special relativity
Einstein's 1905 theory
Special relativity is Einstein's 1905 theory describing how space and time behave for objects moving at constant velocities.
Its core insights: the speed of light is constant for all observers, and nothing can exceed it; time passes more slowly for fast-moving objects; mass and energy are equivalent (E=mc²).
The theory revolutionized physics by showing that measurements of time and distance depend on relative motion.
Special relativity predicts that a clock on a spacecraft would tick slower than one on Earth.
Having four axes
- continuumUninterrupted, gradual sequence
- manifoldMany and various
- eventA notable occurrence
- intervalDuration between two points
geometry · metric · causality · simultaneity · chronology · coordinate system
Basis for measuring position
- classical mechanicsLaws governing macroscopic motion
- Newtonian mechanicsTheory of motion and force
- postulatesAssumed starting principles
- covarianceJoint deviation measure
physical laws · kinematics · dynamics · electrodynamics · ether
Clocks slow at speed
- twins paradoxRelativistic age difference thought experiment
- agingGrowing older over time
Metric velocity unit
- invarianceQuality of staying unchanged
- causalityCause-effect connection
- luminalOf a cavity's interior
- vacuumAbsence of matter
electromagnetic radiation · photons · constancy · tachyon · superluminal
Energy-mass conversion relationship
- invarianceQuality of staying unchanged
- rapiditySwiftness of movement
Noble-bright Germanic name
- patent clerkProcesses invention registrations
- 1905Four-digit year designation
- thought experimentsHypothetical scenarios for reasoning
- PrincetonIvy League university
four-dimensional
Having four axes
interval · geometry · metric · causality · simultaneity · chronology · coordinate system
reference frame
Basis for measuring position
- classical mechanicsLaws governing macroscopic motion
- Newtonian mechanicsTheory of motion and force
- postulatesAssumed starting principles
covariance · physical laws · kinematics · dynamics · electrodynamics · ether
time dilation
Clocks slow at speed
- twins paradoxRelativistic age difference thought experiment
- agingGrowing older over time
metres per second
Metric velocity unit
- invarianceQuality of staying unchanged
- causalityCause-effect connection
- luminalOf a cavity's interior
vacuum · electromagnetic radiation · photons · constancy · tachyon · superluminal
E=mc²
Energy-mass conversion relationship
- invarianceQuality of staying unchanged
- rapiditySwiftness of movement
Albert
Noble-bright Germanic name
- patent clerkProcesses invention registrations
- 1905Four-digit year designation
- thought experimentsHypothetical scenarios for reasoning
- Relativistic Quantumantimatter, antiparticle, antiparticles, positron, chirality
- physicsphysics, momentum, atom, acceleration, gravity
- gravitygravity, graviton, gravity well, gravitational pull, gravity wave
- EinsteinE=mc2, physics, genius, Princeton, Nobel Prize
- Einstein's theoriesE=mc2, time dilation, spacetime, unified field theory
- scientific theoriesatomic theory, evolution, big bang theory, quantum theory, string theory
special relativityNewtonian mechanics
Theory of motion and force
classical mechanics · absolute time · classical physics · Newton's laws · Newtonian physics
special relativityquantum mechanics
Physics at nanoscopic scales
quantum physics · quantum theory · Schrödinger equation · particle physics
special, relation, relationship, relative, specialist, relations, specialty, relatively, specially