1 Multiple Choice - Choose ONE from the options (50 points)

(1) Which number is the closest to the speed of light in the vacuum? B
A. 3 × 105 m/s B. 3 × 108 m/s C. 3 × 1010 m/s D. 3 × 1016 m/s

(2) Which is correct? B

A. The laws of physics are different for different inertial observers.
B. Length contraction occurs for objects moving at relativistic speeds.
C. Time is absolute and does not change with motion.
D. The energy mc2 is needed to accelerate mass m to c.

(3) In the twin paradox (where the traveling twin returns), which twin ages less? A
A. The traveling twin B. The stationary twin
C. Both twins age the same D. It depends on which reference frame
(4) In special relativity, which is observer dependent? D
A. Speed of light in the vacuum B. Proper time of an observer
C. Spacetime interval D. Coordinate difference between two events
(5) The ladder and garage paradox is resolved by: Alice and Bob C
A. are not in the same reference frame B. have different length of ruler
C. have different sense of “same time” D. have different time elapse speed

(6) Which of the following equations in Newton’s mechanics is modified in special relativity? D
A. s = vt B. s = at2 /2 C. F = dp/dt D. F = ma
(7) Which of the following is NOT an
√ expression of relativistic momentum? D
A. γmdx/dt B. mdx/dτ C. E 2 c−2 − m2 c2 D. mc arctanh(v/c)
(8) (Advanced) Which of the following is a prediction of general relativity? B
A. The existence of aether. B. The bending of light around massive objects.
C. The absolute nature of time. D. The independence of gravitational and inertial mass.
(9) (Advanced) Which of the following is NOT the nature of a photon? A
A. variable amplitude B. can be in superposition C. variable phase D. quantized energy
(10) (Advanced) Which aspect of photoelectric effect contradicts classical electromagnetism? C
A. Light can knock out electrons from metal
B. The brighter light, the more photoelectrons
C. Purple light works better than red light
D. Can apply a voltage to stop photoelectron emission

2 Relative motion (35 points)

A and B are moving with respect to the ground in the same direction. With respect to (i.e., in the
frame of) the ground, the speed of A is 0.80c, and the speed of B is 0.60c. Then

1. With respect to the ground, two light bulbs with distance 1m (along the motion direction)
turned on at the same time. With respect to A, what’s the time difference for the turn on time
of the light bulbs? (5 points)
The Lorentz transformation between the ground frame and A’s frame is
 
xG × vAG
tA = γAG tG − , (2.1)
c2

1
 for these two events, ∆tG = 0, ∆xG = 1m, so the time difference for these two events is
∆xG × vAG
∆tA = γAG (2.2)
c2
1m × 0.8c
=√ (2.3)
1 − 0.82 c2
≈ 4.4 × 10−9 s. (2.4)

2. With respect to the ground, at least how much energy is needed to send a 1kg object from rest
to moving together with A? (5 points)
The energy needed is

∆E = (γAG − 1)mc2 (2.5)

 
1
= √ − 1 × 1kg × c2 (2.6)
1 − 0.82
≈ 6.0 × 1016 J. (2.7)

3. There’s an equilateral triangle (a triangle with three inner angles all 60◦ ) fixed on the ground,
where one edge is along the motion direction of A. With respect to A, what are the three inner
angles of this triangle in the unit of degrees? (10 points)
The Lorentz transformation between the ground frame and A’s frame is
 
xG × vAG
tA = γAG tG − , (2.8)
c2
xA = γAG (xG − tG × vAG ) , (2.9)

from eqn (2.8), the space and time intervals of A measuring the two vertices of the edge along
the motion direction of A is ∆tG = lG ×v
c2
AG
, ∆xG = lG , so in A’s frame, the length of the edge
along the motion direction of A is (here you can also use the length contraction formula)

lA = γAG (∆xG − ∆tG × vAG ) , (2.10)

lG
= (2.11)
γAG
= 0.6lG , (2.12)
√
3
the length of the height is 2 lG , so the three inner angles in A’s frame are
√
5 3
θ = arctan ≈ 70.9◦ , (2.13)
3
180◦ − 2θ ≈ 38.2◦ . (2.14)

4. With respect of A, what’s the moving speed of B? (5 points)

The relative speed of A and B is

|vBG − vAG |
vAB = (2.15)
1 − vBGc2vAG
0.2c
= (2.16)
0.52
≈ 1.2 × 108 m/s. (2.17)

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 5. With respect of A, what’s the length of a 1-meter-long ruler moving together with B? (5 points)
The length of this ruler in A’s frame is
LB
LA = (2.18)
γAB
s  2
0.2
= 1m × 1− (2.19)
0.52
≈ 0.9m. (2.20)

6. For one second in A’s frame, how much time ∆tB has elapsed for B? (5 points)
The Lorentz transformation between A’s frame and B’s frame is
 
xA × vAB
tB = γAB tA − , (2.21)
c2

the space and time intervals of B measuring two moments with 1s time interval in A’s frame
are ∆tA = 1s, ∆xA = vAB × 1s, so the time interval in B’s frame is (here you can also use the
time dilation formula)
 
∆xA × vAB
∆tB = γAB ∆tA − (2.22)
c2
∆tA
= (2.23)
γAB
≈ 0.9s. (2.24)

3 (Advanced) The future of the universe (15 points)

Suppose dark energy is the cosmological constant with energy density ρ. Then consider the distant
future of the universe:

1. What’s its pressure? (2 points)

For dark energy, the pressure is p = −ρ. (You can use Einstein equation to get Tµν ∝ Λgµν ,
since gµν ∝ diag(−1, 1, 1, 1), we have p = −ρ.)
2. What’s the Hubble parameter? (3 points)
8πG
From Friedman equation H 2 = 3c2 ρ, the Hubble parameter is
r
8πG
H= ρ. (3.1)
3c2

3. Solve the scale factor a(t) (5 points)

From continuity equation ρ̇ + 3H(ρ + p) = 0, we have

ρ̇ = 0, (3.2)

so the Hubble parameter

ȧ
H= = const, (3.3)
a
the scale factor is
a(t) = a(0)eHt . (3.4)

3
4. Consider E&M wave with wavelength λ. After how long time will this wavelength be redshifted
to that comparable to the size of the observable universe? (5 points)
Suppose the length scale of the observable universe is D, the redshift wavelength after time
interval ∆t is
λ(∆t) = λeH∆t , (3.5)
When λ(∆t) is comparable to D, the time interval is

1 D
∆t = ln . (3.6)
H λ