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Theory of Relativity

In 1905, Einstein published two revolutionary papers. In the first paper he described how the properties of light and time are relative. In the second paper, published just three months later, he presented his famous equation E=mc2, revealing that mass and energy are interchangeable. This equation shocked the scientific community, though it took them some time to accept these new ideas. By 1906, physicists from around Europe were visiting Einstein to discuss his theory of special relativity.

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43 views28 pages

Theory of Relativity

In 1905, Einstein published two revolutionary papers. In the first paper he described how the properties of light and time are relative. In the second paper, published just three months later, he presented his famous equation E=mc2, revealing that mass and energy are interchangeable. This equation shocked the scientific community, though it took them some time to accept these new ideas. By 1906, physicists from around Europe were visiting Einstein to discuss his theory of special relativity.

Uploaded by

Jaze DelaCruz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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is

In 1905, Einstein published two articles


on the Special Theory of Relativity. He
completed his first paper in June, on the
properties of light and time. Then just
three months later he finished a second,
shorter article essentially an addendum
to his previous paper describing a "very
interesting conclusion" about energy.
Einstein went on to present his findings
mathematically: energy (E) equals mass
(m) times the speed of light (c) squared
(2), or E=mc2.
The secret the equation revealed that
mass and energy are different forms of
the same thing had eluded scientists for
centuries. Einstein expected both of
these revolutionary 1905 papers to
arouse a lively debate among
physicists. But for months, the often
conservative scientific community was
silent, and Einstein was disappointed
by the lack of response. His isolation
did not last long, however: by 1906,
physicists from around Europe were
journeying to Switzerland to discuss
this intriguing new theory with the 27-
year-old patent clerk.
The laws of physics take
the same form in all
inertial frames of
reference.
The second postulate of special relativity states that the speed
of light is always constant and independent of the motion of
the emitting body, as measured in any inertial frame of
reference. This postulate, along with the first postulate, forms
the basis of special relativity. However, the Lorentz
transformation used to derive special relativity requires
additional assumptions, including spatial homogeneity,
isotropy, and memorylessness. Minkowski also used both
postulates when he introduced the Minkowski space
formulation.
Special relativity states that time and length are relative
and depend on the motion of the observer and the
observed object. Time dilation occurs when an object
moves at high speeds relative to an observer, causing
time to appear to pass more slowly for the moving
object. Length contraction occurs when an object moves
at high speeds relative to an observer, causing its length
to appear shorter in the direction of motion. These
effects are a result of the constant speed of light and the
two postulates of special relativity, which predict that
time and length are not absolute but are relative to the
observer's motion.
The calculation of time and length in
special relativity involves the use of
the Lorentz transformation
equations. These equations relate the
measurements of time and distance
made by observers moving at
different velocities relative to each
other.
Time Dilation can be calculated using the
equation: t' = t / √(1 - v^2/c^2)

Where t is the time measured by an observer at rest


relative to the moving object, t' is the time measured by
an observer moving with velocity v relative to the
object, c is the speed of light, and the square root term is
known as the Lorentz factor. This equation shows that
the time measured by the moving observer is dilated or
stretched out compared to the time measured by the
stationary observer.
Length Contraction can be calculated using
the equation: L' = L x √(1 - v^2/c^2)

Where L is the length measured by an observer at rest


relative to the moving object, L' is the length measured
by an observer moving with velocity v relative to the
object. This equation shows that the length measured by
the moving observer is contracted or shortened in the
direction of motion compared to the length measured by
the stationary observer.
It's important to note that these
equations only apply to objects
moving at relativistic speeds close to
the speed of light. For objects moving
at slower speeds, classical Newtonian
mechanics can be used to calculate
their time and length measurements.
t' = t / √(1 - v^2/c^2)
¼
t' = t / √(1 - v^2/c^2)

L' = L x √(1 - v^2/c^2)

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