Special Relativity: Time Dilation, Length Contraction, and Mass-Energy Equivalence

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of special relativity?

Accepted Answer

Increase in the speed of light

Answer

Time dilation

Answer

Length contraction

Answer

Mass-energy equivalence

Question 2

According to Special Relativity, what happens to the length of an object moving at relativistic speeds?

Accepted Answer

Decreases

Answer

Increases

Answer

Remains unchanged

Answer

Becomes infinite

Question 3

Which of the following is a consequence of time dilation?

Accepted Answer

Biological processes slow down

Answer

Clocks run faster

Answer

Objects appear shorter

Answer

Mass decreases

Question 4

Who proposed the theory of Special Relativity?

Accepted Answer

Albert Einstein

Answer

Isaac Newton

Answer

Galileo Galilei

Answer

Marie Curie

Question 5

What is the Lorentz factor?

Accepted Answer

A factor that accounts for the time dilation and length contraction effects of Special Relativity

Answer

A measure of the speed of an object relative to the speed of light

Answer

A constant that relates mass and energy

Answer

A measurement of the gravitational field of an object

Question 6

What happens to an object's mass as its velocity increases in accordance with special relativity?

Accepted Answer

Increases with velocity

Answer

Decreases with velocity

Answer

Remains constant

Answer

Becomes infinite at the speed of light

Question 7

Who is widely recognized as the pioneer behind the theory of special relativity?

Accepted Answer

Albert Einstein

Answer

Isaac Newton

Answer

Galileo Galilei

Answer

James Clerk Maxwell

Question 8

Which seminal thought experiment played a pivotal role in the development of special relativity?

Accepted Answer

Michelson-Morley experiment

Answer

Double-slit experiment

Answer

Stern-Gerlach experiment

Answer

Millikan oil drop experiment

Question 9

Which of the following accurately describes the effect of time dilation?

Accepted Answer

Moving clocks appear to run slower compared to stationary clocks.

Answer

Moving clocks appear to run faster compared to stationary clocks.

Answer

Moving clocks remain unaffected by their motion.

Answer

Time dilation only applies to atomic clocks.

Question 10

According to the theory of special relativity, the speed of light in a vacuum:

Accepted Answer

Is constant for all observers, regardless of their motion.

Answer

Depends on the observer's motion relative to the light source.

Answer

Is faster for objects moving towards the light source.

Answer

Is slower for objects moving away from the light source.

Question 11

The equation that expresses the equivalence of mass and energy is:

Accepted Answer

E = mc²

Answer

E = mc

Answer

E = ½mv²

Answer

E = hv

Question 12

Who is widely recognized as the pioneer of the theory of special relativity?

Accepted Answer

Albert Einstein

Answer

Isaac Newton

Answer

Galileo Galilei

Answer

Marie Curie

Question 13

Which of the following statements is NOT a fundamental principle of special relativity?

Accepted Answer

Time is absolute and independent of the observer's frame of reference.

Answer

The laws of physics are identical for all observers in uniform motion.

Answer

The speed of light in a vacuum is constant for all observers, regardless of their motion.

Answer

Mass is a conserved quantity.

Question 14

The mathematical formula used to calculate time dilation, as predicted by special relativity, is:

Accepted Answer

t' = t / √(1 - v²/c²)

Answer

t' = t * √(1 - v²/c²)

Answer

t = t' / √(1 - v²/c²)

Answer

t = t' * √(1 - v²/c²)

Question 15

According to the theory of special relativity, what happens to the time experienced by moving objects?

Accepted Answer

It slows down.

Answer

It speeds up.

Answer

It remains constant.

Answer

It becomes infinite.

Question 16

Which of the following is a consequence of length contraction?

Accepted Answer

A moving object appears shorter in the direction of motion.

Answer

The distance between two points in space appears longer for moving observers.

Answer

The speed of light changes depending on the observer's motion.

Answer

The mass of a moving object decreases slightly.

Question 17

Einstein's famous equation E=mc² explains the relationship between mass and energy. What does this equation mean?

Accepted Answer

Energy and mass are interchangeable and can be converted into each other.

Answer

Energy is equal to mass times a constant.

Answer

Mass is equal to energy times a constant.

Answer

Energy and mass are independent quantities.

Question 18

Which of the following is a fundamental assumption of special relativity?

Accepted Answer

The laws of physics are the same for all observers moving at constant velocities.

Answer

Time is absolute and not affected by motion.

Answer

The speed of sound is constant for all observers.

Answer

Gravity is the only force that acts on objects.

Question 19

In special relativity, an 'inertial frame of reference' is defined as a frame of reference that is:

Accepted Answer

Moving at a constant velocity relative to the observer.

Answer

Stationary relative to the observer.

Answer

Accelerating relative to the observer.

Answer

Rotating relative to the observer.

Question 20

What is a limitation of special relativity?

Accepted Answer

It does not consider accelerated frames of reference.

Answer

It only applies to objects moving at very high speeds.

Answer

It is incompatible with quantum mechanics.

Answer

It assumes the constancy of the speed of sound.

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT an application or consequence of special relativity?

Accepted Answer

The expansion of the universe is explained by special relativity.

Answer

The Global Positioning System (GPS) relies on special relativity for accurate timekeeping.

Answer

Nuclear weapons derive their power from the conversion of mass into energy.

Answer

The existence of black holes is predicted by special relativity.

Question 22

Which of the following is a direct consequence of time dilation?

Accepted Answer

Moving objects experience a slower passage of time compared to stationary objects.

Answer

Moving objects experience a faster passage of time compared to stationary objects.

Answer

Time is constant for all objects, regardless of their motion.

Answer

Time is relative to the observer's frame of reference.

Question 23

According to the theory of special relativity, which physical quantity remains constant?

Accepted Answer

Speed of light

Answer

Length of an object

Answer

Mass of an object

Answer

Energy of an object

Question 24

The equation that represents the relationship between mass and energy is:

Accepted Answer

E = mc^2

Answer

E = pc

Answer

E = hv

Answer

E = 1/2mv^2

Question 25

A muon has a mean lifetime of 2.2 μs when measured in its own rest frame. If it is travelling at 0.99c, what is its lifetime as measured from Earth?

Accepted Answer

15.3 μs

Answer

22.0 μs

Answer

1.1 μs

Answer

0.5 μs

Question 26

Which of the following is a consequence of length contraction?

Accepted Answer

Moving objects appear shorter than stationary objects.

Answer

Moving objects appear longer than stationary objects.

Answer

Length is constant for all objects, regardless of their motion.

Answer

Length is relative to the observer's frame of reference.

Question 27

Which phenomenon is a prediction of special relativity?

Accepted Answer

The bending of light around massive objects

Answer

The existence of gravitational waves

Answer

The expansion of the universe

Answer

The formation of black holes

Question 28

Which action would cause an observer to experience time dilation?

Accepted Answer

Traveling at speeds close to the speed of light

Answer

Watching a movie

Answer

Sitting in a chair

Answer

Eating a meal

Question 29

The famous equation E=mc² establishes the relationship between:

Accepted Answer

Energy and mass

Answer

Time and space

Answer

Length and time

Answer

Mass and velocity

Question 30

Which of the following is an incorrect assumption of Special Relativity?

Accepted Answer

Objects can surpass the speed of light

Answer

The laws of physics are identical for all observers in uniform motion

Answer

The speed of light in a vacuum is constant for all inertial observers

Answer

Mass and energy are interchangeable

Question 31

What occurs to the length of an object moving at relativistic speeds relative to an observer?

Accepted Answer

It shortens in the direction of motion

Answer

It lengthens in the direction of motion

Answer

It remains the same length

Answer

It becomes infinite

Question 32

How does the mass of an object change as its velocity approaches the speed of light?

Accepted Answer

It increases

Answer

It decreases

Answer

It remains constant

Answer

It becomes infinite

Question 33

In the context of special relativity, what is the ultimate speed limit for the expansion of the universe?

Accepted Answer

Speed of light

Answer

Speed of sound

Answer

Speed of gravity

Answer

Speed of dark energy

Question 34

Based on the principles of Special Relativity, what occurs to the time and length of an object when it approaches the speed of light?

Accepted Answer

Time dilation (slower passage of time) and length contraction (shorter distances)

Answer

Neither time nor length changes

Answer

Time dilation (faster passage of time) and length expansion (longer distances)

Answer

Time contraction (faster passage of time) and length expansion (longer distances)

Question 35

Which equation accurately represents the relationship between energy (E), mass (m), and the speed of light (c)?

Accepted Answer

E = mc²

Answer

E = m ÷ c

Answer

E = m × c

Answer

E = m/c

Question 36

Which statement is NOT a fundamental postulate of Special Relativity?

Accepted Answer

All physical laws are different in various inertial reference frames

Answer

The speed of light in a vacuum has the same value for all observers, regardless of their motion

Answer

There is no absolute frame of reference

Answer

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

Question 37

Which of the following phenomena is a direct consequence of Special Relativity?

Accepted Answer

The 'twin paradox'

Answer

The double-slit experiment

Answer

The uncertainty principle

Answer

The photoelectric effect

Question 38

From the perspective of an observer on a spaceship traveling near the speed of light, how would the external environment appear?

Accepted Answer

Time would appear to slow down (time dilation), and objects would appear compressed (length contraction)

Answer

Time would appear to speed up, and objects would appear elongated

Answer

Time and objects would appear unchanged

Answer

Objects would appear to warp and distort

Question 39

What is the commonly recognized symbol representing the speed of light in a vacuum?

Accepted Answer

c

Answer

v

Answer

λ

Answer

f

Question 40

As per the principles of Special Relativity, how does the mass of an object change as it approaches the speed of light?

Accepted Answer

It increases

Answer

It remains constant

Answer

It becomes immeasurable

Answer

It decreases

Question 41

Who is widely credited as the primary architect of Special Relativity?

Accepted Answer

Albert Einstein

Answer

Isaac Newton

Answer

James Clerk Maxwell

Answer

Galileo Galilei

Question 42

Which of the following is a direct consequence of special relativity?

Accepted Answer

Time dilation

Answer

Gravitational waves

Answer

Maxwell's equations

Answer

Quantum entanglement

Question 43

According to special relativity, what happens to the measured length of an object as it approaches the speed of light?

Accepted Answer

Length contraction

Answer

Length oscillation

Answer

No change in length

Answer

Length expansion

Question 44

Which famous equation represents the relationship between mass and energy in special relativity?

Accepted Answer

E = mc²

Answer

E = kT

Answer

E = ½mv²

Answer

E = hν

Question 45

What is the constant value of the speed of light in a vacuum, according to special relativity?

Accepted Answer

299,792,458 m/s

Answer

295,000,000 m/s

Answer

310,000,000 m/s

Question 46

In the context of special relativity, what is an inertial reference frame?

Accepted Answer

A frame of reference that is moving with a constant velocity.

Answer

A frame of reference accelerating at a constant rate

Answer

A frame of reference rotating at a constant speed

Answer

A frame of reference subject to gravity

Question 47

What is the fundamental postulate of special relativity?

Accepted Answer

The laws of physics are the same for all observers in uniform motion.

Answer

There is an absolute frame of reference

Answer

The universe is expanding at an accelerating rate

Question 48

Who is widely recognized as the scientist who developed the theory of special relativity?

Accepted Answer

Albert Einstein

Answer

Isaac Newton

Answer

Marie Curie

Answer

Stephen Hawking

Question 49

What is the significance of the Lorentz factor in special relativity?

Accepted Answer

It relates the time and length measurements of moving objects to those of stationary objects.

Answer

It relates the mass and energy of moving objects

Question 50

What is the lasting significance of special relativity in the development of physics?

Accepted Answer

It revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and the fundamental nature of the universe

Answer

It proved the existence of black holes

Answer

It led directly to the development of the atomic bomb