5.01 - Special Theory of Relativity & Time Dilation

General Relativity: Mass can influence Space and Time

• General Relativity focuses on Accelerated Motion

Special Relativity (Light): How constant speed influences Space and Time

• Constant Velocity Motion: At constant velocity motion, object would be squeezed and compressed along the direction it was moving
• Special Relativity focuses on Constant Velocity Motion

Postulate 1 - **The Principle of Relativity**: Laws of physics are the same for observers in all inertial frames of reference

Postulate 2 - **The Speed of Light Principle**: The speed of light in a vacuum has the same value in all inertial systems
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Therefore, special relativity predicts that moving clocks will run more slowly from the point of view of an observer at rest.

• Dilated time is always slower than Proper time