Cosmic inflation caused the universe to expand, for a brief period, at faster than lightspeed. But special relativity says that nothing can move faster than lightspeed. How can this contradiction be resolved?

A) The laws of physics (conservation of energy, special relativity, etc.) as we presently know them were not valid during the "inflationary period" that existed for a fraction of a second into the big bang.
B) We now realize that special relativity does not apply to dark energy.
C) Special relativity says nothing can move through space at faster than lightspeed, but doesn't restrict the speed at which space can expand.
D) It hasn't yet been resolved, but scientists are working on resolving it.
E) The laws of specially relativity were not valid during the inflationary period, but the other laws (such as conservation of energy) were valid.


C

Physics & Space Science

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Consider two cylinders of gas identical in all respects except that one contains oxygen O2 and the other helium He. Both cylinders initially contain the same volume of gas at 0°C and 1 atm of pressure and are closed by a movable piston at one end

Both gases are now compressed adiabatically to one-third their original volume. (a) Which gas will show the greater temperature increase? 1. the O2 2. the He 3. Neither; both will show the same increase. 4. It is impossible to tell from the information given. (b) Which gas will show the greater pressure increase? 1. the O2 2. the He 3. Neither; both will show the same increase. 4. It is impossible to tell from the information given.

Physics & Space Science

Conduction: If, with steady state heat flow established, you double the thickness of a wall built from solid uniform material, the rate of heat loss for a given temperature difference across the thickness will

A. become one-half its original value.
B. also double.
C. become one-fourth its original value.
D. become 1/ of its original value.
E. become four times its original value.

Physics & Space Science

Total internal reflection

A. Accounts for the brilliance of cut diamonds. B. Allows light to travel in a curved path inside an optic fiber. C. All of these are true. D. Occurs when light strikes an interface at greater than the critical angle.

Physics & Space Science

How many large moons does Saturn have?

A) 4 B) 3 C) 2 D) 1 E) 0

Physics & Space Science