AST201 Assignment 2

4/9/2021 Assignment 2
Assignment 2
Due: 11:59pm on Monday, February 1, 2021
You will receive no credit for items you complete after the assignment is due. Grading Policy
Chapter S2 Reading Quiz - Copy
Part A
The primary difference between the special theory of relativity and the general theory of relativity is that the general theory also describes ______.
Hint 1.
Study Section S2.1.
ANSWER:
time dilation
length contraction
the nature of gravity
the constancy of the speed of light
Correct
Special relativity applies to the special case in which we ignore the role of gravity.
Part B
Which of the following statements best describes what is "relative" in the theory of relativity?
Hint 1.
Study Section S2.1.
ANSWER:
The theory says that everything is relative.
The theory says that the speed of light is relative and depends on who is measuring it.
The theory says that truth can never be established in any absolute sense.
The theory says that measurements of motion make sense only when we state what they are measured relative to.
Correct
That is, it describes relativity of motion.
Part C
In relativity, two people share the same reference frame only if what is true?
Hint 1.
Study Section S2.2.
ANSWER:
https://session.masteringastronomy.com/myct/assignmentPrintView?assignmentID=2146082 1/27
They agree on the laws of nature.
They are both located in the same place and are stationary.
They are both located in the same place.
They are not moving relative to one another.
Correct
Note that they need not be located in the same place, or even anywhere near each other; the only requirement for being in the same reference
frame is that they are not moving relative to one another.
Part D
You are in an airplane, traveling relative to the ground at 500 km/hr. You throw a baseball toward the front of the plane at a speed of 50 km/hr. How fast
would someone on the ground say the baseball is moving?
Hint 1.
Study Section S2.2.
ANSWER:
500 km/hr
450 km/hr
550 km/hr
50 km/hr
Correct
Because the airplane and the ball are going in the same direction (and at speeds small compared to the speed of light), we simply add their
speeds.
Part E
You and Mae are in free-float frames. Mae has just passed you, traveling at a speed of 60 km/hr. You throw a ball toward her at a speed of 60 km/hr.
What will Mae see the ball doing?
Hint 1.
Study Section S2.2.
ANSWER:
The ball will be stationary, floating freely in her own reference frame.
She'll see the ball coming toward her at 60 km/hr.
She'll see the ball coming toward her at 120 km/hr.
She'll see the ball moving away from her at 60 km/hr.
Correct
Because she and the ball are moving at the same velocity according to you, they must be stationary according to each other.
Part F
The measured value of the speed of light is about 300,000 km/s. Suppose a futuristic space train is traveling at 200,000 km/s with its headlights on. If
you could measure the speed of the light from the headlights, you would find it to be ______.
Hint 1.
Study Section S2.2.
ANSWER:
200,000 km/s
300,000 km/s
100,000 km/s
500,000 km/s
Correct
The speed of light is always the same.
Part G
What do we mean by time dilation in relativity?
Hint 1.
Study Section S2.3.
ANSWER:
It is a hallucinogenic effect experienced by people who take too much of something.
It is the idea that relativity makes time dilate, or expand, for people who study it.
It is the idea that time seems to run slower in reference frames moving relative to you, but time really is the same for everyone.
It is the idea that time really runs slower in reference frames moving relative to you.
Correct
It is called time dilation because dilate means "expand"; in other words, time expands (runs slow) in the moving reference frame.
Part H
You can see a clock in a spaceship moving past you at 90% of the speed of light. According to you, how much time would pass while the clock in the
spaceship ticked through one minute?
Hint 1.
Study Section S2.1.
ANSWER:
Less than one minute
More than one minute
A minute on the ship is exactly two minutes for you.
A minute is the same on the ship than it is for you.
Correct
Time runs more slowly in the moving reference frame.
Part I
What do we mean by length contraction in relativity?
Hint 1.
Study Section S2.3.
ANSWER:
It is the idea that if you measure the size of an object moving relative to you, you will find that in the direction of motion it is shorter than it
would be at rest, while its size in other directions is unchanged.
It is the idea that if you measure the size of an object moving relative to you, you will find that it is shorter in every direction than it would
be at rest. That is, length, width, and height are all shorter for an object when it is moving by you.
It is the idea that if you travel fast, you'll notice yourself getting shorter.
It is the idea that moving objects look smaller than nonmoving objects, but their sizes have not really changed.
Correct
Be sure to notice that it is only length in the direction of motion that is contracted.
Part J
Kim is in a spaceship moving past you at half the speed of light. Which of the following correctly describes how you will perceive each other's time?
Hint 1.
Remember that motion is always relative.
ANSWER:
You will say that Kim's time is running slow, and she will say that your time is running slow.
You will say that Kim's time is running fast, and she will say that your time is running slow.
You will say that Kim's time is running slow, and she will say that your time is running fast.
You will both agree that time runs at the same rate for both of you.
Correct
Relativity tells us that you can both equally well consider yourselves to be at rest, so you must say the same things about each other.
Part K
Two twin sisters, Gwen and Jackie, are both 20 years old in the year 2020. Jackie takes off on a round-trip to Vega, 25 light-years away. She travels at
an average speed close to the speed of light, say, 0.9999c. According to Gwen back on Earth, about how long does it take Jackie to reach Vega?
Hint 1.
Study Section S2.4.
ANSWER:
about a month
about 100 years
about 25 years
about 10 years
Correct
From the point of view of Earth, she travels a distance of 25 light-years at nearly the speed of light, so it takes her about 25 years.
Part L
Consider the same scenario as in a previous problem. Two twin sisters, Gwen and Jackie, are both 20 years old in the year 2020. Jackie takes off on a
round-trip to Vega, 25 light-years away. She travels at an average speed of 0.9999c. Which of the following best describes the situation according to
Jackie?
Hint 1.
Study Section S2.4.
ANSWER:
She says that the 25 light-year trip takes only a few months, and therefore concludes that she is traveling faster than the speed of light.
She stays still, while Earth rushes away from her at 0.9999c and Vega rushes toward her at 0.9999c. Because Vega is 25 light-years
away, she says it takes Vega about 25 years to reach her.
She stays still, while Earth rushes away from her at 0.9999c and Vega rushes toward her at 0.9999c. She sees the distance from Earth to
Vega shortened considerably from 25 light-years, and therefore it takes far less than 25 years for Vega to reach her.
It takes her 25 years to reach Vega.
Correct
Notice that the length contraction (shortening the distance to Vega) goes along with the time dilation to explain why she makes the trip in so much
less time than you see the trip take as you watch from Earth.
Part M
Again consider two twin sisters, Gwen and Jackie, who are both 20 years old in the year 2020. This time, assume that Jackie makes the round-trip to
Vega, which is 25 light-years away, at an average speed of 0.9999c. Which of the following correctly describes the situation when Jackie returns to Earth?
(Ages in this problem refer to biological ages, that is, how much time has passed for each sister since she was born.)
Hint 1.
Study Section S2.4.
ANSWER:
It's the year 2070 and both twin sisters are 70 years old.
It's the year 2070. Gwen is 70 years old. Jackie is 19.
According to Gwen, Jackie returns to Earth in the year 2070, but according to Jackie, she returns in the year 2021.
It's the year 2070. Gwen (who stayed home) is 70 years old, but Jackie is only a little older than her age of 20 when she left.
Correct
Notice that much less time passes for the traveling twin than for the stay-at-home twin.
Part N
Which of the following is not true of the special theory of relativity?
ANSWER:
The theory tells us that there is no such thing as absolute time or space because measurements of time and space depend on your
reference frame.
The special theory does not apply to situations that involve substantial acceleration or gravity; for that, you need the general theory of
relativity.
The theory is valid only at speeds close to the speed of light.
For low speeds, the theory predicts effects that are so small that they cannot be noticed without extremely precise, high-tech
measurement.
Correct
The theory is true at both high speeds and low speeds and has even been tested at some fairly low speeds (see Section S2.3).
Chapter S2 Visual Quiz - Copy
Part A
This figure shows an airplane traveling east to west along Earth's equator at the same speed that Earth rotates from west to east. Viewed from the Moon,
what does the airplane do? (Assume the trip is at constant speed, so you can neglect time required for the airplane to accelerate for takeoff or decelerate
for landing.)
ANSWER:
It travels to the west at supersonic speed.
It remains stationary while Earth rotates beneath it.
It travels at 2 × 1,670 = 3,340 km/hr.
You couldn't see the airplane from the Moon.
Correct
It would simply seem to lift off the ground in Nairobi, hover while Earth rotated, and set back down when Quito arrived.
Part B
People on Earth would, of course, simply see the airplane fly westward at 1,670 km/hr. What is the significance of the difference in viewpoints between
people on Earth and people on the Moon?
ANSWER:
It shows that the airplane is traveling in a direction opposite to Earth's rotation.
It shows that motion is relative not absolute.
It shows that airplanes can move quite fast if you view them from the right place.
It shows that you can get a wrong answer if you don't view the situation from the correct perspective.
Correct
Neither viewpoint can be said to be the "correct" one; both are equally valid.
Part C
This diagram shows Earth with what, to scale, would have to be a truly gigantic person standing in Australia. For this person, which way is up?
ANSWER:
All of the interpretations of "up" are valid.
Correct
Up is the direction away from the center of Earth to the person. That is, up is relative to the center of Earth, much as relativity tells us that motion
is relative.
Part D
As shown in the diagram, you've just thrown a baseball toward Al at 100 km/hr, while he is moving away from you to the right at 90 km/hr. According to Al,
what is the baseball doing?
ANSWER:
staying stationary
traveling to the right at 100 km/hr
Correct
So it will gradually catch up to him.
Part E
As shown in the diagram, you've just shined a flash light toward Al, so from your point of view the light is moving to the right at speed c. Al is moving away
from you to the right at speed 0.9c. According to Al, what is the light doing?
ANSWER:
moving to the right at speed c
gradually catching up to him at speed 0.1c
moving to the left at 0.1c
moving to the right at speed 1.9c
Correct
Everyone always measures the same speed of light.
Part F
This diagram shows a person on a planet watching you travel to the right at 0.9c, while you have a flashlight turned on with the light shining to the right.
Which of the following statements is not true from your point of view?
ANSWER:
The person and planet are moving to your left at 0.9c.
Time is running slow for the person on the planet.
If you can increase your speed by another 0.1c, you'll be able to keep up with the flashlight beam.
The light from the flashlight beam is moving to the right at the speed of light c.
Correct
Remember, from your point of view, you're not even moving; it is the planet moving by you.
Part G
This picture shows a sphere as it looks at rest. Suppose that the sphere is moving to the right at about 90% of the speed of light. Which figure correctly
shows the shape of the sphere as you would measure it?
ANSWER:
Correct
Notice that the length is contracted in the direction of motion only.
Vocabulary in Context: Special Relativity - Copy
Part A
Match the words in the left-hand column to the appropriate blank in the sentences in the right-hand column. Use each word only once.
Hint 1. What Length Contraction Is
Refers to the effect in which you observe lengths to be shortened in reference frames moving relative to you.
Hint 2. What the General Theory of Relativity Is
Einstein's generalization of his special theory of relativity so that the general theory also applies when we consider effects of gravity or acceleration.
Hint 3. What Time Dilation Is
Refers to the effect in which you observe time running slower in reference frames moving relative to you.
Hint 4. What a Reference Frame Is
Two people (or objects) share the same reference frame if they are not moving relative to one another.
Hint 5. What a Paradox Is

A situation that, at least at ﬁrst, seems to violate common sense or contradict itself. Resolving paradoxes often leads to deeper understanding.
Hint 6. What the General Theory of Relativity Is

Einstein's theory based on the principles that the laws of nature are the same for everyone and the speed of light is the same for everyone.
Hint 7. What a Free-Float Frame Is
A frame of reference in which all objects are weightless and hence ﬂoat freely.
ANSWER:
Reset Help
1. The observation that you will measure the length of an object moving relative to you as being shorter
than the same object at rest is an example of length contraction .
2. The general theory of relativity applies even to cases in which gravity or accelerations are
present.
3. An observer on the Moon would observe astronauts on a spaceship passing by at 0.9c to age more
slowly due to time dilation .
4. When the Space Shuttle and Space Station are docked to each other, astronauts in these two
spacecraft will make the same measurements about space and time because they are in the same
reference frame .
5. A situation that at first does not seem to make sense is a paradox .
6. The special theory of relativity tells us that we see time run more slowly in other reference
frames besides our own.
7. Astronauts are weightless in the International Space Station because they are in a
free-float frame .
Correct
Prelecture Reading Question S2.03
Part A
In relativity, two people share the same reference frame only if they __________.
ANSWER:
are not moving relative to one another
are both located in the same place
agree on the laws of nature
are both located in the same place and are stationary
Correct
Note that they need not be located in the same place, or even anywhere near each other; the only requirement for being in the same reference
frame is that they are not moving relative to one another.
Part A
The measured value of the speed of light is about 300,000 km/s. Suppose a futuristic space train is traveling at 200,000 km/s with its headlights on. If you
could measure the speed of the light from the headlights, you would find it to be _____.
ANSWER:
500,000 km/s
100,000 km/s
200,000 km/s
300,000 km/s
Correct
The speed of light is always the same.
Problem S2.27
Choose the best answer.
Part A
Which of the following is not relative in the special theory of relativity?
ANSWER:
motion
time
the speed of light
Correct
Problem S2.28
Part A
Which of the following must be true of a person who shares the same reference frame as you?
ANSWER:
The person must be sitting right next to you.
The person must be the same size as you.
The person must not be moving relative to you.
Correct
Process of Science: Constancy of the Speed of Light
Learning Goal:
To understand why the constancy of the speed of light implies that faster-than-light travel is not possible.
Introduction. A fundamental premise of Einstein's theories of relativity is that the speed of light through empty space is a constant, c = 300, 000 km/s . This
tutorial will help you to understand the consequences of this premise. You'll need to refer to the four figures to the left as you answer the questions; each figure
shows you on Earth, observing Jackie as she goes by in her spaceship.
Part A
Examine the first figure, in which you see Jackie's spaceship traveling at 1000 km/hr as she throws the baseball at a speed of 100 km/hr . How fast
would you say the baseball is going?
Hint 1. Computing the speed of the baseball
Because the speeds in this case are much slower than the speed of light, you can add the speeds as you would without relativity. For example, to
find a ball's speed when someone throws it from a moving train, you add the speeds of the ball and the train if they are both going in the same
direction, or subtract the ball's speed from the train's speed if they are going in opposite directions.
ANSWER:
900 km/hr
100,000 km/hr
1100 km/hr
100 km/hr
Correct
Before Jackie throws the ball, you will see it moving with her at a speed of 1000 km/hr . Therefore, because she throws it in the same direction
that you see her moving, you will see the ball moving at 1000 km/hr + 100 km/hr = 1100 km/hr .
Part B
Examine the second figure, in which you see Jackie's spaceship traveling at 1000 km/hr , with the ship's headlight on. According to special relativity,
Jackie would say that a beam of light from the headlight is traveling at __________, and you would say that the beam of light is traveling at __________.
Check two responses below, one for each of the two blanks in the question.
Hint 1. What does it mean to say that the speed of light is constant?
When we say that the speed of light is a constant, what do we mean?

ANSWER:
The speed of light is constant from stationary light sources, but it must be added to the speed of a moving light source.
You will always measure the same speed for light through space—about 300,000 km/s—no matter how you or the light source are
moving.
Different wavelengths of light move at different speeds but keep this same speed for as long as they travel.
ANSWER:
(Blank 1) c − 1000 km/hr
(Blank 1) c
(Blank 1) c + 1000 km/hr
(Blank 2) c − 1000 km/h r
(Blank 2) c
(Blank 2) c + 1000 km/hr
Correct
A fundamental premise of relativity is that everyone always measures the same speed of light, c, no matter how the observer or the light source
may be moving. Note that this makes light different from material objects such as baseballs (see Part A).
Part C
Examine the third figure, in which you see Jackie's spaceship traveling at 0.99c. This time, Jackie would say that a beam of light from the headlight is
traveling at __________ and you would say that the beam of light
is traveling at __________.
Check two responses below, one for each of the two blanks
in the question.
Hint 1. What does it mean to say that the speed of light is constant?
When we say that the speed of light is a constant, what do we mean?
ANSWER:
Different wavelengths of light move at different speeds but keep this same speed for as long as they travel.
You will always measure the same speed for light through space—about 300,000 km/s—no matter how you or the light source are
moving.
The speed of light is constant from stationary light sources, but it must be added to the speed of a moving light source.
ANSWER:
(Blank 1) 0.01c
(Blank 1) c
(Blank 1) 1.99c
(Blank 2) 0.01c
(Blank 2) c
(Blank 2) 1.99c
Correct
Even though Jackie is now traveling by you at 99% of the speed of light, both of you will still find that the light beam is traveling at the speed of
light, c. This is a consequence of the fact that everyone always measures the same speed of light through space.
Part D
Examine the fourth figure, which shows Jackie with her spaceship engines on, so that she accelerates continuously. As she accelerates, Jackie would say
that __________ and you would say that __________.
Check two responses below, one for each of the two blanks
in the question.
Hint 1. What happens to the speed of a spaceship that accelerates continuously?

Suppose you are watching a spaceship that is accelerating because its engines are constantly firing. According to relativity, the spaceship's speed
will __________.
ANSWER:
always increase at the same rate
always increase, but the rate of increase will get smaller as it approaches the speed of light
stay constant
ANSWER:
(Blank 1) the headlight beam is always racing away from her at c
(Blank 1) she is going so fast that she can't see the headlight beam
(Blank 1) her speed gradually catches up to the speed of the headlight beam
(Blank 2) the headlight beam is always traveling 300,000 km/s faster than Jackie is traveling
(Blank 2) her speed gets faster and faster until she exceeds the speed of light, at which point she disappears from view
(Blank 2) her speed gets faster and faster but never quite as fast as the speed of the headlight beam
Correct
Jackie always says the beam is racing away from her at c , because everyone always measures the same speed of light. You see Jackie going
faster and faster as she accelerates, but because you must also agree that she is going slower than her headlight beam—and that the headlight
beam is traveling at c—you can never see her reach the speed of light.
Part E
Based on these thought experiments, what can you conclude?
ANSWER:
Jackie will say that she is going faster than light, but you'll always say she's going slower than the speed of light.
Jackie would have to accelerate for a very long time before she finally reaches the speed of light.
Jackie can never reach or exceed the speed of light.
You can see Jackie going faster than light, but she'll never say she's going that fast.
Correct
The key point is this: Because everyone measures the same speed of light, no one can ever catch up with one's own light. Therefore, anyone
else observing the traveler will see that traveler going slower than the traveler's light, which means slower than c .
Part F
In science, it is now well accepted that the speed of light is always the same and therefore nothing can travel faster than light. These ideas gained
acceptance primarily because __________.
ANSWER:
they have been verified through actual observations and experiments
Einstein was such an important figure in the scientific community
the logic in the thought experiments is so strong
no one has yet built a spaceship that can reach the speed of light
Correct
In science, an idea is accepted only if it has been verified by observations or experiments. Observations and experiments have confirmed that the
speed of light through space is always the same, and experiments in particle accelerators have shown that no matter how much subatomic
particles are accelerated, they never quite reach the speed of light.
Part A
Kim is in a spaceship moving past you at half the speed of light. Which of the following correctly describes how you will perceive each other's time?
Hint 1.
Remember that motion is always relative. You may find it helpful to watch the video "Thought Experiments for Special Relativity."
ANSWER:
You will both agree that time runs at the same rate for both of you.
You will say that Kim's time is running slow, and she will say that your time is running slow.
You will say that Kim's time is running slow, and she will say that your time is running fast.
You will say that Kim's time is running fast, and she will say that your time is running slow.
Correct
Relativity tells us that you can both equally consider yourselves to be at rest, so you must say the same things about each other.
Problem S2.29
Part A
Which of the following best describes why your rocket could never reach the speed of light?
ANSWER:
The absoluteness of the speed of light means you could never keep up with the light coming from you and your rocket.
Our technology has not advanced enough to make faster-than-light travel possible.
A rocket that could reach the speed of light would have to be bigger than the entire Earth.
Correct
Ranking Task: Length Contraction
Learning Goal:
To understand how relative motion affects measurements of length.
Part A
Each figure below shows a spaceship moving past your spaceship ("YOU") at the indicated speed. Assume that all the spaceships have equal length when
at rest and that you watch the other spaceship as its clock ticks off one second. Rank the figures based on the length that you would measure for the other
spaceship (in its direction of motion), from shortest to longest.
Hint 1. How does motion affect length?

A spaceship is 10 meters long at rest. If it is moving past you at half the speed of light, you will measure its length (in its direction of motion) to be
__________.
ANSWER:
10 meters
less than 10 meters
more than 10 meters
ANSWER:
Reset Help
Shortest length Longest length
Correct
The faster an object is moving relative to you, the shorter (in its direction of motion) you will measure it to be.
Part B
The four figures below are the same as those in Part A. This time, rank the figures based on your length as measured by the passenger in the other
spaceship, from shortest to longest.
Hint 1. Who is really moving?
Suppose you observe the other spaceship moving by you at a speed of 0.7c. What would a passenger on the other spaceship say is happening?
ANSWER:
Her ship is stationary and you are moving by her at 0.7c.
She would agree that you are stationary and she is the one who is really moving at 0.7c.
ANSWER:
Reset Help
Shortest length Longest length
Correct
The passenger on the other ship must observe the same effects on you as you observe on her, because both of you are in free-float reference
frames and there is no way to say who is "really" moving. In other words, just as you say that her ship is contracted in length, she says that your
ship is contracted in length. That is why the answer here is the same as the answer in Part A.
Part C
We can summarize the results of Parts A and B as follows: When another spaceship is moving by you (at constant velocity), you will measure the
spaceship to be shorter than its rest length, while passengers on that ship will measure your length to be shorter. Imagine that you and the passengers on
the other ship are arguing (by radio) about who really is the one that has become shorter. To settle the argument, you agree to meet up on Mars and put
the two spaceships next to each other to see which one is really shorter. What will you find when you meet up on Mars?
Hint 1. The reference frame on Mars
Once both spaceships stop next to one another, both are in the same reference frame, at rest relative to one another.
ANSWER:
Both spaceships are the same length.
The other spaceship really is shorter than yours.
Your spaceship really is shorter than the other one.
Correct
Once you put the two spaceships next to one another, you are in the same reference frame and therefore everyone will agree that the two ships
have the same length. The lengths differ only when the ships are moving relative to each other, and of course you cannot compare the ships next
to one another while they are moving.
Ranking Task: Time Dilation
Learning Goal:
To understand how relative motion affects the passage of time.
Part A
Each figure below shows a spaceship moving past your spaceship ("YOU") at the indicated speed. Imagine that you watch the other spaceship as its clock
ticks off one second. Rank the figures according to how much time you would say passes (on your own ship) while the other ship’s clock ticks off one
second, from the shortest to the longest amount of time.
Hint 1. How does motion affect time?
Consider an object moving relative to you. How does its motion affect time?
ANSWER:
As measured by you, the faster the object is going, the slower its time will run.
As measured by you, the faster the object is going, the faster its time will run.
Time will always run at the same rate for the object as it does for you.
ANSWER:
Reset Help
Shortest time Longest time
Correct
The faster an object is moving relative to you, the slower its time will run relative to yours. Slower time means its clock takes longer to tick off
each second, which is why the rankings go in order of increasing speed (relative to YOU).
Part B
The four figures below are the same as those in Part A. This time, imagine that the passengers on the other spaceship are watching your clock as its ticks
off one second. Rank the figures according to how much time the passengers (on the other ship) would say passes (on their ship) while they watch your
clock tick off one second, from the shortest to the longest amount of time.
Hint 1. Who is really moving?
Suppose you observe the other spaceship moving by you at a speed of 0.7c. What would passengers on the other spaceship say is happening?
ANSWER:
Their ship is stationary and you are moving by them at 0.7c.
They would agree that you are stationary and that they are the ones who are really moving at 0.7c.
ANSWER:
Reset Help
Shortest time Longest time
Correct
The passengers on the other ship must observe the same effects on you as you observe on them, because both of you are in free-float reference
frames and there is no way to say who is "really" moving. In other words, just as you say time is running slow on their ship, they say time is
running slow on your ship. That is why the answer here is the same as the answer in Part A.
Part C
Consider again the spaceships from Parts A and B. Suppose that, at rest, both you and a passenger on the other spaceship have the same heart rate of 60
beats per minute. How will you and the passenger on the other spaceship observe each other’s heart rates as you pass by in your spaceships?
Hint 1. Free-float reference frames

Both you and the passenger in the other spaceship are moving at constant velocity in space, so you are both in free-float reference frames.
According to Einstein’s special theory of relativity, you can both therefore claim to be the one at rest, which means you must see precisely the same
relativistic effects on her as she sees on you. Think about this fact and review your answers to Parts A and B, and you should then be able to
answer Part C
ANSWER:
Both of you would observe that your hearts are beating in sync at the same rate.
You would observe that the passenger in the other spaceship has a slower heart rate than you do, and she would observe that you have a
faster heart rate than hers.
You would observe that the passenger in the other spaceship has a slower heart rate than you do, and she would observe that you have a
slower heart rate than hers.
You would observe that the passenger in the other spaceship has a faster heart rate than you do, and she would observe that you have a
slower heart rate than hers.
Correct
Strange as it may sound, you will claim that time is running slow on her spaceship while she will claim that time is running slow on your
spaceship. This is an example of what Einstein told us when he discovered that measurements of time and space are relative.
Problem S2.36
Part A
Suppose you had a spaceship so fast that you could make a roundtrip journey of 1 million light-years (in Earth's reference frame) in just 50 years of ship
time. If you left in the year 2030, you would return to Earth
ANSWER:
a million years from now.
in the year 2080.
in the year 2130.
Correct
Problem S2.30
Part A
Carla is traveling past you at a speed close to the speed of light. According to you, how much time passes for Carla while 1 minute passes for you?
ANSWER:
1 minute
more than 1 minute
less than 1 minute
Correct
Problem S2.31
Part A
Carla is traveling past you at a speed close to the speed of light. According to her, how much time passes for you while 1 minute passes for her?
ANSWER:
1 minute
less than 1 minute
more than 1 minute
Correct
Prelecture Video: Thought Experiments for Special Relativity
First, launch the video below. Then, close the video window and answer the questions that follow. You can watch the video again at any point.
Part A
Consider the first thought experiment shown in the video. Which of the following will both you and an observer on Earth agree on as you travel through
space in your spaceship?
Select all that apply.
ANSWER:
you will both agree that you are moving through space while Earth is stationary
you will both agree on your spaceship's speed
you will both agree that your light is traveling at the speed of light, or 300,000 km/s
you will both agree on exactly how much faster your light is moving than your spaceship is moving
you will both agree that you are traveling slower than your own light
Correct
Notice that, since you both agree you are traveling slower than your own light and agree on the light's speed, you must both agree that you are
traveling slower than the speed of light.
Part B
Consider the second thought experiment shown in the video, which is on time dilation. Which of the following most clearly explains why you must measure
the time it takes the light to go from Al's floor to ceiling and back to be longer than the time that Al measures?
ANSWER:
You see the light traveling at a faster speed than Al does, becauase of his forward motion.
You see the light travel a straighter path, and you an Al both agree on the light's speed.
You see the light travel a longer path, and you an Al both agree on the light's speed.
You see the light travel a shorter path, and you an Al both agree on the light's speed.
Correct
Since you both agree on the light's speed, you must find that the light requires more time to travel this longer path.
Part C
Consider the third thought experiment shown in the video, which is on the relativity of simultaneity. How would Al explain the fact that you are illuminated by
the green and red lights at the same time, given that he saw the green light flash before the red light?
ANSWER:
you saw the red light flash first
you are moving toward the green light
you are moving toward the red light
it is inexplicable
Correct
You can see this fact in the diagram that goes with this thought experiment.
Part A
Einstein's equivalence principle says that __________.
ANSWER:
all people see themselves at an equivalent distance to the center of the universe
the effects of gravity are exactly equivalent to the effects of acceleration
someone traveling at 0.9c will age at the same rate as someone at 0.99c
everyone measures the speed of light to be equivalent
Correct
The predictions of general relativity follow from this principle.
Problem S3.27
Part A
The equivalence principle tells us that effects of these two things are indistinguishable:
ANSWER:
space and time.
gravity and acceleration.
gravity and curvature of spacetime.
Correct
Supplement 3 Question 7 v2
Part A
Imagine that you are sitting in a closed room (no windows, no doors) when, magically, it is lifted from Earth and sent accelerating through space with an
acceleration of 1g (9.8 m/s2). According to Einstein's equivalence principle, which of the following is true?
ANSWER:
You won't feel any change and will have no way to know that you've left Earth.
You'll feel a force that will cause your head to repeatedly bang into the ceiling.
You'll know that you left Earth because you'll be floating weightlessly in your room.
You'll know that you left Earth because when you drop a ball it will fall sideways.
Correct
Score Summary:
Your score on this assignment is 100%.
You received 46 out of a possible total of 46 points.

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4/9/2021 Assignment 2

Chapter S2 Reading Quiz - Copy

Study Section S2.1.

the nature of gravity

the constancy of the speed of light

Study Section S2.1.

The theory says that everything is relative.

They agree on the laws of nature.

They are both located in the same place.

They are not moving relative to one another.

Study Section S2.2.

She'll see the ball coming toward her at 60 km/hr.

She'll see the ball coming toward her at 120 km/hr.

She'll see the ball moving away from her at 60 km/hr.

Study Section S2.2.

Study Section S2.3.

It is a hallucinogenic effect experienced by people who take too much of something.

Less than one minute

More than one minute

A minute on the ship is exactly two minutes for you.

A minute is the same on the ship than it is for you.

about 100 years

It takes her 25 years to reach Vega.

Study Section S2.4.

It's the year 2070. Gwen is 70 years old. Jackie is 19.

The theory is valid only at speeds close to the speed of light.

Chapter S2 Visual Quiz - Copy

It travels to the west at supersonic speed.

It remains stationary while Earth rotates beneath it.

It travels at 2 × 1,670 = 3,340 km/hr.

You couldn't see the airplane from the Moon.

It shows that the airplane is traveling in a direction opposite to Earth's rotation.

It shows that motion is relative not absolute.

All of the interpretations of "up" are valid.

traveling to the right at 100 km/hr

traveling to the right at 190 km/hr

traveling to the right at 10 km/hr

moving to the right at speed c

gradually catching up to him at speed 0.1c

moving to the left at 0.1c

moving to the right at speed 1.9c

The person and planet are moving to your left at 0.9c.

Time is running slow for the person on the planet.

Vocabulary in Context: Special Relativity - Copy

Hint 1. What Length Contraction Is

Hint 2. What the General Theory of Relativity Is

Hint 3. What Time Dilation Is

Hint 4. What a Reference Frame Is

Hint 5. What a Paradox Is

Hint 6. What the General Theory of Relativity Is

Hint 7. What a Free-Float Frame Is

than the same object at rest is an example of length contraction .

slowly due to time dilation .

5. A situation that at first does not seem to make sense is a paradox .

frames besides our own.

Prelecture Reading Question S2.03

are not moving relative to one another

are both located in the same place

agree on the laws of nature

are both located in the same place and are stationary

Prelecture Reading Question S2.06

Choose the best answer.

the speed of light