Special relativity topic check
Practise H3 Physics simultaneity, Lorentz transformations, relativistic effects and energy–momentum, with feedback and fresh progress checks.
Learning goals
- Discuss the result of the Michelson–Morley experiment and what it means for the ether theory
- State the two postulates of special relativity: the laws of physics and the speed of light in free space are the same in every inertial frame
- Explain why the Galilean transformation fails for a moving light source
- Discuss the relativity of simultaneity
- Explain proper time and proper length
- Use the Lorentz transformation to solve one-dimensional problems
- Derive the time dilation formula and the length contraction formula, making use of the Lorentz factor.
- Use time dilation and length contraction, for example for the lifetime of fast-moving muons
- Use relativistic velocity addition to find velocities in different inertial frames
- Apply the relativistic energy–momentum relation E² = (pc)² + (mc²)² to solve problems, including selecting its limiting form.
- Show that E² = (pc)² + (mc²)² reduces to E = pc for massless particles and to E = mc² + ½mv² at low speeds.
Your next step
Check what you know
Answer each question and say how sure you are to find what to practise next.
Finding your next step…
Check what you know
Start here to see which parts you already know.
About 8 minutes
Time is up and your answers could not be submitted; check your connection and try again.
Paper instructions
This shows what to work on next and doesn’t count towards your course progress.
- Question count is checked before you start.
- Feedback appears after you finish and submit.
Your work
Without an account, unfinished answers stay in this tab. Signed in, they are saved on this device until the deadline shown when you start.
Getting your questions…
Recent attempts
History is stored only in this browser.
No completed attempts are saved yet.
Beyond the syllabus: optional enrichment that does not count towards your progress.
Practise
Practise questions on the skills you are learning.
About 10 minutes
Use the feedback to improve your answers; this practice does not count towards your progress.
Time is up and your answers could not be submitted; check your connection and try again.
Paper instructions
This is for practice only and doesn’t count towards your course progress.
- Question count is checked before you start.
- Feedback appears after you check each answer.
Your work
Without an account, unfinished answers stay in this tab. Signed in, they are saved on this device until the deadline shown when you start.
Getting your questions…
Recent attempts
History is stored only in this browser.
No completed attempts are saved yet.
Beyond the syllabus: optional enrichment that does not count towards your progress.
Practise after feedback
After a check, practise the skills it showed you need to work on.
About 10 minutes
Use the feedback to improve your answers; this practice does not count towards your progress.
Time is up and your answers could not be submitted; check your connection and try again.
Paper instructions
This is for practice only and doesn’t count towards your course progress.
- Question count is checked before you start.
- Feedback appears after you check each answer.
Your work
Without an account, unfinished answers stay in this tab. Signed in, they are saved on this device until the deadline shown when you start.
Getting your questions…
Recent attempts
History is stored only in this browser.
No completed attempts are saved yet.
Beyond the syllabus: optional enrichment that does not count towards your progress.
Check your progress
When you feel ready, answer on your own to show what you can do.
About 10 minutes
Use the feedback to improve your answers; this practice does not count towards your progress.
Time is up and your answers could not be submitted; check your connection and try again.
Paper instructions
Your result can count towards your course progress.
- Question count is checked before you start.
- Feedback appears after you finish and submit.
Your work
Without an account, unfinished answers stay in this tab. Signed in, they are saved on this device until the deadline shown when you start.
Getting your questions…
Recent attempts
History is stored only in this browser.
No completed attempts are saved yet.
Beyond the syllabus: optional enrichment that does not count towards your progress.
Check again
After practising what your progress check showed, check those skills again.
About 10 minutes
Use the feedback to improve your answers; this practice does not count towards your progress.
Time is up and your answers could not be submitted; check your connection and try again.
Paper instructions
Your result can count towards your course progress.
- Question count is checked before you start.
- Feedback appears after you finish and submit.
Your work
Without an account, unfinished answers stay in this tab. Signed in, they are saved on this device until the deadline shown when you start.
Getting your questions…
Recent attempts
History is stored only in this browser.
No completed attempts are saved yet.
Beyond the syllabus: optional enrichment that does not count towards your progress.
Review
Come back later to see whether your learning has lasted.
About 10 minutes
Use the feedback to improve your answers; this practice does not count towards your progress.
Time is up and your answers could not be submitted; check your connection and try again.
Paper instructions
A scheduled review counts towards your course progress only when it is due.
- Question count is checked before you start.
- Feedback appears after you finish and submit.
Your work
Without an account, unfinished answers stay in this tab. Signed in, they are saved on this device until the deadline shown when you start.
Getting your questions…
Recent attempts
History is stored only in this browser.
No completed attempts are saved yet.
Beyond the syllabus: optional enrichment that does not count towards your progress.
Next step