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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. What is the quantum, or messenger particle, of the strong force?

2. What is the quantum, or messenger particle, of the weak force?

3. Edwin Hubble used Einstein's theories to show that the fabric of the universe _____.

4. 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?

5. According to special relativity, which of the following is true about the passage of time for an observer moving near the speed of light?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe a black hole, including some of its physical properties and methods by which it can be detected.

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

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

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

6. State Newton's law of gravity.

7. In physics, what is symmetry?

8. Suppose that two objects are exerting a gravitational pull on each other, when one suddenly moves a large distance further away from the other object. Describe the impact of this event according to general relativity.

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

10. Describe the basic principles of string theory.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Quantum

The quantum is the smallest possible unit of energy that can be manifested for a particular fundamental force. The realization that energy came in discrete "packets" revolutionized physics and created the field of quantum mechanics. This essay is about the discovery of the quanta.

Part 1) Research and fully describe the nature of the problem of the "oven" that contains infinite energy. What were some early attempts at a solution?

Part 2) Describe Max Planck's solution to the problem in detail. How did his final approach resolve the infinite sums into finite ones? What is the relationship between the properties of the electromagnetic wave and its energy?

Part 3) Planck proposed that energy could only exist in multiples of certain minimum amounts. Describe how he came to this conclusion, and what impact this conclusion had on other fields of science.

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

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?

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