DP Physics Questionbank

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A.1: Einstein’s study of electromagnetism revealed inconsistencies between the theory of Maxwell and Newton's mechanics. He recognized that both theories could not be reconciled and so choosing to trust Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism he was forced to change long-cherished ideas about space and time in mechanics.

A.2: Observers in relative uniform motion disagree on the numerical values of space and time coordinates for events, but agree with the numerical value of the speed of light in a vacuum. The Lorentz transformation equations relate the values in one reference frame to those in another. These equations replace the Galilean transformation equations that fail for speeds close to that of light.

A.3: Spacetime diagrams are a very clear and illustrative way to show graphically how different observers in relative motion to each other have measurements that differ from each other.

Directly related questions

• 18M.3.SL.TZ2.5c: Outline why the observed times are different for A and B.
• 18M.3.SL.TZ2.5b.ii: determine the time between them according to observer B.
• 18M.3.SL.TZ2.5b.i: calculate the spacetime interval.
• 18M.3.SL.TZ2.5a: Explain what is meant by the statement that the spacetime interval is an invariant quantity.
• 18M.3.SL.TZ2.4d.ii: Estimate, using the spacetime diagram, the time at which event B occurs for the spaceship.
• 18M.3.SL.TZ2.4d.i: Construct event A and event B on the spacetime diagram.
• 18M.3.SL.TZ2.4c: As the spaceship passes the space station, the space station sends a radio signal back to the...
• 18M.3.SL.TZ2.4b: The spaceship passes the space station 90 minutes later as measured by the spaceship clock....
• 18M.3.SL.TZ2.4a: Calculate the velocity of the spaceship relative to the Earth.
• 18M.3.SL.TZ2.3b: Outline, with reference to special relativity, which of your calculations in (a) is more likely...
• 18M.3.SL.TZ2.3a.ii: Calculate, for the reference frame of rocket A, the speed of rocket B according to the Lorentz...
• 18M.3.SL.TZ2.3a.i: Calculate, for the reference frame of rocket A, the speed of rocket B according to the Galilean...
• 18M.3.SL.TZ1.5d: Calculate the velocity of rocket B relative to rocket A.
• 18M.3.SL.TZ1.5c: Explain whether or not the arrival times of the two flashes in the Earth frame are simultaneous...
• 18M.3.SL.TZ1.5b: Deduce, showing your working on the spacetime diagram, the value of ct according to the Earth...
• 18M.3.SL.TZ1.5a: Draw on the spacetime diagram the worldline of B according to the Earth observer and label it B.
• 18M.3.SL.TZ1.4b.ii: Discuss how your result in (b)(i) and the outcome of the muon decay experiment support the theory...
• 18M.3.SL.TZ1.4b.i: Calculate, according to the theory of special relativity, the time taken for a muon to reach the...
• 18M.3.SL.TZ1.4a.ii: Deduce why only a small fraction of the total number of muons created is expected to be detected...
• 18M.3.SL.TZ1.4a.i: Calculate, according to Galilean relativity, the time taken for a muon to travel to the ground.
• 18M.3.SL.TZ1.3b.ii: Deduce whether the overall field around the wire is electric, magnetic or a combination of both...
• 18M.3.SL.TZ1.3b.i: Discuss the change in d according to observer Y.
• 18M.3.SL.TZ1.3a: State whether the field around the wire according to observer X is electric, magnetic or a...
• 17N.3.SL.TZ0.6d: For an observer on the train, it is the tunnel that is moving and therefore will appear length...
• 17N.3.SL.TZ0.6c: Calculate the velocity of the train, according to an observer at rest relative to the tunnel, at...
• 17N.3.SL.TZ0.6b: Draw a spacetime diagram for this situation according to an observer at rest relative to the tunnel.
• 17N.3.SL.TZ0.5e.ii: Deduce, without further calculation, how the time taken for A to meet B, according to an observer...
• 17N.3.SL.TZ0.5e.i: Determine, according to an observer in A, the time taken for B to meet A.
• 17N.3.SL.TZ0.5d: Determine, according to an observer in A, the velocity of B.
• 17N.3.SL.TZ0.5c: Identify the terms in the formula. u′ = \(\frac{{u - v}}{{1 - \frac{{uv}}{{{c^2}}}}}\)  
• 17N.3.SL.TZ0.5b: Calculate, according to the observer on Earth, the time taken for A and B to meet.
• 17N.3.SL.TZ0.5a: Define frame of reference.
• 17N.3.SL.TZ0.4: Outline the conclusion from Maxwell’s work on electromagnetism that led to one of the postulates...
• 10N.3.SL.TZ0.D1e: According to a clock at rest with respect to Jill, a clock in the spaceship runs slow by a factor...
• 10N.3.SL.TZ0.D1d: The time for the pulse to travel from \({{\text{M}}_{\text{2}}}\) to \({{\text{M}}_{\text{1}}}\)...
• 10N.3.SL.TZ0.D1c: State, according to special relativity, the length of the path of the light between...
• 10N.3.SL.TZ0.D1b: (i)     State, according to Jill, the distance moved by the spaceship in time \(\Delta t\). (ii)...
• 10N.3.SL.TZ0.D1a: On the diagram, sketch the path of the light pulse between \({{\text{M}}_{\text{1}}}\) and...
• 10N.3.HL.TZ0.H1g: The questions (e) and (f ) introduce the concepts of time dilation and length contraction....
• 17M.3.SL.TZ2.5c.iii: Calculate the value of c 2t 2 – x 2.
• 17M.3.SL.TZ2.5c.i: On the diagram label the coordinates x and ct.
• 17M.3.SL.TZ2.5b.ii: which lamp turns on first.
• 17M.3.SL.TZ2.5b.i: the time interval between the lamps turning on.
• 17M.3.SL.TZ2.5a.ii: A space shuttle is released from the rocket. The shuttle moves with speed 0.20c to the right...
• 17M.3.SL.TZ2.5a.i: Calculate the length of the rocket according to X.
• 17M.3.SL.TZ2.4: Muons are unstable particles with a proper lifetime of 2.2 μs. Muons are produced 2.0 km above...
• 17M.3.SL.TZ2.3b: A current is established in a long straight wire that is at rest in a laboratory. A proton is...
• 17M.3.SL.TZ2.3a: State one prediction of Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism that is consistent with special...
• 17M.3.SL.TZ2.5c.ii: State and explain whether the ct coordinate in (c)(i) is less than, equal to or greater than 1.0 m.
• 17M.3.SL.TZ1.4e: A second train is moving at a velocity of –0.70c with respect to the ground. Calculate the...
• 17M.3.SL.TZ1.4d.iv: Demonstrate that the spacetime interval between events B and F is invariant.
• 17M.3.SL.TZ1.4d.iii: Apply a Lorentz transformation to show that the time difference between events B and F according...
• 17M.3.SL.TZ1.4d.ii: Deduce, using the spacetime diagram, which light was turned on first according to observer P.
• 17M.3.SL.TZ1.4d.i: Draw the time \(ct'\) and space \(x'\) axes for observer P’s reference frame on the spacetime...
• 17M.3.SL.TZ1.4c: Later the train is travelling at a speed of 0.60c. Observer P measures the length of the train to...
• 17M.3.SL.TZ1.4b: Calculate the speed v of the train for the ratio...
• 17M.3.SL.TZ1.4a: State which of the two time intervals is a proper time.
• 17M.3.SL.TZ1.3b.ii: State and explain whether the force experienced by P is magnetic, electric or both, in the rest...
• 17M.3.SL.TZ1.3b.i: State and explain whether the force experienced by P is magnetic, electric or both, in reference...
• 17M.3.SL.TZ1.3a: State what is meant by a reference frame.
• 16N.3.SL.TZ0.7d: Suggest how the twin paradox arises and how it is resolved.
• 16N.3.SL.TZ0.7c: Draw, for the reference frame of twin A, a spacetime diagram that represents the worldlines for...
• 16N.3.SL.TZ0.7b: Determine the time taken for the journey in the reference frame of twin B.
• 16N.3.SL.TZ0.7a: Calculate the time taken for the journey in the reference frame of twin A as measured on Earth.
• 16N.3.SL.TZ0.6c: An event Z is shown on the diagram. Label the co-ordinates of this event in the reference frame...
• 16N.3.SL.TZ0.6b: Draw, on the diagram, the x′-axis for the reference frame of S.
• 16N.3.SL.TZ0.6a: Calculate the angle between the worldline of S and the worldline of the Earth.
• 16N.3.SL.TZ0.5c: In the pion reference frame, the Earth moves a distance X before the pion decays. In the Earth...
• 16N.3.SL.TZ0.5b: A charged pion decays spontaneously in a time of 26 ns as measured in the frame of reference in...
• 16N.3.SL.TZ0.5a: Define proper length.
• 16N.3.SL.TZ0.4b: In the reference frame of the laboratory the force on X is magnetic. (i) State the nature of the...
• 16N.3.SL.TZ0.4a: Define frame of reference.
• 16M.3.HL.TZ0.6c: Three flashing light beacons, X, Y and Z, are used to guide another rocket C. The flash events...
• 16M.3.HL.TZ0.6b: One rocket passes the other at event E. For the reference frame of the Earth observer,...
• 16M.3.HL.TZ0.6a: For the reference frame of the Earth observer, calculate the speed of rocket A in terms of the...
• 16M.3.HL.TZ0.5b: The electron is detected at a distance of 0.800 m from the emitting nucleus as measured in the...
• 16M.3.SL.TZ0.6b: Using the graph opposite, deduce the order in which (i) the beacons flash in the reference frame...
• 16M.3.SL.TZ0.6a: For the reference frame of the Earth observer, calculate the speed of rocket A in terms of the...
• 16M.3.SL.TZ0.5d: Outline why the answer to (c) represents a proper time interval.
• 16M.3.SL.TZ0.5c: For the reference frame of the electron, calculate the time between its emission at the nucleus...
• 16M.3.SL.TZ0.5b: For the reference frame of the laboratory, calculate the time taken for the electron to reach the...
• 16M.3.SL.TZ0.5a: For the reference frame of the electron, calculate the distance travelled by the detector.
• 16M.3.SL.TZ0.4: Two protons are moving with the same velocity in a particle accelerator.Observer X is at rest...
• 16M.3.SL.TZ0.3b: An observer is travelling at velocity v towards a light source. Determine the value the observer...
• 16M.3.SL.TZ0.3a: State what is meant by inertial in this context.
• 14M.3.SL.TZ2.10c: (i)     Calculate, according to Judy, the distance separating the Earth and planet P. (ii)   ...
• 14M.3.SL.TZ2.10b: (i)     Calculate the time interval between event 1 and event 2 according to Peter. (ii)   ...
• 14M.3.SL.TZ2.10a: State the reason why the time interval between event 1 and event 2 is a proper time interval as...
• 14N.3.SL.TZ0.12a: One of the postulates of special relativity refers to the speed of light. State the other...
• 14N.3.SL.TZ0.11b: Outline whether the return of X and Y to Daniela are simultaneous according to Jaime.
• 14N.3.SL.TZ0.11a: State and explain the order of arrival of X and Y at the mirrors according to Jaime.
• 14N.3.HL.TZ0.19a: Calculate the speed of the positron as measured in the frame of reference of the electron.
• 14N.3.HL.TZ0.18b.ii: Explain, with a calculation, why many muons reach the surface of the Earth before they have decayed.
• 14N.3.HL.TZ0.18b.i: Calculate the average decay time of a muon as observed by an observer on the surface of the Earth.
• 14N.3.HL.TZ0.18a: Deduce that few muons would be expected to arrive at the surface of the Earth if non-relativistic...
• 15N.3.SL.TZ0.12c: Suzanne’s spacecraft is on a journey to a star. According to Juan, the distance from the base...
• 15N.3.SL.TZ0.12b.iv: Using relativistic kinematics, the relative speeds of the two spacecraft is shown to be 0.976c....
• 15N.3.SL.TZ0.12b.iii: Using the postulates of special relativity, state and explain why Galilean transformations cannot...
• 15N.3.SL.TZ0.12b.ii: While moving away from the base station, Suzanne observes another spacecraft travelling towards...
• 15N.3.HL.TZ0.12c.ii: Suzanne then returns to the base station at the same speed. The total time since leaving the base...
• 15N.3.HL.TZ0.12c.i: Suzanne’s spacecraft is on a journey to a star. According to Juan, the distance from the base...
• 15N.3.HL.TZ0.12b.ii: While moving away from the base station, Suzanne observes another spacecraft travelling towards...
• 15N.3.HL.TZ0.12b.i: A light on the base station flashes regularly. According to Suzanne, the light flashes every 3...
• 15N.3.HL.TZ0.12a: State what is meant by an inertial frame of reference.
• 15M.3.SL.TZ2.11c: F and B are two flashing lights located at the ends of the space station, as shown. As the...
• 15M.3.SL.TZ2.11b: The spacecraft passes a space station that is at rest relative to the Earth. The proper length of...
• 15M.3.SL.TZ2.11a: Determine the time, in years, that it takes the spacecraft to reach the planet according to...
• 15M.3.HL.TZ1.14b: The observer on Earth in (a) watches one spaceship as it travels to a distant star at a speed of...
• 15M.3.HL.TZ1.14a: An observer at rest relative to Earth observes two spaceships. Each spaceship is moving with a...
• 15M.3.SL.TZ1.11b: The observer on Earth in (a) watches one spaceship as it travels to a distant star at a speed of...
• 15M.3.SL.TZ1.11a: An observer at rest relative to Earth observes two spaceships. Each spaceship is moving with a...
• 14M.3.SL.TZ1.8c: Explain which of the time measurements in (b)(i) and (b)(ii) is a proper time interval.
• 14M.3.SL.TZ1.8a: State what is meant by an inertial frame of reference.
• 14M.3.SL.TZ1.8b: A spaceship travels from space station Alpha to space station Zebra at a constant speed of 0.90c...
• 14M.3.SL.TZ1.8d: The spaceship arrives at Zebra and enters an airlock at constant speed. O is an observer at rest...
• 13M.3.SL.TZ1.10b: At a later time the police spacecraft is alongside Speedy’s spacecraft. The police spacecraft is...
• 13M.3.SL.TZ1.10a: Describe what is meant by a frame of reference.
• 13M.3.SL.TZ1.10c: The police spacecraft is travelling at a constant speed of 0.5c relative to Speedy’s frame of...
• 13M.3.HL.TZ1.14b: Officer Sylvester switches on the blue flashing lamps on his police spacecraft. (i) Calculate,...
• 13M.3.HL.TZ2.16a: Show that, if the muons move at non-relativistic speed, the number of muons detected at sea level...
• 13M.3.HL.TZ2.16b: The muons in (a) move toward the surface of Earth with a relativistic speed of 0.968c. (i)...
• 12M.3.SL.TZ1.11a: State and explain whether the pendulum period is a proper time interval for observer T, observer...
• 12M.3.SL.TZ1.11c: Observer T is standing in the middle of a train watched by observer G at the side of the track....
• 12M.3.SL.TZ1.11b: Observer T measures the period of oscillations of the pendulum to be 0.850s. Calculate the period...
• 12M.3.HL.TZ1.11e: Observer G sees a second train moving towards the first train (i.e. towards the left) at a speed...
• 12M.3.HL.TZ1.12a: In an experiment at CERN in 1964, a neutral pion moving at a speed of 0.99975c with respect to...
• 11M.3.HL.TZ2.10d: Carrie and Louise, two observers in a spaceship, view a light source placed close to Carrie. When...
• 11M.3.HL.TZ2.17b: State the shape of the path in spacetime of a body (i) moving at constant velocity. (ii)...
• 11M.3.SL.TZ2.10a: Carrie measures her spaceship to have a length of 100m. Peter measures Carrie’s spaceship to have...
• 11M.3.SL.TZ2.10b: According to Carrie, it takes the star ten years to reach her. Using your answer to (a)(ii),...
• 11M.3.SL.TZ2.10c: According to Peter, as Carrie passes the star she sends a radio signal. Determine the time, as...
• 11M.3.HL.TZ2.17a: Describe what is meant by spacetime.
• 11N.3.SL.TZ0.9b: In a thought experiment to illustrate the concept of simultaneity, Vladimir is standing on the...
• 11N.3.HL.TZ0.12f: Suggest how your answers to (e)(i) and (e)(ii) provide evidence that supports the theory of...
• 12M.3.SL.TZ2.10b: A rocket moving at a relativistic speed passes an observer who is at rest on the...
• 12N.3.SL.TZ0.12b: (i) Calculate the time interval t between event 1 and event 2 according to an observer in the...
• 12N.3.SL.TZ0.12c: Relative to an observer on the ground, (i) calculate the distance between S and D. (ii) state...
• 11N.3.SL.TZ0.9a: One of the two postulates of special relativity may be stated as: “The laws of physics are the...
• 11N.3.SL.TZ0.9c: The speed v of the carriage is 0.70c. Vladimir measures the length of the table at which Natasha...
• 11N.3.HL.TZ0.12e: Evidence for time dilation comes from the decay of muons. A pulse of muons produced by cosmic...
• 12M.3.SL.TZ2.10a: State the postulate of special relativity that is related to the speed of light.
• 12N.3.SL.TZ0.12a: In the context of the theory of relativity, state what is meant by an event.
• 12M.3.HL.TZ2.14a: Calculate the time it takes the pulse to travel from S to D, according to (i) an observer in the...
• 12M.3.HL.TZ2.14b: Calculate the distance between the source S and the detector D according to observer Q.
• 12M.3.HL.TZ2.14c: A particular nucleus in the pulse decays by emitting an electron in the same direction as that of...
• 12M.3.HL.TZ2.14d: The laboratory observer and observer Q agree that by the time the pulse arrives at D, half of the...
• 12N.3.HL.TZ0.16a: (i) Define the rest mass of a particle. (ii) The rest mass of a particle is said to be an...
• 13N.3.HL.TZ0.12d: Muons are produced in the upper atmosphere of Earth and travel towards the surface of Earth where...
• 13N.3.HL.TZ0.12b: A radio signal is sent to both space stations in (a) from a point midway between them. On receipt...
• 13N.3.HL.TZ0.12a: Two space stations X and Y are at rest relative to each other. The separation of X and Y as...
• 13N.3.HL.TZ0.14a: Describe what is meant by spacetime.
• 13N.3.SL.TZ0.9a: Two space stations X and Y are at rest relative to each other. The separation of X and Y as...
• 13N.3.SL.TZ0.9b: A radio signal is sent to both space stations in (a) from a point midway between them. On receipt...
• 11M.3.SL.TZ1.11a: Define proper length.
• 11M.3.SL.TZ1.11b: A spaceship is travelling to the right at speed 0.75 c, through a tunnel which is open at both...
• 11M.3.SL.TZ1.11c: Two sources of light are located at each end of the tunnel. The diagram below shows...
• 11M.3.HL.TZ1.17a: Calculate the velocity of rocket 2 relative to the Earth, using the (i) Galilean transformation...
• 11M.3.HL.TZ1.17b: Comment on your answers in (a).