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=__**Einstein and his theories of relativity...simplified?**__=

//The theory of relativity has positively impacted society through global positioning systems, nuclear power and weapons, and gravitational lensing.//

__A few facts about Einstein's theories of relativity...__
-Theory of relativity proposed by Albert Einstein in 1905, stating that the principle of relativity was a fundamental property of the universe. -Einstein suggested that radio waves, which contradicted this principle of relativity, were correct, whereas Newton's laws could possibly be incorrect. -"The theory of relativity is required whenever we study objects that are either (a) moving in a strong gravitational field, or (b) moving near the speed of light. If (b) is true but not (a), we can get away with using a simpler version of the theory called //special relativity//; historically, this is what Einstein developed first, while the more encompassing theory of //general relativity// came later." ("Curious about Astronomy?") -Einstein's general theory and special theory of relativity explain basic concepts of space, time, matter, and energy. The Special Theory of Relativity describes objects moving at speeds close to the speed of light, whereas the general theory of relativity describes gravitational forces in terms of the curvature in space caused by mass. -Einstein's idea is now universally accepted, although it wasn't a century ago when proposed.

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Navigational systems, known as GPS, were created first for military purposes by the United States Department of Defense to provide satellites for the U.S. military. Satellites orbiting the earth hold atomic clocks that tick with amazing precision. Because the GPS systems were so popularwith the U.S. military, they have reached commercial status and are now sold to American civilians, who use them in their cars and phones for precision ofspeed and position (GPS and Relativity"). The internal satellite clock rotating about the earth must remain accurate in accordance with the General Theory of Relativity ("GPS and Relativity"). On earth, this ticking seems slower due to the Special Theory of Relativity. General Theory of Relativity states that clocks closer to a massive object will seem to tick slower than those further aw   ay. It is also predicted that the clocks inside GPS satellites should most likely advance past ground-based clocks by approximately forty-five microseconds each day. Therefore, without Einstein's theory, we would be very inaccurate when constructing GPS systems and satellites. This difference in time is of utmost importance when constructing a GPS satellite or a GPS system and is constantly taken into consideration. Precision of GPS systems due to Einstein's theories has made all the difference in the world for the U.S. military as well as for American citizens. =====

__Nuclear weapons and energy__
Einstein's famous equation, E=mc^2, has been particularly useful in the field of nuclear power and weapons. Einstein's special theory of relativity proves this because velocity, a relative concept, is always changing. Because velocity is relative, momentum, which is affected by velocity, is also relative ("Einstein's Theory: Implications Beyond Science?"). Relative momentum began to become refined as conserved when mass is part of the equation- hence, E=mc^2, where mass and energy are equivalent. Many mathematical relationships have proven that adding more energy to something does not make it accelerate, since the speed of light is as fast as an object can move. The energy is instead added to the mass of the object. Therefore, the observed mass of the object increases as velocity increases. This discovery has led to the creation of power plants and nuclear weapons worldwide, sparking questions of how nuclear energy could either benefit or harm us nationally or globally. However, since its discovery, nuclear energy has been contained in safer and more modern ways, thus eliminating many concerns over the detriments of nuclear power. Additionally, as the fossil fuels begin to wane, nuclear power provides many with an alternative to non-renewable energy sources ("Einstein's Theory: Implications Beyond Science?")

The theory of general relativity states that light rays are bent as they pass through a massive object in a concept known as gravitational lensing. This is not new knowledge to many, although it may not be widely recognized that this development occurred due to Einstein's theory.This is true on many scales, the most noticeable being that when light from a star passes near the sun, a massive object, it becomes bent and therefore the appearance of the position of the star in the sky changes to the observer on Earth. So, when someone is looking at stars in the sky at night, they are not wholly seeing what exists of the stars in the sky, but rather bent copies of the stars ("General Relativity; Einstein: Physics"). Lensing can occur on a much small scale, such as in microscopes, telescopes (such as the Hubble space telescope), and in eyeglasses.

__If you got completely lost and are now just skimming the headlines, read this for a summary.__
Einstein's General and Special Theories of Relativity are applicable to society today more than ever. GPS systems assist the lost in finding position and direction, acting as an electric compass. Nuclear power is beneficial in a time when Americans are in an energy crisis with a need for creative and less threatening energy sources. The concept of gravitational lensing is imperative to all who wear glasses, and to anyone observing a clear night sky. Clearly, our society is wholly dependent on Einstein's theories of relativity. Their effects are innumerable and will most likely continue to affect Americans in the future.

__Works cited/Annotations__
"Curious About Astronomy? The Theory of Relativity." __Curious About Astronomy? Ask an Astronomer__. 25 Sep. 2002. 26 Jan. 2009 [|. This informative website geared towards students allows the student to ask questions about the theory of relativity directly to a professor from Cornell University, who will then answer the question in terms simple enough for a student to understand. Great exmaples are provided, and so are applications of the theory of relativity as they pertain to our society, so this website was easy to relate to. It was very unbiased and credible. "GPS and Relativity." __The Ohio State University Department of Astronomy__. 15 Dec. 2004. 26 Jan. 2009 <[|http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~pogge/Ast162/Unit5/gps.html]>. ====Einstein's theory of relativity and its effects on GPS and thus upon technology and society in general are discussed in this formal article written by the credible OSU Dept. of Astronomy. A nonbiased and valuable read, any reader can easily decipher the inportant role that Einstein's theory of relativity has played in creating such essential devices as GPS systems and other navigational devices. Most stressed in this article was the importance of the precision of GPS devices in accordance with the theory of relativity.==== Felder, Gary. "General Relativity: Einstein: Physics." __NC State: WWW4 Server__. 26 Jan. 2009 . Written by Gary Felder, a professor at NC State University, this "bumps and wiggles" introduction to general relativity takes a simple approach to different applications of Einstein's theory of relativity, and its impacts on society. This article was most useful for explaining concepts and how they directly relate to society. Many illustrated exmaples are given, so the target audience is obviously abeginner just learning about the theory of relativity. Arora, Hans. "Einstein’s Theory of Relativity: Implications Beyond Science? — Science in Society." __Google__. 27 Jan. 2009 <http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:CCqSPZuVJ3kJ:scienceinsociety.northwestern.edu/content/articles/2008/research-digest/student-papers/einstein/einstein2019s-theory-of-relativity-implications-beyond-science+theory+of+relativity+% This informative website written by Hans Arora explains every aspect of Einstein's theories as they relate to modern and postmodern philosophers and activists. Implications of the theories on society are also discussed. Different applications of Einstein's theory of relativity are discussed, prompting questions that the reader should ask themselves about how, in the future, he or she will continue to be affected by the theory of relativity. Overall, this website was very helpful in answering the essential question.