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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 are the amplitude of a string's vibration and the mass of the particle it represents related?

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

3. According to general relativity, all objects that have mass have what effect on space-time?

4. Which of the follow is true of objects with which string theory is concerned?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are strings composed of?

3. State Newton's law of gravity.

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

5. Describe the structure of an atom.

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

7. Describe the nature and origin of quantum foam.

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

9. 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.

10. In physics, what is symmetry?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Big Crunch

Due to the far-reaching space-warping effects of gravity, it turns out that there is a specific critical density to our universe that determines in what way the universe will end. This density is still largely unknown, although it appears that we are close to the critical density. Disturbingly, observations of the known universe have shown that visible matter makes up only about 23% of the necessary mass. The difference is made up by dark matter and dark energy.

Part 1) Describe how gravity shapes our universe at very large scales. How does the density of the universe determine its ultimate fate?

Part 2) One possible ending of the universe is that the density is too great, and the universe will collapse. Describe how this collapse could occur, paying particular attention to the conclusions of string theory.

Part 3) Another possibility is the endless expansion of the universe due to low density. Describe the way that this could occur, thinking critically about what it means for space to expand at an increasing rate.

Essay Topic 2

Black Holes Redux

String theory provides some tantalizing possibilities for explaining the nature of black holes. These incredibly powerful cosmic objects were part of the reason that string theory was created in the first place. Their incredible extremes have been the point that most other theories get off the train, but string theory is able to handle these problems deftly. Part 1) Why can string theory analyze black holes where other theories fail? Include a discussion of quantum mechanics, general relativity, and entropy as they relate to this subject.

Part 2) String theory predicts the possibility of dramatic tears in space-time called conifold transitions. Explain what these events are and how they relate to the formation and structure of black holes.

Part 3) Explain the theory that black holes and elementary particles are different phases of the same material. Explain what phase-transition is and how this concept relates to black holes. If true, what are the implications of this concept?

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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