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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. The wave-like nature of the electron means that after a collision, _____.

2. Black holes are dense and massive cosmological bodies. What unique distinction do they have?

3. What are the components of an atomic nucleus?

4. Which of the following theory was NOT developed in order to try to resolve the conflicts between quantum mechanics and general relativity?

5. Which of the following accurately describes the phenomenon of "quantum tunneling"?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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.

2. What is the relationship between light, electricity, and magnetism?

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

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

5. Describe the basic principles of string theory.

6. 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.

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

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

9. Describe the nature and origin of quantum foam.

10. Describe and explain the results of the two-slit experiment.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Uncertainty

One of the most infamous characteristics of quantum mechanics is Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. It affects nearly all events in the field of quantum mechanics, and has deep implications for our understanding of the universe.

Part 1) What is the uncertainty principle and how was it discovered. Explain the operation of this principle and provide at least two examples of its workings.

Part 2) The uncertainty principle predicts a range of probabilities for the location of a particle. This range is sometimes called the particle's waveform. This waveform is said to "collapse" when the particle is observed. Describe in as much detail as possible the nature of the waveform, and our understanding of how this collapse occurs.

Part 3) Describe how the uncertainty principle affects quantum mechanics, and provide examples of how it has affected other fields of physics and the sciences.

Part 4) There is much speculation about what the uncertainty principle means. Do particles "choose" where to be when observed? Is there some sort of unseen randomizing force or agent? Do we ourselves choose where the particle will be? In this final section of the essay, speculate as to what the wider implications of the uncertainty principle might be. Provide at least one well-reasoned speculation, using scientific information from the book and other sources, if necessary.

Essay Topic 2

The Conflict of the Century

Between quantum mechanics and general relativity, almost any phenomenon in the universe can be explained and understood, but for physicists, this is not enough. It has long been known that these theories conflict with one another, and that therefore, neither of them can be exactly correct. The search for a single unifying theory that can reconcile these two branches of science is ongoing. String theory is just one of the many solutions that has been suggested, but it has lasted the longest and sustained the most scrutiny.

Part 1) Describe the conflicts between quantum mechanics and general relativity. How and where do these theories become mutually incomprehensible? Provide as many examples of these conflicts as possible.

Part 2) Research and describe some of the efforts to unify these fields, apart from string theory. How are these problems approached, and how successful have these theories been?

Part 3) Describe string theory's approach to resolving these conflicts. How does this approach differ from the others discussed above, and how successful has string theory been compared with these others?

Essay Topic 3

Black Holes

Black holes are the most massive objects in our universe. They contain deep mysteries and relatively little is known about them. They are incredibly powerful, able to out-muscle light itself, piece the fabric of space-time, and perhaps even create new universes.

Part 1) Describe the history of our knowledge of black holes: How and why they were first theorized about, and how they were first discovered by observation.

Part 2) How is a black hole formed? Explain the dominant theories about the formation of black holes, being sure to address features such as the event horizon. Explain some of the more esoteric possibilities as well.

Part 3) Black holes have driven forward theory and discovery for a long time. Explain some of the ways that black holes have inspired scientists to push forward our knowledge of the universe.

(see the answer keys)

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