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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. Edwin Hubble used Einstein's theories to show that the fabric of the universe _____.
(a) Is not static, it must either be shrinking or expanding.
(b) Is uniform in all places and times.
(c) Has a finite boundary.
(d) Is not flat, it is curved, either inwards or outwards.

2. General relativity is incompatible with _____.
(a) Quantum mechanics.
(b) The big bang theory.
(c) The photoelectric effect.
(d) State theory.

3. According to general relativity, the change that an object causes in the fabric of space-time depends directly on _____.
(a) Its density.
(b) Its direction compared to the observer.
(c) Its mass.
(d) Its proximity to another massive body.

4. In 1968 it was discovered that protons and neutrons are composed of which type of particle?
(a) Muons.
(b) Quarks.
(c) Baryons.
(d) Neutrinos.

5. What are the characteristics of a wave?
(a) Energy level, polarity, and speed.
(b) Frequency, wavelength, and amplitude.
(c) Amplitude and energy.
(d) Frequency, polarity, and wavelength.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the quantum, or messenger particle, of gravity?

2. What is the quantum, or messenger particle, of the strong force?

3. According to Newton's theory of gravity, if two objects have a gravitational pull on one another, and one changes its mass or distance from the other, how quickly does the effect of this change travel to the other object?

4. According to string theory, why do different particles have different properties?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Referring to the experiment described in question Short Essay #6, what would the three observers see according to the theory of special relativity?

2. Describe the relationship between the vibration of a string and the particle it represents, including the particle's mass and the tension, wavelength, and amplitude of the string.

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

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

5. Describe the "equivalence principle", which relates acceleration and gravitational force.

6. State Newton's law of gravity.

7. Describe the structure of an atom.

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

9. 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.

10. Three observers carry out an experiment. From the same starting point, they observe a beam of light move directly away from them. One observer stays at rest at the starting point. One observer "chases" the beam at half the speed of light. The last observer chases the beam at exactly the speed of light. Describe what these observers would note about the beam of light according to Newtonian (pre-relativity) physics and thinking.

(see the answer keys)

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