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Unit -1- Important Questions -2 Marks

The document discusses key concepts in relativistic mechanics, including the differences between inertial and non-inertial frames of reference, the implications of the Michelson-Morley experiment, and fundamental postulates of special relativity. It also covers concepts such as proper and improper length and time, length contraction, and time dilation. Additionally, it explains the Global Positioning System (GPS) and its functioning based on satellite signals.

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4 views4 pages

Unit -1- Important Questions -2 Marks

The document discusses key concepts in relativistic mechanics, including the differences between inertial and non-inertial frames of reference, the implications of the Michelson-Morley experiment, and fundamental postulates of special relativity. It also covers concepts such as proper and improper length and time, length contraction, and time dilation. Additionally, it explains the Global Positioning System (GPS) and its functioning based on satellite signals.

Uploaded by

usespotify17
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Unit -1

Relativistic Mechanics
Ques.1. what is the difference between inertial & non-inertial frame of reference?

Ans. Inertial references frames :− The frames of references in which Newton first law of motion
holds good i.e. an object at rest and an object in motion remains motion unless acted by a net
force. An inertial reference frame is either at rest or moves with a constant velocity.
Examples: − A train moving with constant velocity.
Non−inertial reference frames: − In Non−inertial reference frame, Newton first law of motion does
not hold good. Or the frame of reference which does not move with constant velocity are called non-
inertial frame of reference
Examples: − A car moving with variable speed.
Ques.2. Is earth is an inertial frame of reference?

Ans. No, earth is a non- inertial frame of reference since it is moving around sun in elliptical path it
has acceleration.
Yes, earth is an inertial frame of reference for observer who is on earth.
What is Galilean invariance?
The physical quantities (acceleration, mass and time) which are not changed with change in the
frame of reference are called invariant physical quantity. The physical quantities (Velocity) which
are changed with change in the frame of reference are called variant physical quantity. Hence the
physical quantities which remain constant under Galilean Transformations are called Galilean
invariance

Ques.3. What was the main objective of Michelson –Morley Experiment?

Ans. Main objective of Michelson –Morley Experiment was to determine the relative motion
between earth and ether and existence of stationary frame of reference (ether frame).
Ques.4. What are the conclusions of Michelson-Morley experiment?

Ans. The result of Michelson Morley experiment proves that ether does not exist. Hence there is no
frame of reference which is in a state of absolute rest. It also proves that the speed of light does not
depend on the speed of the source and is constant in all directions.
Ques.5. State the fundamental postulates of special theory of relativity.

Ans. There are two postulates of special theory of relativity


Postulate 1: The fundamental laws of physics have same form for all inertial system.
Postulate 2: The velocity of light in vacuum is independent of the relative motion of source and the
observer.
Q. 6 Write down inverse Lorentz transformations equations
Ans.
' vx '
'
x + vt ' t+ 2
x= c

√
2 t=

√
v 2
1− 2 v
c 1− 2
c

'
y= y z=z '

Ques.7 Define proper length and improper length.

Ans. Proper Length: The Length of the rod measured by an observer in the frame in which the rod
is at rest w.r.t observer is called proper length or actual length.

Improper Length: The Length of the rod measured by an observer in the frame in which the rod
is in motion w.r.t observer is called proper length or actual length.

Ques.8. What is the principle of simultaneity of events?

Ans. The events which are simultaneous in one reference frame are not simultaneous in another
inertial reference frame.

Ques.9. What is length contraction?

Ans. The length of a moving rod appears to be smaller than the length when it is at rest with respect
to observer. This is known as length contraction.

√
2
v
Mathematically l = l o 1− 2
c

Ques. 10 What is time dilation?

Ans.: The time interval appears to be increased due to the relative motion when object moves with
velocity comparable to the velocity of light. This phenomenon is known as time dilation

t0
t=
Mathematically
√
2
v
1− 2
c
Ques. 11 What is proper and improper time?

Ans: Proper Time: The time interval between two events which occur at the same position
recorded by clock in the frame in which the events occurs is called proper time.

Improper Time: Time interval between two events measured by clocks at two different points in
space is improper time interval.

Ques.12 What do you mean by mass less particles?

Ans. A particle which has zero rest mass (m 0) is called a massless particle e.g. Photons and
Gravitons. In classical physics, the existence of massless particle is impossible. However, in
relativistic mechanics, a particle with zero rest mass can exists.

Ques. 13 Show that rest mass of photon is zero.

Ans. The equation for relativistic mass is 𝑚


……………………… (1)

Here mo is the rest mass of photon

For photon v = c

Then equation becomes mo = 0

Q.14 .What is GPS?


GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It is a radio navigation system used on land, sea,
and air to determine the exact location, time and velocity irrespective of weather conditions There
are at least 4 GPS satellites in the line of sight of a receiver on the earth. The transmitter GPS sends
information about the position and time to the receiver GPS at fixed intervals.. By finding the difference
in time between the signals sent from the GPS satellite to the time the GPS receivers, the distance
between the GPS receiver and the satellite can be calculated. For a GPS to calculate a 2-D position,
which includes the latitude and longitude, a minimum of 3 satellites are required. For a 3-D
position that provides latitude, longitude, and altitude, a minimum of 4 satellites are needed.

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