The theory of relativity is the basic theory about space-time continuum and gravitation which was mainly established by the greatest theoretical physicist Albert Einstein. According to the areas it aims to describe, Einstein’s theory of relativity can be classified into special relativity (space-time) and general relativity (gravitation) 1. The theory of relativity, as do quantum mechanics, brought a revolutionary impact on the foundation of modern physics, and thus had an impact on modern technology. And it impacted the “common sense” understanding that people had of the universe by its new concepts such as four dimensional spaces and curved space.
The influence of relativity on the traditional physics is it lead physics to a new level and changed our mind thoroughly. The principle of special relativity pointed out that both the Newtonian mechanics and Maxwell’s electrodynamics are covariant of Lorentz transformation so they can be unified. And the principle of general covariance which extended out from general relativity lead physics to the no-inertial system. So at both special and general level, the theory of relativity logically made physics into a perfect complete scientific system.
Beside its contribution to physics Einstein’s relativity also offered so many scientific bases for some breakthroughs and new technologies. We can divide the influences into two aspects.
First, special relativity describes the laws of motion of an object which moves at high speed. Meanwhile it offered the mass-energy relation which is E=mc^2 (E=energy m=mass c=speed of light). Although Einstein didn’t believe in quantum mechanics2, his mass-energy relation still helped in the establishment of it. Also this relation built the mathematical model ...
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..., however this cannot be achieved in practice. And some recent researches found that our space possibly is a multiply connected complex frame, thus shortcuts named wormhole exists. Gravitational lens effect which was predicted by general relativity makes the research of black holes, dark matter and dark energy possible for astronomers8.
Those technologies talked above may still too far from our daily lives, but actually the application of Einstein’s relativity is inundated with so many things around us, such as the smoke detector, screen, etc.
Through all the impacts of Einstein’s relativity on our modern lives, techniques and even our minds discussed above, so we can see how important Einstein’s relativity is to us and how much we have gained. And the great ideas from it will continuously challenge human mind and the arguments around it shall improve our science.
What was General Relativity? Einstein's earlier theory of time and space, Special Relativity, proposed that distance and time are not absolute. The ticking rate of a clock depends on the motion of the observer of that clock; likewise for the length of a "yard stick." Published in 1915, General Relativity proposed that gravity, as well as motion, can affect the intervals of time and of space.
In 1864, James Clerk Maxwell revolutionized physics by publishing A Treatise On Electricity And Magnetism (James C. Maxwell, Bio.com), in which his equations described, for the first time, the unified force of electromagnetism (Stewart, Maxwell’s Equations), and how the force would influence objects in the area around it (Dine, Quantum Field Theory). Along with other laws such as Newton’s Law Of Gravitation, it formed the area of physics called classical field theory (Classical Field Theory, Wikipedia). However, over the next century, quantum mechanics were developed, leading to the realization that classical field theory, though thoroughly accurate on a macroscopic scale, simply would not work at a quantum, or subatomic scale, due to the extremely different behaviour of elementary particles. Scientists began developing a new ideas that would describe the behaviour of subatomic particles when subjected to the fundamental forces (QFT, Columbia Electronic Dictionary)(QFT, Britannica School). Einstein’s theory of special relativity, which states that the speed of light is always constant and as a result, both space and time are, in contrary, relative, was combined into this new theory, allowing for accurate descriptions of elementary
The author tells of how waves are effected by quantum mechanic. He also discusses the fact that electromagnetic radiation, or photons, are actually particles and waves. He continues to discuss how matter particles are also matter, but because of their h bar, is so small, the effects are not seen. Green concludes the quantum mechanics discussion by talking about the uncertainty principle.Chapter 5: The need for a New Theory: General Relativity vs.
The Theory of Relativity, proposed by the Jewish physicist Albert Einstein (1879-1955) in the early part of the 20th century, is one of the most significant scientific advances of our time. Although the concept of relativity was not introduced by Einstein, his major contribution was the recognition that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant and an absolute physical boundary for motion. This does not have a major impact on a person's day-to-day life since we travel at speeds much slower than light speed. For objects travelling near light speed, however, the theory of relativity states that objects will move slower and shorten in length from the point of view of an observer on Earth. Einstein also
Many scholars, researchers, and scientist claim that the greatest discovery in mankind’s history was actually made by Professor Albert Einstein and is called the “Theory of Relativity.” The reason they say this is that by being able to explain and understand how everything relates to everything else is the key to advancing or evolving our knowledge about everything. In other words if we know how a starfish relates to a star, in theory we can know or cause to be known everything in-between. So the very evolution of knowledge is at stake, never mind the methodology that is used.
A year later, Einstein theorized the concept of gravitational waves, although he never proved it. A century later, in 2016, scientists finally proved the theory. Even long after his death, Einstein’s research is still influencing new scientific breakthroughs.
A hundred years ago, a young married couple sat at a kitchen table talking over the items of the day while their young boy sat listening earnestly. He had heard the debate every night, and while there were no raised voices, their discussion was intense. It was a subject about which his parents were most passionate - the electrodynamics of moving bodies in the universe. The couple were of equal intelligence and fortitude, working together on a theory that few people can comprehend even to this day. Mileva Maric Einstein was considered to be the intellectual equal of her husband Albert, but somehow went unrecognized for her contributions to the 1905 Papers, which included the Special Theory of Relativity. The stronger force of these two bodies would be propelled into the archives of scientific history, while the other would be left to die alone, virtually unknown. Mrs. Einstein was robbed. She deserved to be recognized for at least a collaborative effort, but it was not to be. The role which society had accorded her and plain, bad luck would prove to be responsible for the life of this great mathematician and scientist, gone unnoticed.
Scientists ranging from James Clerk Maxwell and Max von Laue have been claimed to be true discovers of the Mass-Energy Equivalence, which has popularly been credited to Albert Einstein’s “Theory of special relativity” back in 1905. There has been many controversies, but in conclusion Einstein is the official claimer.(Ball, P. (n.d.). The equation proved that energy and matter are linked. This was only one of the major breakthroughs that Einstein made in 1905 and his best work was yet to come in later years.
Stemming from the first years of the 20th century, quantum mechanics has had a monumental influence on modern science. First explored by Max Planck in the 1900s, Einstein modified and applied much of the research in this field. This begs the question, “how did Einstein contribute to the development and research of quantum mechanics?” Before studying how Einstein’s research contributed to the development of quantum mechanics, it is important to examine the origins of the science itself. Einstein took much of Planck’s experimental “quantum theory” research and applied it in usable ways to existing science. He also greatly contributed to the establishment of the base for quantum mechanics research today. Along with establishing base research in the field, Einstein’s discoveries have been modified and updated to apply to our more advanced understanding of this science today. Einstein greatly contributed to the foundation of quantum mechanics through his research, and his theories and discoveries remain relevant to science even today.
In 1905, Albert Einstein wrote his paper on the special theory of relativity (Prosper). This theory has the reputation as being so exotic that few people can understand it. On the contrary, special relativity is simply a system of kinematics and dynamics, based on a set of postulates that is different from those of classical mec...
Initially, Albert Einstein was the person to predict the existence of black holes through his General Theory of Relativity, in which he had created several general equations that show the interaction of gravitation as a result of space being curved by matter or energy. In 1915, he published Einstein’s field equations, which specify how the geometry of space and time is influenced by whatever matter and radiation are present, and form the core of Einstein's general theory of relativity (Redd). The general theory relativity was the initial step in the process to finding out more information about black holes. As time went on, there were a few main contributors that solved these equations to help develop better theories on black holes. One of the most important contributors to the development of a better u...
Gravity, the invisible force that pulls objects toward the ground, has existed long before Earth’s creation. Gravity, in various degrees, can be found on every moon, planet, solar system, galaxy, and universe, expanding into systems far beyond the reach of human awareness. The study of gravity can be documented as far back as around 300 BCE, during the time of Aristotle, with the theory that larger or heavier objects fall to the ground faster than smaller or lighter objects. Over time the concept of this invisible force would be known as gravity and, better known by scientists, as the Theory of General Relativity. This timeline will document some of the significant discoveries and changes to the Theory of General Relativity.
Yes, many people have heard of Albert Einsteins General Theory of Relativity, but few people know about the intriguing life that led this scientist to discover what some have called The Greatest Single achievement of human thought!
mc2,created the theory of relativity where gravity bends time, or spacetime. Spacetime is commonly known as the fabric of the fourth dimension. To understand this process imagine spacetime as a blanket and according to Einstein's theory a giant mass in the universe like planets and suns can cause a bend in spacetime like a basketball. When the basketball is put onto the blanket it causes the blanket to curve due to gravity pulling the ball down.(Howell) In order to bend the fabric of spacetime an immense amount of gravitational force is required to achieve that goal.
During the seventeenth century, the modern science of physics started to emerge and become a widespread tool used around the world. Many prominent people contributed to the build up of this fascinating field and managed to generally define it as the science of matter and energy and their interactions. However, as we know, physics is much more than that. It explains the world around us in every form imaginable. The study of physics is a fundamental science that helps the advancing knowledge of the natural world, technology and aids in the other sciences and in our economy. Without the field of physics, the world today would be a complete mystery, everything would be different because of the significance physics has on our life as individuals and as a society.