special theory of relativity
- special theory of relativity
- relativity
el`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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
2000.
Look at other dictionaries:
special theory of relativity — relativity el 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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
special theory of relativity — n. see RELATIVITY (sense 4): also called special relativity … English World dictionary
special theory of relativity — noun 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 relativity, ↑special relativity… … Useful english dictionary
special theory of relativity — specialioji reliatyvumo teorija statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. restricted relativity theory; special relativity; special theory of relativity vok. spezielle Relativitätstheorie, f rus. специальная теория относительности, f pranc.… … Fizikos terminų žodynas
special theory of relativity — noun that part of the theory of relativity which applies to observers in uniform motion …
special theory of relativity — Physics. See under relativity (def. 2). Also called special relativity. [1915 20] * * * … Universalium
special theory of relativity — Date: 1920 relativity 3a … New Collegiate Dictionary
Einstein's special theory of relativity — noun 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 relativity, ↑special theory of… … Useful english dictionary
theory of relativity — relativity el 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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Theory of relativity — This article is about the scientific concept. For philosophical or sociological theories about relativity, see Relativism. For the silent film, see The Einstein Theory of Relativity. Two dimensional projection of a three dimensional analogy of… … Wikipedia
