Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity for Beginners
In 2020, Einstein's theory of relativity turned 115 years old. But even if most people know Albert Einstein, many are a little more hesitant when it comes to explaining the theory itself. Here is the theory of relativity for beginners.
What is Einstein's theory of relativity?
Einstein's theory of relativity actually consists of two parts. The special theory of relativity from 1905 and the general theory of relativity from 1915.
In the middle of the 19th century, natural phenomena were discovered that contradicted Newton's theory of gravity, which up to that point had been the cornerstone of physics. Many scientists worked to explain these discrepancies, but it was Einstein who hit the nail on the head.
Einstein's theory of relativity turned out to provide solutions to some of the phenomena that scientists had not been able to match with classical physics. The theory of relativity united the three basic theory complexes: gravitation, electrodynamics, and thermodynamics. What is Albert Einstein’s IQ?
The Year of the Miracle 1905
Before Albert Einstein arrived at his conclusions, he had to deal with some previously widely accepted assumptions in the scientific community.
That work began at the beginning of the 20th century and culminated in 1905 — a year later known as Einstein's Miracle Year.
Einstein published four special scientific reports during this time:
On June 9, 1905
" On a Heuristic Viewpoint Concerning the Production and Transformation of Light ".
The report explained the previously unknown phenomenon of the "photoelectric effect" through the introduction of photons. Albert Einstein's work on the phenomenon was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.
On July 18, 1905
" On the Motion of Small Particles Suspended in a Stationary Liquid ".
Describes Brownian motion, i.e. how particles move in ideal gases.
On September 26, 1905
" On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies ".
The first part of Einstein's theory of relativity. Later became known as the special theory of relativity.
On November 21, 1905
" Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon Its Energy Content? ".
The next part of Einstein's theory of relativity which deals with relativistic energy, for example, the relationship E=mc2.
What is the special theory of relativity?
Albert Einstein's formula (E=mc2) reads concretely that energy (E) is equal to mass (m) multiplied by the speed of light (c) squared.
In short, it means that energy and mass can switch places. Energy can be held in substances with mass, and that energy can later be released.
Very briefly: What is E=mc2?
The formula E=mc2 means that energy corresponds to mass multiplied by the speed of light squared.
This means that anything that has mass also possesses energy, even when it is not in motion.
Before the special theory of relativity, it was well known that "air" could be transformed into mass and vice versa. It could be observed, for example, when a material rusts and subsequently weighs more than before it rusted. Energy in the form of heat and fire was also known. But no connection was seen between the two spheres.
However, strange phenomena had begun to appear. Among other things, the Curies had done experiments that showed that certain forms of ore could emit particles hour after hour for several months. How it could happen was still a mystery.
Here Albert Einstein came up with a completely new explanation for Light. Or rather the speed of light (c).
The speed of light confused scientists
It can be difficult to understand why the speed of light can have an influence on the formation of mass and/or energy. So let's take a closer look at the properties of light.
Before Albert Einstein published his articles, it was believed in science that phenomena such as light and sound always move at a speed that can be increased or decreased depending on where you are.
It was believed that if you move in a car at 50 km an hour and shine a lantern, the light must travel 50 km an hour faster than if it was sent out from a fixed point.
But at the end of the 19th century, physicists Albert Michelson and Edward Morley performed a series of experiments that showed that even if you "chase" light, it does not move faster or slower.
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