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Definition: special (theory of) relativity from The Penguin Dictionary of Science

The area of physics dealing with high speeds (a significant fraction of the ➤speed of light). In special relativity the ➤Galilean transformation (used in classical physics for transforming coordinate systems between moving observers) is replaced by the ➤Lorentz transformation. A crucial feature is that the scale of time is different for observers moving at different speeds, which gives rise to the phenomena of ➤time dilation and ➤length contraction.

Relativity, Special Theory of

From Encyclopedia of Time: Science, Philosophy, Theology, & Culture
The special theory of relativity (STR) is a fundamental theory of space and time that was formulated and published in 1905 by Albert Einstein (1879-1955). The theory gives up the notion of the absolute and independent character of space and time. Length and time measures change according to an observer's state of motion. Special relativity is based on the assumption that the laws of nature have the same form in any uniformly moving frame of reference (the principle of relativity) . As a most popular result of the STR, Einstein derived the famous relation = mc 2 , which states the equivalence of matter and energy. Over the years the STR has been confirmed in many tests and experiments. Along with the quantum theory, it is considered a foundation pillar of modern physics. Any quantitative law of mechanics, or rather physics, is expressed with respect to some fixed spatial and temporal frame of reference represented by three spatial coordinates plus a time coordinate. This can be realized…
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Full text Article special relativity

From Astronomy Encyclopedia
Theory of mechanics proposed by Albert EINSTEIN in 1905 that correctly describes the motions of objects moving near the speed of light. Einstein proposed a version of mechanics based on the LORENTZ TRANSFORMATIONS . Einstein”s theory returns results identical to Newton”s laws for small velocities…
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Special relativity
Newton's laws of motion describe how most objects move, from cricket balls and cars to comets. But Albert Einstein showed in 1905 that strange effects happen when things move very quickly. Watching an object approach light speed, you'd see it become heavier, contract in length and age more slowly. …
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Full text Article Special Theory of Relativity

From The Big Idea: How Breakthroughs of the Past Shape the Future Full text Article Physics & the Cosmos
Date: 1905 In 1905 Albert Einstein published the special theory of relativity, which made use of two key physical ideas that were previously known—the principle of relativity and the constant speed of light. Prior to this theory, physicists believed that electromagnetic waves moved through a medium…
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Full text Article special relativity

From Collins Dictionary of Astronomy
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Full text Article special relativity

From The American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language
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Full text Article relativity, special theory

From Collins Dictionary of Astronomy
The theory proposed by Albert Einstein in 1905. It is concerned with the laws of physics as viewed by observers moving relative to one another at constant velocity (i.e. with observers in inertial frames ), and with how relative motion affects measurements made by these observers. At low relative…
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Full text Article special relativity

From Dictionary of Energy
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Full text Article special relativity

From Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy
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Full text Article special relativity

From The Penguin Dictionary of Physics
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Full text Article special relativity

From Merriam-Webster's Collegiate(R) Dictionary
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