Einstein and The Special Theory of Relativity

How Einstein (& others) discovered Special Relativity.

Pi day (3.14) is Albert Einstein's Birthday! To celebrate, we'll explain 4 of his most groundbreaking papers from 1905, when he was just 26 years old.

minutephysics is now on Google+ - http://bit.ly/qzEwc6
And facebook - http://facebook.com/minutephysics
And twitter - @minutephysics

Minute Physics provides an energetic and entertaining view of old and new problems in physics -- all in a minute!

Music by Nathaniel Schroeder
NEW ALBUM!! -- http://juliansaporiti.bandcamp.com/al...
youtube: http://bit.ly/pakJLE

Thanks to Nima Doroud and Alex Yale for contributions and to Perimeter Institute for support.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[namelessmuffin]

Did you really just hashtag on YouTube?

[godlvl1]

Ouch my brain...

[timeisabsolute]

Watch the vid w/out formulae carefully again, give it some thought and come back if you need more help. It isn't difficult to understand what nonsense that "theory" is but you have to overcome the aggressive push of the propaganda, be yourself and think.

[masonery123]

Okay... I think I get it. Thanks. I still don't know who's right, Einstein or the guy on youtube, but I'll keep my mind open to any possibility. Just like a good little agnostic.

[timeisabsolute]

It appears to you that denying time-dilation is without back-up because you fail to understand even simpler notion such as the fact that definition of velocity is immutable. Like I said, to understand why time-dilation is a non-phenomenon you must understand that definition of velocity is an absolute truth and that synchronicity of spatially coinciding clocks is an absolute truth as well. This will help you to understand the vid without formulae in timeisabsolute. Let me know if you need help.

[masonery123]

Okay, I get it. It's an absolute truth. I'm in 8th grade, for goodness sake, give me a break. Distance/time is always something that will be the same. But can you explain to me, in terms someone not finished with high school could understand, why time dilation is so impossible, instead of just saying "it isn't true?" I'm a bit confused by the concept itself. I simply don't get why we can't just learn from each other instead of blindly shouting out nonsense without back-up.

[timeisabsolute]

I'm a scientist, you're obviously not a scientist. We have nothing to talk about. For a scientist the definition of velocity in a given system has not the slightest chance not to be set in stone. Period. It's an absolute truth. Anyone who doubts that it's an absolute truth has no business discussing science. I wish you well in other pursuits.

[masonery123]

Sorry, that was a test of mine to see if you reacted. Necessary. Anyway, I cannot give you the satisfaction of telling you I think the definition of velocity is set in stone. There is a tiny chance that it isn't. In fact, something being the same forever? Forever?

Why, that's about as likely as 1+1=7...

Sorry, but I don't think this is going to work. We both have different views that we aren't willing to change, and nothing will come of arguing. Let's just agree to disagree, and continue on.

[timeisabsolute]

Before talking about purple bowling balls (you mentioned them, not I) or anything further we have to come to an agreement that in physics the definition of velocity in a given system is an absolute, unchangeable truth, set in stone forever.

[masonery123]

Definitions aren't always correct the first, second, or third time around...

Maybe you'll understand that eventually.

Anyway, that doesn't provide a reason as to why bowling balls are usually purple.

[timeisabsolute]

There can never be experimental evidence for time-dilation, the same way as there cannot be experimental evidence for 1 + 1 = 7. Claim that there's experimental evidence that 1 + 1 = 7 is a claim that there can be experimental evidence against absolute truth. Claim experiments may show time-dilation contradicts the absolute truth expressed by the definition of velocity, considering synchronicity of spatially coinciding clocks.

[masonery123]

There IS experimental evidence. For goodness sake, you'd think you are a massive troll. If you are, you're really good at it, because I am getting frustrated. Otherwise, you are just one of those silly conspiracy-believing fools who think that scientists everywhere are lying to us!

THAT IS THE OPPOSITE OF THE POINT OF SCIENCE.