybird. Estimated time: 8 mins.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. Science Trivia
  6. »
  7. Physics
  8. »
  9. Laws and Theories of Physics

Author
uglybird
Time
8 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
181,320
Updated
Oct 11 22
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
2285
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 75 (2/10), Guest 106 (0/10), Guest 103 (0/10).
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. In classical physics, waves are represented as vibrations in a medium. In the late 19th century light and other electromagnetic waves were assumed to move through the luminiferous ether. According to Maxwell's theories on wave propagation, how did the direction of the vibration of electromagnetic waves relate to the direction in which electromagnetic waves were moving? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. In the late 19th century Michelson and Morley's experiment did not detect the presence of an ether wind. Additionally, James Clerk Maxwell devised equations that successfully described electromagnetic waves, but the equations predicted that observers traveling different speeds relative to one another would "see" a particular electromagnetic wave differently. Hedrick Lorentz devised equations that would account for both the absence of the ether wind and the peculiar predictions of Maxwell's equations. What made Lorentz's equations unsatisfying, even to Lorentz? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Despite the implications of Einstein's special theory of relativity, research into the nature of the medium in which electromagnetic waves traveled continued. What did Einstein claim his theory implied regarding this medium? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Einstein's theory of relativity deals with the behavior of matter moving at speeds approaching the speed of light relative to an observer. Two men in separate space ships, each holding a meter ruler and a clock, pass each other at 99% of the speed of light. Based on the equations of Hedrick Lorentz (the Lorentz transformations), what will the two men observe? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. In light of the fact that measurements of length, time and mass seemed dependent on the relative speeds (the inertial reference frame) of observers, Einstein pondered what was constant relative to all reference frames. The theory of relativity arises from the assumption that which two things are constant to observers in all reference frames, independent of their relative speeds? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. What was Einstein's original choice for a name for his theory? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Lorentz transformations correct for the relative speed of different observers using an expression equal to one divided by the square root of the quantity (1 minus v squared divided by c squared), where "v "is the relative velocity and "c" is the speed of light. This expression is called the "gamma". Therefore, as one moves faster, gamma becomes larger. As an object moves faster relative to an observer, the mass of the object increases to the observer. In order to obtain the corrected mass should one multiply or divide the mass by the "gamma"?

Answer: (One word: multiply or divide.)
Question 8 of 10
8. A particle is accelerated to 90% of the speed of light in a particle accelerator. If it is a short-lived particle at rest, will a shortened or lengthened half-life be observed?

Answer: (One word: shortened or lengthened)
Question 9 of 10
9. The theory of relativity allows us to calculate the amount of energy, "E", that would be released if a mass of "m" were converted to energy. The famous equation expressing this is which of the following? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Which of the following best describes Einstein's general theory of relativity? Hint



(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

arrow Select a User ID:
arrow Choose a Password:
arrow Your Email:




Most Recent Scores
Mar 16 2024 : Guest 75: 2/10
Feb 09 2024 : Guest 106: 0/10
Feb 06 2024 : Guest 103: 0/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. In classical physics, waves are represented as vibrations in a medium. In the late 19th century light and other electromagnetic waves were assumed to move through the luminiferous ether. According to Maxwell's theories on wave propagation, how did the direction of the vibration of electromagnetic waves relate to the direction in which electromagnetic waves were moving?

Answer: The electrical and magnetic vibrations (fields) were perpendicular to the direction of motion and perpendicular to one another.

In the late 19th century, it was assumed that the medium through which light moved, the ether, was an absolute reference frame. This being the case, if the earth were moving in a particular direction relative to the ether, and a beam of light was emitted from a source and reflected back along the direction of this motion, the light beam would travel faster than a beam directed perpendicular to the motion. Michelson and Morley conducted a famous experiment to demonstrate this difference in the speed of light and confirm the existence of ether.
2. In the late 19th century Michelson and Morley's experiment did not detect the presence of an ether wind. Additionally, James Clerk Maxwell devised equations that successfully described electromagnetic waves, but the equations predicted that observers traveling different speeds relative to one another would "see" a particular electromagnetic wave differently. Hedrick Lorentz devised equations that would account for both the absence of the ether wind and the peculiar predictions of Maxwell's equations. What made Lorentz's equations unsatisfying, even to Lorentz?

Answer: They were mere mathematical constructs, unexplained on the basis of underlying principles.

The problem was, then, that two different observers, moving at constant but different speeds, obtained different results when they measured objects moving at or near the speed of light. Although Lorentz developed equations that accurately predicted the difference in these "relative" measurements, Lorentz did not provide any model to explain his equations.
3. Despite the implications of Einstein's special theory of relativity, research into the nature of the medium in which electromagnetic waves traveled continued. What did Einstein claim his theory implied regarding this medium?

Answer: If the medium existed, it would not be possible to detect it.

Michelson never accepted relativity and continued to conduct additional experiments using refined versions of the original apparatus. Even after Michelson's death in 1931, Kennedy and Thorndike conducted one additional similar experiment in 1932.
4. Einstein's theory of relativity deals with the behavior of matter moving at speeds approaching the speed of light relative to an observer. Two men in separate space ships, each holding a meter ruler and a clock, pass each other at 99% of the speed of light. Based on the equations of Hedrick Lorentz (the Lorentz transformations), what will the two men observe?

Answer: Each will see the other's meter ruler as shorter than their own.

The meter sticks shorten and the clocks run slower. These effects on length and time are often termed "the Lorentz-Fitzgerald contraction" and "time dilation", respectively. After the failure of the Michelson and Morley experiment, George Fitzgerald and Hedrick Lorentz independently proposed that length "contraction" could explain the results. Each man later tried to give the other a greater share of the credit for originating the idea.
5. In light of the fact that measurements of length, time and mass seemed dependent on the relative speeds (the inertial reference frame) of observers, Einstein pondered what was constant relative to all reference frames. The theory of relativity arises from the assumption that which two things are constant to observers in all reference frames, independent of their relative speeds?

Answer: The speed of light and the laws of physics

Lorentz did not provide any model to explain his equations. Not only was this state of affairs unsatisfactory to Lorentz, it prompted Albert Einstein to question what might be constant, that is what might not depend on the relative speeds.
6. What was Einstein's original choice for a name for his theory?

Answer: The theory of invariants

Einstein sought to determine what was invariant in all reference frames. Accordingly, Einstein's original title for his theory was the "Theory of Invariants". (Max Planck persuaded Einstein to change it to the "Theory of Relativity.") Einstein is often wrongly quoted as having said, "Everything is relative." He did not.

In fact, Einstein became disenchanted with quantum theory in large measure because of the inherent uncertainty that quantum theory requires. After completing his work on relativity, Einstein spent the rest of his career unsuccessfully attempting to devise a "unified field theory" that would explain all known forces and banish Heisenberg's uncertainty principle.
7. Lorentz transformations correct for the relative speed of different observers using an expression equal to one divided by the square root of the quantity (1 minus v squared divided by c squared), where "v "is the relative velocity and "c" is the speed of light. This expression is called the "gamma". Therefore, as one moves faster, gamma becomes larger. As an object moves faster relative to an observer, the mass of the object increases to the observer. In order to obtain the corrected mass should one multiply or divide the mass by the "gamma"?

Answer: multiply

As velocity approaches "c", the speed of light, the "gamma" approaches infinity. This implies that the mass approaches infinity as the velocity of a particle approaches that of light. Practically speaking, as the mass of the particle increases to infinity the amount of energy needed to accelerate particle further does as well. Because infinite energy is never available, only a particle with zero mass could ever reach the speed of light.
8. A particle is accelerated to 90% of the speed of light in a particle accelerator. If it is a short-lived particle at rest, will a shortened or lengthened half-life be observed?

Answer: Lengthened

Time dilation can be used to advantage in particle accelerators. The Stanford Linear Accelerator website uses the "tau" particle as an example. At rest, a "tau" particle has a half-life of only 3.05 x 10 raised to the minus 13th power, seconds. In a particle accelerator, increasing the speed of the particle will not only prolong the length of time before the particle decays, but will also result in it traveling a greater distance in the accelerator before the decay occurs. Both factors allow for more observations to be made.
9. The theory of relativity allows us to calculate the amount of energy, "E", that would be released if a mass of "m" were converted to energy. The famous equation expressing this is which of the following?

Answer: E = m times c squared

E equals m times c squared is almost certainly the most famous equation arising out of Einstein's theory of relativity. It led Einstein and other physicists to postulate (and ultimately warn President Roosevelt about) the possibility of producing atomic bombs.
10. Which of the following best describes Einstein's general theory of relativity?

Answer: It is a theory largely dealing with gravitation and treats acceleration and gravitation as equivalent in a number of aspects.

General relativity remains to be reconciled with quantum theory. A number of predictions of general relativity have been confirmed. The geometry and mathematics of general relativity go considerably beyond the abilities of this quiz author. Interestingly, Einstein himself received help with some of the geometric aspects from colleagues. Einstein once quipped, "Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Source: Author uglybird

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
Related Quizzes
1. Ohm's Lore Average
2. Gases Are All Around Us! Tough
3. Theories of Matter Difficult
4. Gas Laws Average
5. Who Needs Airbags? Average
6. Replace Those Units! Tough
7. Laws in Physics Average
8. Wave Laws in Physics Average
9. Kinetic Theory of Gases and Related Laws Tough
10. Infinity Tough
11. Mixed Physics Average
12. General Physics Tough

3/28/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc. - Report an Error / Contact Us