The theory of special relativity explains how space and time are linked for objects that are moving at a consistent speed in a straight line . ... Simply put, as an object approaches the speed of light, its mass becomes infinite and it is unable to go any faster than light travels.
How do you explain the theory of relativity to a child?
” The motion of one thing is always relative to the motion of everything else. Special relativity also says that light always travels at the same speed in empty space , 186,000 miles per second. So in one second, light could travel all the way around the planet Earth about seven and a half times!
How do you explain the theory of relativity?
What is general relativity? Essentially, it’s a theory of gravity
What is the theory of special relativity for dummies?
In 1905, Albert Einstein published the theory of special relativity, which explains how to interpret motion between different inertial frames of reference — that is, places that are moving at constant speeds relative to each other.
What are the main principles of special relativity?
The special principle of relativity states that physical laws should be the same in every inertial frame of reference, but that they may vary across non-inertial ones . This principle is used in both Newtonian mechanics and the theory of special relativity.
Who gave the principle of relativity?
Who came up with the theory of relativity? Albert Einstein . He published the first part of his theory — special relativity — in the German physics journal Annalen der Physik in 1905 and completed his theory of general relativity only after another decade of difficult work.
How did Einstein figure out relativity?
General relativity predicted that light would bend in a gravitational field . In 1919, British expeditions to Africa and South America observed a total solar eclipse to see if the position of stars near the Sun had changed. The observed effect was exactly what Einstein had predicted.
What is special relativity in simple words?
The theory of special relativity explains how space and time are linked for objects that are moving at a consistent speed in a straight line. ... Simply put, as an object approaches the speed of light, its mass becomes infinite and it is unable to go any faster than light travels.
What does E mc2 mean in simple terms?
Einstein’s Big Idea homepage. E = mc 2 . It’s the world’s most famous equation, but what does it really mean? “ Energy equals mass times the speed of light squared .” On the most basic level, the equation says that energy and mass (matter) are interchangeable; they are different forms of the same thing.
What is the difference between the two theories of relativity?
The “General Theory of Relativity’ is related to gravity. It describes gravitational force as continuous non-spatial whole of space and time. ... The difference between the two theories is that the theory of general relativity throws light on the force of gravity with respect to curving four-dimensional space-time.
What is Newtonian principle of relativity?
Galilean invariance or Galilean relativity states that the laws of motion are the same in all inertial (or non-accelerating) frames . ... In this context it is sometimes called Newtonian relativity. Among the axioms from Newton’s theory are: There exists an absolute space in which Newton’s laws are true.
What is E mc2 used for today?
Many everyday devices, from smoke detectors to exit signs, also host an ongoing, invisible fireworks of E = mc2 transformations. Radiocarbon dating, which archeologists use to date ancient material, is yet another application of the formula.
What did Einstein mean by time is relative?
In the Special Theory of Relativity, Einstein determined that time is relative—in other words, the rate at which time passes depends on your frame of reference . ... The effect of time slowing down is negligible at speeds of everyday life, but it becomes very pronounced at speeds approaching that of light.
Why is E mc2 so important?
Einstein’s greatest equation, E = mc 2 , is a triumph of the power and simplicity of fundamental physics . Matter has an inherent amount of energy to it, mass can be converted (under the right conditions) to pure energy, and energy can be used to create massive objects that did not exist previously.
What is Galilean principle of relativity?
According to the principle of Galilean relativity, if Newton’s laws are true in any reference frame, they are also true in any other frame moving at constant velocity with respect to the first one .
Is time the same in space?
We all measure our experience in space-time differently. That’s because space-time isn’t flat — it’s curved, and it can be warped by matter and energy. So depending on our position and speed, time can appear to move faster or slower to us relative to others in a different part of space-time.
