What Is Einstein’s Theory Of Relativity In Simple Terms

What is Einstein’s theory of relativity in simple terms?

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.

How do you explain Einstein’s theory of relativity to kids?

Imagine taking a big trampoline, and putting a heavy bowling ball on it. The bowling ball would make a dip in the trampoline and make the trampoline bend down. General relativity says that planets do the same thing to space-time. They actually bend space and time around themselves.

What is the principle of relativity explanation?

The principle of relativity states that there is no physical way to differentiate between a body moving at a constant speed and an immobile body. It is of course possible to determine that one body is moving relative to the other, but it is impossible to determine which of them is moving and which is immobile.

What is E mc2 in simple terms?

What does E mc2 stand for?

Einstein’s Big Idea homepage. E = mc2. It’s the world’s most famous equation, but what does it really mean? Energy equals mass times the speed of light squared. On the most basic level, the equation says that energy and mass (matter) are interchangeable; they are different forms of the same thing.

Why is e mc2 famous?

This equation enabled scientists to learn how to build a single bomb that could wipe out a city, such as the atomic bombs that destroyed the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II. These early atomic bombs worked with nuclear fission, not fusion.

What is a simple example of relativity?

For example, your phone’s GPS receiver talks to a group of satellites flying around Earth to pinpoint where you are. For this to work, the satellites need to precisely measure time. But because the satellites are travelling fast, special relativity says time will run a tiny amount slower.

What are the two theories of relativity?

Relativity is two related theories: special relativity, which explains the relationship between space, time, mass, and energy; and general relativity, which describes how gravity fits into the mix. Albert Einstein proposed these theories starting in 1905.

What is Einstein’s famous formula?

Einstein went on to present his findings mathematically: energy (E) equals mass (m) times the speed of light (c) squared (2), or E=mc2. The secret the equation revealed—that mass and energy are different forms of the same thing—had eluded scientists for centuries.

Why is c the speed of light?

Speed of light is now universally represented by symbol ‘c’. This symbol originated from the initial letter of the Latin word “celerity” meaning “swift” or “quick”. This symbol was used by Weber and Kohlrausch in their papers in 1856. For some years this symbol was regarded as Weber’s constant.

What is a real life example of E mc2?

When you drive your car, E = mc2 is at work. As the engine burns gasoline to produce energy in the form of motion, it does so by converting some of the gasoline’s mass into energy, in accord with Einstein’s formula.

What is the theory of relativity for a 5 year old?

General Relativity is the theory that explains how gravity works. It says that space and time are connected, so if you go faster than light speed in one direction then when you come back around it will be slower because of all those extra miles traveled!

What is space time relativity for kids?

Interesting Facts about the Theory of Relativity Theoretically, if you could travel faster than the speed of light, time would go in reverse. Scientists think that the universe is expanding and that parts of it are moving away from us at faster than the speed of light.