katiem

= Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity = 



The Special and General Theories of Relativity
The theory of relativity was first presented to society by Sir Issac Newton. Einstein then went back and looked at this theory and later came up with his own revised theories of relativity based off of what Newton had said. The first theory he presented was the special theory of relativity in 1905. This states two main things. First, the speed of light is the same for all observers no matter what their relative speed. The second part states the laws of physics observed by a hypothetical observer traveling with a relativistic particle must be the same as those observed by an observer who is stationary in the laboratory. Einstein then created the general theory of relativity in 1916. This states gravity as a property of the geometry of space and time. [|Videos Explaining Parts of the Theory] 

The Theories in Today's Society
Society has taken in Einstein's theories and has accepted them as true. Because society has accepted theses theories many things in today's world have changes and come about. There are many real world applications of the theories evident today. Some applications of the theories today include GPS and gravitational waves, Cosmology and the evolution of the universe, and time dilation and length contraction.

Global Positioning Systems
Global Positioning satellies, GPS, are a major part of society that was formed off of Einstein's theory of relativity. GPS by having 24 satellites that orbit that earth. These have internal atomic clocks that are extremely accurate. GPS functions by comparing the times of the other satellites and triangulating the distances. This means they use three different satellites to identify the location of a single object, to make it more accurate. Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity states that time is relative to the positioning of the observer. Therefore, the accuracy of the GPS relies on this theory to figure out the differences of time between the satellites and the observer. A small miscalculation of this time could result in an error of positioning.Without the theory of relativity, we could not determine the time difference between the observer and the satellite or even that there was a difference. Resulting in miscalculations of positioning. GPS units would be ineffective and basically useless because of the miscalculations, if the Theory of Relativity wasn't used to calculate the persons position.    

Cosmol <span style="color: rgb(255,0,104); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">ogy and the Evolution of the Universe
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Einsteins general theory of relativity explains gravitation and accelerated motion. This helped to lay the grounds for modern Cosmology. It helped show us that gravity is a phenomena that extends across the universe. The entire study of the stars and universe changed once Einstein's general theory was developed. This then helped us realize that charge also plays a significant role in the evolution of the universe. Based off of his general theory, scientists were able to more accurately predict how the universe would evolve and what would happen. Not only this but the entire field of Cosmology came around and was developed off of this theory. They were able to see gravitational waves and how the orbits of stars slightly change over time. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">

<span style="color: rgb(255,0,104); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Time Dilation and Length Contraction
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Based on Einsteins special theory of relativity we were able to conclude that two observers who are moving relative to one another, will get different measurements of the length of a particular object or the time that passes between two events. Theses two things are called length contraction and time dilation. Length contractions states that if you pass an observer with the same object you have, theirs will look smaller by a factor of gamma. Time dilation means that if you pass an observer with a clock, their clock's second hand will appear to be moving slower than your own clocks, also by a factor of gamma. In particle accelerators, particles are moving very close to the speed of light where the length and time effects are large. This has allowed us to clearly verify that length contraction and time dilation do occur. Because of Einsteins special theory, we were able to come up with time dilation and length contraction and show how they play a role in our everyday lives. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">   <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">

<span style="color: rgb(255,0,104); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">What We've Gained
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Einstein's two theories of relativity have caused many things in our modern world to change. We have GPS systems that are able to accurately place items on the earth based on his theory and how time is. We also came up with a field of Cosmology and are able to predict and explain the evolution of the universe based on his theories. Finally, we have discovered time dilation and length contraction. We are able to now identify them, explain how they act, and what they are. Einsteins theories have easily been accepted by society and have changed the way we see and do things. Einstein's theories affect our everyday life, sometime we don't even know it. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">

Bibliography: "Howstuffworks." __HowStuffWorks - Learn How Everything Works!__. 27 Jan. 2009 < www.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=gps.htm&url=[|http://www.dod.mil]>. This website explains how GPS work and this is where i got my picture of the GPS modules in space. "NASA". __NASA.__ 27 Jan. 2009 < http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/starsgalaxies/collide_whitedwarf.html>. This website was put together by NASA. It is very helpful and explains the theory and its uses in the everyday world. The website it very put together and maintained up to standards. It is a credible site. "Physics: Albert Einstein Theory of Relativity: WSM in Absolute Space explains." On Truth and Reality: Philosophy Physics Metaphysics of Space, Wave   Structure. 27 Jan. 2009 < http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Physics-Albert-Einstein-Theory-Relativity.htm >. This website was very useful and described all the information not only behind Einsteins theory but also Newtons. They explained it in a very easily to understand format and had pictures to help with the discussions. The website has very credible sources and lists all the places it gets its information from. "Relativity: Einstein's theory of relativity in animations and film clips. Einstein Light." __School of Physics at UNSW, Sydney, Australia__. 27 Jan. 2009 < http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/>. This website explains Einsteins theory through videos. The videos are very helpful and useful. They explain it very thoroughly and in terms everyone can understand. The site is maintained through a university in Australia therefore, its information is credible and up to date. Theory: Special Relativity (SLAC VVC)." __SLAC Public Website Server__. 27 Jan. 2009 < http://www2.slac.stanford.edu/vvc/theory/relativity.html>.   This is a website put together by a group of scientists that work together for Stanford and the US Department of Energy. It is for the general public and other scientists. The website has many purposes. It explains the theory of relativity as well as all the component it entails. It goes into detail of other options and explores other theories out there as well. It explains not only the theory but also how all the ideas of it work together. The website it very up to date and current with all the new research. The website was very useful and helped a lot. It was a very good unbiased source.   " NASA - ." __NASA -__ . 27 Jan. 2009 < http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/relativity_worldbook.html>.     This website was put together by NASA . It is very helpful and explains the theory and its uses in the everyday world. The website it very put together and maintained up to standards. It is a credible site.