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Quickly said: the speed of light is the same for all observers.
SR explains the consequences of this statement for objects moving at different speeds.
GR is the modern theory of gravity, and explains the consequences of the constant lightspeed for observers subject to different accelerations.

2006-10-02 04:19:08 · answer #1 · answered by cordefr 7 · 0 0

Einstein's theory of special relativity results from two statements -- the two basic postulates of special relativity:

The speed of light is the same for all observers, no matter what their relative speeds.The laws of physics are the same in any inertial (that is, non-accelerated) frame of reference. This means that the laws of physics observed by a hypothetical observer traveling with a relativistic particle must be the same as those observed by an observer who is stationary in the laboratory.

Given these two statements, Einstein showed how definitions of momentum and energy must be refined and how quantities such as length and time must change from one observer to another in order to get consistent results for physical quantities such as particle half-life. To decide whether his postulates are a correct theory of nature, physicists test whether the predictions of Einstein's theory match observations. Indeed many such tests have been made -- and the answers Einstein gave are right every time.

2006-09-30 02:07:43 · answer #2 · answered by Ex Head 6 · 0 0

even as Einstein first did particular relativity, he said as it in simple terms "the idea of relativity". It had to do with how area and time paintings at the same time, truly how clocks and yardsticks paintings at the same time. quickly in a while he extra some rationalization of ways count number works too. it quite is the position he suggested that E=mc^2. . Then he did plenty extra wondering for decades and realized that his idea would not fit in properly even as mixed with Isaac Newton's gravity idea. Then he ultimately got here up with "regular" relativity and began calling his earlier idea "particular" relativity to assessment it with the first idea. even as relativity first got here out, it took a short even as yet ultimately almost all and various realized that Einstein's "particular" relativity develop into no longer in elementary words really outstanding, yet as well fully ideal. All intense present day theories anticipate that's carefully ideal. maximum each and every physicist imagine that "regular" relativity is likewise really outstanding, yet some aren't any further particular that's easily ideal or complete. that's the perfect idea we glance to have in the present day, even with the actuality that, for explaining fairly some observations.

2016-12-04 01:36:29 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

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