Theory of relativity

The theory of relativity is a theory Albert Einstein created in the early 1900s. There are two theories of relativity. The first is special relativity and the second is general relativity.

The theory tries to solve problems which could not be solved by Classical physics, or by 19th century physics. Some things, like the orbit of Mercury or the way light from distant sources bends as it passes a star, cannot be explained by the physics of 1900. Einstein tried to change the basic ideas of physics. He came up with two theories to do that. The first was called Special relativity and the second was called General relativity.

Theory Of Relativity Media

• Video simulation of the merger GW150914, showing spacetime distortion from gravity as the black holes orbit and merge

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  A diagram of the Michelson–Morley experiment

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  The Kennedy–Thorndike experiment shown with interference fringes.

References

• Hawking, Stephen. The Universe in a nutshell. Bantam Books, 2001.

Other websites

• Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity In Words of Four Letters or Less
• New times and new technologies survey the experiments of Sobral and Príncipe. Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
• Relativity Calculator – Learn Special Relativity Mathematics Archived 2008-11-08 at the Wayback Machine The mathematics of special relativity presented in as simple and comprehensive manner possible within philosophical and historical contexts.