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Special Theory of Relativity
Who formulated the Special Theory of Relativity?
Albert Einstein formulated the Special Theory of Relativity in 1905.
What are the two postulates of the Special Theory of Relativity?
The laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames, and the speed of light is constant in a vacuum.
What is time dilation according to Special Relativity?
Time dilation is the concept that time passes more slowly for an observer in motion compared to one at rest.
What happens to mass as an object approaches the speed of light?
As an object approaches the speed of light, its mass effectively becomes infinite, requiring infinite energy to move.
What is the formula for mass-energy equivalence?
The formula is E=mc², where E is energy, m is mass, and c is the speed of light.
How does Special Relativity affect our understanding of simultaneity?
Simultaneity is relative—events that are simultaneous in one frame may not be in another.
What is length contraction in Special Relativity?
Length contraction is the phenomenon where an object's length appears shorter when it moves past an observer at high speeds.
Why can't objects move faster than the speed of light?
As objects approach light speed, they require infinite energy due to increasing mass, making it physically impossible.
What experimental evidence supports Special Relativity?
Key evidence includes the Michelson-Morley experiment, time dilation observable in particle decays, and GPS system accuracy.
How do clocks behave differently in Special Relativity?
Moving clocks tick slower compared to stationary ones, a phenomenon known as time dilation.
What is an inertial frame of reference?
An inertial frame of reference is one in which an object either is at rest or moves at a constant velocity.
How does light behave according to Special Relativity?
Light travels at a constant speed (c) in vacuum, regardless of the observer's motion.
What is the twin paradox?
It's a thought experiment where a twin traveling at high speed ages slower than the twin who stays at rest.
Describe how GPS technology relies on Special Relativity.
GPS satellites account for time dilation, as they move quickly and are in a different gravitational field compared to Earth's surface.
What is spacetime according to Special Relativity?
Spacetime is the four-dimensional continuum where space and time are not separate entities but interwoven.
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1. Who formulated the Special Theory of Relativity?
Albert Einstein
Isaac Newton
Niels Bohr
Max Planck
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2. What are the two postulates of the Special Theory of Relativity?
The laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames, and the speed of light is constant in a vacuum.
The mass of an object decreases with increased velocity, and gravity is a constant force.
Time moves at a constant rate in all frames, and the energy of an object is fixed.
Frequency of light remains constant, and all velocities are relative to the observer.
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3. What is time dilation according to Special Relativity?
Time passes more slowly for an observer in motion compared to one at rest.
Time remains constant regardless of motion.
Time speeds up for an observer in motion.
Time only dilates in gravitational fields.
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4. What happens to mass as an object approaches the speed of light?
Its mass effectively becomes infinite.
Its mass decreases to zero.
Its mass doubles.
Its mass remains constant.
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5. What is the formula for mass-energy equivalence?
E=mc²
F=ma²
E=hf
F=G(m1m2)/r²
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6. How does Special Relativity affect our understanding of simultaneity?
Simultaneity is relative—events that are simultaneous in one frame may not be in another.
Simultaneity is absolute and consistent in all frames.
Simultaneity only occurs at the speed of sound.
Simultaneity depends on the wavelength of light used.
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7. What is length contraction in Special Relativity?
An object's length appears shorter when it moves past an observer at high speeds.
An object's width expands relative to motion.
All dimensions of an object shrink as it moves.
An object retains its size regardless of speed.
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8. Why can't objects move faster than the speed of light?
They require infinite energy due to increasing mass, making it physically impossible.
Their velocity relative to their size becomes insignificant.
Light alters their mass, preventing acceleration.
Their internal energies prevent further motion.
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9. What experimental evidence supports Special Relativity?
Michelson-Morley experiment, time dilation in particle decays, and GPS system accuracy.
Double-slit experiment, gravitational lensing, and electron diffraction.
Pendulum motion, heat transfer studies, and sound wave interference.
Blackbody radiation, atomic clocks, and refraction index changes.
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10. How do clocks behave differently in Special Relativity?
Moving clocks tick slower compared to stationary ones.
Moving clocks tick faster due to kinetic energy.
Clocks maintain the same pace regardless of motion.
Clocks stop at high velocities.
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11. What is an inertial frame of reference?
An object is at rest or moves at constant velocity.
An object accelerates uniformly.
An object moves in a circular path.
An object changes velocity with time.
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12. How does light behave according to Special Relativity?
Light travels at a constant speed in vacuum, regardless of the observer's motion.
Light speed varies with the observer's velocity.
Light bends according to gravitational influence only.
Light speed changes in interaction with matter.
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13. What is the twin paradox?
A twin traveling at high speed ages slower than the twin who stays at rest.
Both twins age at the same rate despite relative motion.
The twin at rest ages faster.
Time freezes for the twin in motion.
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14. Describe how GPS technology relies on Special Relativity.
GPS satellites account for time dilation due to their speed and different gravitational field.
GPS measures only spatial coordinates, unaffected by time.
GPS relies on quantum fluctuations unrelated to relativity.
GPS ignores gravitational effects while computing positions.
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15. What is spacetime according to Special Relativity?
The four-dimensional continuum where space and time are interwoven.
A three-dimensional model excluding time as a dimension.
A hypothetical construct not influencing real-world observations.
A two-dimensional projection of universe events.
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