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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. How many dimensions did the tiny objects involved in the original statement of string theory have?

2. According to special relativity, which of the following can move faster than light?

3. Who discovered the theory of general relativity?

4. What discovery was made that incorporated gravitational force into quantum mechanics via string theory?

5. What is different about a particle of antimatter, compared to its normal counterpart?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. State Newton's law of gravity.

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

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

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

8. Describe the basic principles of string theory.

9. 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.

10. In physics, what is symmetry?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

M for Mystery

M-theory is an as yet undiscovered theory that would unit the five fields of string theory. What the "M" stands for is actually subject to some debate, but the theory suggests that there are connections between the five seemingly disparate theories.

Part 1) Describe the origin of the five string theories, explaining why their existence is an embarrassment for the field.

Part 2) Explain the history of M-theory. When and why was it proposed, and what progress has been made since it was created? What is its current scientific status?

Part 3) Explain the concept of duality, which relates different string theories. Has this theory has any success, and what are its prospects in the future?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Symmetry Through the Universe

The "super" in "superstring theory" comes from the theory of supersymmetry, which itself derives from the easily intelligible principle of symmetry, which is ubiquitous in science. A physical law has symmetry if it is applied equally to any point in space or time. Supersymmetry is an expansion of that principle, and it provides string theory with a unique capability.

Part 1) Describe the nature of symmetry in the scientific field, and give some examples of laws which obey symmetry. Provide imaginary counter-examples that demonstrate the chaotic and unpredictable nature of laws that do not have symmetry.

Part 2) Describe supersymmetry, and explain the property of "spin" associated with elementary particles, and how it applies to the theory. Describe attempts to prove supersymmetry experimentally.

Part 3) What is the advantage when supersymmetry is incorporated into string theory? Describe the predictive and explanatory power that string theory gains through this in detail.

(see the answer keys)

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