relativity theory Einstein

Theory of Relativity

Einstein theory of space time and gravity

Special Relativity

Theory that describes motion at constant speed and light speed

General Relativity

Theory that explains gravity as curvature of spacetime

Spacetime

Four dimensional structure combining space and time

Time Dilation

Time passes slower at high speed

Length Contraction

Distances shorten at high speed

Relativity of Simultaneity

Events simultaneous for one observer not for another

Mass Energy Equivalence

Mass can be converted into energy and vice versa

E = mc²

Energy equals mass times speed of light squared

Speed of Light

Maximum possible speed in the universe

Reference Frame

Perspective from which motion is measured

Inertial Frame

Frame with constant velocity no acceleration

Non Inertial Frame

Frame that is accelerating

Gravity

Effect of curved spacetime

Geodesic

Shortest path in curved spacetime

Gravitational Time Dilation

Time runs slower in strong gravity

Black Hole

Object with gravity so strong nothing escapes

Event Horizon

Boundary of a black hole where nothing escapes

Singularity

Point of infinite density inside a black hole

Gravitational Waves

Ripples in spacetime from accelerating masses

Twin Paradox

Traveling twin ages slower than the one on Earth

Relativistic Mass

Mass increases with speed

Lorentz Transformation

Equations relating time space and velocity

Proper Time

Time measured in own frame

Proper Length

Length measured in own frame

Invariance of c

Light always moves at the same speed

Relativistic Momentum

Momentum grows faster with speed than in classical physics

Relativistic Energy

Energy increases with speed and approaches infinity at c

Time Travel Possibility

Relativity allows theoretical movement in time

GPS and Relativity

GPS works only with relativistic corrections

Mercury Perihelion Shift

Orbit anomaly explained by general relativity

Light Bending

Light bends near strong gravity

Gravitational Redshift

Light from strong gravity has longer wavelength

Cosmology Link

Relativity underpins cosmology and Big Bang

Equivalence Principle

Acceleration and gravity are locally indistinguishable

Michelson Morley Experiment

Proved that speed of light is constant

Relativity vs Newton

Newton fails at high speed relativity works

Time Dilation Gravity

Time passes slower near massive body

Relativistic Kinetic Energy

Motion energy calculated with relativity

Relativistic Doppler Effect

Frequency of light changes at high speed

Relativistic Beaming

Radiation focused in direction of motion

Causality in Relativity

Cause always comes before effect

Relativistic Paradox

Apparent contradiction solved by relativity

Length Contraction Direction

Contraction occurs only in motion direction

Spacetime Diagram

Graph combining space and time

Relativistic Velocity Addition

Velocities combine never above light speed

Einstein Nobel Prize

Awarded for photoelectric effect not relativity

Experimental Tests

Eclipses gravity waves and GPS confirm relativity