Einstein’s Theory of Relativity

Julia Sickels - jns5224

Sam Fisher - sef5176

Alyssa Hawras - aoh5295

BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Theory of relatively was proposed

by Albert Einstein in the early part of the 20th century.

Although he did not originally introduce the concept, “his major contribution was the recognition that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant and an absolute physical boundary for motion.”

The theory states that “objects will move slower and shorten in length from the point of view of an observer on Earth”

BRIEF DESCRIPTION CONT. From the Theory of Relatively Einstein

was able to derive the equation E=mc^2

E: Energy m: mass c: speed of light (3x10^8 m/s)

He received the Noble Prize in 1921 for his work

THE BASICS OF THE THEORY The theory of relatively is made up of 2 parts:1. The Special Theory of Relativity which states that rest

and motion are relative terms.1. Einstein’s theory was able to create a link between space

and time (space-time continuum) 2. His recognized that moving at light speed would cause

objects, space and time to appear differently than to people moving at other speeds.

2. The General Theory of Relativity which essentially expands the understanding of Newton’s key principles. It states that “time is linked, or related, to matter and space, thus these dimensions constitute a continuum.”1. He was able to use his theory to describe the space-time

continuum’s affects on gravity 2. Principle of covariance: states that the laws of physics are the

same for any coordinate system.

BEFORE EINSTEIN’S THEORY

Einstein’s theory mostly added to Newton’s Theories

Newton’s physics had previously “hypothesized that gravity operated through empty space, but the theory lacked explanatory power as far as how the distance and mass of a given object could be transmitted through space”

Einstein’s theory is able to explain what will happen to an object at the speed of light, and how objects act in space

AS A RESULT… The theory is able to explain the

“phenomena of light bending around the sun, black holes, as well as Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMB)

His theory has also influenced quantum mechanics and the photoelectric effect.

His theory has also been used to make GPS’s more accurate.

WORKS CITED Albert Einstein and the Theory of

Relativity, csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr16l/lect/history/einstein.html

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