Queen Mary & Westfield College
UNIVERSIW OF LONDON
BSC EXAMINATION
PHY213 Space, Time and Gravity
Time Allowed: 2 hours 15 minutes
Monday, 10 May, 1999 10:00
Candidates should answer FIVE of the eight questions in Section A, each of which
carries 8 marks, and TWO of the four questions in Section B, each of which carries
30 marks; SEVEN questions should be answered altogether. An indicative markingscheme is shown in square brackets [ ] after each part of a question.
Notation
Spatial co-ordinates denoted by the lower-case letters x, r etc. have the dimensions of
length whilst those denoted by the upper case letters X, R etc. are measured in lighttravel time. The dimensionless velocity ~ is defined by
P=
dR
o r fl= , etc
dt
dt
dX
The Lorentz transformations:
The Lorentz transformation between the frame (t, X ) of an inertial observer O and the
frame (t, X) of an observer O, moving at constant velocity PO in the positive Xdirection with respect to O, is given by
t= }
x= } .[X
.[t-pox];
pot].
Data
Gravitational constant
6.67 x 10-11 N.m2. kg-2
Speed of light
3.00 x 10 m. s-l
Mass of Sun
M,n
1.99
10
30
kg
Radius of Sun
Rsun
6.96
x 10 m
Year
Iy
3.16
Parsec
1 pc
3.09
x 1016 m
10
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PHY-213 Space, Time and Gravity 1998/99
Candidates are advised to read the Instructions and the notes on page 1 before answering
any of the questions.
Section A (Answer 5 questions. Each question carries 8 marks.)
A. 1 State the Principle of Relativi@. [3]
Explain briefly why Maxwells theory of electromagnetic waves lends support to the
Principle. ~5J
A.2
t
(a) (b)
n/4
Figure 1
Figure 1 shows four curves (a), (b), (c) and (d) in a Minkowskian space-time diagram.
Three of these are world-lines. Identify the following:
(i)
the world-line of a photon;
[2]
(ii)
world-line of an inertial observer;
[2]
(iii)
the world-line of an observer undergoing acceleration.
[2]
Why cannot the remaining curve be the world-line of a material particle?
[2]
A.3 An inertial observer O wants to assign a time to an event that is remote from her worldline using light rays. Describe briefly, using a space-time diagram, how she might do
this. [6]
Sketch Os plane of simultaneity for an event G on her world-line. [2]
A.4 k a two-dimensional space-time diagram, draw the light-cone of an arbitrary event E. [2
marks].
Indicate the regions of space-time that are in the absolute past, the absolute future and
elsewhere with respect to E. [3 marks]
Indicate an event that is time-like separated from E, one that is space-like separated and
one that is a null interval away from E. [3 marks]
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PHY-213 Space, Time and Gravity 1998/99
A.5 What is meant by afour-vector? [4]
The four-velocity v of any particle can be written in terns of its components in some
given frame as
V=cy
[1
1
(A. 1)
where ~ is the particles velocity and ~ its Lorentz factor. Show that the magnitude of
the four-velocity of any particle is c. [4]
A.6 Using Minkowskian co-ordinates, sketch the world-lines of a set of fundamental
observers in the Milne model of the universe. [2]
Sketch the plane in which a world map is taken at some time to and the plane in which a
world picture is taken at the same time. [2]
Plot the world-lines of the set of fundamental observers in Milne co-ordinates along
with planes of constant public time. [4]
A.7
Figure 2
Figure 2 shows a photon being emitted from the floor of a lift cage that is being
accelerated upward in gravity-free space. Explain briefly and qualitatively why the
photon has suffered a redshift when it is received by a detector on the roof of the cage.
[4]
Einsteins field equations are
G,v =-~TPV.
C4
(A.2)
Explain briefly and qualitatively what the quantities G~v and Tgv represent. [4]
A.8 Draw a schematic diagram showing the positions of the horizons, singularities and
regions I, H, ~ and W of Schwarzschild space-time either in Schwarzschild coordinates or in Kruskal-Szekeres co-ordinates, stating clearly your choice. [8]
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PHY-213 Space, Time and Gravity 1998/99
Section B (Answer 2 questions. Each question carries 30 marks.)
B. 1 An inertial observer O carries a clock with a period T between ticks. Observer O travels
in the positive X-direction with velocity VO with respect to O. Show that, according to
O, the period T between the ticks of Os clock is given by
T=?OT,
(B.])
where
P0
V.
=
c
and
[4]
Y.= (1- po2)-2
(B.2)
Observer O also carries a rigid rule of length L, parallel to the X-direction. Show that O
determines the length of the rule to be L, given by
L=~;L-
[6]
(B.3)
A particle travels in the positive X-direction with velocity v with respect to O. Show
that O determines its velocity to be v, given by
(B.4)
where
v
P =c
[4]
(B.5)
Show that the velocity of light is invariant under the transformation B.4. [2]
Deduce that, if the velocity of light were infinite, the transformation of velocities would
reduce to the Galilean form,
[3]
v =Vvo.
(B.6)
A space probe is launched towards a nearby star at 90% of the speed of light with
respect to the earth. The star is 3 x 1016 m from the earth. How many years will it take
the probe to reach the star according to an earth-bound observer? [2]
How many years will it take the probe to reach the star according to a clock on the
probe? [3]
When the probe is one twentieth of the way to the star, it develops a fault that does not
affect its velocity. Another probe is sent out at 9970 of the speed of light to catch up
with it and repair it. How long will it take the repair probe to reach the faulty probe
according to the repair probes clock? [6]
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PHY-213 Space, Time and Gravity 1998/99
B.2 The four-momentum z of a particle of rest-mass rnO is defined by
z=mo V,
(B.7)
where its four-velocity v in some frame where it has velocity v is given by
V=cy
[1
1
(B.8)
~ being v/c. Show that, for velocities much less than that of light, the time-component
n, of the four-momentum is given by
1
1
nl= moc2 +mOv2 .
c[
2
[4]
(B.9)
Why is mOc2 called the rest-energy? [2]
Show too, that for velocities much less than that of light, the space-component z ~ of
the four-momentum is given by
nx=po,
(B.1O)
where pO is its ordinary non-relativistic momentum. [2]
Generalizing from the low-velocity limit, we say that the four-momentum is given by
z=
[1
E/c
(B.11)
where E and p are the relativistic energy and momentum respectively, given by
Use the fact that the magnitude of the four-velocity of any particle is c to deduce the
relationship
Show that the relativistic energy can be written as
E = moc2 + Ek,~tiC
(B.14)
where the relativistic kinetic energy Eti~~tiC is given by
[2]
(B.15)
At what value of ~ does a particles kinetic energy equal its rest-energy? [3]
Two particles have equal rest masses mO, energies E and momenta p in some frame but
travel in opposite directions. Show that the four momentum H of the combined system
of the two particles is given by
n=
[1
2E/c
[4]
0.
(B.16)
The two particles collide and fuse into a single particle. Show that its rest-mass MO
exceeds the sum of the rest-masses of the original particles by their kinetic energy
divided by C2. [9]
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PHY-213 Space, Time and Gravity 1998/99
B.3 Hubbles law relates the present velocity v of recession of a galaxy to its distance r:
v= HOr.
(B.17)
In the Milne model of the universe, particles are ejected from the creation event with
constant speeds. Deduce that, in the Milne model, the present age of the universe is H;i.
[4]
The value of HO is estimated to be about 65 km s- Mpc-. Estimate the age of the
universe in years. [2]
In Milne co-ordinates, the line-element takes the form
ds2
dx=
=d~=z=
c=
(1+~=)
(B.18)
where z is the time co-ordinate and x is the co-moving radial spatial co-ordinate. Show
that, at time z, the proper distance of a galaxy with co-ordinate x is given by
[4]
Hence show that, in Milne co-ordinates,
1
HO=
To
(B.19)
(B.20)
z ~ being the present age of the universe. [4]
Show that the world-line of an incoming photon is given, in Milne co-ordinates, by
:=-&
[3]
(B.21)
and hence that a photon emitted by a remote galaxy at event (z ~, x, ) is received on
earth at time z, given by
[3]
(B.22)
Use eauation
B. 22 to show that light emitted by the remote galaxy reaches the origin of
A
co-ordinates with a redshift z given by
A, z,
l+z:==
A, T,.
[6]
(B.23)
What does equation B.23 tell you about the visibility of the big bang itself? [4]
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PHY-213 Space, Time and Gravity 1998/99
B.4 The Schwarzschild line-element is given by
s2=(1-+)c2d2-[df(l-%)+2(de2+sin2ed@2)]
(B.24)
where
p = GM/c2 ,
(B.25)
M being the mass of the central gravitating object. What is the nature of the singularity
at?=2p?~2]
Use the line-element to show that a clock at radial co-ordinate ~ runs slower than the
same clock at radial co-ordinate ?2 (> ~ ) by a factor~ given by
=(l-$)/[l-%)<l; 2>
[6]
(B.26)
Calculate this factor for a clock on the sutiace of a 1.5 solar mass neutron star, of radius
10 km, and one at an infinite distance from the star. (You may neglect the differences
between the radial co-ordinate f and the true radial distance.) [4]
For small deflections, the relativistic deflection of light passing a distance TO from a star
of mass M is given approximately by
A@~i~~~~i~ = 1.75 ~ (R~U./rO)(M/MS~~)
(B.27)
Estimate the deflection of light skimming the surface of the above neutron star. [3] Do
you think it appropriate to use equation B.27 in this case? [2]?
In hskal-Szekeres co-ordinates, the line-element of the Schwarzschild solution is
(B.28)
These co-ordinates are said to be confomallyflat. Explain briefly what this means. [3]
The transformation between Schwarzschild and fiskal-Szekeres co-ordinates is given
by
4 P tanh- (c~ly);
f=
c {tanh-l (Flc~).
Regions I, III
Regions II, IV
(B.29)
Show that, in regions I and III of space-time, ~ = O requires that ~ = O [2] and that, at
~ = O, the relation between the Schwarzschild co-ordinate ; and the @skal co-ordinate
7 is
[2]
(B.30)
Explore the Einstein-Rosen bridge by considering the behaviour of ; as T ranges from
plus infinity to minus infinity. [6]
Professor P E Clegg
End of Examination
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