1.5 - General relativity

Question 1

special relativity deals with motion in which frames of reference

Answer 1

inertial

Question 2

general relativity deals with which frames of reference

Answer 2

non-inertial

Question 3

define non-inertial

Answer 3

a frame of reference accelerating with reference to another frame of reference

Question 4

define inertial

Answer 4

a frame of reference moving with a constant velocity relative to another frame of reference

Question 5

state the equivalence principle

Answer 5

it is impossible to distinguish between the effects on an observer of a uniform gravitational field and of a constant acceleration

Question 6

which dimensions does spacetime occupy

Answer 6

3 dimensions of space, 1 dimension of time

Question 7

what causes the curvature of spacetime

Answer 7

mass

Question 8

what does curvature of spacetime cause

Answer 8

gravity

Question 9

what is meant by geodesic

Answer 9

the path with the shortest distance between two points

Question 10

what follows a geodesic path in spacetime

Answer 10

light or a freely moving object

Question 11

draw the world lines for an object which is stationary, moving with a constant velocity, accelerating

Answer 11

on a t-x graph, straight vertical line, straight diagonal line, curved line

Question 12

what is the escape velocity of a black hole at its event horizon

Answer 12

c

Question 13

describe the appearance of an object at the event horizon from the perspective of a distant observer

Answer 13

the approach of the object would seem to become slower and slower until time would appear frozen at the event horizon, while the light reflecting off the object would become increasingly redshifted until it disappeared

Question 14

what is the schwarzschild radius of a black hole

Answer 14

the distance from its centre (singularity) to its event horizon