Questions and Answers with Complete
Solution | Latest Update 2026/27
The two major theories of 20th-century physics are:
Answer: The theory of relativity and quantum theory
Velma is traveling north in a rocket at half the speed of light relative to Mort. She fires a laser
forward. Mort observes the laser beam moving at:
Answer: c (the speed of light)
The key difference between special and general relativity is:
Answer: Special relativity applies to non-accelerating observers, while general relativity
applies to accelerating observers
In Einstein’s special relativity, the unusual but fundamental assumption is:
Answer: Light travels at the same speed for all non-accelerating observers
Another way to express the principle of relativity is:
Answer: Without looking outside, you cannot determine your speed
Velma rides a train moving north at 20 m/s and throws a stone backward at 5 m/s relative to
herself. Mort observes the stone moving:
Answer: North at 15 m/s
If Velma passes Mort at half the speed of light, she observes Mort’s clock to run:
Answer: Slow
Velma travels to a distant star at high speed and returns to Earth. She finds that:
Answer: She is younger than Mort
According to Einstein’s theory:
Answer: No object with mass can reach the speed of light
From Einstein’s mass-energy relation:
Answer: A stretched rubber band and a heated object both have slightly more mass than
when unstretched or cooler