ValerieB

**Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity**

**Albert Einstein** **was one of many physicists who made an incredible discovery throughout history. With his knowledge of physics, he researched and discovered new theories that lead to new accomplishments. The general and special theory of relativity are some of many of his most famous theories. Those theories explain that time and speed are the relevant to gravity and the speed of light. Through calculations and experiments, Einstein exposed a whole other side to physics.** **//__What is Special Relativity and what does it show?__//**
 * //__ What is General Relativity and what does it show? __//**
 * The speed of light cannot be constant
 * Forces of acceleration and gravity are equivalent
 * Observations are equivalent to those in a uniform gravitational field
 * Time doesn't have a fixed shape
 * Gravity stretches and shrinks distances
 * Gravity will appear to slow down or dilate

Albert Einstein first started researching these theories in 1906. The first theory was the special theory. It was not until he wrote his famous essay, "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies", that the theory became developed. His other theory, general relativity, was created in 1915. Both of the theories are mainly based on these statements: It is true that Albert's theories were also based on Newton's theories too. With Einstein's knowledge of physics, he strongly believed that Newton's laws of motion were approximately correct. It also showed that Newton's law of gravitation was approximately correct. Some of the reasons why Einstein didn't think they were 100% true were because of the studies dealing with gravitation.
 * 1) The laws of physics are the same in all reference frames
 * 2) The speed of light in free space is constant


 * //Other articles in relation to the theory of relativty://**
 * In the article, " Relativity and the Cosmos", the author says that "general relativity may be the biggest leap of the scientific imagination in history" (Lightman 1). It showed that the creation of the theory not only helped discover the special and general theory, but it aslo established other scientific breakthroughs. To learn more, visit this website: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/einstein/relativity/
 * " We can thus as a rough approximation arrive at a conclusion as to the nature of the universe as a whole, if we treat the matter as being at rest" (Lawson 32). Knowing this piece of evidence, it is easier to understand where the theory really came from. With the help of Newton, Einstein used that reliable resource to make his own experiments using the same concept. In relation to the general theory of relativity, Einstein predicted that forces of acceleration and gravity are equal to one another. To learn more, visit this website: http://www.bartleby.com/173/

//Works Cited//
 * Einstein, Albert. //Relativity: The Special and General Theory.// New York: Henry Holt, 1920; Bartleby.com, 2000. [|www.bartleby.com/173/]. [Jan.29].
 * Lightman, Alan. "Relativity and the Cosmos." Nova/Einstein's Big Idea/ Relativity.__ June 2005. 29 Jan.2009. 