Special Relativity: Time and Motion

We do not usually observe relativistic effects in our daily lives because 

• we are moving at speeds much less than c. 
• we are much larger than atoms. 
• we are much heavier than elementary particles. 
• we are much lighter than stars. 

There are two clocks one is stationary on the earth the other is traveling close to the speed of light around the earth. If we put the clocks back together after the second clock makes it back from its trip, the times are compared. What do you expect to occur?

• More time elapsed on the stationary clock

• More time elapsed on the traveling clock

• No time has changed between them

We experience Einstein's Theory of Relativity in our everyday life when we use

• Global Positioning System
• Microwave ovens.
• Toasters
• Graphing Calculators

If you travel at the speed of light a second can be observed to last forever.

• True
• False

One of the most startling consequences of time dilation is that a moving clock ______________ relative to a stationary observer.

• Speeds up
• Slows down

Why is Special Relativity "special"?

• It's for all cases

• It's only for objects moving at a constant velocity

• It's only for accelerating objects

• It's for objects rotating

A rocket leaves Earth and travels to a star that is 20 light years as seen by the Earth. The speed of the rocket is 0.8c relative to the Earth. The time for the trip as measured on by the astronauts in the spaceship is

• 25 years

• 20 years

• 16 years

• 12 years

A rocket leaves Earth and travels to a star that is 20 light years as seen by the Earth. The speed of the rocket is 0.8c relative to the Earth. The distance from Earth to the star as measured by the astronauts is

• 25 light years

• 20 light years

• 16 light years

• 12 light years