allisonb

The theory of relativity affects many aspects of our everyday lives. It affects:  CLOCKS  In reference to time, Einstein’s theory of relativity states that: · the speed of time is subjective to the motion of the observer · Large masses, like the sun, have the ability to warp the space-time continuum around them (meaning that the closer a region of the Earth is to the sun, the slower its clocks will tick.) · While the speed of time is not consistent, the speed of light is. “’…If a person on the bus shoots a light beam, and a person standing still on the ground also sees it, the speed of the light will be the same for both people on the ground and people on the bus’”(Arora). If the theory of relativity were to be rejected: · All clocks in different parts of the world would run on the exact same time. This would cause some of the clocks to be off, so eventually part of the world would be ahead of other parts in time.  ELEVATORS/CARS  Equivalence principle -- gravity pulling in one direction is completely equivalent to acceleration in the opposite direction. This is why an elevator accelerating upwards feels just like gravity pushing you into the floor. This is also why it feels like sideways gravity is pushing you back against your seat when you ride in an accelerating car. If Einstein’s theory were to be rejected: · Gravity would not equalize acceleration. · Almost unlimited acceleration would inevitably become harmful for those receiving the force of gravity. · On the other hand, if acceleration was not present to equalize gravity, it would eventually cause the earth to implode (what with all the force bearing down into its core). Gravity and acceleration are both needed for equilibrium of forces to be achieved, and to regulate speed. <span style="color: rgb(182, 180, 180);"> <span style="color: rgb(77, 245, 141);">“If gravity is equivalent to acceleration, and if motion affects measurements of time and space (as shown in special relativity), then it follows that gravity does so as well” (Lightman). <span style="color: rgb(201, 166, 221);"> GLOBAL POSITIONING SATELLITES (GPS) GPS technologies utilize not only the concept of time, but also the concept of distance. <span style="color: rgb(183, 148, 209);"> Einstein’s theory of relativity states that the speed of time is subjective to the motion of the observer; this is also relevant to the GPS system, as the system indicates the estimated arrival time when traveling. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">**Why is this relevant ??** <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(178, 161, 199); line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol;">· Military and combat today utilize GPS for the use of their nuclear warheads and nuclear-powered submarines. “However, GPS enables not only the Department of Defense, but also the commuter who has just taken a wrong turn and the couple searching for a restaurant” (Arora). SUMMARY  <span style="color: rgb(154, 147, 147);"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(191, 191, 191); line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol;">· <span style="color: rgb(154, 147, 147);"><span style="color: rgb(166, 166, 166);">the speed at which time occurs is mutable <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(191, 191, 191); line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol;">· <span style="color: rgb(154, 147, 147);"><span style="color: rgb(166, 166, 166);">while the speed of time is not consistent, the speed of light is  <span style="color: rgb(166, 166, 166);"> <span style="color: rgb(166, 166, 166);">Instead of being a passive background, space and time came to be viewed as dynamic actors in physics, capable of being changed by the matter within them and in turn changing the way that matter behaves. <span style="color: rgb(154, 147, 147);">
 * <span style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">What is relativity ?? **
 * <span style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">relativity **<span style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> ** [ **** rel- ****// uh //**** - **** tiv **** -i-tee **** ] -- **<span style="color: rgb(167, 165, 165);">a theory, formulated essentially by Albert Einstein (E=mc²), that all motion must be defined relative to a frame of reference and that space and time are relative, rather than absolute concepts
 * <span style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">Which means ?? **
 * <span style="color: rgb(172, 165, 165);">the passage of time is NOT constant, but the velocity of light IS <span style="color: rgb(172, 165, 165);">
 * <span style="color: rgb(172, 165, 165);">the velocity of light is independent of the motion of its source and will have the same value when measured by observers moving with constant velocity with respect to each other <span style="color: rgb(172, 165, 165);">
 * <span style="color: rgb(172, 165, 165);">the speed of time is subjective to the motion of its observer
 * <span style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">Well that's dandy, but how does it apply to me ?? **
 * <span style="color: rgb(158, 158, 158);">the way our clocks tick
 * <span style="color: rgb(131, 201, 161);"><span style="color: rgb(111, 200, 152);"><span style="color: rgb(130, 206, 169);"><span style="color: rgb(156, 222, 186);"><span style="color: rgb(150, 212, 183);"><span style="color: rgb(110, 191, 137);"><span style="color: rgb(124, 197, 155);"><span style="color: rgb(122, 214, 162);"><span style="color: rgb(176, 176, 176);">the speed of our elevators and cars
 * <span style="color: rgb(226, 167, 231);"><span style="color: rgb(214, 148, 225);"><span style="color: rgb(171, 166, 166);">synchronization of the global positioning (GPS) satellite
 * <span style="color: rgb(12, 13, 13);">Why is this relevant ?? **



<span style="color: rgb(154, 147, 147);"> Works Cited  <span style="color: rgb(154, 147, 147);"> Arora, Hans. "Einstein’s Theory of Relativity: Implications Beyond Science?" __Science In Society__. 20 Oct. 2008. Northwestern University. 26 Jan. 2009 <http://scienceinsociety.northwestern.edu/ <span style="color: rgb(21, 19, 19);"> The researcher for this site, a physics professor at North Western University, writes of the general theory of relativity and it's relevance to modern times. The source describes gravity, curved space, and the space/time continuum (w/ graphs). Also, it outlines some of the drawbacks of general relativity, including light cones, black holes, and gravity waves. It is a useful source because the information is comprehensive and relevant. <span style="color: rgb(145, 141, 141);">Lightman, Alan. "Einstein's Big Idea." __NOVA__. 25 June 2005. NOVA. 26 Jan. 2009 <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/einstein/relativity/>. <span style="color: rgb(154, 147, 147);"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This site from NOVA is a really reliable resource on relativity. It was very credible and current, so I knew I was getting accurate information. "Theory: Special Relativity." __SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory__. 10 Oct. 2008. Stanford University. 26 Jan. 2009 <http://www2.slac.stanford.edu/vvc/theory/relativity.html>. <span style="color: rgb(16, 15, 15);"> The authors of this site, researchers from the SLAC accelerator lab at Stanford University, describe the theoretical basis for Einstein's theory of relativity. It covers topics such as inertia, the speed of light, gamma (unit that measures the speed of light), and energy equations. It is a useful source for this project because the information is relevant and is easy to understand. It will aid in shaping my argument because it provides a factual basis for the points I will make.