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Relativity VIC Mcqs

The document contains 11 multiple choice questions about concepts in relativity, including the speed of light measured in different reference frames, kinetic energy and work done on particles accelerated to relativistic speeds, time dilation and length contraction observed in different reference frames, and Einstein's postulates of relativity. The questions assess understanding of how measurements of distance, time, velocity and other quantities can vary for observers in different inertial reference frames according to Einstein's theory of special relativity.

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2K views

Relativity VIC Mcqs

The document contains 11 multiple choice questions about concepts in relativity, including the speed of light measured in different reference frames, kinetic energy and work done on particles accelerated to relativistic speeds, time dilation and length contraction observed in different reference frames, and Einstein's postulates of relativity. The questions assess understanding of how measurements of distance, time, velocity and other quantities can vary for observers in different inertial reference frames according to Einstein's theory of special relativity.

Uploaded by

LasnthaBandara
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Relativity

QUESTION 1
Two spaceships, A and B, are both travelling relative to an inertial frame of reference at 0.8 c in the same
direction. Spaceship A shines a light beam forward towards B as shown in the following diagram.

Light Beam
A

What is the speed of the light beam according to the captain on spaceship B?
A.
B.
C.
D.

0.2 c
0.8 c
c
1.8 c

QUESTION 2
In a particle accelerator, an alpha particle of mass 6.64 10 27 kg is accelerated to high speed from rest.
The total amount of work done on the alpha particle is equal to 7.71 10 10 J. Which one of the following
is closest to its final speed?
A.
B.
C.
D.

0.80c
0.90c
0.85c
0.95c

QUESTION 3
A stationary proton has a rest mass energy of 1.50 x 10-10J. When a proton is accelerated from a speed of
= 1.05 to a speed of = 1.10, which of the following is closest to the amount of work done on the proton
during its acceleration?
A.
B.
C.
D.

4.2 x 102 J
4.2 x 10-9 J
8.6 x 10-15 J
7.5 x 10-12 J

QUESTION 4
Which of the following statements best explains why it is impossible to accelerate particles to the speed
of light?
A.
B.
C.
D.

The kinetic energy of particles tends towards an infinite value as they approach light speed.
It is directly forbidden by one of Einsteins postulates.
As particles increase in speed their rest mass tends towards an infinite value.
The length of the path taken increases to infinity.

QUESTION 5
According to Einsteins theory of special relativity, which one of the following does not depend on the
motion of the observer?
A.
B.
C.
D.

The order of occurrence of two events.


The time interval between two events.
The distance between two points.
The speed of light.
Use the following information given in the passage to answer questions from 6 to 9

A meteor is heading directly towards the surface of a planet at a constant speed of 0.85c. Observers on the
surface of the planet observe it at a time when it is a distance x above the surface in their reference frame.
The observers calculate the time that the meteor will take to reach the surface of the planet as 784
microseconds. Use these information to answer questions 6 to 8.
QUESTION 6
Which one of the following is closest to the distance x?
A.
B.
C.
D.

105 km
200 km
235 km
380 km

QUESTION 7
Which one of the following is the best estimate of the time, as measured by the meteor, for it to reach the
surface of the planet?
A.
B.
C.
D.

1488 microseconds
784 microseconds
666 microseconds
413 microseconds

QUESTION 8
Which one of the following best describes the time of the meteors descent to the planet surface as
measured by the meteor, and the time as measured by the observers on the surface of the planet?
A.
B.
C.
D.

Only the meteor measures the proper time.


They are both measurements of proper time in their own reference frames.
Neither are measures of proper time.
Only the observers measure the proper time.

QUESTION 9
Which of the following is closest to Einsteins first postulate?
A.
B.
C.
D.

Light always travels at 3 108 m s1.


There is no way to tell how fast you are going unless you can see whats around you.
Velocities can only be measured relative to something else.
Absolute velocity is that measured with respect to the Sun.

For Questions 10 and 11 use the following description.


A spacecraft takes off on a trip to a distant star system 25 light years away at a speed, relative to earth of
0.995 c. Upon arrival it returns to Earth at a similar speed.
QUESTION 10
What is the value of gamma? (the Lorentz factor)
A. = 1.0
B. = 5.0
C. = 10.0
D. = 20.0
QUESTION 11
How long in Earths frame did it take the craft to reach the star system?
A.
B.
C.
D.

25.1 yrs
25.0 yrs
24.5 yrs
50 yrs

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