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In 1905 in a paper titled, "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies", Albert Einstein published the theory of relativity. Relativity, which consists of two theories, the special theory and the general. The basic definition of relativity is "localized behavior of objects in inertial frames of reference, generally only relevant at speeds very near the speed of light (Einstein's Theory par. 2)". Special relativity consists of constant velocity acting on a mass and those two working together during a specific amount of time. This theory also states that energy and mass can be transformed into each other and the speed of light appears to be the same for all observers. Whereas general relativity, which is closely related to special relativity, describes a curved path of an accelerated motion due to some gravity, which also depends on mass, size and time. This idea of relativity shows that absolute motion at a constant velocity is undetectable, causing motion to be relative. Due to some modern research it is been proven that Einstein's main idea that as particles approach the speed of light, they increase in mass. Based on current research the status of Einstein's theory of special or general relativity has not been accepted or rejected, though many physicists of today are devoting days, months, and even years to approving or disproving Einstein's ideas.
 * [[image:http://www.chrismadden.co.uk/science-cartoons/einstein-relativity.jpg width="254" height="277" align="right" caption="comic strip based on the theory of relativity"]] Background Information **

Throughout many experiments, some of Einstein's topics have been tried and proven. The assertion that particles do become larger as they come nearer to the velocity of light, has been proven by particle accelerators ("Towards a New Test?). This is said to be one of the lesser debated topics of Einstein's theory and since its discovery it has been proven to be valid according to several experiments. It was then explained that Muons, which are produced in the high upper atmosphere, are particles with a lifetime of approximately two microseconds ("Towards a New Test?). Though there is a slight discrepancy in this information, because the average lifetime for these "muons" on the Earth's surface appear to be much longer. The reason for this is because the frame of reference is different in the upper atmosphere, than it is on the Earth's surface. This proves to be a great example of the relativity of time ("Towards a New Test?).

However there are scientists, such as Alan Kostelecky, a professor of theoretical physics at the Indiana University, that are spending their time evaluating Einstein's ideas. Kostelecky has spent a large amount of his time conducting experiments to prove that there are "small violations" in Einstein's theory of relativity. He bases many of his experiments off the "theory of everything", which includes both the theory of relativity and the theory of general relativity, along with other key theories in the world of physics(Zennie). What appears to be the key problem that appears in Kostelecky's research and the research of other physicists exists in that experimentally proving that this, "theory of everything" would require and atom smasher that is 18 times more powerful than the most powerful atom smasher in the world today (Zennie). Along with his research on the theory of everything, Kostelecky has led even more basic experiments on Einstein's theories. These experiments have led him to develop the Standard Model Extension which showed him that light is derived from violations in relativity (Zennie). To further describe what special relativity actually is Kostelecky compares it to being stranded in the middle of the ocean, without any sense of direction, and with no visual landmarks. No matter where the person looks, they do not know the direction of anything that is around them. Kostelecky has recently stated that he would be "giving a stranded person a compass" with the theory of violations (Zennie). As a result of light being able to be calculated so exactly in the current world, Kostelecky's ideas and experimentations have a high possibility of being proven even though they have not yet already.

Another study that was presented on March 21st, 2006 that was funded by the European Space Agency also concerned Einstein's theory of relativity ("Towards a New Test?). This study may have measured the gravitational equivalent of a magnetic field, but then found the figure to be much larger to that of what Einstein's theory had approximated. The effect of the magnetic fields (gravitomagnetic field), which are created by moving masses, are negligible. This team of scientists, led by Martin Tajmar, thinks that they might have measured the effects of these gravitomagnetic fields in a laboratory setting, much different to that which Einstein had done. The experiment that they created consisted of a ring that could rotate up to 6500 times per minute, which produced a weak magnetic force field ("Towards a New Test?). The acceleration outside the superconductive ring that was produced by gravitomagnetism was first measured, then recorded by Tajmar and his team. The occurrence of this magnetic force field was then named Gravitomagnetic London Moment ("Towards a New Test?). This record, in itself, does not go against Einstein's theory of general relativity, though the fact that the measurement of the accelertion was one hundred million trillion times greater than the theory of general relativity suggests, does. Tajmar also has not completely confirmed his results, and more than 250 experiments were preformed, followed by an eight month discussion of the topic, that still may continue today ("Towards a New Test?). If Tajmar and his team would confirm the strong existence of this electromagnetic field that their experiment suggests, which goes against Einstein's ideas, it may encourage other scientists to further explore their research on the topic.

**Whats Happening Now?** Many physicists who are working on and experimenting with Einstein's theories of relativity are making great advancements in disproving and proving his work. Studies and experiments regarding this topic continue to occur all over the world and it is just a matter of time before they too are released. If only these few scientists could confirm the work that they have done either disproving or proving Einstein's work, it could push others to cause breakthroughs in conceptual relativity. Although miniscule parts of his theories have been proven, no major parts have been disproven. Proving the ideas and concepts of Einstein's wrong could be able to push scientists to start new research and therefore cause breakthroughs in not only this century of physics, but of those in the future.


 * Work Cited**

Martin, Tajmar. "ESA - GSP - Towards a new test of general relativity?." __ESA Communications Portal__. 5 Feb. 2009 .

This site gives a brief overview of the ideas of Einstein's that scientists of approved and disapproved. This site shows how the scientists have disproved the theories, and specifically why they did. This site is very valid because it is part of the European Space Agency, and it contains good information on the background of the theory along with recent studies.

Zennie, Michael. "Theory of relativity challenged by scientists, IU physics professor's latest research project." __Indiana Daily Student__. 26 Apr. 2005. 5 Feb. 2009 .

This site reviews the ideas of Einstein, while presenting new ideas that a scientist named Alan Kostelecky has researched. Kostelecky has recently found flaws in the research of Einstein and is working to prove his ideas to the public and other scientists. Though he believes that Einsteins theory is not completely correct he still has no specific way of explaining it himself, though the site does contain some explination of his own ideas. This website is valid because it is from a news company that has been backed with research. It also provides a specific example of a scientist that is not in complete agreement with Einsteins ideas. MOst people believe that Einstein can not be proven wrong but this site presents a slight possibility that he can be.

"Einstein's Theory." __SLAC__. 3 Feb. 2009 .

On this website you can find the basis of the theory of relativity according to Einstein. This site also shows how the speed of light and other concepts relate to relativity. Information on how this concept was formed and from what it is formed from is also provided. The site is fairly credible because it comes from the information of other scientists. It is very useful for background on the subject and to tell just how the theory was created.

"General Relativity - History, Basic Concepts Of The Theory, Consequences Of General Relativity - General relativity, Experimental verification." __Net Industries__. 4 Feb. 2009 .

This article does not have a specific author, though it is published by a site with a network of free encyclopedias. On the homepage of the publisher it states that the information was put there "by webmasters for webmasters". This site is very well organized and it contains many links to help you futher understand certian concepts. The site has a copyright of 2009, though it is not specifically dated. The site includes an extensive amount of information on the theory of relativity and how it came to be.