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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following is true of a particle's spin?
(a) It is constant for that particle.
(b) It changes depending on the particle's energy.
(c) It depends on the strength of the local magnetic field.
(d) It increases with each interaction with a particle of greater spin.

2. According to general relativity, all objects that have mass have what effect on space-time?
(a) They stretch space-time for other very distant objects.
(b) They fold space-time as they move past one another.
(c) They tear space-time when they travel at near-light speeds.
(d) They warp space-time around them.

3. Quantum electroweak theory concerns quantum mechanics and _____.
(a) The weak force.
(b) The electromagnetic force.
(c) The strong force.
(d) Gravity.

4. What is the quantum, or messenger particle, of the weak force?
(a) The Higgs boson.
(b) The neutrino.
(c) The weak gauge boson.
(d) The up quark.

5. Which of the follow best describes a boson?
(a) The supersymmetric version of a proton.
(b) A particle of matter.
(c) The super-partner of a proton.
(d) A particle of energy, a messenger particle for a force.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why are the fluctuations that quantum physics predicts not observable in everyday life?

2. What are the components of an atomic nucleus?

3. Two theories form the basis of modern physics, but are incompatible with one another. String theory attempts to reconcile these fields. What are these two theories?

4. Which of the following is true about the tension within a string?

5. Which of the following is true regarding experimental confirmation of string theory?

Short Essay Questions

1. Adam is in his spaceship, at rest, when Ben's ship passes by, moving at nearly the speed of light. Adam observes that Ben's ship seems to be shorter than normal, and the clock on the outside of the ship is running very slowly. When he tells Ben about this, Ben claims that his ship was at rest, and that Adam passed him at nearly the speed of light. Ben also claims to have seen the same unusual problems with Adam's ship; it appeared shorter and its clock was running slowly. Adam and Ben's observations are both perfectly valid. Why?

2. Describe a black hole, including some of its physical properties and methods by which it can be detected.

3. List the four fundamental forces of the universe, their functions, and describe where and at what scales they are most commonly observed.

4. What is the relationship between wavelength, frequency, and a wave's minimum energy?

5. According to Einstein's theory for the photoelectric effect, what is the relationship between the frequency of light and the electrons ejected by the metal?

6. Describe Max Planck's solution to the infinite-energy problem.

7. What are strings composed of?

8. Describe the symmetry between the electromagnetism and the weak force that is predicted by quantum electroweak theory.

9. State Newton's law of gravity.

10. What are the two main theories on which modern physics is based? At what scales are they accurate or inaccurate? Give at least one example of a circumstance in which both theories would need to be employed.

(see the answer keys)

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