Special Theory of Relativity

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Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity described the behavior of particles as they approach the speed of light. Einstein's Theory is based on two very important statements: the two basic postulates of special relativity. 1) The speed of light is the same for all observers, no matter what their relative speeds are. 2) The laws of physics are the same in any inertial (that is, non-accelerated) frame of reference (cite).

Time Dilation

When two observers are moving relative to each other they will have different measures for the time needed for a particle to collide with another particle. This is called Time Dilation.

Example 1: If two light beams leave their sources at the same time and the sources remain stationary, the light beams will return to their sources at identical times.

Example 2: If two light beams leave their sources at the same time but one source is stationary and the other is moving, then the moving source will receive its beam's reflection at a later time then the stationary source.

Length Contraction

When an object is moving near the speed of light it will appear shorter to a stationary observer. However, at the same time a person who is travailing near the speed of light would see things much shorter then they actually are. The length of the object is relative to who is observing it and where that person is (cite).

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