Einstein’s Theory of Relativity
Smith, Peter Godfrey. Theory and Reality: an Introduction to the
Philosophy of Science. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2010.
Ralte, Rodinmawia. The Interface of Science and Religion: An Introductory Study. New Delhi: Christian
World Imprints, 2017.
Hawking, Stephen. A
Brief History of Time. New York: Bantam Books, 1992.
Albert Einstein
(1879-1955) shook the
foundations of physics with the introduction of his Special Theory of
Relativity in 1905, and his General Theory of Relativity in 1915 was the
recognition that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant and an absolute the physical boundary for motion. The theory of relativity states that objects will
move slower and shorten in length from the point of view of an observer on
Earth. Einstein also derived the famous equation, E = mc2, which reveals the
equivalence of mass and energy.
Theory
of Relativity – The Basics
Physicists usually, dichotomize the Theory of Relativity into two parts.
The first is the Special Theory of Relativity, which essentially deals with the question of whether rest and motion are relative or absolute, and with the consequences of Einstein’s conjecture that they are relative.
The second is
the General Theory of Relativity, which primarily applies to particles as they
accelerate, particularly due to gravitation, and acts as a radical revision of
Newton’s theory, predicting important new results for fast-moving and/or very
massive bodies. The General Theory of Relativity correctly reproduces all
validated predictions of Newton’s theory, but expands on our understanding of
some of the key principles. Newtonian physics had previously hypothesized that
gravity-operated through empty space, but the theory lacked explanatory power
as far as how the distance and mass of a given object could be transmitted
through space.
Theory of
Relativity is full of mathematical calculations, very difficult to explain to
the common people. For instance, in the theory of relativity one finds the
phrases like ‘curved space’, ‘four dimensions’ and ‘finite universe’. The terms
are to some extent familiar, but the exact meaning is difficult to make out.
When Einstein was asked to explain his theory of relativity, he answered
amusingly; “Put your hand over a hot stove for a minute that seems like an
hour, sit beside a beautiful woman for an hour that would seem like a minute.
That is Relativity.”
In 1915 to
produce his general theory of relativity, Einstein showed that space and matter
act on one another so as to deform space itself: space tells matter how to
move, and matter tells space how to curve. In Einstein’s non-Euclidian world of
diverging and intersecting parallel lines, the shortest path from one point to
another in the presence of a gravitational field can become a curved line. Thus
gravity is said to “bend light”.
Theory of
relativity denies that there is such thing as a unique right frame of space
because all frames of space are relative. They can only be defined relative to
one specific observer. Likewise, magnetic fields are also relative, time can
dilate, it is not absolute. Mass is energy and energy has mass- the property
which gives matter its characteristic solidity, that is, its mass is simply
energy. Thus energy becomes the ultimate material of the universe. General
Theory of Relativity shows us that space is not three-dimensional and time is
not a separate entity either. Time and Space are connected to form fourth dimensional:
space-time. With the theory of relativity, absolute space and time, unchanging and
infinite universe lost their meaning and they are replaced by dynamic space and
time, and finite universe. Even Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose concluded
that Einstein’s general theory of relativity implied that the universe must
have a beginning and possibly an end.
Theory of Relativity and Faith
Hugh Ross a
pastor/astronomer with the faith-and-science group says, "It's that Theory
of General Relativity that predicts there's a beginning to the universe. Until
Albert Einstein's theory came along, astronomers and physicists thought the universe was infinitely old," "The Theory of General Relativity now
said, 'No, it's finite in time. It has a beginning,' which implies there must
be a Beginner who was responsible for bringing the universe into
existence."
With the theory
of relativity absolute space and time, the unchanging and infinite universe lost
their meaning and they are replaced by dynamics space and time, and finite
universe. Thus, Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose concluded that Einstein’s
general theory of relativity implied that the universe must have a beginning
and possibly an end. This implies that the biblical eschatological dimension
which is the major focus of the New Testament teaching for the Christian hope
that the world will end and Jesus will come back to rule the world and every
knees will bow down and take back all those who believe in him to be with him
forever.
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