Exam-style question
Try this first
Which statement best reflects the application of the principle of relativity to a moving spaceship?.
- A.The spaceship's clocks will tick faster than those on Earth.
- B.The laws of physics inside the spaceship are identical to those on Earth.
- C.The spaceship's mass increases as seen from Earth.
- D.Light travels slower inside the spaceship.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- The laws of physics inside the spaceship are identical to those on Earth.
Explanation
Why this works
Formula/Rule: Principle of relativity – the laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames. Substitution: spaceship (inertial frame) vs Earth (inertial frame).
Working: Both observers are in inertial frames, so any physical experiment performed inside the spaceship will obey the same laws as an identical experiment performed on Earth. Answer: The laws of physics inside the spaceship are identical to those on Earth.
Units/Conclusion: same laws.
Common mistake
No common mistake is linked to this question yet.