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Nathan Tulchinsky February 2009 Theory of Relativity **__ Theory of Relativity __** The Theory of Relativity was discovered by Albert Einstein. After much research his theory was made public in 1915. (Arora1) His theory is important to understand because it applies to everyone’s lives. His theory is based on the equation E=Mc squared. This simply means, energy equals mass times the speed of light squared. (Arora1) The theory of relativity is based on speed and perception, and has yet to be disproved. Speed is a key factor in the theory of relativity. Since everything is considered to be relative, the speed of something is determined by the speed it is already traveling. For example, if a skateboard is traveling at 20 mph and the person on the board throws a rock at 30 mph the speed of the rock would be 50 mph instead of just 20, even though the person on the board is not physically moving. What makes this interesting is that if you are not on a skateboard and you throw the same rock standing stationary, the rock will indeed travel at the 30mph in which you throw it. (Relatively Weird, 2007) Although, when it comes to traveling at the speed of light, it is a little different. When something is traveling at the speed of light it will travel the same speed, whether it is on a moving platform or not. This is the way it will also be perceived. Perception is also important when it comes to the theory of Relativity. It makes sense to understand that everything is relative to your speed and mass. The perception error can come when something is traveling at the speed of light. Because the speed of light is so fast and never reached by a human, it is hard to perceive. That is why the factor that traveling at the speed of light will always be perceived the same no matter how fast you are already traveling. It is not only perceived this way, but the theory states that the speed of light is always the same. This will not be disproved until that speed is capable to reach by humans. (Relatively Weird 2007) The theory of relativity has not yet been disproved. This would be possible if the speed of light was achievable by humans. Since the fastest humans can travel is 25,000 miles per hour, it is not yet possible. The speed of 25,000 miles per hour was achieved by astronauts who only travel 0.004% of the speed of light. (Relatively Weird 2007) so until we as humans can travel approximately 99.996% faster then we do now, we will prove Einstein’s theory. Albert Einstein will always be remembered as one of the greatest scientists to every live. His Theory of Relativity will live on forever even if it is ever disproved. All based on E=Mc squared, Einstein sparked the minds of millions of people around the world. Everything is relative due to speed and perception, and has not yet been disproved.

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Work Cited__** __Journey By Starlight.__ July 7, 2007. Chatting with Albert blog. February 5th, 2009 <[|http://journeybystarlight.blogspot.com/2007/07/relatively-weird-how-to-get-] [|younger.html?gclid=CJCbr5r1zZgCFQFvGgodSVoB1g] > __Einsteins Theory of Relativity. __October 20,2008. Hans Arora. February 5th,2009.  <[|http://scienceinsociety.northwestern.edu/content/articles/2008/research-digest/student-] [|papers/einstein/einstein2019s-theory-of-relativity-implications-beyond-science]