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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 advent of fermionic vibrational patterns resulted in the creation of _____.

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

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

4. What rule did Max Planck discover the electromagnetic waves bounded in a container, such as an oven, must follow?

5. Quantum physics began with the study of the energy inside a heated, closed container, such as an oven. The problem with theories at the time was that they predicted that _____.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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.

3. Describe the basic principles of string theory.

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

5. What are strings composed of?

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

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

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

9. What are the messenger particles of the strong and weak force, and what function do they perform?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Two-Slit Enigma

The two-slit experiment is so famous as to be ubiquitous in modern physics. It succinctly illustrates the wave-nature of particles and the very mysterious interference that these particles experience even when there are no other waves to interact with. Perform a short research project on the two-slit experiment, using the book as a starting point, and citing at least two other sources.

Part 1) Describe the history of the experiment, including the original motivation for performing it, and variations that have been performed since.

Part 2) Describe in detail the results of the experiment in its major variations. What are the implications of the experiment and some typical explanations for the results? Explain why these results are so important and unusual.

Part 3) Devise a version of the two-slit experiment that you would perform, given sufficient resources and time, either for scientific purposes, aesthetic interests, or simple curiosity. Be sure to describe the set-up and state what you expect the results to be.

Essay Topic 2

Inflation

Inflation theory is a very unusual theory about the first moments of the universe's existence. It predicts that an unimaginably massive expansion took place in a mind-bogglingly short period. However, the theory has been more or less definitively confirmed, and is an important part of modern cosmology.

Part 1) Describe the nature of the microwave cosmic background radiation and the horizon problem. Fully explain how these things relate to the expansion of the universe and the classic model of the big bang.

Part 2) Explain the development of inflation theory. How does it solve the horizon problem?

Part 3) How is the inflation theory affected by string theory?

Part 4) Explain some of the effects of the inflationary period on the universe that we observe today.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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