What is the 'Theory of Relativity?
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Answer:
The theory of relativity usually encompasses two interrelated theories by Albert Einstein: special relativity and general relativity, proposed and published in 1905 and 1915, respectively.
Special Relativity
- Special relativity: It's like normal relativity, but special.
Albert Einstein's 1905 theory of special relativity is one of the most important papers ever published in the field of physics.
Special relativity is an explanation of how speed affects mass, time, and space.
The theory includes a way for the speed of light to define the relationship between energy and matter — small amounts of mass (m) can be interchangeable with enormous amounts of energy (E), as defined by the classic equation E = mc^2.
Special relativity applies to "special" cases — it's mostly used when discussing huge energies, ultra-fast speeds, and astronomical distances, all without the complications of gravity.
Einstein officially added gravity to his theories in 1915, with the publication of his paper on general relativity.
As an object approaches the speed of light, the object's mass becomes infinite and so does the energy required to move it.
That means no matter can go faster than light travels. This cosmic speed limit inspires new realms of physics and science fiction, as people consider travel across vast distances.
General Relativity
- General relativity pulls in gravity.
Albert Einstein, in his theory of special relativity, determined that the laws of physics are the same for all non-accelerating observers, and he showed that the speed of light within a vacuum is the same no matter the speed at which an observer travels, according to Wired.
As a result, he found that space and time were interwoven into a single continuum known as space-time.
And events that occur at the same time for one observer could occur at different times for another.
As he worked out the equations for his general theory of relativity, Einstein realized that massive objects caused a distortion in space-time.
Imagine setting a large object in the center of a trampoline. The object would press down into the fabric, causing it to dimple.
If you then attempt to roll a marble around the edge of the trampoline, the marble would spiral inward toward the body, pulled in much the same way that the gravity of a planet pulls at rocks in space.
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Answer:
The theory of relativity usually encompasses two interrelated theories by Albert Einstein : special relativity and general relativity . proposed and published 1905 and 1915 , respectively