In Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity, There Is One Basic

question 20

Multiple Choice

In Einstein's special theory of relativity, there is one basic principle [or assumption, or law] that seems very odd to our intuitions, and that is responsible for the odd nature of Einstein's conclusions. This basic principle is

• A) the idea that mass is relative, and is larger when it is moved faster.
• B) the idea that all motion is merely relative motion, i.e., that it is impossible to determine how fast you are moving without measuring against something outside your laboratory.
• C) the idea that light has the same speed for all nonaccelerated observers.
• D) E = mc².
• E) relativistic length contraction.

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