1. Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity
Chapter 7
Great Idea:
All observers, no matter what their frame of reference, see the same laws of nature

2. Chapter Outline Frames of Reference Special Relativity
General Relativity

3. Frames of Reference

4. Descriptions in Different Reference Frames
Coin’s path appears different depending on your frame of reference

5. The Principle of Relativity
Baseball vs. Light
Einstein’s solution:
The laws of nature are not the same in all frames of reference
Maxwell’s equation could be wrong
Our intuitions about the addition of velocities could be wrong
Principle of Relativity
Every observer must experience the same natural laws
Special relativity
General relativity
The speed of light, c, is the same in all reference frames

6. Special Relativity

7. Time Dilation
Time Dilation
Moving clock appears to tick more slowly

8. The Size of Time Dilation
Calculation of time dilation
tGG=tMM
Stationary ground-based observer
tGG=d/c
Distance traveled by light in 1 tick

9. Distance and Relativity
Length Contraction
Moving object appears shorter

10. So What About the Train and the Flashlight?
Addition of velocities
Valid at small velocities
Not valid near speed of light

11. Mass and Relativity Third consequence Conclusions:
Mass is lowest for stationary objects
Conclusions:
Nothing moving less than speed of light can be accelerated to or past c
Object above c cannot be decelerated
Objects at c have zero rest mass

12. Mass and Energy Einstein All objects contain a rest energy
Mass can be converted to energy and vice versa

13. General Relativity

14. The Nature of Forces Gravitational forces and acceleration
Frame of reference

15. The Nature of Forces
Newton vs. Einstein

16. Predictions of General Relativity
The gravitational bending of light
Planetary orbits
The gravitational redshift

17. Who Can Understand Relativity?
Everyone!!