Special Relativity

Question 1

First postulate of special relativity:

Answer 1

the laws of physics are the same in all inertial reference frames.

Question 2

Second postulate of special relativity:

Answer 2

The speed of light is constant in all reference frames, regardless of any relative motion between an observer and the light source.

Question 3

Inertial reference frame definition

Answer 3

a frame that has a constant velocity, including a velocity of zero.

Question 4

The speed of light is _____ for all observers.

Answer 4

constant. even if one is at rest and the other moving at half the speed of light (0.5 c), they will both still measure the speed of light to be 3e8 m/s.

Question 5

Relativistic effects on length and time:

Answer 5

length contracts ONLY in the direction of motion for a moving object, moving clocks run more slowly than clocks at rest.

Question 6

Time slowing down at great speeds is called a ______ ______

Answer 6

time dilation

Question 7

Einstein’s famous equation

Answer 7

E = mc^2

Question 8

Mass and energy can be _______ into one another

Answer 8

converted.

Question 9

Mass ______ as speed _______

Answer 9

increases, increases