GRE Subject Test: Physics : Introductory Concepts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Physics
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Special Relativity
The difference in age for the twins in the Twin Paradox occurs during which key moment in the trip?
During the beginning of the journey traveling fast.
During the time returning to Earth traveling fast.
None of these
While approaching a black hole in space during the trip.
During the period of great acceleration during the changing of directions and return to Earth.
During the period of great acceleration during the changing of directions and return to Earth.
While moving clocks do in fact record time moving at different rates, the time dilation works both ways. This means that a stationary person will view a moving clock ticking slower, but at the same time, a person moving alongside the moving clock will see the stationary clock ticking slower. However, clocks experiencing great accelerations will be permanently changed, "losing" time relative to a clock not being accelerated. Thus, the age difference occurs during the portion of the journey when the traveler accelerates at a great rate in order to return to Earth.
Example Question #2 : Special Relativity
A black hole is an object whose gravitational field is so strong that even light cannot escape. Assuming no change in radius, approximately how much mass would our Sun have to have in order to become a black hole?
Sun's radius:
To derive the Schwarzschild radius of a black hole, set gravitational potential energy equal to kinetic energy at escape velocity:
Solving for mass of the black hole:
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