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=**__Theory of Relativity__**=

The status of the Theory of Relativity has changed over the last several years, having a great impact on our advancements in technology and science. There are a lot of controversies by professors and scientists, and for good reason. The theory of relativity is an unclear, unproven theory about the time and space continuum.

**People and the Theory of Relativity**
Albert Einstein's theory of relativity affects everyone everyday, whether they know it or not. This entire universe is explained by this theory. Since released to the public, it has given more and more oppurtunities to research related topics. Before Einstein's theory, people agreed with Newton's theories; all clocks worked the same, no matter where in the universe they were, and all similar objects such as yardsticks are all the same length no matter where they were. Einstein's theory got people thinking. It stated that a clock that worked farther away from a person will seem slower then a clock close up. This is an example of time dilation. The theory also stated that one will see everyone else's yardstick as shorter than its own, an example of length contraction. This theory is neither accepted or rejected by society, but definitely effected by it.

** What is the theory of relativity? **
In order to accept or reject the theory of relativity, one must know what it is exactly. Einstein worked on this theory for many years, and can be summed up in two statements: a) the speed of light is a constant value and b) the laws of physics observed by moving viewer are the same as laws of physics seen by a non-moving viewer. In simpler terms, it states that "gravity, as well as motion, can affect the intervals of time and space in one direction is equal to the acceleration in the other direction" (Lightman). This introduces the equivalence principle, which states that gravity pulling in one direction is equal to an acceleration in the other direction. To explain this, a professor named Alan Lightman said that "a car accelerating forwards feels just like sideways gravity pushing you back against your seat."

**The Effect on Society Today**
Einstein's theory of relativity gave a lot of chances to expand our technology and travel. For example, to the the diagram on the right, this is a flight plan from Ithaca to Rome. The red flight plan is the projected flight plan. Due to this concept of relativity, the blue flight plan is the actual flight plan. The reason that this occurs is because near huge objects, like the Earth, time and space are curved. Going straight on a map will cause this because it is making something that is three dimensional, the globe, into something that is two dimensional, which will create distortion. Using this idea, Einstein stated that gravity can bend light, which scientists have recently proven with newer technology. Scientists have also found that black holes may exist because of the way light bends due to relativity. Now because scientists have ideas about black holes, the theory can lead to new advances about the past and possibly the future in space. Another example is that the theory of relativity is used in GPS (Global Positioning System). Relativity plays a huge part in GPS because without relativity, it could not function correctly. GPS uses time dilation to show accurate time readings, and relativity affects time differences in the GPS devices that people have and the satellites that are in space. The GPS is moving, though it is basically stationary since the Earth is so huge, so it will lag behind the satellite clock in space. Because of general relativity, a clock closer to a large object will be slower than a clock far away from the same object. Therefore, the GPS clock on Earth will be faster than the satellite clock in space, letting there be accurate time readings on the GPS devices that people have.

Travel, space and time dimensions, and GPS have all been impacted and influenced by Einstein's theory of relativity. The theory effects people every day. No matter what people may know about the theory, or think about the theory, it still effects them. Then again, it is just a theory. That is HIS way of explaining life as it is. It seems very credible, but has not been proven and it still remains a theory. But as it stands, this theory of relativity continues each and everyday to explain the way life is.


 * __Works Cited with Annotations__**

Arora, Hans. "Einstein’s Theory of Relativity: Implications Beyond Science? — Science in Society." __Home — Science in Society__. 27 Jan. 2009 .

This informative website written by Hans Arora explains every aspect of Einstein's theories as they relate to modern and postmodern philosophers and activists. Implications of the theories on society are also discussed. Different applications of Einstein's theory of relativity are discussed, prompting questions that the reader should ask themselves about how, in the future, he or she will continue to be affected by the theory of relativity. Overall, this website was very helpful in answering the essential question.

"GPS and Relativity." __The Ohio State University Department of Astronomy__. 15 Dec. 2004. 26 Jan. 2009 < http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~pogge/Ast162/Unit5/gps.html  >.

====Einstein's theory of relativity and its effects on GPS and thus upon technology and society in general are discussed in this formal article written by the credible Dept. of Astronomy from Ohio State University. This site was extremely helpful in answering the essential question. ====


==== Lightman, Alan. "NOVA | Einstein's Big Idea | Relativity (Lightman Essay) |." __PBS__. June 2005. 26 Jan. 2009 < http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/einstein/relativity/ >. ====

==== The intentions of this site are to inform students about what the theory of relativity is as well as the history of it and how society perceived the universe before this theory. It is a well written site that gives more information than solely what the theory is and how it works. ====

==== This website's purpose is to inform students and teachers about Einstein's Theory of Relativity. It summarizes the important points of the theory and explains how momentum and energy help make up the equation e=mc². It comes from a well trusted group of people from the University of Stanford, and is unbiased. ====