BrianP

=__The Theory of Relativity and Society __= The Theory of Relativity might be difficult for the average mind to understand at first, but to fully comprehend its complexity you must first be motivated and intrigued to to gain the knowledge on this concept. The more you explore the Theory of Relativity you will find out about how many cases pertaining to physics all can relate to one another. Since The Theory of Relativity was invented in 1905, some may have questioned and wondered if it is still accepted today (104 years later). This statement evaluates the current status and uses today of Einstein's Theory of Relativity. After reading this statement you will notice that this is only a keyhole glance at how the Theory of Relativity has affected society over the past century.

=Equivalence Theories  =

The Theory of Relativity is most easily understood by first understanding the Equivalence Theories. The Equivalence Theories are explained by Einstein but can also be explained by the pictures below. "... we shall therefore assume the complete physical equivalence of a gravitational field and the corresponding acceleration of the reference frame. This assumption extends the principle of relativity to the case of uniformly accelerated motion of the reference frame." (O'Connor, Robertson) This was, according to Einstein, "The happiest thought of my life" (O'Connor, Robertson). After the major step of the equivalence principle in 1907, Einstein published nothing further on gravitation until 1911. The first equivalence theory shown below on the left demonstrates that standing on earth would be the same as accelerating in a rocket at 9.8 meters per second² (Safko ). The first equivalence theory also relates to the second equivalence theory. According to Einstein's second equivalence theory, a free falling object isn't done by the force of gravity alone but by the relative motion. "Locally being in space far from any gravitating bodies is the same as freely falling towards the Earth." (Safko )



= = = = =Doppler Effect =

One use of the Theory of Relativity is the Doppler Effect. When two objects are in relative motion with each other their wave frequency between the two objects will always be the same unless one object approaches the other or moves away relative to the other and causes an increase/decrease in frequencies between each other whether it's light, sound, radio, or gamma rays. When a change in frequency occurs we introduce the Doppler Effect. (Adrian) The Doppler effect uses relative motion against uniform motion which is considered in Einstein's equivalence theories.(Safko) According to the 1st equivalence theory we are simply just accelerating and our motion is relative to each other. Einstein's first equivalence theory says that standing on earth is the equivalence of accelerating in space (Safko). The Doppler Effect uses relative motion to detect the velocity of objects in uniform motion. Today we commonly use radar guns to detect the velocity of vehicles on the road to enforce speed limits and measure the velocity of baseball pitches. Doppler radars use the same basic concept of Doppler Effect but is a bit more complex. It sends out a wave frequency but it is used to detect radial velocity of particles. Some doppler radars send out different types of waves including, coherent pulsed, continuous wave, or frequency modulated (Adrian). Some may not all just be used for predicting weather. Some are used for air defenses, Air Traffic Control, and underwater defenses used by submarines.(Adrian)



= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =Nuclear Reactions =

Another frightening advancement acquired from the Theory of Relativity is the invention of the nuclear bomb. Although Einstein didn't invent the nuclear bomb, he was essential for it's innovation. Einstein developed the equation E=MC² (energy = mass times the speed of light squared). (Clark) From this equation Einstein made a point that from that a large amount of energy can be released from a small amount of matter. An atomic bomb perfectly exhibits his point. In this case instead of a chemical reaction occurring with electrons, there is a nuclear reaction involving the nucleus of an atom. In this fission reaction a large amount of energy is released in an exothermic form.(Nuclear Energy) Einstein biographer Ronald Clark has observed that the atomic bomb would have been invented without Einstein's letters, but that without the early U.S. work that resulted from the letters, the a-bombs might not have been ready in time to use during the war on Japan (Clark, pg. 682-683). The nuclear bomb was invented along time ago but there is still a common fear of nuclear war today. The following video is footage of one of many atomic bombs detonated over the past century. media type="youtube" key="H1sS1TmXF38" height="344" width="425"  =**Conclusion: Current status on Einstein's theory** =

As time passes by, more and more scientists are studying the Theory of Relativity. Many scientists soon might be able to test and experiment the Theory of Relativity at a more direct approach. Maybe even the space time continuum. So far, there is no reason for doubt to be involved in the theory. According to much evidence supported, many devices and scientific experiments use the Theory of Relativity and could not have been invented without the Theory developed by Einstein. This statement evaluates the current status and uses today of Einstein's Theory of Relativity. Society has had a very huge impact caused by the Theory. Many generations have been affected and we will still be affected for generations to come. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =Works Cited =

Adrian, Eleni. "The Doppler Effect." __Expo/Science & Industry/Whispers From the Cosmos__. 24 June 1995. Board
==== of Trustees, University of Illinois. 28 Jan 2009 . This is a rare but great source for researching Doppler Effect and putting that into relations with the Theory of Relativity. This website is very credible and unlike most others it has authors and editors listed along with the organization of the website. Their profession is also listed with who they work for which validates the author's credibility.====

==== Clark, Ronald. __Einstein: The Life and Times__. New York City: Morrow,William & Co, 1972. This was my only source that was not web document based. I didn't read this book but i found some very interesting excerpts on Einstein and his involvement for innovation for creating the atomic bomb. This book is a biography on Einstein and his life. It also explains all his amazing works throughout the course of his life. ====

Long, Doug. "Hiroshima: Was it Necessary?." __Albert Einstein and the Atomic Bomb__. 25 July 2005. Doug-Long.
==== 28 Jan 2009 .This is another website that also had some interesting assumptions between Einstein and the Atomic bomb. This website actually led me to the book __Einstein: The Life and Times.__ This book is also cited in my works cited ====

==== "Nuclear Energy." __Nuclear Physics: Past, Present and Future__. 28 October 1996. tjhsst. 28 Jan 2009 . This website is an excellent source because it gives a brief description on the almost impossible to simplify Theory of Relativity and authors are already known to be credible from the title in their name. This particular website is the main page which has the sources and authors listed at the top for all the hundreds of links below that lead to more specific subarticles.====

====The researchers at here have been testing the Big Bang Theory using quantum gravitational calculations. The Researchers were doubtful that space and matter only existed upon the time of the Big Bang. They wanted to expose that it was not true and that there was an earlier time before Big Bang. Most would consider that the universe as of now is getting bigger but will start to get smaller at some point in time. Well let's say that the universe was getting smaller. It would reach a point where all matter would be so compact that gravity would suddenly become repulsive rather than attractive causing an explosion outward. That, according to Abhay Ashtekar and his team, is said would've happened before the Big Bang====

Safko, John L.. "The Special Theory of Relativity." __Unit 56__. 01 January 1999. University of South Carolina. 28
==== Jan 2009 . The sole purpose of this article is to rephrase Einstein's claims on the Theory of Relativity. The Author wants all to understand this article and to make it human friendly. In the article, Einstein elaborates on his General Relativity and Quantum Theory while the author who is a philosopher / metaphysicist cues us along the sidelines on what exactly is happening. ====

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