The Special theory of relativity
Category : EDUCATION Author : sohan preet Date : Mon May 07 2018
The theory which relates with the relativity of motion and rest is called theory of relativity.
The Special theory of relativity deals with the objects and systems which are moving at constant speed with respect to each other or rest.
Need:Newton's second law of motion did not give correct results when applied to the objects moving with high speed comparable to light.
First of all let us understand what is meant by relativity by following examples:
1) Let us consider a river and two brothers (Aman and Raman) standing on the banks of the river facing towards each other. As per Aman, house is on the right side, while Raman will say that house is on left side. But in reality the position of house is fixed. This indicates that position is relative i.e. it depends on from where it is being seen or from which frame of reference it is seen.
2) If we compare the ball with the earth then ball will appear to be small, but if we compare the ball with an atom, the same ball appears to be large. This indicates that size is relative.
3) Think about various time zones. Two countries can have different time at the same instant. Without referring the place, we cannot tell the exact time. Hence time is relative.
Thus from all above examples, we conclude that the motion of a body has no meaning unless it is described with respect to some well defined coordinate system. This coordinate system with respect to which motion of a body is described is called frame of reference.
There are two kinds of frame of reference:
1) Inertial-in which bodies obey Newton's law of inertia and other laws of Newtonian mechanics.
2) Non-Inertial, not obeying Newton's law of inertia. A frame of reference which is in accelerated motion with respect to an inertial frame is called non inertial frame of reference.
For a deep understanding, do watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgH9KXEQ0YU&t=3s
NOTE: In this video the narrator once says that the time slows down for Einstein in space. But actually time will slow down for us not for Einstein as Einstein is moving at same speed with respect to the vehicle on which he is travelling.
Postulates of Special Theory Of Relativity
1)All the fundamental laws of physics retain the same form in all the inertial frames of reference.
2)The velocity of light in free space is constant and is independent of the relative motion of the source and observer.
Hope you understand the topic well.
Pls comment if you want further topics on Relativity and other related topics of physics. I will try to explain you in easy and understandable method.
The theory which relates with the relativity of motion and rest is called theory of relativity.
The Special theory of relativity deals with the objects and systems which are moving at constant speed with respect to each other or rest.
Need:Newton's second law of motion did not give correct results when applied to the objects moving with high speed comparable to light.
First of all let us understand what is meant by relativity by following examples:
1) Let us consider a river and two brothers (Aman and Raman) standing on the banks of the river facing towards each other. As per Aman, house is on the right side, while Raman will say that house is on left side. But in reality the position of house is fixed. This indicates that position is relative i.e. it depends on from where it is being seen or from which frame of reference it is seen.
2) If we compare the ball with the earth then ball will appear to be small, but if we compare the ball with an atom, the same ball appears to be large. This indicates that size is relative.
3) Think about various time zones. Two countries can have different time at the same instant. Without referring the place, we cannot tell the exact time. Hence time is relative.
Thus from all above examples, we conclude that the motion of a body has no meaning unless it is described with respect to some well defined coordinate system. This coordinate system with respect to which motion of a body is described is called frame of reference.
There are two kinds of frame of reference:
1) Inertial-in which bodies obey Newton's law of inertia and other laws of Newtonian mechanics.
2) Non-Inertial, not obeying Newton's law of inertia. A frame of reference which is in accelerated motion with respect to an inertial frame is called non inertial frame of reference.
For a deep understanding, do watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgH9KXEQ0YU&t=3s
NOTE: In this video the narrator once says that the time slows down for Einstein in space. But actually time will slow down for us not for Einstein as Einstein is moving at same speed with respect to the vehicle on which he is travelling.
Postulates of Special Theory Of Relativity
1)All the fundamental laws of physics retain the same form in all the inertial frames of reference.
2)The velocity of light in free space is constant and is independent of the relative motion of the source and observer.
Hope you understand the topic well.
Pls comment if you want further topics on Relativity and other related topics of physics. I will try to explain you in easy and understandable method.
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