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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. 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?

2. The first version of string theory did not include any particles of _____.

3. The smallest possible unit of energy is referred to as _____.

4. What are the components of an atomic nucleus?

5. What would an outside observer notice about an object moving near the speed of light?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the structure of an atom.

2. What are super-partners?

3. What is supersymmetry and what is its importance in string theory?

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

5. 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.

6. How many string theories are there and how did there come to be multiple theories?

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

8. What are some of the difficulties in confirming string theory experimentally?

9. In physics, what is symmetry?

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.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Black Holes Redux

String theory provides some tantalizing possibilities for explaining the nature of black holes. These incredibly powerful cosmic objects were part of the reason that string theory was created in the first place. Their incredible extremes have been the point that most other theories get off the train, but string theory is able to handle these problems deftly. Part 1) Why can string theory analyze black holes where other theories fail? Include a discussion of quantum mechanics, general relativity, and entropy as they relate to this subject.

Part 2) String theory predicts the possibility of dramatic tears in space-time called conifold transitions. Explain what these events are and how they relate to the formation and structure of black holes.

Part 3) Explain the theory that black holes and elementary particles are different phases of the same material. Explain what phase-transition is and how this concept relates to black holes. If true, what are the implications of this concept?

Essay Topic 2

Into the Unknowns

In the final chapter of the book, the author calls the readers attention to the major problems remaining in string theory, as well as to its most promising achievements. Confirmation of string theory is still far away, but the theory is so elegant and has so much potential that it cannot and should not be let go. This essay is about a final assessment of string theory's status and overall worth.

Part 1) Discuss the major shortcoming of string theory, especially the problems with experimental confirmation. Include a discussion of the perturbation method and its validity.

Part 2) Explain string theory's most important assets, including its incredible descriptive power, and its ability to unite quantum mechanics and general relativity. Be sure to discuss the promising new progress that Greene outlines in the later chapters.

Part 3) Using all of the information presented in the book, assess string theories status. How stable is its foundation? Is it likely to be the final theory of everything?

Essay Topic 3

A Cosmic Anomaly

Until a few years ago, concepts like "tears" in the fabric of space-time were purely science fiction. However, string theory has shown that these occurrences are possible. Part 1) Explain the concept of a tear in space-time. What does this tear represent, and how would it interact with its surroundings.

Part 2) Describe the discovery of space-tearing flop transitions. Describe conifold transitions. How and why do these transitions occur? How are the dangers of these tears prevented?

Part 3) It is possible that these kinds of tears could be created and manipulated at will. What are the possible uses and applications of these tears? Would their use be conscionable, given their apparent danger?

(see the answer keys)

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