(Multiple choice)

(1)

The approximate total energy of a particle of mass m moving at speed u << c is

(a) mc²,

(b) ½mu²,

(c) cmu,

(d) ½ mc²,

(e) ½cmu.

(2)

A set of twins work in an office building. One works on the top floor and the other works in the basement. Considering general relativity, which one will age more quickly?

(a) They will age at the same rate.

(b) The twin who works on the top floor will age more quickly.

(c) The twin who works in the basement will age more quickly.

(d) It depends on the speed of the office building.

(e) None of these is correct.

(3) True or false:

(a) The speed of light is the same in all reference frames.

(b) Proper time is the shortest time interval between two events.

(c) Absolute motion can be determined by means of length contraction.

(d) The light-year is a unit of distance.

(e) Simultaneous events must occur at the same place.

(f) If two events are not simultaneous in one frame, they cannot be simultaneous in any other frame.

(g) If two particles are tightly bound together by strong attractive forces, the rest mass of the system is less than the sum of the masses of the individual particles when separated.

(4)

An observer sees a system consisting of a mass oscillating on the end of a spring moving past at a speed u and notes that the period of the system is T. Another observer, who is moving with the mass–spring system, also measures its period. The second observer will find a period that is

(a) Equal to T,

(b) Less than T,

(c) Greater than T,

(d) Either (a) or (b) depending on whether the system was approaching or receding from the first observer,

(e) There is not sufficient information to answer the question.