The general theory of relativity focuses on systems that are

• accelerated
• relative to one another
• uniform in motion
• outside the realm of physics

What is the principal difference between the theory of special relativity and the theory of general relativity?

• Special relativity applies to frames of reference moving at constant velocity, whereas general relativity includes accelerating reference frames.
• The general theory of relativity replaced special relativity, because it deals with time better.
• Special relativity applies to frames of reference moving at constant velocity or rotating with constant angular velocity, whereas general relativity includes accelerating reference frames.
• General relativity applies to frames of reference moving at constant velocity, whereas special relativity includes accelerating reference frames.

In a spaceship accelerating at g, far from Earth's gravity, how does the motion of a dropped ball compare with the motion of a ball dropped at Earth's surface?

• The motions of the ball are the same.
• The ball in the spacecraft remains at rest when released.
• The ball in the spacecraft accelerates up at 1g.
• The ball in the spacecraft accelerates downward at 2g.

Exactly what is equivalent in the principle of equivalence?

• Energy and momentum
• Gravitation and acceleration
• Gravitation and velocity
• Velocity and speed

Compare the bending of the paths of baseballs and photons by a gravitational field.

• Both follow bent paths.
• Both travel straight paths.
• The photons follow a bent path, whereas the baseball travels a straight path.
• The baseball follows a bent path, whereas the photons travel a straight path.

Why must the Sun be eclipsed to measure the deflection of starlight passing near the Sun?

• Only during an eclipse the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun are in the same general relativistic frame of reference.
• Only during an eclipse the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun are in the same special relativistic frame of reference.
• Without an eclipse, the Sun's glare makes it impossible to see stars near the Sun.
• Sunlight pushes on the starlight, thus deflecting it.

Shine a laser across Earth's surface and it

• not only does not bend, but is immune to gravity
• will circle around Earth if aimed correctly
• bends as if in free fall
• does not bend

Light that passes near a massive star bends primarily due to the star's

• position of parallax
• influence on nearby stars
• atmospheric refraction
• gravitational field

Which runs slower: a clock at the top of the tallest skyscraper in Chicago or a clock on the shore of Lake Michigan?

• The clocks cannot be compared while they are separated.
• Both clocks run at the same rate.
• The clock on the lakeshore runs slower.
• The clock in the skyscraper runs slower.

How does the frequency of a particular spectral line observed in sunlight compare with the frequency of that line observed from a source on Earth?

• The frequency of the solar spectral line will be higher because of the strong gravity field.
• The frequency of the solar spectral line will be lower purely due to the rotational speed of the solar surface.
• The frequency of the solar spectral line will be lower because of the strong gravity field.
• The frequency of the solar spectral line will be the same.