KatelynH

Albert Einstein was much more than an old, crazy white-haired scientist. He was the man who discovered the revolutionary ideas, the theory of relativity specifically, that changed the way people looked at the World. To this day his theories and ideas are still questioned and tested. However, numerous experiments and projects prove Einstein's theory of relativity to be one of the best scientific achievements of all time. **Time dilation, gravitational waves, and GPS systems are all proof that the theory of relativity deserves to be held at a high standard not only in the scientific world, but also for the human race.**

The theory of relativity is either of two theories, special relativity and general relativity. Special relativity describes objects in motion that are traveling at the speed of light or close to it. Special relativity is based off of two assumptions. The first being that every law of nature has the same form for all intertial observers. The second assumptions is that the speed of light is the same for all observers (Astronomical Institute).

Due to the effects of Special Relativity, time dilation occurs. Time dilation takes place when an object is moving either close to or at the speed of light. An outside observer that is at rest will see that time will move at a slower rate when looking at an object traveling close the the speed of light. (Heckert 1) Time dilation occurs at all relative velocities, but at everyday velocities even the most sensitive technology cannot detect it because it is most achievable when traveling at the high velocities of space (Relativity for Dummies). For example, there are two space ships, A and B, and in each there is both an observer and a clock. Both of the clocks keep time accurately but the spaceship A observer will see that the clock in spaceship B is running more slowly than spaceship A's clock. Spaceship B will observe the same thing except spaceship A's clock will look as if it is running more slowly than their own clock (Dine 1). This idea of time dilation has brought about many questions for scientists. In the future could humans somehow live their lives in space and age at almost half the rate they do now? How much more could the human race accomplish if each human being had more time to develop ideas and complete research? The time dilation example along with the theory of relativity prove that with more hard work and research the seemingly impossible may someday become achievable.

General relativity shows that gravitational waves send out a gravitational force. These waves are like the ripples of water on a pond, but these ripples are ripples in space and time. They are a result of the collison of black holes or other violent events in the distant universe (NASA). It is a shame that these waves have yet to be directly detected because according to "Curious about Astronomy", these ripples in the space-time fabric travel toward Earth, bringing with them information about their cataclysmic origins, as well as invaluable clues as to the nature of gravity. The reason these waves have not been detected is because they can barely interact with matter therefore it is hard to trace them. However, NASA is working alongside of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory(also known as LIGO) to find a way of detecting these subtle waves by using supercomputers. Finding these waves could alter the shape of a human from head to toe by far less than the width of an atom, and will complete Einstein's missing links in the thory of relativity (Vitale 1). These gravitational waves have also been affecting the stars. By using general relativity equations in calculations scientists have found that the orbits of a pair of stars they have been observing for several years has shrunk. The stars have been emitting gravitational waves causing their orbits to become smaller (NASA). "Einstein had foreseen the eventual detection of gravitational waves, but a hundred years ago, no suitable instruments were available and Einstein's work was entirely theoretical. Now we have the technologies, we are picking up the challenge, and he would no doubt be greatly pleased to see that we are pursuing his work." (Vitale 1).

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. General Relativity predicts that clocks in a stronger gravitational field will tick at a slower rate, and Special Relativity predicts that moving clocks will appear to tick slower than non-moving ones. General Relativity also predicts that GPS satellites' atomic clocks tick faster by 45,900 ns/day because of the weaker gravitational force that surrounds them (Van Flandern 1). Special Relativity predicts that atomic clocks moving at GPS orbital speeds will tick slower by 7,200 ns/day than a clock that is stationary on Earth (Van Flandern 1). Because of these effects, the clocks are reset to a certain rate before launched in order to make up for the large rate difference. If it weren't for the theory of relativity GPS systems would not exist, and we could no longer be navigated by a computer with just the touch of a button.



Without Albert Einstein's theory of relativity we would all be living very different lives today. He has immensely helped to advance the world of science with his brilliant ideas. The theory of relativity has led to the idea of time dilation which has helped make our perception of time and space more clear. Gravitational waves in the universe are creating ripples in space and time which can eventually affect us here on Earth if they become strong enough. Because of the theory of relativity we now have the GPS system which can navigate us to any destination we please to reach. Time dilation, gravitational waves, and GPS systems are only three of the numerous example of how Einstein's Theory of Relativity has affected people on Earth.

"Astronomy Answers: AstronomyAnswerBook: Theory of Relativity." __Astronomical Institute, Utrecht University__. 26 Jan. 2009 "Curious About Astronomy? The Theory of Relativity." __Curious About Astronomy? Ask an Astronomer__. 25 Sep. 2002. 23 Jan. 2009 . Dine, Michael. "Relativity." World Book Online Reference Center. 2004. World Book, Inc. http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Article?id=ar464240. Edemariam, Aida. " Relativity for dummies | Education | The Guardian ." __Latest news, sport, business, comment and reviews from the Guardian | guardian.co.uk__. 6 Jan. 2005. 27 Jan. 2009 . Heckert, Paul. "Einstein's Special Relativity: Time Dilation, Lorentz Contraction, and Other Relativity Effects." __Physics @ Suite101.com: Classic, modern and applied physics-quantum mechanics, astrophysics, mechanics, optics, acoustics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, wormholes, gamma rays, relativity...__. 15 Mar. 2007. 27 Jan. 2009 .

"NASA Scientists Simulate Gravitational Waves Churned By Collision Of Black Holes." __Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology__. 20 Apr. 2006. 26 Jan. 2009 . Safko, John. "Unit 56." __University of South Carolina Astronomy Center__. 26 Jan. 2009 . Van Flandern, Tom. "GPS and relativity theory « Just to note and share about anything." __Just to note and share about anything__. 17 June 2007. 27 Jan. 2009 . Vitale, Stefano. "Observing Einstein's Gravitational Waves." __Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology__. 19 Apr. 2005. 26 Jan. 2009 .