Theory of Relativity

[NeonAtron]

I recently found out that the Theory of Relativity was proven to be true; so i was interested to find out just what the Theory of Relativity is. I found a site that TRIES to explain this theory: http://www2.slac.stanford.edu/vvc/th...elativity.html It talks about Time Distortion and Length Contraction. However i found it a little hard to understand. If anybody has any knowledge on this subject please post. p.s. Try to use some examples so we can understand.

[Neutrino]

Originally Posted by NeonAtron

I recently found out that the Theory of Relativity was proven to be true; so i was interested to find out just what the Theory of Relativity is. I found a site that TRIES to explain this theory: http://www2.slac.stanford.edu/vvc/th...elativity.html It talks about Time Distortion and Length Contraction. However i found it a little hard to understand. If anybody has any knowledge on this subject please post. p.s. Try to use some examples so we can understand.

Ok let me see if i can explain in simpler terms than them(btw its ussually refered as time dilation not distortion).

In their example they have 2 observers moving close to light speed relative to each other however in my example:

1. will have an inertial point of view (he will have a relativistic speed compared to observer 2) - he also caries a ruller and a clock
2 will have a non inertial point of view (will be at relative rest)

As observer 1 aproaches light speed observer 2 will see observer 1's ruler's lenght recede and clock slow down due to the two effects listed.

However observer 1 will see his own clock and length as normal and the observer 2 moving faster.

Then the site gives two examples to prove the theory using their own particle accelerator(btw slac stands for Standford Linear accelerator)

First example proves the time dilalion of a particle moving close to light speed. Its half life is longer therefore the time goes slower for it.

Second example proves the lengh contraction by showing that the tau particle moving at relativistic speeds travels less that it should. Basically its lenght that it should travel divided by gamma given earlier in the article.

I hope that was more clear, if you like further explanations or other specific question feel free to ask.

[landyacht]

Einsteins's theory of relativity is E=mc^2 correct?

Energy is equal to mass times the speed of light squared.

More detail or is that what you wanted to know?

[Neutrino]

Originally Posted by landyacht

Einsteins's theory of relativity is E=mc^2 correct?

Energy is equal to mass times the speed of light squared.

More detail or is that what you wanted to know?

That is just a small part of it. Its the formula to calculate the amout of energy released if you fully convert X amount matter into energy.


This formula just happens to the the most famous.

[NeonAtron]

Cool thanx. Now i would like to know the big picture. Such as what it means as a whole and what can we do with this knowledge?

[fredjacksonsan]

Means if you're an astronaut you'll age more slowly.

Check out:

www.howstuffworks.com

They have an interesting section on relativity.

Sorry for the late reply.....my philosophizer was temporarily disenabled.