Found 2 items, similar to special relativity.
English → English (WordNet)
Definition: special relativity
special relativity
n : a physical theory of relativity based on the assumption that
the speed of light in a vacuum is a constant and the
assumption that the laws of physics are invariant in all
inertial systems [syn:
special theory of relativity,
special relativity theory
,
Einstein's special theory of relativity
]
English → English (gcide)
Definition: special relativity
relativity
\rel`a*tiv"i*ty\ (-t?v"?-t?), n.
1. The state of being relative; as, the relativity of a
subject. --Coleridge.
[1913 Webster]
2. One of two theories (also called
theory of relativity)
proposed by Albert Einstein, the
special theory of relativity
, or the
general theory of relativity. The
special theory of relativity or
special relativity is
based on the proposition that the speed of light is a
constant no matter how observed, and is independent of the
motion of the observer. From this follows several
principles, such as the increase of mass with velocity
(which has been confirmed: see
relativistic mass equation
) and the impossibility of acceleration to a
speed greater than that of light; the equivalence of mass
and energy, expressed by the famous equation E = mc^
2;
and time dilation, which is the apparent slowing of a
clock in a system, as observed by an observer in a system
moving relative to the clock. The
general theory of relativity
is based on the proposition that there is no
physical difference between gravitational force and the
force produced by acceleration. From this follow several
results, of which the bending of light rays in a
gravitational field and the equivalence of the inertial
and gravitational masses have been verified. The possible
existence of
black holes (believed by many astronomers
to have been adequately proven) is another consequence of
the theory.
[PJC]