ASTR 1210 Chapter Notes - Chapter S2: Thought Experiment, Green Flash, Length Contraction
18 Feb 2016
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Document Summary
The special theory of relativity shows that space and time are intertwined but does not deal with the effects of gravity. It is special because it deals only with the special case in which we 1ignore the role of gravity. The general theory of relativity offers a surprising new view of gravity a view that we will use to help us understand topics such as the expansion and fate of the universe and black holes. What are the major ideas of special relativity: there are two parts to it. No info can travel faster than the speed of light (in a vacuum), and no material object can even reach the speed of light. If you observe anyone or anything moving by you at a speed close to the speed of light, you will conclude that time runs more slowly for that person or moving object (they age slower, clock ticks slower, etc)
