jefferyb

= Perusing the of relativity is a waist of resources of society because it isn't fully understood, it is impractical in every day use and proposed uses are unreachable. =

Einstein's theory of relativity is separated in to two parts: special relativity and general relativity. special relativity is a correction in the form of a coefficient to mass used in accepted physics laws originally proposed by newton. it does not throw out newtons laws it just states that they only work when objects are moving extensionally slower than the speed of light, aprox. 300 000 000 m/s (Krco). media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=41.112469,-21.621094&spn=90,157.5&t=h&msid=102604500175824077761.0004622e3ac8e1364b01f&output=embed&s=AARTsJqvCq6Buk_rsRELfAF8TTqMeNJrHQ" width="425" height="350" align="center" When objects are moving close to the speed of light the Einstein's correction can be used, represented by gamma. where gamma equals one divided by the square root of one minus the velocity of the object squared divided by the speed of light squared.

for example an object moving of one tenth the speed of light, 30 000 000 m/s, would need a gamma coefficient of 1.005 or .5% more mass than expected using newtons laws. General relativity deals with gravity. according to newton gravity is a force like any other. Einstein proposed that it is not a force rather that it does not effect the vectors of objects but effects the space and time through which they travel. Though to an outside observer both Einstein's explanation and newtons would have the same results.

There is a reason Einstein's work is called the 'theory' of relativity, because it is just that, a theory. Even today his theory is hotly debated and disputed. It is not so much that Einstein was incorrect, but rather the theory is incomplete. It fails to explain several astronomical anomalies such as dark energy and dark matter (Lightman). this failure and others point to the fact that the theory of relativity is not fully understood even millions of dollars, and almost 100 years after Einstein proposed it.

The the theory of relativity is impractical. for special relativity to even make the most minute difference the object on question must be moving close to the speed of light. for example the fastest plane in the world the Sr-71 blackbird only travels at about 1 000 m/s (Stern) This is .000 003 times the speed of light. when plugged in to the gamma equation the the result is so infinitesimally close to one that it for all purposes is one. therefore the special theory of relativity is pointless in this situation. there are man made object that go faster than the blackbird but nothing remotely fast enough to have gamma make any sort of relevance. the general theory is even more absurd, it just explains gravity differently it does not effect how gravity is calculated. Sicentests suggust that the theory of relitivity can bu used for a verioty of astonding feats of sience. Time travel for instance is said to be possable with enstines work (Stern). the basic idea is that inside a black hole the propeteries of tim and space are reverced. therefor one could travel through the demention of time as they would otherwise travel in space. this sounds all well and good untill it is consided how to get into a black hole. a blackhole is anyobject whos gravity exceeds the speed of light. Because gravity becomes weeker as distance increeces every blackhole has a point a centen distance where the force of gravity from that object is equal to the speed of light. This point is called the event horizen.

Anyobject, light included, that passes this point can not escape the gravity of the black hole. It is the point of no return. So yes time travel is theroetical possable inside a black hole, but whats the point when it is impossable to get back to the real world, or even comunicate with it. This deminstrates how absurd even proposed implementations of the theory of relitivity are.

In conclusion, using resources to further the study of the theory of relativity is a detriment to society. The theory is impractical in that it does not even effect anything of important to society. The scientific community still has not decided if it is correct or not. Even the proposed implementations of the theory of relativity are impractical and unreachable. The time, money and resources used on research on the theory would be better spent on the practical betterment of mankind. Use them so solve real world problems effecting everyone today.

Works cited Krco, Marko. "Curious About Astronomy? The Theory of Relativity." __Curious About Astronomy? Ask an Astronomer__. 21 Mar. 2008. Cornell University. 04 Feb. 2009 <[[http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/relativity.php>.

Cornell astronomy department's brief intro into the theory of relativity. A simple brief explanation to the theory of relitivity. The site is a question and answer Bord for the public. questions answered by Cornell's highly qualified staff.

Lightman, Alan. "Einstein's Big Idea." __NOVA__. June 2005. PBS. 05 Feb. 2009 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/einstein/relativity/>.

The NOVA program on PBS's site on the theory of relitivity. Alot of helpful information both basic and alittle more indepth. Along with alot of helpful pictures are included.

Stern, David P. "The Theory of Relativity." __NASA Polar, Wind, and Geotail Projects__. 2 Feb. 2008. 05 Feb. 2009 http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Srelativ.htm>.

The theory of relativity section of a larger space science lessen plan. a brief overview of the theory of relativity. Auther is a retired astronomy teacher with a doctorate. A lot of other information available throughout the rest of the site.