Part 1: The Principle of Relativity
This type of frame moves at a constant velocity and experiences no acceleration.
What is an inertial frame of reference?
The hypothetical medium through which electromagnetic waves were once believed to propagate was known by this two-word term.
What is luminiferous ether?
Einstein’s first postulate states that these remain unchanged in all inertial frames of reference.
What are the laws of physics?
This scientist developed the special theory of relativity in 1905.
Who is Albert Einstein?
This classical scientist originally proposed the principle that the laws of physics remain consistent across all inertial frames, a principle Einstein later expanded.
Who is Galileo?
Before Einstein's theories, physicists believed observers moving at different velocities relative to the ether would measure this differently.
What is the speed of light?
According to Einstein’s special theory of relativity, this quantity remains constant in all inertial frames of reference, independent of the observer’s motion.
What is the speed of light?
This modern technological system provides daily confirmation of special relativity through corrections needed to synchronize clocks in orbit and on Earth.
What is the GPS (Global Positioning System)?
This apparent force pushes you outward when your car takes a sharp turn.
What is the centrifugal force?
Unlike Newton’s laws of motion, Maxwell’s theory predicted this property of light in relation to the ether.
What is that the speed of light is constant relative to the ether?
Einstein introduced this type of experiment, conducted only in imagination, to reason logically about physical theories.
What is a thought experiment?
Einstein realized that understanding relativity required revising concepts of these two aspects of the universe.
What are space and time?
This principle, initially proposed by Galileo and later expanded by Einstein, states that the laws of physics are identical in all inertial frames.
What is the Principle of Relativity?
According to early theories, ether was assumed to possess these three distinct physical properties.
What are filling all space, having no mass, and having no drag?
Einstein’s thought experiment involving these two objects highlighted inconsistencies in classical electromagnetism, leading to his special theory of relativity.
What are a magnet and a closed coil of wire?
True or False: Special relativity fundamentally altered the laws of electromagnetism.
What is False?