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relativity
[ rel-uh-tiv-i-tee ]
noun
- the state or fact of being relative.
- Physics. a theory, formulated essentially by Albert Einstein, that all motion must be defined relative to a frame of reference and that space and time are relative rather than absolute concepts: it consists of two principal parts. The theory dealing with uniform motion special theory of relativity, or special relativity is based on the two postulates that physical laws have the same mathematical form when expressed in any inertial system, and the velocity of light is independent of the motion of its source and will have the same value when measured by observers moving with constant velocity with respect to each other. Derivable from these postulates are the conclusions that there can be no motion at a speed greater than that of light in a vacuum, mass increases as velocity increases, mass and energy are equivalent, and time is dependent on the relative motion of an observer measuring the time. The theory dealing with gravity general theory of relativity, or general relativity is based on the postulate that the local effects of a gravitational field and of acceleration of an inertial system are identical.
- dependence of a mental state or process upon the nature of the human mind:
relativity of values; relativity of knowledge.
relativity
/ ˌrɛləˈtɪvɪtɪ /
noun
- either of two theories developed by Albert Einstein, the special theory of relativity , which requires that the laws of physics shall be the same as seen by any two different observers in uniform relative motion, and the general theory of relativity which considers observers with relative acceleration and leads to a theory of gravitation
- philosophy dependence upon some variable factor such as the psychological, social, or environmental context See relativism
- the state or quality of being relative
relativity
/ rĕl′ə-tĭv′ĭ-tē /
- Either of two theories in physics developed by Albert Einstein, General Relativity or Special Relativity.
- See Notes at Einstein
Other Words From
- nonrel·a·tivi·ty noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of relativity1
A Closer Look
Example Sentences
Special projects editor Elizabeth Quill explores the implications of Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which was considered shocking in the early 1900s.
Einstein presented his general theory of relativity at the end of 1915 in a series of lectures in Berlin.
To which I answer that you forget the lessons of Gulliver’s Travels and the relativity of size.
Besso never gave up on luring Einstein back to Machian relativity.
In 1907, Albert Einstein realized that his brand-new theory of relativity must render faster-than-light communication impossible.
More clumsily, fireworks stand in for the Big Bang and a potato and peas are invoked to explain relativity.
For that reason, researchers have developed a framework to describe quantum theory in combination with general relativity.
The equations of general relativity unambiguously predict event horizons forming if mass is sufficiently concentrated.
Bob Dylan makes the theory of relativity worth caring about at all: he is a seer.
To doubt it sounds to biologists as absurd as denying relativity does to physicists.
On Spencer's own theory of relativity a cause only exists in relation to an effect.
This, however, would be an error—the sort of error that the theory of relativity avoids.
Why is not man satisfied with the relativity which so obstinately clings to his existence?
At first glance it would appear as if, at last, one had here to do with a direct relativity between cost and volume of business.
But this does not mean mere relativity as between directly competing commodities or places.
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