Documents and settingsphilip harrismy documentsteaching. Simple derivation of the special theory of relativity without. Special relativity einstein 1905 based on two postulates. It is in no sense a provisional theory and is largely compatible with quantum theory. What is a simple explanation of the theory of relativity and. Apr 22, 2014 on the 100 th anniversary of albert einsteins general theory of relativity, bennetts book seeks to explain both special and general relativity in a form that a nonexpert could understand. Special relativity is einsteins most famous theory. Thus, the general theory of relativity is a new theory of gravitation proposed in place of newtonian gravitation. It becomes e mc2 q 1 v2 c2 this energy approaches in nity as v approaches c it requires an in nite amount of energy to get a massive object moving at the speed of light, but has a nite minimum value when v 0. In this course we will seek to understand einstein, especially focusing on the special theory of relativity that albert einstein, as a twentysix year old. The most famous work of einsteins life also dates from 1905 a busy year for him, when he applied the ideas of his relativity paper to come up with the equation emc2 that represents the relationship between mass m and energy e in a nutshell, einstein found that as an object approached the speed of light, c, the mass of the object increased. For 100 years, the general theory of relativity has been a pillar of modern physics.
Short overview of special relativity and invariant formulation of. The special theory of relativity from stanford university. Amongst other things, this latter theory is essentially. Tests of the theory of general relativity general relativity and newtons gravitational theory make essentially identical predictions as long as the strength of the gravitational field is weak, which is our usual experience. The idea that a principle of relativity applies to the properties of the physical. This means that a clock on a spaceship far away from any planet would move faster than a clock near earth. Sep 01, 2014 simple relativity is a 2d short educational animation film.
The basic idea is so elegant that you dont need superpowers to understand it. Special relativity theory srt has two postulates, one stating that the laws of physics are the same for all observers, and the other stating that the speed of light is the constant 186,000 miles. Airplane example of special relativity physics stack exchange. On the 100 th anniversary of albert einsteins general theory of relativity, bennetts book seeks to explain both special and general relativity in a form that a nonexpert could understand. May 20, 2015 explanation of relativity explained at a high school level.
We havent done the math yet so i would like an explanation based only on the fact that the speed of light is the same in every inertial frame. Make the equations that describe electromagnetism called. Special relativity or the special theory of relativity is a theory in physics that was developed and explained by albert einstein in 1905. The equation governing kinetic energy must be altered because of special relativity. Check out the video above to get the quickest, most awesome explainer for the weirdness of time dilation, and stick around until the end to get a neat little brainteaser that could. He didnt start talking until he was three, and at age nine he still didnt talk very well. In albert einsteins original treatment, it is based on two postulates. This is a simple and appealing idea which, of course, needed. The word relativity is well known and strongly associated with einstein, but most people havent actually studied the theory.
Special relativity is ultimately a set of equations that relate the way things look in one frame of reference to how they look in another the stretching of time and space, and the increase in. Later, einstein was able to further develop this theory, leading to what is known as the general theory of relativity. A simple derivation of the equations of einsteins theory of. An introduction to the special theory of relativity. Beginning with the behaviour of light and all other electromagnetic radiation, the theory of special relativity draws conclusions that are. Oct 01, 2017 speaking of special relativity, basically this is a theory about the geometrical properties of space and time. When einstein first hit upon special relativity, he thought one effect of special importance, so much so that it fills the first section of his on the electrodynamics of moving bodies. The biggest equation to come out of einsteins theory of special relativity is e mc2, which tells us how e, the energy, m, the mass, and c, the speed of light, are related to each other. Apr, 2018 special relativity is ultimately a set of equations that relate the way things look in one frame of reference to how they look in another the stretching of time and space, and the increase in. From quantum mechanics to the string nelia mann the principle of relativity. In 1915 he published his general theory of relativity, dealing withgravityandacceleration. In special relativity, time dilation is most simply described in circumstances where relative velocity is unchanging. The film is an attempt to explain albert einsteins special theory of relativity with a simpler visual representation and exciting.
Einsteins theory of special relativity made relatively simple. Airplane example of special relativity physics stack. Einsteins theory of general relativity predicted that the spacetime around earth would be not only warped but also twisted by the planets rotation. One is called special relativity and the other is called general relativity. Explanation of relativity explained at a high school level. It is the purpose of this book to provide an introduction to the special theory of relativity which is accessible to any stu dent who has had an introduction to general physics and some slight acquaintance with the calculus. If we decided to meet up at subway 15 minutes from now, wed have an approximate idea of when that would be. An object remains in uniform motion unless acted on. Albert einstein 5 preface december, 1916 the present book is intended, as far as possible, to give an exact insight into the theory of relativity to those readers who, from a. Mar 30, 2015 in a recent episode of her series physics girl, dianna cowern gives a simple explanation of the two postulates of special relativity and the twin paradox. The theory of relativity is actually two theories that albert einstein came up with in the early 1900s. Special relativity applies to minkowski space, or flat spacetime phenomena which are not influenced by gravitation.
Later, einstein was able to further develop this theory, leading to what is. Special relativity applies to minkowski space, or flat spacetime phenomena which are not influenced by gravitation einstein knew that some weaknesses had been. Time dilation simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Simple derivation of the special theory of relativity without the speed of light axiom 5 where k is an arbitrary constant independent on v.
The reason is simply that this is taken to be the definition of what we. Einsteins relativity explained in 4 simple steps the revolutionary physicist used his imagination rather than fancy math to come up with his most famous and. The twin paradox is a thought experiment where one twin stays on earth and the other takes a journey through space at incredibly high speeds before returning home. The development of both special and general relativity is accomplished in a series of 6 papers using a simple approach. The motion it explains is only if youre traveling in a straight line at a constant speed. This is the lorentz k 0 and galilean k 0 transformation. Einstein crafted the theory from simple postulates about the constancy of physical.
As soon as you accelerate or curve or do anything that changes the nature of the motion in any way special relativity ceases to apply. The mathematics of special relativity jared ruiz advised by dr. At the time it completely revolutionised our understanding of space and time. The theory of relativity is a very complex and difficult subject to understand. The theory of relativity usually encompasses two interrelated theories by albert einstein. Einstein put forth special relativity, which explains motion at nearlight speeds. Special relativity is mathematically selfconsistent, and it is an organic part of all modern physical theories, most notably quantum field theory, string theory, and general relativity in the limiting case of negligible gravitational fields. Einsteins relativity explained in 4 simple steps the revolutionary physicist used his imagination rather than fancy math to come up with his most famous and elegant equation. In physics, special relativity also known as the special theory of relativity is the generally accepted and experimentally confirmed physical theory regarding the relationship between space and time. These principles, and their consequences constitute the special. What is simultaneous to one observer call him stationary is not simultaneous to another observer moving relative to the first one. The simple algebraic derivation of the equations of special relativity was shared by the author to dr. General relativity explained like youve never seen before.
Albert einstein 5 preface december, 1916 the present book is intended, as far as possible, to give an exact insight into the theory of relativity to those readers who, from a general scientific and philosophical point of view. Im struggling with an introductory example of special relativity. The purpose is to explain the how and why of relativity to a broad public, and. Special relativity is now one of the foundation blocks of physics. What is a simple explanation of the theory of relativity. The equality of inertial and gravitational mass as an argument for the general postulate of relativity 21. Heavy things like planets create a gravitational field that slows down time nearby. A simple explanation of special relativity and the twin. Special relativity indicates that, for an observer in an inertial frame of reference, a clock that is moving relative to him will be measured to tick slower than a clock that is at rest in his frame of reference. This case is sometimes called special relativistic time dilation. It applies to the cosmological and astrophysical realm, including astronomy. What is true is that the time interval or the rate of a clock viewed from a moving frame is always longer than the corresponding time interval in the rest frame. Simple relativity is a 2d short educational animation film.
Gravitational time dilation is a physics concept about changes in the passage of time, caused by general relativity. Relativity definition of relativity by merriamwebster. Read on for a simple explanation of special relativity and its startling consequences. We will just discuss the very basics of the theory here. Special relativity simple english wikipedia, the free. While this is not a bad thing, ample appreciation is oftentimes not given where. Although there are many consequences of special relativity, this complex theory consists of only two postulates. These principles, and their consequences constitute the special theory of relativity. When we meet up, well all agree that we made that decision 15 minutes ago. Special relativity is limited to objects that are moving with respect to inertial frames of referencei. May 16, 2017 einsteins relativity explained in 4 simple steps the revolutionary physicist used his imagination rather than fancy math to come up with his most famous and elegant equation. It applies to all physical phenomena, so long as gravitation is not significant. Displacements, velocities, and acceleration are all calculated a certain way.
The explanation has to do with how you rotate the direction of time itself every time you change speeds. Lecture notes on special relativity department of physics. Experience and the special theory of relativity 17. Special relativity applies to all physical phenomena in the absence of gravity. Apr 03, 2018 at the time it completely revolutionised our understanding of space and time. According to it, inertial observers in relative motion disagree on the timing of events at different places. Indeed, many scholars believe that a lack of direct experimental support for special relativity in the years immediately following 1905 played a role in the decision to. Today the the necessary tools and knowledge are available that the special theory of relativity. Special relativity includes only the special case hence the name where the motion is uniform. The implications of the two simple postulates of special relativity proposed by albert einstein are presented in a succinct form in this paper.
Yep, you rotate time every day like its nbd, so congrats. Nevertheless, the lorentz equations allow one to calculate proper time and movement in space for the simple case of a spaceship which is applied with a force per unit mass, relative to some reference object in uniform i. A simple derivation of the equations of einsteins theory. The laws of physics are the same in every nonaccelerating reference frame. It does not explain why there is an expansion of room that we call space, neither why there is a rate of change that we call time. Simple relativity approach to special relativity ralph berger, phd, uc berkeley, feb. The principle of the constancy of the velocity of light refers only to.
Lorentz transformations make what is called the lorentz group. Much of the material is at a level suitable for high school students who have had advanced placement in physics and. Lecture notes on special relativity macquarie university. In a recent episode of her series physics girl, dianna cowern gives a simple explanation of the two postulates of special relativity and the twin paradox. Relativity definition is the quality or state of being relative. The special theory of relativity was the result of developments in physics at the. A simple explanation of special relativity and the twin paradox. A superquick, superpainless guide to the theory that conquered the universe. A clock in outer space moves more quickly than a clock on earth. Simple relativity understanding einsteins special theory. A slightly more mathematical, but still within 8th grade range, book is robert gerochs general relativity for a to b. Speaking of special relativity, basically this is a theory about the geometrical properties of space and time. An excellent book for understanding relativity both special and general is lewis carroll epsteins relativity visualized. The basic concepts of special relativity are presented in this paper.
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