Special RelativitySpecial relativity is a theory that has been accepted by physics as a theory relating to the relationship between space and time. This theory is really important to physics, and to all physics teachers like you, because special relativity explains the observed fact that the speed of light remains constant regardless of the direction or speed of its motion. Special relativity now plays an important role in astronomical observation. Special relativity is more specifically about speed. To be even more precise, this speed corresponds to 299,792,458 ms-1, which is the speed of light, or the speed at which light travels (in meters) per second. This theory, developed by the greatest genius of all time, Albert Einstein in 1905. In order to allow simpler, less brilliant people, who did not have his brain and his ability to learn, to develop two simple postulates able to explain this strange fact. In doing so, he arrived at figures even stranger than the idea itself. According to his original theory, the relationship between time and light, time actually slows down for objects moving at speeds close to light. The objects themselves will become shorter and heavier. This crazy theory has since been proven by various experiments showing the truth of this theory. This plays an important role in astronomical observation. Relativity comes in two forms, one known as special and the other as general. The first postulate of Einstein's theory states that if two frames move relative to each other at a constant speed, the physical laws are the same in one as in the other. As an example, we can pick up a person at the station. When... middle of paper... people on the train, time would seem normal even though the viewer may think that time passes more slowly for them. Special relativity is the theory developed by the great and powerful. Einstein, stating that no matter how fast you travel, keeping it constant, all the laws of physics are the same. General relativity states that when you are at rest, the gravitational field and the accelerating field are physically identical. These laws help to further explain that even if you move, no matter the way or direction, the laws of physics still end up working the same way. So even if you were moving, you could treat yourself as if you were actually resting. myths/relativity.htm http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/sat2/physics/chapter19section1.rhtml