CaseyB

__ Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity __

**Explanation: Special and General Theory of Relativity** Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity contains two components, the general and the special theory, which explain the behavior of matter, energy, and time and space (Dine). Special relativity is the idea that the speed of light is uniform for all observers, and the laws of nature are the same in all inertial (non-accelerated) frames. These two statements show how quantities, such as length and time, must change from one observer to another in order to get consistent results for physical quantities (SLAC). The consequences that result from this theory are relativity of simultaneity, time dilation, length contraction, and the mass-energy equivalence. Time dilation occur at all relative velocities and is the phenomenon that whereby an observer finds that another's clock, which is identical to their own, is ticking at a slower rate as measured by their own clock (Dine). Length contraction is the idea that each observer will view an identical object as being shorter than their own. Relativity of simultaneity states that although a set of events may seem simultaneous to one observer, another could believe that they occurred at different times (Einstein). Lastly, the mass-energy equivalence is the concept that tells us the energy corresponding to a mass at rest. Therefore, when mass disappears this amount of energy must appear in some other form (SLAC). This disappearance in mass produces the heat energy that is converted to electric energy in nuclear power plants and the destructive force of nuclear weapons (Dine). General relativity is a theory of gravitation. A consequence of General Relativity is gravitational time dilation. According to Einstein, a gravitational field would distort both time and space (Bennett). The idea of gravitation time dilation is that clocks further away from the field of Earth's gravity, the faster it travels (Kleppner).

** Impact: Theory of Relativity in Society  ** It is evident that society accepts the Theory of Relativity through modern applications. Three modes in which the theory is pertained to the current world are by the the utilization of: **  Global Navigation Satellite (GPS)   ** Global Navigation Satellites are a combination of accurate clocks with satellite tracking technology. A GPS receiver is constantly in contact with four satellites that broadcast a digital radio signal that includes its own position and the time. The receiver compares its own time with the time sent by a satellite and uses the difference between the two times to calculate its distance from the satellite. By checking its time against the satellites whose positions are known, a receiver could pinpoint its longitude, latitude, and altitude. According to Einstein, a gravitational field would distort both time and space (Bennett). The General Theory of Relativity states that clocks further away from the field of Earth's gravity, the faster it travels (Kleppner). To compensate for this time difference, an atomic clock was constructed, in which a beam of atoms passes through a field of force around electric charges or currents (electromagnetic field). The atomic clock keeps time through the precise microwave signal that electrons in atoms emit when they change energy levels (Kleppner). In result, the atomic clock, which uses the frequency of an oscillating field perfectly in step with the precise resonant frequency of the atoms, acts as a metronome to generate time pulses (Kleppner). GPS systems are constantly relied upon and are employed in activities such as locating lost vessels at sea, pinpointing destinations for emergency vehicles, and monitoring earthquakes.
 * Global Navigation Satellite (GPS)
 * Nuclear Energy
 * Cosmology

Nuclear Energy ** The equation established by Albert Einstein, E=mc², provides the energy corresponding to mass (m) at rest. According to Einstein, all motion is relative and should be measured in comparison or relation to some standard, and energy is deemed to be matter in motion. For example, in the nuclear fission process, when mass disappears this amount of energy must appear in another form (SLAC). This disappearance in mass produces the heat energy that is converted to electric energy in nuclear power plants and the destructive force of nuclear weapons (Dine). In a nuclear reaction the energy released is often about a million times greater than in a chemical reaction, and the change can be easily measured using the equation. Also, the total energy required breaking up a nucleus into its constituent protons and neutrons can be calculated from E=mc², called nuclear binding energy. If binding energy is divided by the number of nucleons, binding energy per nucleon is the resulting term. This is commonly used to describe nuclear reactions because atomic numbers vary, and total binding energy would be a relative term dependant upon binding energy per nucleon (Nuclear Energy).

Cosmology **

The Big Bang Model is a theory for the origin and evolution of our universe. Through this evolution our universe has expanded from a hot, dense state into vast cooler cosmos that humans currently inhabit (Bennett). The first key idea dates to the establishment of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity which he proposed as a new theory of gravity. A key concept of General Relativity is that gravity is a distortion of space and time (Bennett). To prove Einstein's General Relativity theory and that the universe has expanded due to gravity, in 1929, Edwin Hubble observed that the more distant a galaxy, the faster it was receding from Earth (Bennett). In the graph(left), the Red curve shows a universe in which "dark energy" may be present which is causing the expansion of the universe to accelerate. This theory can help us understand the universe and its future: possibly a slowing expansion or even a contraction.



Conclusion: Theory of Relativity **

Through GPS systems, nuclear energy, and cosmology the Theory of Relativity is accepted within society. Global Navigation Satellites use the General Relativity Theory to understand an individual's position in time. Nuclear energy can be described through the Special Relativity Theory to comprehend energy is matter in motion. Cosmology utilizes the General Relativity Theory to discover how the universe evolved. Although GPS systems seem harmless and lead human beings to a desired location within one hundred feet, it can also risk aiding smugglers, terrorists, and hostile forces (Kleppner). In addition, nuclear energy will continue to provide mankind with an energy resource, but could result in dangerous nuclear warfare with destructive effects. Lastly, cosmology will further interest researchers and officials and may lead to the understanding of the fate of the universe. Works Cited ** Bennett, Chuck. "WMAP Big Bang Cosmology." __Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe__. 14 Oct. 2008. 27 Jan. 2009 . This website, a branch of NASA, is based on the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe. This probe's mission is to reveal conditions as they existed in the early universe by measuring the properties of the cosmic microwave background radiation over the full sky. Viewers can browse through various articles including ones about the Big Bang Theory, tests of the Big Bang Theory, the universe and its fate. Chuck Bennett was the Principal Investigator and part of the science team that researched these topics based on the findings of the probe. NASA is an agency of the United States government and performs vast research of the universe.

Dine, Michael. "NASA - Relativity." __NASA - Home__. 27 Jan. 2009 . This website's purpose is to provide World Book Encyclopedia information to NASA internet users. The World Book at NASA permits viewers to browse through an article, watch multimedia presentations, and study pictures relevant to the Special and General Theory of Relativity. Although the NASA webpage is updated frequently, the information was extracted from a 2004 volume of the World Book Encyclopedia. The individual who contributed the text to this site was Michael Dine, a professor from the University of California, Santa Cruz. This NASA webpage is an agency of the United States government, and they have to maintain certain standards to keep their site current. Also, Nasa performs vast research of the universe, and applies it to modern society.

Einstein, Albert. "Relativity: The Special and General Theory." __Marxists Internet Archive__. 27 Jan. 2009 . This published online book's purpose is to provide anyone interested in this theory or any readers unfamiliar with physics insight into the theory of Relativity. This website allows viewers to browse through the chapters of Albert Einstein's book, comprehend mathematical functions relevant to relativity, and learn backround information on Einstein. Although the updated date is the publication date, the book was written in 1916 and the views of Einstein are not going to change because he has since passed away. The author of the book, Albert Einstein, was an intelligent physicist and chemist that was widely known for his scientific discoveries. Any bias Einstein presented would only be toward helping prove the original information on experiments and findings.

Kleppner, Daniel. "GPS: The Role of Atomic Clocks." __National Academy of Sciences__. 26 Jan. 2009 <[|www.beyonddiscovery.org/content/view.txt.asp?a=458]>. This website's purpose is to provide a dramatic example of how science works in accordance with the Theory of Relativity and how basic research leads to technologies that were virtually unimaginable at the time the research was performed. It allows visitors to read different subarticles on how basic research into the nature of time and ways to measure time accurately contributed to the development of GPS. This page was created in 2003 by Daniel Kleppner for Beyond Discovery: The Path from Research to Human Benefit, a project of the National Academy of Sciences. The Academy, located in Washington, D.C., is a society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research and dedicated to the use of science and technology for the public welfare. For more than a century, it has provided independent, objective scientific advice to the nation.

Theory: Special Relativity (SLAC VVC)." __SLAC Public Website Server__. 27 Jan. 2009 . This website's purpose is to provide readers with a basic understanding of the Special Relativity Theory. This page allows viewers to navigate through an article that explains sectors of this theory. The site has been updated quite recently, October 31, 2008, and was produced by Stanford University along with the United States Department of Energy. Stanford University is a reliable institution and the United States Department of Energy is a segment under the nation's government, which must follow specific guidelines. The information presented is uniform with that found written in Albert Einstein's book. "World Mysteries - Nuclear Energy." __World-Mysteries.com__. 27 Jan. 2009 . This website's purpose is to provide visitors with the concept that nuclear energy is the comprehension of the Theory of Relativity. This page allows readers to gain knowledge on the history of nuclear energy, Albert Einstein's discovery of nuclear energy as a weapon, and the description of the equivalence of mass and energy. This site, World-Mysteries was last updated in August 2007, and is a privately owned organization with no author listed. However, the information matches content from similar webpages, and any bias would help toward proving the original findings of Einstein as a key to understanding nuclear energy.