brittneyr

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 * Theory of Relativity

Thesis Statement The theory of relativity has a significant impact on the world of science through it’s incorporation in   GPS  systems, theoretical framework of X-ray telescopes, and ability to change the way society views the natural world. Background Information  This theory was developed by a Jewish born child of immigrants, popularly known as Albert Einstein. Einstein’s theory soon became one of the most important components of physics and the overall world of science known to mankind. Einstein’s new concept of space and time is simply based on the fact that the laws of physics are identical in every inertial (non- accelerating reference frames) and the speed of light in free space is constant (  Knierim). The theory of relativity is divided into two separate divisions: special and general relativity. ** Special Relativity ** The special theory of relativity was announced in 1905. It describes the effects of a straight and constant-velocity motion on the mass and size of an object in addition to the passage of time (General Relativity). Special relativity also states that any movement faster than the speed of light is impossible and mass and energy are interchangeable. The relationship between mass and energy is expressed in the well-known formula: E=mc2, where any change in an object’s mass involves a changing in the energy level of the object and vice-versa. General Relativity ** Approximately a decade later in 1915, Einstein discovered his second groundbreaking theory of general relativity. General relativity holds the main premise that gravity and acceleration are equivalent. The basis of general relativity is “that all physical laws can be formulated so as to be valid for any observer, regardless of the observer’s motion” (Knierim). Simply gravity, as well as motion, affects the intervals of time and space (Lightman). The foundation of general relativity is called the equivalence principle. The equivalence principle states that the gravity pulling in one direction is equal to the acceleration in an opposite direction. GPS  System Einstein’s theory of relativity impacted the world of science through its influences on the   GPS   system. A GPS system, more technically known as a Global Positioning System, is a satellite based navigational network that was originally developed by the United States Department of Defense for the U.S. military. However it has recently been made available for the use of civilians. The GPS system consists of 24 satellites orbiting around the earth with each satellite holding an atomic clock. It operates as the satellites circle the earth twice daily “in a very precise orbit and transmit signal information to earth. GPS receivers use this information to calculate the user’s exact location. Essentially, the GPS system compares the time a signal was transmitted by a satellite with the time that is was received and the difference tells the receiver how far away the satellite is. These times are transferred by the satellites atomic clocks. The reciever can determine the user's exact postition with distance mearsurements from other satellites."(About GPS) Due to the satellites undergoing constant movement relative to receivers on the Earth, effects predicted by relativity must be taken into account to achieve the desired accuracy. (Pogge) General relativity predicts that clocks in a stronger gravitational field will tick slower than those on earth, and special relativity predicts that moving clocks will appear to tick slower than non-moving ones. (Van Flandern) Due to these effects, the clocks are reset to a specific rate before they are launched in order to compensate for the time difference. GPS systems are available for use both on land and at sea thanks to Einstein’s theory of relativity. At sea, GPS is employed to locate lost vessels, while on land it is used for military, surveying, and amateur navigational purposes.

X-Ray Telescope The theory of relativity, crafted by Albert Einstein, is the source behind X-ray telescopes. In today’s society, X-ray telescope allow images to be seen that could never be fathomed with the naked eye alone. Many of the predictions formulated by Einstein’s theory have already been verified through X-ray telescope technology. In fact, “in 1995 astronomers using the Japanese-built ASCA X-ray satellite observed the first clear indication of gravitationally red shifted light around a black hole.” (X-ray Astronomy) Gravitational red shifting, when gravity tries to pull a photon, or light particle when it is trying to escape, is a key prediction of general relativity that has already been proven. The field of X-ray astronomy continues to verify Einstein’s theory of general relativity as technology improves. One could only imagine what types of discoveries will be made in a few years time when new technologies are discovered. Our society’s basic knowledge of astronomy will become more enhanced as technology continues to improve. Thus, Einstein’s theory of relativity will eventually be proven. As technologies advance scientists and their future X-ray observatories are becoming closer and closer to completely testing as well as proving general relativity.

Views of the Natural World Society acquired a new way of thinking as result of Einstein’s theory of relativity. Before Einstein’s development of this theory scientist could only explain the natural world in three-dimensional terms. Scientists were used to the three dimensions of length, width, and height, which had been standard for physics and most mathematic principles. However, following the development of the theory of relativity, scientist had to implement a fourth dimension; time. Einstein had developed an entirely new way of thinking about the world. For instance, he once said “rather than imagining the universe as the inside of an enormous balloon, we should think about it as consisting of curved surfaces over which light and other objects travel” (Relativity, theory of). Conclusion Einstein’s theory of relativity impacted the society through it’s framework for GPS  systems, aid with the development of X-ray telescopes, and altering society’s view of the natural world. Currently Einstein is a celebrated scientific genius whose discovery of the theory of relativity has served as a foundation to the science world today, however in the past countless people have criticized his work. Many physicists were confused by his theory while others blatantly refuted his work. He was later honored for a Noble Peace Prize in 1921, which served as one of many accreditations that he received for this work. His theory supplied the main foundation to countless other discoveries. One must consider how completely different not only the world of science, but also our everyday lives would be if it wasn’t for Albert Einstein. Works Cited “About GPS .”1996-2009. Garmin. 26 January 2009< http://www8.garmin.com/aboutGPS/>. - This website had very valuable information about GPS systems and how they work. All of the information was reliable because the website was created by a GPS manufacturer, Garmin. This website gave a clear insight and background information about the GPS system. Brain, Marshal, and Harris, Tom. “How GPS Receivers Work.” 30 October 2008. How Stuff Works. 27 January 2009< http://www.howstuffworks.com/gps.htm/printalbe>. “General Relativity-History, Basic Concepts Of The Theory, Consequences of General Relativity-General relativity, Experimental verification.” 2009. Science Encyclopedia.26 January 2009. This website was very informing. It contained countless pieces of information about the theory of relativity in regards to its background, concepts, and history. I think that the website did a great job of putting the information in simple terms that anyone could understand. Much of the background knowledge that I learned through my research was acquired through this website. Knierim,Thomas. “Relativity.”17 March 2008.The Big View. 26 January 2009< http://www.thebigview.com/spacetime/relativity.html>. This website gave a great overview of the theory of relativity. Much of the important information that I found through out my research project came from this website alon. I think that the creator of this cited was well qualified to share the information. I think that all of the information that I learned was very credible and I would be honored to suggest this website to anyone interested in learning more about the theory or relativity it general terms. Lightman, Alan. “Relativity and the Cosmos.” June 2005. PBS.25 January 2009.

Pogge, Richard. “Real-World Relativity: The GPS Navigation System.” 15 December 2004. Astronomy 162. 26 January 2008 http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~pogge/Ast162/Unit5/gps.html. This website contained a lot of clear information about the theory of relativity. Not only did this site give background information about relativity, but it also explained the relationship the theory has with GPS. I was able to clearly understand the information that i was presented with. I enjoyed this website because it contained information that was very credible and I could easily confirm its accurateness through the parellels that it shared with other reliable sites. “Relativity, theory of.” 2008. Science Clarified. 27 January 2009< http://www.scienceclarified.com/Qu-Ro/Relativity-Theory-of.html>. In this website, much of the information that I found could have been confirmed through other sources that I had already used for research. not only was I able to confirm my previous findings I was also able to learn new information that I had not yet found in my searching. This article was established by a credible source that i believe is very reliable and I can trust the information, because most of it was easily confirmed by other sites. Van Flandern, Tom. “What Global Positioning System Tells Us about Relativity.”1998. MetaResearch. 26 January 2009< http://www.metaresearch.org/cosmology/gps-relativity.asp>. This website confirmed a lot of the information that I had recieved from other sources about relativity's part in GPS systems. I learned some valuable information from this website. The creator of this website is well qualified and the information is reliable ad I was able to confirm much of the information with other sources which proved it was authentic and accurate. Woebcke, Carl. “Albert Einstein and the history of astrology.” 2009. My Astrology Book. 27 January 2009< http://www.myastrologybook.com/Albert-Einstein-history-of-astrology.htm>. I found a very unique picture of Albert Einstein on this website that I originally did not think would contain such a good depiction of the scientist. “X-ray Astronomy ASCA (ASTRO-D).” 2008. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. 27 January 2009http://www.isas.ac.jp/e/enterp/missions/asca/>. On this website I was able to find a clear picture of the ASCA satellite that I was describing in the section about X-ray telescopes. “X-ray Astronomy Puts Einstein to the Test.”20 August 2008.Imagine the Universe.27 January 2009< http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/science/mysteries_l2/relativity.html>. This website explained the theory of relativity and its role in the world of astronomy. All of the information gave me a good idea of how relativty is involved with astronomy, so much so that I was able to find a direct correlation between the theory and X-ray telescopes. X-ray telescopes and their relationship with relativity was a key point that I made evident in my thesis and explaine throughout the website.

