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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. In which particle was spin first discovered?

2. What is the result when a particle of matter and a particle of antimatter are brought into contact?

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

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

5. What is quantum foam?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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.

2. 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.

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

4. Describe some of the problems with uniting quantum mechanics and general relativity.

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

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

7. How does string theory reconcile quantum mechanics and the theory of general relativity?

8. 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?

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

10. Describe the structure of an atom.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Relativistic Relativity

Einstein is most famous for his two theories of relativity. It is sometimes said that special relativity would have been discovered in a few years without Einstein, but if it were not for him, the world would still be waiting for general relativity. These two theories are critical to modern physics and are used in important applications every day.

Part 1) Describe the discovery of the theory of special relativity. What thoughts caused Einstein to first contemplate this theory, and how did it develop. Explain the underlying principles of special relativity.

Part 2) Repeat the above analysis for the theory of general relativity.

Part 3) Compare and contrast the discoveries of these two theories. Make an assessment of which has been more important historically. Describe succinctly the difference between these theories.

Part 4) Research and describe some of the ways that each of these theories affect technology and ongoing physics research.

Essay Topic 2

Time Travel through Relativity

Special relativity states that as an object's velocity increases, it moves through time more slowly. This effect is amplified greatly near the speed of light. If a ship could be built to travel close to the speed of light for an extended period, a person on that ship could return to earth many years into its future.

Part 1) Propose a mission for such a craft. What will be its goal? Will it be manned or unmanned? How many years into the future will it journey? Use special relativity to estimate how long the journey will be for the ship and its crew.

Part 2) Describe the craft and its contents in detail. What supplies, people, equipment, and other objects must it bring with it? How large is the craft, and about how much does it weigh?

Part 3) Explain contingency plans for the mission. What will happen if it arrives early, or too late? What will happen to the craft and its crew after the mission is complete?

Part 4) Guess creatively at what people will think of the craft when it arrives in the future.

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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