43 Lecture

PHY101

Midterm & Final Term Short Notes

Special Relativity – II

Special relativity is a branch of physics that describes the behavior of objects in motion at high speeds, approaching the speed of light.


Important Mcq's
Midterm & Finalterm Prepration
Past papers included

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What is the rest mass of a particle moving at a speed of 0.6c if its relativistic mass is 2.5 times its rest mass?

A) 1.8 m0

B) 1.4 m0

C) 2.0 m0

D) 2.5 m0

Answer: B) 1.4 m0


According to special relativity, what happens to time and length measurements as the speed of an object approaches the speed of light?

A) Time slows down and length contracts

B) Time speeds up and length expands

C) Time slows down and length expands

D) Time speeds up and length contracts

Answer: A) Time slows down and length contracts


What is the maximum speed limit in the universe according to special relativity?

A) The speed of sound

B) The speed of light

C) The speed of gravity

D) The speed of time

Answer: B) The speed of light


What is the formula for time dilation in special relativity?

A) t' = t / ?(1 - v^2/c^2)

B) t' = t x ?(1 - v^2/c^2)

C) t' = t / (1 - v^2/c^2)

D) t' = t x (1 - v^2/c^2)

Answer: A) t' = t / ?(1 - v^2/c^2)


What is the name given to the phenomenon in which an object appears to be shorter when it is moving at a high speed relative to an observer?

A) Time dilation

B) Length contraction

C) Relativistic acceleration

D) Mass increase

Answer: B) Length contraction


What is the formula for the relativistic mass of a particle in motion?

A) m = m0 / ?(1 - v^2/c^2)

B) m = m0 x ?(1 - v^2/c^2)

C) m = m0 / (1 - v^2/c^2)

D) m = m0 x (1 - v^2/c^2)

Answer: B) m = m0 x ?(1 - v^2/c^2)


According to special relativity, what is the relationship between energy and mass?

A) They are independent of each other

B) Energy and mass are equivalent and can be converted into each other

C) Energy can create mass but mass cannot create energy

D) Mass can create energy but energy cannot create mass

Answer: B) Energy and mass are equivalent and can be converted into each other


What is the name given to the time dilation effect experienced by an object in motion due to gravity?

A) Gravitational time dilation

B) Relativistic time dilation

C) Gravitational lensing

D) Frame dragging

Answer: A) Gravitational time dilation


According to special relativity, what is the formula for relativistic momentum?

A) p = mv

B) p = m0v

C) p = m0v / ?(1 - v^2/c^2)

D) p = m0v x ?(1 - v^2/c^2)

Answer: D) p = m0v x ?(1 - v^2/c^2)


What is the name given to the phenomenon in which an object moving at a high speed experiences a decrease in its apparent mass?

A) Time dilation

B) Length contraction

C) Mass increase

D



Subjective Short Notes
Midterm & Finalterm Prepration
Past papers included

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What is the postulate of special relativity?

Answer: The postulate of special relativity states that the laws of physics are the same for all observers in uniform motion relative to each other.


What is time dilation?

Answer: Time dilation is a phenomenon where time appears to run slower for an object in motion relative to an observer, as compared to an object at rest.


What is length contraction?

Answer: Length contraction is a phenomenon where the length of an object in motion appears shorter to an observer as compared to an object at rest.


What is the twin paradox in special relativity?

Answer: The twin paradox refers to a situation where one twin travels to a distant star at near-light speeds while the other twin remains on Earth. The traveling twin experiences time dilation and returns to Earth younger than the twin who stayed on Earth.


What is the mass-energy equivalence?

Answer: The mass-energy equivalence, expressed by Einstein's famous equation E=mc², states that mass and energy are interchangeable and are two forms of the same thing.


What is the Lorentz transformation?

Answer: The Lorentz transformation is a set of equations that describe how space and time coordinates of events appear to observers in relative motion with respect to each other.


What is the concept of simultaneity in special relativity?

Answer: Simultaneity is relative in special relativity, meaning that two events that appear simultaneous to one observer may not appear simultaneous to another observer in relative motion.


What is the meaning of the term "relativistic" in special relativity?

Answer: The term "relativistic" refers to the fact that the laws of physics in special relativity are relative to the observer's motion, rather than being absolute.


How does special relativity explain the constancy of the speed of light?

Answer: Special relativity explains the constancy of the speed of light by postulating that the speed of light is the same for all observers in uniform motion relative to each other, regardless of the motion of the light source or the observer.


What is the role of the Lorentz factor in special relativity?

Answer: The Lorentz factor, represented by the symbol ?, appears in many equations of special relativity and accounts for time dilation, length contraction, and the mass-energy equivalence. It is a measure of how "relativistic" an object's motion is, and approaches infinity as the object approaches the speed of light.


Special Relativity – II

Special relativity is a branch of physics that describes the behavior of objects in motion at high speeds, approaching the speed of light. It was introduced by Albert Einstein in 1905 and has since become a fundamental part of modern physics. In this article, we will explore some of the key concepts and principles of special relativity. One of the most important concepts in special relativity is the idea that the laws of physics are the same for all observers in uniform motion. This means that if two observers are moving relative to one another at a constant speed, they will see the same physical laws and phenomena. This is known as the principle of relativity. Another key principle of special relativity is that the speed of light is always constant, regardless of the motion of the observer or the source of light. This means that no matter how fast an observer is moving relative to a source of light, they will always measure the same speed of light. This principle has many important consequences, one of which is time dilation. Time dilation is the idea that time appears to run slower for objects that are moving relative to an observer. This effect becomes more pronounced as the speed of the object approaches the speed of light. This means that a clock on a fast-moving spaceship will appear to tick more slowly than a clock on Earth. Another consequence of the constancy of the speed of light is length contraction. Length contraction is the idea that objects appear to be shorter in the direction of motion when they are moving at high speeds. This effect also becomes more pronounced as the speed of the object approaches the speed of light. Special relativity also introduces the concept of spacetime, which combines the traditional three dimensions of space with time as a fourth dimension. In this view, events that occur at the same time for one observer may occur at different times for another observer who is moving at a different speed. One of the most famous equations in physics is the mass-energy equivalence equation, E = mc², which was introduced by Einstein in his theory of special relativity. This equation shows that mass and energy are two forms of the same thing and can be converted into one another. Overall, special relativity is a powerful and elegant theory that has had a profound impact on our understanding of the universe. Its principles have been confirmed through numerous experiments and observations, and its predictions have been used to develop technologies such as GPS. In conclusion, special relativity is a fascinating field of study that has challenged our understanding of space, time, and the nature of reality. Its principles have been confirmed by experiments and observations, and its predictions have been used to develop technologies that have changed the world.