Can anyone explain the theory of relativity to me

In summary, the reader is seeking an explanation of the theory of relativity and benzun recommends looking for books on the subject or seeking information on the forum. Fellow user Pete suggests checking online resources for a thorough explanation of the theory, including the special and general relativity. He also offers to answer any questions the reader may have.
  • #1
benzun_1999
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dear reader,

Can anyone explain the theory of relativity to me.

benzun
all for god
 
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  • #2
A bit of an ask for a Forum isn't it?

There are some fantastic books on the subject in most libraries though - perhaps you could start there?
 
  • #3
Or he could go to the relativity part of the forum.
 
  • #4


Originally posted by benzun_1999
dear reader,

Can anyone explain the theory of relativity to me.

benzun
all for god

Einstein's theory is online at

http://www.fourmilab.ch/etexts/einstein/specrel/www/
http://www.fourmilab.ch/etexts/einstein/specrel/specrel.pdf

Special Relativity is based on two postulates

(1) Principle of Relativity - The laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames of reference

(2) Light Postulate - The speed of light in an inertial frame of reference is independent of the source

With these posulates a number of consequences follow. I'd post them here but I made several web pages for that purpose so I'll simply point you to those.

Special Relativity - http://www.geocities.com/physics_world/sr.htm
General Relativity - http://www.geocities.com/physics_world/gr.htm

If you have any questions then please feel to ask.

Pete
 

1. What is the theory of relativity?

The theory of relativity is a scientific theory developed by Albert Einstein in the early 20th century. It is a fundamental concept in physics that explains how objects behave in relation to each other, particularly at high speeds or in the presence of strong gravitational forces.

2. What are the two types of relativity?

The two types of relativity are special relativity and general relativity. Special relativity deals with the laws of physics in inertial (non-accelerating) frames of reference, while general relativity extends these laws to include accelerated frames of reference and the effects of gravity.

3. Can you explain the concept of time dilation in relativity?

Time dilation is a key concept in the theory of relativity that states that time moves slower for objects that are moving at high speeds or in strong gravitational fields. This means that time passes at different rates for different observers, depending on their relative motion and the strength of the gravitational field they are in.

4. How does relativity relate to the speed of light?

The theory of relativity states that the speed of light is constant and is the fastest possible speed in the universe. This means that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light, and this constant speed is a fundamental part of how objects behave in relation to each other in the theory of relativity.

5. What are some real-world applications of relativity?

Relativity has many practical applications in modern technology, including GPS systems, nuclear energy, and particle accelerators. It also helps us understand the behavior of objects in space and has led to groundbreaking discoveries in astrophysics, such as black holes and gravitational waves.

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