What are some main ideas of the special theory of relativity?

Special relativity is an explanation of how speed affects mass, time and space. The theory includes a way for the speed of light to define the relationship between energy and matter — small amounts of mass (m) can be interchangeable with enormous amounts of energy (E), as defined by the classic equation E = mc^2.

Why does special relativity happen?

Special relativity, developed by Albert Einstein, applies to situations where objects are moving very quickly, at speeds near the speed of light. These are a few of the things that happen at relativistic speeds: Moving clocks run slow. Lengths contract when traveling at high speeds.

What are the two key assumptions from which the special theory of relativity follows?

In its original form, special relativity is based on just two postulates (or assumptions); namely, that the speed of light (in a vacuum) is constant – no matter who measures it, or when, or where – and that the laws of physics are the same for in all inertial frames of reference (basically, for all observers who are …

What does theory of relativity means?

a theory, formulated essentially by Albert Einstein, that all motion must be defined relative to a frame of reference and that space and time are relative rather than absolute concepts: it consists of two principal parts.

Why are the effects of special relativity theory not noticeable in the course of our daily lives *?

The main reason that we don’t see those relativistic effects every day is because life around us is moving very, very slowly, compared to the speed of light. Even a jet plane flying at full speed reaches a mere fraction of light speed, less than a thousandth of a percent.

Which experiment plays a key role for the discovery of special relativity?

Einstein’s Most Famous Thought Experiment. Einstein recalled how, at the age of 16, he imagined chasing after a beam of light and that the thought experiment had played a memorable role in his development of special relativity.

What is the reason of the shifting orbit of planet Mercury?

Mercury’s orbit of the Sun isn’t fixed in space. Every 625 years, the ellipse shifts by 1∘ because of its gravitational interactions with the planets and the Sun.

What is the main difference between special and general theory of relativity?

Special relativity applies to all physical phenomena in the absence of gravity. General relativity explains the law of gravitation and its relation to other forces of nature. It applies to the cosmological and astrophysical realm, including astronomy.

Can you explain Einstein’s theory of relativity?

Albert Einstein, in his theory of special relativity, determined that the laws of physics are the same for all non-accelerating observers, and he showed that the speed of light within a vacuum is the same no matter the speed at which an observer travels, according to Wired.