LauraK

 **The Theory of Relativity and Its Impact on Society** **History** Albert Einstein made a groundbreaking statement in 1905 known as the special theory of relativity.The theory was an explanation for the unsettling questions he had about previous physical laws, such as those created by famed physicist Isaac Newton. Einstein was not satisfied in the explanations of previous physicists relating time, space, and light, and so he finally created his own explanation. His special theory of relativity was summed up in two rules, or postulates: First, that the laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames; and second, that the speed of light is constant in all inertial frames. (Kaku). These rules became the basis off of which one of the most significant and controversial scientific statements was to be based. Einstein's theory asserted that the speed of light is constant no matter what; in fact, it stated that out of everything in the universe, ONLY light has a constant, measurable rate. Everything else in the universe has a rate that is only relative to a specific reference point, and since there are an infinite number of reference points, nothing can be said to have a certain rate. Also, light will have the same rate from any reference point, a quality that makes it unique to anything in the world (Stanford). The first postulate asserts that from no matter what reference points, all laws of physics are the same, or constant. Many analogies have been constructed to demonstrate this idea. A common comparison is dealing with two moving vehicles; if two vehicles traveling in opposite directions pass eachother, Einstein's theory states it is impossible to know which car was moving "faster" and at what rate each was moving, bec ause these two thi ngs are all relative (hence the name of his theory!). The theory is very much based on relativity and reference points. Einstein's theory also states that nothing can exceed the speed of light. N o matter how close an object gets, it will never be more than 99% the speed of light. As Kaku states in his article "The Theory Behind the Equation," "Light velocity was the ultimate speed limit of the universe." (Kaku 1). Using this background information, we can see and understand the impacts of this theory on today's society. The theory of relativity is complex and most definitely not one-dimensional, and it s impacts on soci ety are similar. Its impacts can be seen as positive, negative, neutral, and everything in between!
 * Accepting and using the theory of relativity has positive, negative, and neutral impacts on society.*

One way in which Einstein's theory of relativity has positively impacted society is sitting in millions of cars at this very moment: a GPS, or Global Positioning System. Global Positioning Systems are complex machines that are able to pinpoint an object's position on Earth within feet--a miraculous piece of technology. However, its structure and function would not be possible if society did not accept the theory of relativity. According to the astronomy website from Cornell University, "...the most important insight that came from special relativity was the idea that space and time are not a sacred, immutable backdrop for the universe, but rather things that can //change//, from point to point and person to person." (Cornell 1). This is key to understanding and constructing GPS receivers. Einstein's general theory of relativity also plays a part in these tracking devices. A person sitting down in a restaurant would watch a waiter move past their table and "know" the waiter was moving at some rate past them; however, from the waiter's point of view the person seated is moving backwards. If a GPS were to be like the person seated, the system would be completely off. It is impossible to make time or length absolute, and one can not assert as absolute length or time from one reference spot. The Cornell site "Ask an Astronomer" states that GPS systems "wouldn't work at all if we didn't take relativistic effects into account." (Cornell). Through the example of a widely-used tracking device known as the GPS, it is evident that the theory of relativity has an extremely positive effect on society and technology.
 * 1. Positive :)**[[image:GPS.jpg align="left" caption="A GPS screen. This technology relies on usage of Einstein's theory of relativity"]]

The theory of relativity undoubtedly changed the world of science forever. Its impacts can be seen in all aspects of current research dealing with physical science, and Einstein is acknowledged in a very positive way for developing this theory. Therefore, it may seem odd to suggest that the theory has a negative impact on society, and rightly so because its negative effects are not obvious or maybe even existent, but the theory has undoubtedly had negative impacts. If anything, when it was first proposed, the theory negatively impacted society by throwing all preconceived notions of the world out of the window. As one astronomer from Cornell states, "Space and time, which to humans locked on planet Earth appear to be a fixed, unchanging background upon which the events of the cosmos play out, are in fact anything but." (Cornell). The reason for this shock is because of the theory's completely new and revolutionary edge. Historically, new or controversial theories tend to be rejected initially. Theories must last for many years and some that at one time seemed like common sense, such as geocentrism, are later proven wrong. The same is true for Newton's theories. Isaac Newton added and subtracted certain velocities to find the velocity or rate of an object (Kaku 1), and Einstein wanted to disprove this. Eventually Einstein was successful, however, before his theory was proven the general societal view was still in agreement with Newton. Accepting the abstract, hard-to-understand concepts of Einstein's theory was something that made the scientific theory's transition into a society-acceptable range difficult. In today's world, it is hard to argue that the theory of relative has a negative impact on society. However, at the time of its disovery it certainly aroused confusion and worry; after all, no one likes to hear that everything once believed is essentially wrong. However, if for some reason some scientists found evidence suggesting absolute length, time, or energy, anything based off of Einstein's theory today would be in turmoil.
 * 2. Negative :(**

Although the theory of relativity is unquestionably profound and significant in the scientific world, in some respects its impact on society remain neutral. The most obvious example of the theory's neutral impact is simply that to most of the world, all of the people living and working on Earth with Earthly objects, Einstein's theories are fascinating and true but not really applicable. As a research-based information website from SLAC labs in California states, "For particles moving at slow speeds (very much less than the speed of light), the differences between Einstein's laws of motion and those derived by Newton are tiny. That's why relativity doesn't play a large role in everyday life." This in effect sums up why Einstein's theory may have a rather neutral impact on the majority of society. His theories are groundbreaking and extremely important for astronomy, cosmology, and physical sciences; this fact remains the same! However, his theory explains the behavior of speeds, high energies, and theoretical occurances. Explanations for objects moving much slower than the speed of light can be satisfied using other theories as well, such as Newton's and Maxwell's theories (Kaku). This is not to suggest that the theory of relativity does not play a role in society, because it does! However, it is still true that for Earthly objects and occurances, non-relative theory-based physical laws can be applied.
 * 3. Neutral (50-50)**[[image:rela-blackhole.jpg align="right" caption="Einstein's theory relates mostly to cosmic occurances, such as black holes"]]


 * What does this all mean?** These three different views show just how controversial and complex the theory of relativity is, and shows how its impacts on society are equally complex. In the end, though, it is undebatable that the theory of relativity definitely had a profound impact on society and the world!


 * Works Cited**

"Special Relativity." __SLAC Home__. 31 Oct. 2008. Stanford University. 31 Jan. 2009 http://www2.slac.stanford.edu/vvc/theory/relativity.html.

This site is sponsored by SLAC labs for Stanford University. There is information about all sorts of aspects of physical sciences, including the theory of relativity, time dilation of particles, and high energy cosmic rays. Experiments done by Stanford University are the basis for some of this information. The information seems very credible because it is produced by Stanford University. A well-esteemed SLAC lab located at the university is where research is done on physical sciences.

"The Theory Behind the Equation." NOVA Science Programming. June 2005. PBS.org. 31 Jan. 2009 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/einstein/kaku.html.

This website is sponsored by NOVA for PBS Programs on television and online and has a special section entitled "Einstein's Big Idea." This page offers a variety of different articles relating to Einstein's theories and ideas, such as his theories of relativity, the equation e=mc squared, etc. Quotes, timelines, and recent scientific articles about Einstein's ideas are included. This site seems very credible because it is sponsored by a well-esteemed science program, NOVA. The information included on the website is publicized on television programs and online, and seems to have a very solid, credible basis.

"The Theory of Relativity." Ask An Astronomer. 21 March 2008. Cornell University Astronomy Department. 1 February 2009 http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/relativity.php

This site is sponsored by the Astronomy Department of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. It is called "Ask an Astronomer" and clear, thorough explanations to scienctific questions are offered. I especially like the way in which the information was presented, with easy-to-understand examples. The site seems very credible because it is sponosred by an established educational university.