SarahL

  ** The Theory of Relativity ** __    Background        __               The Theory of Relativity was published by Albert Einstein in 1905. It pointed out the main problems with astronomy and physics of his day, including disproving a part of Newton's Laws. Einstein astonished people of his time with all his knowledge, as well as scientists today. He was well beyond his time, as his theory has explained new developments that were not even hinted at 90 years ago (General Relativity). These new developments include black holes and cosmology. The Theory of Relativity is divided into two   concepts, general and special relativity. Although split, both pertain to the idea and aspects of motion [causing an object to be either traveling at the speed of light or be moving in an area of strong gravitational force](Theory of Relativity). When an object is moving through a strong gravitational force, but is not moving at the speed of light, it is Special Relativity. Historically, Special Relativity was the first concept (Theory of Relativity). If an object is moving at the speed of light and there is a strong gravitational force, then it is General Relativity. On earth we neither experience a strong gravitational force or moving at the speed of light, so with most things we do not need to worry about relativity. One main idea that utilizes the Theory of Relativity is the GPS System, which then branches off into nuclear warheads and nuclear powered submarines (General Relativity). Although the Theory of Relativity does not pertain to many things on earth, the things it does pertain to impact the earth greatly. 

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__Statement__
====    People today theoretically believe that the Theory Of Relativity has some holes in it, but Einstein was so ahead of his time that physicists today are having trouble disproving the Theory using modern technologies and ideas such as X-Ray telescopes, the rossi Explorer, and the Standard Model Extension. ====    ====                ====

__X-Ray Telescope__
====      One of the first ways Physicists tried to disprove the Theory of Relativity was with a new modern technology, the  X-Ray telescope. They plan to use the X-ray telescope to study two sources of extreme gravity, black holes and neutron stars. The telescopes are becoming  more suited to study these regions after going through years of research and improvement. One example of a study done to test the X-Ray telescope was the done on black holes by Astronomers using a Japanese X-Ray telescope (Reid). The power unleashed by matter crashing onto a neutron star or falling into a black hole shines predominantly in x-rays(Lochner). It is the brightest where gravity is at its strongest. Also, X-Rays can go through dust and gas surrounding black holes and Neutron Stars, which normally blacks the penetration of other forms of radiation (Lochner). As the technology behind the X-Ray telescope improve, the better chance physicists have of one day disproving Einsteins theory, assuming that the Theory is actually wrong. ====

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__Rossi Explorer__
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">    The second technology physicists are using to try to disprove the Theory of Relativity is the Rossi Explorer. The Rossi Explorer has the ability of exploring some of the more exotic predictions of General Relativity, such as the frame-dragging phenomenon. They have been continually improving the accuracy of the Rossi explorer, as it has   been tested out during the years 1988 and 2001 (Newman). Specifically, the Rossi Explorer is a satellite that observes the time structure of astronomical X-ray sources(Lochner). It has the ability to observe the high energy world of black holes and neutron stars. Knowing precise distances from the black hole to X rays of specific energies would allow for accurate tests of Einstein's math The explorer has three main instruments that are used to provide detailed coverage of X-Ray sources, allowing pictures to be taken from various angles. These instruments have specially shaped mirrors which allow them to produce pictures of X-Ray emitting objects. (Newman). With each orbit of the satellite, the Rossi Explorer is able to scan 80% of the sky using these three instruments and reposition itself as needed (Lochner). The area that the explorer is able to scan is often referred to its field of view (Newman). Using these pictures would allow us to calculate the distance between the black hole and X-Rays. Knowing this precise distance, which involves further technology of the Rossi explorer, would allow for accurate tests of Einstein's math      <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">

__Standard Model Extension__
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">   The third idea that is being used to try to disprove part of the Theory of Relativity is the Standard Model Extension. The model is a theoretical framework that combines existing theories and their theoretical violations. It was written and developed by astronomer, Alan Kostelecky, who has spent the past ten years formulating ideas to disprove Einstein's Theory of relativity. The theory states that light is derived from violations in relativity shows <span style="font-size: 125%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">      promise because light can be measured so precisely under current methods (Zennie). With this proposal about light, Kostelecky hope to prove that it violates Lorentz symmetry, an idea that requires the laws of physics to be the same for all observers. General relativity mainly has to do with symmetry in space and spacetime, so if they disprove Lorentz Symmetry, a gap will be left in the evidence behind the Theory of Relativity. If this should happen, it will leave an opening for further evidence of disproof to be found.

__What the Future holds__
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">   The X-Ray telescope, Rossi Explorer, and the Standard Model Extension are modern technologies and ideas that physicists today are using to try to disprove Einstein's Theory of Relativity with little success so far. The future seems to hold further improvements in these studies/ experiments as advancements in technology continue to take place. With the right improvements, hopefully one day physicists will finally be able to answer the long asked question, “Is Einstein right?". Even with an answer, it seems physicists like Kostelecky will continue to spend the lengths of their careers trying to outsmart the famous Albert Einstein.

<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> __Bibliography__ <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Ayoub, Chuck. "Albert Einstein Biography." __The__ __Planets__. 27 Jan. 2009 <[|http://www.the-] planets.com/star-biography/Albert_Einstein _Biography.jpg>. <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> This is the website I got the picture of Albert Einstein from. Although it ends in .com, I could easily find the author and organization it is run by. <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"General relativity." NCSA. 7 Nov. 2005. 27 Jan. 2009 <http://archive.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Cyberia. <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The website was created by University on Illinois. It is also a product of the Education and Outreach Group and NCSA. With all these organizations backing it up, I feel it is diffidently reliable. I was able to obtain general information from this website, which matched up to that I gathered from the NASA website. They also provide links and information on those links for further learning. <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lochner, Jim. "NGC1399." <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">__NASA__ <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. 27 Sep. 2004. 27 Jan. 2009 <http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/Images/ science/ ngc1399_big.gif>. <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> The website I used for the picture that a x-Ray telescope would formulate. It came from NASA, a reliable government run organization. <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lochner, Jim. "X-Ray Astronomy." NASA. 20 Aug. 2008. 26 Jan. 2009 <[|http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov] /docs/science/mysteries l2/relativity.html>. <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The website was published by NASA, a government run foundation. It was written by the Imagine Team, a dedicated group of NASA astronomers. They allow you to email them questions, which they will get back to you on, as well as show links to other reliable sources. I used this website for more general information on the Theory of Relativity. <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Newman, Phil. "About RXTE." NASA. 16 Dec. 2002. 27 Jan.2009 <http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/xte/ learning_center/gifs/rxteline_new.gif>. <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> The website I got the picture of the Rossi Explorer from, a reliable government run organization, NASA. <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Reid, Paul. "X-Ray Telescopes." CalTech Astronomy Department. 27 Jan. 2009 <[|http://www.astro]. caltech.edu/~george/ay20/xray-telescopes.pdf>. <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The website I used for the diagram of the Rossi explorer as well as for some information on it. It is published by CalTech, a well known University in the United States. The information matched up with that of other sites, and the diagram well represented that information. <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"Theory of Relativity." Curious About Astronomy. 21 Mar. 2008. 26 Jan. 2009 <[|http://curious.astro.cornell]. edu/relativity.php>. The website was publised and is run by Cornell University. Proffessors from the Astronomy Department at Cornell are responsible for the information and question answering. It also provides links for further learning an has a place where you can ask the Astronomers questions. <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"V. Alan Kostelecky." <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">__Indiana University Department of__ <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">__Physics__ <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. 26 June 2007. 27 Jan. 2009 < http://www.iub.edu/~iubphys/research/faculty /Kostelecky.shtml>. <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> The website I got the picture of Alan Kotetelecky, from the University at which he is employed as a physicist. <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Zennie, Michael. "Theory of relativity challenged by scientists, IU physics professor's latest research project ." Indiana Daily Student. 26 Apr. 2005. 27 Jan. 2009 <http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx? ID=41212&comview=1>. <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> It is published by Indiana University, in the Indiana Daily Student. I got information on the standard Extension Model and the Rossi Explorer. The website is provided for the students of the University, written by college proffesors. There were links for further learning on the standard Model Extension.

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