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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 metric best approximates the scales at which extra dimensions would have a major impact?

2. When a black hole's entropy increases, which of its characteristics increases as well?

3. How does the number of extra "curled up" dimensions affect the vibration of strings?

4. What is M-theory?

5. What type of a string can be massless?

Short Essay Questions

1. Are the extra-dimensions demanded by string theory, space or time dimensions? How are those dimensions experienced in everyday life?

2. Describe the history of space-time tears in physics.

3. What is a wormhole, and how is it formed?

4. What is the major difference between the big bang with and without string theory?

5. What is the strong-weak duality?

6. What is the relationship between the elementary particles and the Calabi-Yau space?

7. What did Morrison and Greene discover together, and why is it important?

8. What is the relative composition of matter in the universe?

9. What is the major problem preventing string theory from gaining widespread acceptance, and why does this problem persist?

10. How are strings affected by extra dimensions?

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

The Most Famous Equation

Einstein's famous equation, E=mc^2 was not actually published in his original papers on relativity. It was a minor note in a clarification written later, but its importance was instantly recognized. Today, it is the most famous and recognizable equation in the world, and is used almost as a garnish to any depiction of scientific work. This essay is about the discovery and applications of this famous equation.

Part 1) What does the equation mean? What does each component represent, and what is the underlying principle that the equation embodies?

Part 2) How was this equation discovered? Explain in detail how it is related to general relativity and how it indicates that no object with mass can move at exactly the speed of light.

Part 3) Explain some of the implications of this equation. How can its effects be observed in everyday life? How would our world be different if we were ignorant of this equation?

(see the answer keys)

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