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22 The Special Theory of Relativity
Chapter Outline
22.1 Galilean Relativity
22.2 TIMEDILATION ANDLENGTHCONTRACTION
22.3 SIMULTANEITY
22.4 MASS-ENERGYEQUIVALENCE
22.5 GENERALTHEORY OFRELATIVITY
22.6 REFERENCES
FIGURE 22.1
A GPS satellite travels at 14,000 kilome-
ters per hour, and needs corrections for
relativity to stay accurate.Physics at the usual speeds found on Earth mostly follow our intuitive understanding of time and space. However,
in the 20thcentury, very accurate measurements of the speed of light found that these could not be true. This puzzle
was solved by a new theory of time and space by Albert Einstein, called the Special Theory of Relativity. This
chapter covers the paradox of the speed of light, time dilation, length contraction, simultaneity, and the General
Theory of Relativity.