NickS

I am positive that throughout a day, no one thinks "Thank goodness Einstein created the Theory of Relativity!" The Theory of Relativity is a rather arcane mathematical and physical concept that most (including myself) choose not to get near. It may seem like Eintein's greatest achievement does not affect the human race, but it helps millions of people everyday. The theory of relativity is applicable to humans' lives today, and may prove more useful in the future.

The theory of relativity has various aspects. One important part involves frames of reference. If two object passes another object at rest at a constant velocity, both objects will observe the exactly the same physical properties. It is impossible to determine, which object is in motion and which object is at rest. There is no "absolute rest frame" and no "absolute (constant) velocity. " For example, if you are standing at a train station and a train passes you at forty miles per hour, it can be said that you are passing the train at forty miles an hour. Velocity and rest are relative, dependant on the frame of reference. Another aspect of the Theory of Relativity is that time and space are not constant. Only the speed of light is constant. Time speeds up or slows down depending on how close you are to the speed of light. At the train station, if someone on the train shined a flashlight down on a mirror, it would appear that the light goes straight down in up. An observer on the side of the train would see the light on a diagonal path. Thus, time is slower on the train. Also, if you hold a clock at rest on earth and a friend holds a clock on a rocket ship traveling 185,000 miles per second, the clock of the friend would change more slowly. Another popular example is the twin paradox. If twins were 10 years old and one twin is sent to a star 25 light years away at 99.99% the speed of light, it would take him 50 years to go and come back. The twin on earth would appear to be 60, but the twin that left would only appear to be ten and a half. The most famous aspect of the theory of relativity is E= mc ^2, which shows us the relationship between mass and energy. Einstein developed two theories. Special Relativity deals with very high speeds near the speed of light. This is not currently applicable to us on earth because these high velocities and gravitational fields do not exist. On earth, general relativity applies to us because it deals with conditions closer to our own.

One application of the theory of relativity that affects our lives everyday, is its use in a global positioning system (Curious About Astronomy). Millions of people use these in their cars to find their way. Hikers and bikers and use them to keep from getting lost and to track their path. Airlines use them to get their customers safely to their destination. Without the theory of relativity, they would not work. GPS systems are dependant upon satellites orbiting the earth. These satellites, due to their position in space, their velocity and the curvature of space-time due to the earth's mass do not keep the same time as the clocks on earth (Curious About Astronomy). The theory of relativity is taken into account to correct these inaccuracies which allows the GPS to be precise. Without Einstein's incredible discovery, GPS systems would not function propery making our lives more difficult.

Another application of the theory of relativity may come in the distant, distant future. We know that at high velocities in space, time travels much slower (Relativity for Dummies). If time travels slower, more can be achieved in a lifetime, aging would be a minor problem and longevity of life would increase dramatically. A long sought after goal has been to send normal people into space, possibly even to live there. If we could have people living in space, orbiting the earth, their lives would last longer (Relativity for Dummies). Certainly this application may not come into effect for a long time, but it is not out of the question. The theory of relativity proves to us that if we can break the space frontier, the reward would be incredible. Imagine aging at half the rate, or having twice the time to accomplish life goals. It is far fetched, but due to the theory of relativity, it is plausible.

Possibly the most famous aspect of the theory of relativity is E= mc ^2. What this equation basically states is that a mass would need an infinite amount of energy to reach the speed of light. It also means that an object mass increases as it approaches the speed of light. Thus, an object can never reach the speed of light relative to us (Special Theory of Relativity). This prediction of Special Relativity has been experimentally confirmed many times. It forms the basis for nuclear energy. Nuclear energy has not only provided us with a clean alternative energy source, but is the basis for nuclear bombs. Whether or not nuclear bombs are positive, they still have had a major impact on society. Here's how it works: In nuclear reactions the energies are massive enough to be associated with mass differences, and if the products and reactants have been weighed, the mass difference can be estimated in advance. Thus, Einstein's formula becomes important when different atomic nuclei have been measured. By looking at the difference in masses, we are able to predict which nuclei contain energy that is stored and can be released by certain n uclear reactions. This provides important information useful in the development of nuclear energy and also, the nuclear bomb (Special Theory of Relativity).

Although the majority of people may not know it, the theory of relativity impacts our lives everyday. Every time someone gets into a car with GPS, or flies on an airplane (or a space shuttle if you are lucky), the theory of relativity is at work. It has also provided the basis for nuclear energy, a possible solution to our energy and environmental crisis. In the future, the theory may even allow us to have longer lifespans. Albert Einstein is a genius. He developed a theory that is an enormous help to us now, and may be the basis for a scientific breakthrough in the future.

Arora, Hans. "Einstein’s Theory of Relativity: Implications Beyond Science? — Science in Society." __Home — Science in Society__. 20 Oct. 2008. 27 Jan. 2009 < [|http://scienceinsociety.northwestern.edu/content/articles/2008/research-digest/student]papers/einstein/einstein2019s-theory-of-relativity-implications-beyond-science>. This web site is to inform and educated students and the general public.It is a article on Einstein's Theory of Relativity written by Hand Arora. He is very creditable because he is a MD-PhD canidate in the lab of Northwestern University.The article was written on October 20,2008 so it is very up to date.This is a very trust worthy and informing article but there is a lot of off topic matter. "Curious About

"Astronomy? The Theory of Relativity." __Curious About Astronomy? Ask an Astronomer__. 25 Sep. 2002. 27 Jan. 2009 . This is a webpage designed to inform readers of the Theory of Relativity. It deals with the aspects of relative time and astronomy, but is on a basic level. It also includes specific applications that affect humans. Someone with minimum prior knowlege can grasp the concept, so the target audience is anyone willing to learn about the Theory of Relativity. This is a very useful source. It does a good job explaining a very difficult concept, which is more to be said than most sources. The source is recent enough that it is up to date with recent research on the theory of relativity. It was las updated March 28, 2008. It is definetely credible because it comes from a very highly regarded university.

Edemariam, Aida. "Relativity for dummies Education | The Guardian ." __News Education Science__. 6 Jan. 2005. 27 Jan. 2009 << [|http://scienceinsociety.northwestern.edu/content/articles/2008/research-digest/student]papers/einstein/einstein2019s-theory-of-relativity-implications-beyond-science>. >. This is a webpage with the aim to inform about a specific aspect of the Theory of Relativity. It concentrates on the relativity of time and how it is not definite, but relative to velocity and gravity. This is also a basic level webpage that has a general audience of anyone with interst, no matter how much background information they contain. This source is a little less in depth than others, but is useful for gaining a very basic understanding of the relativity of time. The source is recent and up to date with the current information, and since the theory of relativity has not really changed, the timeliness is not all that important. It is credible because it is from a trusted resource that provides quality information to milloins of people.

"Einstein’s Theory of Relativity: Implications Beyond Science? — Science in Society." __Home — Science in Society__. 21 Sep. 2008. 27 Jan. 2009 < http://scienceinsociety.northwestern.edu/content/articles/2008/research-digest/student-papers/einstein/einstein2019s-theory-of-relativity.> This is a website that informs anyone who wants to learn about Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. It offers some background information about the Theory of Relativity and Einstein to help people better understand his theory. This site is very useful to someone that is new to the Theory of Relativity because it gives presents information that is not hard to understand. It also gprovides examples of how the Theory of Relativity impacts our everyday lives. Overall this is a quality site for anyone that wants to learn about the Theory of Relativity.

Schnieder, and Arny. "Relativity." __abyss.uoregon.edu Web Server__. 27 Jan. 2009 . This is a credible web site because it is from a resource book from the University of oregon. While explaniing the theory of relativity, many graphics are included. This makes comprehension much easier. Someone with minimal background information can read this, so it is for the general public. The site seems up to date but lacks a specific written date. Its topic has not undergone major changes, so the timeliness of the article is not terribly important.