KatieR

  //Albert Einstein's theory of relativity has had a positive impact on society through technological advancements, contributing to painting and literature as well as spurring new philosophies. //

//**BACKGROUND INFORMATION:**// Albert Einstein, a German-American physicist, created the special (1905) and the general theory of relativity (1915). Both theories redefined energy, matter, time, and space. The **special theory of relativity** stated that distance and time are not absolute. There is no ether (a hypothetical medium that let light travel for scientist before Einstein) ("relativity"), speed of light are the same for all viewers not what the relative motion is. It also says that for any inertial frame of reference, the laws of physics are the same, which means that the laws of physics are the same for an observer who is stationary and one in motion (Lightman). One of the most famous ideas from special relativity is E=mc^2, which shows the relationship between mass and energy (Michael Dine). The Lorentz Transformations, the equations of Hendrick Lorentz, were used in special relativity to explain an event would look in two different inertial frames. From these formulas in the special relativity comes space-time (because space and time are not separate from each other). Space-time is a combination of time and space's three dimensions (width, length, and height), and is therefore 4-dimensional (Dine). The **general theory of relativity** declared that in addition to motion, gravity can affect time and space. It was created to make Newton's law of gravitation agree with Einstein's special relativity. The main concept of general relativity is the equivalence principle, which says gravity in one direct equals acceleration in the opposite direction (Lightman). [|Click here for cool animations of Einstein's theory of relativity (Lightman)!]

**//TECHNOLOGY://** Society has been improved by Einstein’s theory of relativity through the technological applications of synchronizing GPS (global positioning system) satellites and in producing nuclear energy. The GPS depends on relativistic ideas. To determine its location, a GPS system uses radio signals from satellites by using the amount of time that elapsed between the radio signals transmissions and receptions and the distance to a satellite as the product of the speed of light (Hans Arora). Yet, the technology of the GPS uses relativistic ideas to correct issues that arise from Earth’s gravitational field and the effects of time-dilation (or time widening at every relative velocity on a satellite’s motion ("relativity"). While it continues to be a major energy supplier, nuclear power also is used in military weapons. By using Einstein’s famous equation of E=mc^2 is how the force of a nuclear bomb is created. A mass-to-energy conversion produces energy, and when that energy is released in an explosive manner it creates a nuclear warhead (Dine). A conversion of mass also generates heat energy, which is converted to electric energy in nuclear power plants to make nuclear power. Nuclear power is used today as a renewable resource to help combat non-renewable resources’, such as oil, shortages and scares (Hans Arora).

//**ART AND LITERATURE:**// The theory of relativity has changed art and literature for the betterment of society as well. After Einstein’s concepts became famous, the fourth dimension fascinated many writers and painters including Edwin Abbott who presented it in Flatland (1884) ("relativity"). The effects of his work are also evident in Cubistic painter Pablo Picasso art. He and other Cubist painters would portray all sides of their subject concurrently, a concept which is derived from the idea of a four-dimensional space-time continuum ("relativity").Although Einstein is claimed to have said that the works had nothing to do with his theory of relativity, other artist like poet Vladimir Mayakovsky, who started the Russian Futurism movement, educated themselves about his theory. Einstein would not be able to give the same criticism about his own writing, however, when it appeared in 1916. He of course wrote about special and general relativity. Other popular books were written around the same time on similar subjects by Aleksandr Friedmann and Arthur Eddington ('relativity"). Even today in science fiction movies and novels Einstein’s work can be witnessed. His ideas of time dilation, not being about to go faster the then speed of light, an expanding universe, and black holes are reoccurring ideas that are played with my many sci-fi writers. ("relativity")

//**PHILOSOPHY:**// Philosophy has also been positively altered by the ideas of Einstein’s special and general relativity. Going back before Einstein was the great philosopher Aristotle who divided the world into fire, water, earth, and air. Ether symbolizes some a celestial sphere, however the theory are relativity made this idea no longer a possibility ("relativity"). Aristotle, along with Knat and Mill, also thought that there was an absolute truth and an absolute way. Relativity changed this because facts could not be absolute for they depended on an individual’s viewpoint, a sort of personal “‘philosophical’ inertial reference frame” (Hans Arora). Right and wrong varied now; nothing was simply black or white. Every point of view had to be considered correct when relativity was applied to philosophy.

In conclusion, Einstein's theory of relativity has had a positive impact on society technologically, artistically, and philosophically. Due to his famous equation E=mc^2, nuclear energy is used as a power source in place of non-renewable resources and provides the power for nuclear weapons. Global positioning systems use principles of relativity as well to find a systems location and the earth. Famous artist such as Picasso were inspired by Einstein's ideas of the four-dimensional space-time contiuum and many books were written to explain the theory as well as about it. Finally, philosophy deepened yet another layer with the complex idea of personal relativitiness. If one looks into the past, it is evident that the theory or relativity will continune to affect future generations are greatly, and perhaps even moreso.
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//**WORK CITED:**// Arora, Hans. "Einstein's Theory of Relativity: Implications beyond Science?" __Science in Society__. 20 Oct. 2008. Northwestern University. 3 Feb. 2009 . //The cite is a Northwestern University outreach initiate to related science to society. The author, Hans Arora, is a MD-PhD candidate. It was written in October of 2008 so the information is recent.The site dealt with how the theory has become part of the society we live in. It had some good points about GPS and nuclear power.//

Bernard, Bernie. "Navigation at Sea, a Matter of Triangles." __NOAA Ocean Explorer__. 20 Sep. 2007. 2 Feb. 2008 . //This source was used for a photo of GPS triangulation.//

Dine, Michael. "Relativity." __World Book at NASA__. 2004. NASA. 3 Feb. 2009 . //NASA is a government organization, so it is from a creditable database. The info is from Michael Dine, a Ph.D and professor of Physics at the University of California, Santa Cruz.This site has tons of valuable information on the background aspects. It gave concrete examples that put difficult concepts into grasped ideas.//

Lightman, Alan. "Relativity and the Cosmos." __NOVA-Einstein's Big Idea__. June 2005. PBS. 3 Feb. 2009 . //It is written by a knowledgeable author, Alan Lightman, who is a physicist and novelist. Some of his books include// Einstein's Dreams, The Discoveries, and Reunion//. It is easy to follow, provides graphics (animated and still), and is affiliated with NOVA and PBS, which are creditable organizations.The site itself made it easy to understand what the theories of relativity were and why they are so important. It also had cool animations helped me understand.//

"Long Term Stewardship in the Nuclear Weapons Complex -- A States Perspective." __Nevada, Division of Environmental Protection - Home Page__. 5 Feb. 2009 . //This site was used to obtain a photo of a nuclear explosion that occured during a test in Area 10 which is located in Nevada.//

"relativity." __Encyclopædia Britannica__. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 3 Feb. 2009 <**http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/496904/relativity**>. //Encyclopedia Britannica is a respectable encyclopedia. Keywords are hyper linked to provide more information on a specific subject quickly. Also, published in editions of the encyclopedia are explanations by Einstein and other scientist of the time period.It had information on everything that I needed to know. It especially provided sufficient amounts of knowledge on the art and literature portion.//

Wallyg. "Flickr: Search." __Welcome to Flickr - Photo Sharing__. 27 Jan. 2008. 07 Feb. 2009 . //The photo of Piccasso'c cubisistic "Girl Reading at a Table" was found on Flickr and was posted by username "wallyg".//