Reviewer in Modern Physics (Waves and Optics) Dispersion: is defined as the spreading of white light into its full
ht into its full The binding energy per nucleon is least for nuclei of intermediate
 Three ways in which light can travel from a source to
another location:
- come directly from the source through empty space;
- light can travel through various media;
- light can also arrive after being reflected, such as by a
mirror.
Ray: comes from mathematics and here means a straight line
that originates at some point.
Geometric Optics: Part of optics, where the ray aspect of light
dominates.
The Law of Reflection: The angle of reflection equals the angle
of incidence.
Refraction: The changing of a light ray’s direction (loosely called
bending) when it passes through variations in matter is called
refraction.
TIR: The incident angle θ1 is greater than the critical angle.
spectrum of wavelengths.
Reviewer in Modern Physics
Einstein’s First Postulate: The first postulate upon which Einstein
based the theory of special relativity relates to inertial reference frames.
Inertial frame of reference: is a reference frame in which a body at
rest remains at rest and a body in motion moves at a constant speed in a
straight line unless acted on by an outside force.
Einstein’s Second Postulate: The second postulate upon which
Einstein based his theory of special relativity deals with the speed of
light.
Michelson-Morley experiment: demonstrated that the speed of light in
a vacuum is independent of the motion of the Earth about the Sun.
Time dilation: is the phenomenon of time passing slower for an
observer who is moving relative to another observer.
Proper time: is the time measured by an observer at rest relative to the
event being observed.
Proper length: is the distance between two points measured by an
observer who is at rest relative to both of the points.
Length contraction: is the shortening of the measured length of an
object moving relative to the observer’s frame.
may or may not be seen at the same time: Two meteorites are seen to
strike two distant locations at the same time. As seen from a different
location, the two lightning bolts.
the same for all nuclei: The binding energy per nucleon is
The length of the rod remains the same: The length of a rod seems
shorter to an observer when it moves in a specific direction. What
change would he observe when the direction of rod changes by 180°?
Smaller: Relative to the sum of the masses of its constituents, the mass
of nucleus is
c but at a shorter wavelength: A spaceship, moving toward the Earth
at a speed of 0.9c, shines a green laser at Earth. An observer on Earth
would see the light arriving at a speed of
remains the same: If you consider a blinking light source that
approaches an observer, what happens to its speed?
Increases: If you consider a blinking light source that approaches an
observer, what happens to its frequency?
Everyday Low Speeds: Under what conditions do relativity equations
for length, mass, and time hold true?
Increases: If you consider a blinking light source that approaches an
observer, what happens to its wavelength?
The clock at the top: Which clock ticks faster, the clock at the bottom
of a skyscraper or another clock at the top?
size: Nuclear fission and fusion reactions give off energy because
C: A spaceship approaches the Moon, traveling at 0.5c with respect to
the Moon. Its crew shines a laser at the Moon. The beam strikes a lunar
mirror and is reflected back to the ship. The crew on the ship will
measure the speed of the reflected beam to be 
Acceleration and velocity both change: In a uniform circular motion
C: A spaceship, moving away from the Earth at a speed of 0.9c, fires a
light beam backward. An observer on Earth would see the light arriving
at a speed of
Just the same: According to the special theory of relativity, what will
you notice about your own pulse rate if you travel at a very high speed?
0.60 c: A train has a rest length of 100 m. Traveling at a very high
velocity, it goes through a tunnel of length 80 m. 
Simple Harmonic Motion: The equation, x = a cos (ωt + f) represents
Time and space are two closely-related concepts that are dependent
on each other: Which of the following statements is consistent with
the general theory of relativity?
When it interacts with matter: When does light behave as if it were a
wave phenomenon?
Is converted to Energy: When two light atoms fuse together, mass
It will be shorter: While the spaceship is still at rest on earth, a woman
on board finds that a wooden rod she is carrying is 1 meter long. 
Remains the same: If you consider a blinking light source that is
receding an observer, what happens to its speed?
Momentum: There is an upper limit on the speed of a particle. This
means that there is also an upper limit on its
Iron: The element whose nuclei contain the most tightly bound nucleon
is
Zero: The decay of a sample of radioactive atoms is studied by
observers moving in different ways. One moves at 0.8c, another at 0.5c,
another at 0.25c, and one at speed zero with respect to the sample. 
Observed when speeds are near the speed of light: The term
"relativistic" refers to effects that are 
Decreases: If you consider a blinking light source that is receding an
observer, what happens to its frequency?
The same: How does the relativistic momentum of a fast-moving body
compare to the momentum (mv) of the same body according to
classical physics?
Move at a constant speed: According to the special theory of
relativity, all laws of nature are the same in reference frames that:
6,000 m: Starship "Alpha" is traveling at 0.8c (γ = 5/3) with respect to
the identical starship "Beta." Each starship has rest length 10,000 m.