Lorentz Coordinate Transformation Quiz

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What is the Lorentz transformation used for?

To determine the length of an object in motion
To calculate the mass of an object
To verify the constancy of the speed of light
To relate the space and time coordinates of two moving inertial observers (correct)

How are concepts like simultaneity, time intervals, and length different in relativistic mechanics compared to Newtonian mechanics?

Events observed to be simultaneous in one frame are always simultaneous in another frame in relativistic mechanics
They remain the same in both mechanics
Events observed to occur simultaneously in one frame are not observed to be simultaneous in another frame moving uniformly past (correct)
There is absolute length in relativistic mechanics

What effect is observed in time dilation?

The time interval changes based on the observer's acceleration
The time interval remains constant for all observers
The time interval decreases for moving observers
The time interval increases for moving observers (correct)

What is length contraction in the context of special relativity?

The length of an object measured in a moving reference frame is always less than the proper length (C) Signup and view all the answers

How did scientists confirm the results of time dilation and length contraction?

By increasing the speed of protons close to the speed of light (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of special relativity related to concepts like simultaneity and length?

Events observed to occur simultaneously in one frame may not be simultaneous in another frame (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to the Lorentz Transformation, what happens to our common-sense notions of space and time?

They are altered (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Galilean transformation not valid when v approaches the speed of light?

It does not account for the constancy of the speed of light (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the range of speeds for which the Lorentz transformation applies?

0 ≤ v < c (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following experiments confirms the constancy of the speed of light?

The Michelson-Morley experiment (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the second postulate of relativity require?

The speed of light is the same in all inertial frames (A) Signup and view all the answers

What would be possible if the speed of light were not the same in all inertial frames?

Identifying a preferred, absolute frame (C) Signup and view all the answers

What principle resolves the contradiction between Galilean relativity and the fact that the speed of light is the same for all observers?

Einstein's principle of relativity (C) Signup and view all the answers

What are the two postulates of Einstein's principle of relativity?

The principle of relativity and constancy of the speed of light (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the value of the speed of light in a vacuum, according to the principle of constancy of the speed of light?

$3.00 imes 10^8$ m/s (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the generalization of the principle of Galilean relativity, according to Einstein's principle of relativity?

The laws of physics must be the same in all inertial reference frames (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of any kind of experiment performed in a moving laboratory, according to Einstein's principle of relativity?

The results must be the same as when performed in a laboratory at rest (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is impossible to detect, according to Einstein's principle of relativity?

The absolute velocity of an object (A) Signup and view all the answers