Relativity Theory: General & Special Contexts

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the classification and context of relativity theory, encompassing both special relativity (SR) and general relativity (GR). Participants explore whether relativity fits within the frameworks of classical mechanics or quantum mechanics, and the implications of these classifications.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the meaning of "context" in relation to relativity.
  • Several participants assert that relativity is its own field, distinct from both classical mechanics and quantum mechanics.
  • One participant suggests that relativity is a classical theory but emphasizes it should not be classified as classical mechanics.
  • Another participant proposes that the definition of "classical mechanics" varies, with some definitions including SR and GR as classical, while others do not.
  • There is a discussion about the potential incorporation of quantum ideas into relativity, particularly concerning the quantization of gravity.
  • One participant expresses that relativity serves as a comprehensive model for all of physics, including both classical and quantum aspects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the classification of relativity. There are multiple competing views regarding whether relativity should be considered part of classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, or a separate field altogether.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved definitions and assumptions regarding what constitutes "classical mechanics" and how relativity fits within broader physical theories. The discussion reflects varying interpretations of relativity's relationship to other fields.

MoradLemans
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I want to know in which context should i take relativity with both general and special .
 
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I'm sorry, I don't understand your question, and I suspect nobody else will, either. Can you explain it further?
 
jtbell said:
I'm sorry, I don't understand your question, and I suspect nobody else will, either. Can you explain it further?
I certainly don't.
 
What do you mean by "context"?
 
Is it classified in Quantum Mechanics or Classical Mechanics ?
 
MoradLemans said:
Is it classified in Quantum Mechanics or Classical Mechanics ?

Why does this matter so much?

BTW, it is not Quantum Mechanics.

Zz.
 
Relativity is its own field. It is neither classical mechanics nor quantum mechanics.
 
mfb said:
Relativity is its own field. It is neither classical mechanics nor quantum mechanics.
Why relativity is an independent field ?
 
Because it is neither classical mechanics nor quantum mechanics...
 
  • #10
Hm. This post seems to have been edited such that it appears to be a response to mfg, which is was not. I'm going to delete the content to avoid confusion.
 
Last edited:
  • #11
mfb said:
Because it is neither classical mechanics nor quantum mechanics...

MoradLemans said:
Is it classified in Quantum Mechanics or Classical Mechanics ?

i think you wish to know whether 'quantum' ideas can be incorporated in relativity whether its STR or GTR- i think till the quantization of 'graviton'
or discovery of a particle which can mediate /connect the action of 'gravity field' or say 'quantization of gravitation' does not come up -it can not be said to be a part of quantum physics.
so its a classical theory encompassing the four dimensional space-time.-where time has been given a special status of coordinates and forces are derived from the curvature of space-time fabric.
 
  • #12
drvrm said:
so its a classical theory ...
but you need to be clear that you are not telling him that it is classical mechanics.
 
  • #13
MoradLemans said:
Is it classified in Quantum Mechanics or Classical Mechanics ?

How are you defining "Classical Mechanics"? Some people define it as "everything that isn't Quantum Mechanics", in which case SR and GR would both be "Classical". But that's not a very informative definition.

The more common definition, which is the one the other posters are using, defines "Classical Mechanics" to mean Newtonian mechanics: Newton's three laws of motion and his law of gravity. SR and GR are not "Classical Mechanics" by this definition; they are "Relativistic Mechanics", which is a separate field of its own.
 
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  • #14
phinds said:
but you need to be clear that you are not telling him that it is classical mechanics.

well sorry -i should have said that
its a classical theory but not 'classical mechanics' as its a development based on space-time description of events so its treated outside mechanics- but relativistic dynamics is 'classical'..
 
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  • #15
drvrm said:
well sorry -i should have said that
its a classical theory but not 'classical mechanics' as its a development based on space-time description of events so its treated outside mechanics- but relativistic dynamics is 'classical'..
Thank you very much !
 
  • #16
mfb said:
Because it is neither classical mechanics nor quantum mechanics...
This I don't understand either. Relativity is an unfortunate name for "space-time model". So it's comprehensive for all of physics, classical and quantum. The special theory is an approximation to the general in neglecting gravity.
 

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