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Quarter 2 – Module 13
Special Theory of Relativity
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Physical Science
Quarter 2 – Module 13
Special Theory of Relativity
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners,
can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions,
exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.
Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-
step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.
In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also
provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can
best help you on your home-based learning.
Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part
of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. And
read the instructions carefully before performing each task.
If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the
tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.
Thank you.
What I Need to Know
This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you to
understand how the special theory of relativity resolved the conflict between the
electromagnetic theory and Newtonian mechanics. The scope of this module permits
it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the
diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard
sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to
correspond with the textbook you are now using.
Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet
of paper.
2. This theory explains how space and time are linked for objects that are
moving at constant speed in a straight line.
a. Electromagnetic theory
b. Kepler’s law of planetary motion
c. Newton’s law of universal gravitation
d. Special Relativity
6. Which of the following displays the use of special relativity in everyday life?
a. Global Positioning System (GPS)
b. Graphing Calculators
c. Microwave ovens
d. Toasters
10. Consider the list of physical properties below. According to special relativity,
which one(s) is/are dependent on the observer speed?
a. Energy
b. Length
c. Time
d. All of these
Lesson
What’s In
B. Solve the following problems. Use the formula of Newton’s Second Law of
Motion (F=ma), where:
F – Force
m – mass
a – acceleration
Even though they were miles apart, the two girls kept in contact through
Facebook. A year after Anna migrated, her birthday is coming up and Marissa wanted
to greet her a happy birthday. Because Marissa is still in grade 9, she asked for her
mother’s help in using Facebook to greet her friend.
Marissa created an electronic happy birthday greeting card and sent it to Anna
at exactly 12:00 am of July 30 – Anna’s birthday. She was so happy because she was
the first to greet Anna on her birthday.
Anna replied thank you to Marissa even though Anna thought it was an
advanced greeting since it’s just July 29 in Niue. Anna’s reply was, “Thank you,
Marissa for your very early greeting. My birthday is tomorrow; however, I am so glad
that you remembered it. Thank you so much.”
Marissa was confused with Anna’s reply. “It’s already July 30, so why does
Anna say her birthday is tomorrow?” she thought. And because she was so confused,
she went to her mother and asked. Her mother told her that there’s a 19 hour
difference between Anna’s place and theirs.
Marissa then asked why time is delayed in Anna’s place. So, her mother
explained to her that it has something to do relatively with the geographic location
and the time zone of the country where Anna is and that no matter what happens,
July 30 is still Anna’s birthday.
The Special Theory of Relativity was coined and developed by Albert Einstein
in 1905 as an answer to the long-debated conflict between James Clerk Maxwell’s
Theory of Electromagnetism and Isaac Newton’s three Laws of Motion.
The Theories
Long before the development of the special theory of relativity, there were two
great theories of physics: The Theory of Electromagnetics developed by James Clerk
Maxwell and the Three Laws of Motion by Isaac Newton.
Newtonian Mechanics
Moreover, it is said that no matter where you are or how fast you are moving,
there will be no changes in space or time. In all places, a kilometer is a kilometer and
a minute is a minute. And you can travel as fast as you want, with adequate
acceleration.
James Clerk Maxwell had predicted that the electric field, magnetic field, and
light are different representations of the same phenomena or event. He further
predicted that visible lights are electromagnetic waves that move in a manner like
ripples in the water when a stone is dropped.
The Conflict
There is only one conflict between the two theories: according to Maxwell, light
in a vacuum moves at 186,000 miles per second. And it does not change for all
observers and situation. However, according to Newtonian physics, all speeds are
relative – meaning speed depend on the observers, viewpoint and situation.
In 1905, Albert Einstein published his observation about the differing ideas of
the two theories through the special theory of relativity. His theory is based on the
observations of events from different viewpoints.
The first principle in Einstein theory is the consistent law principle. It states
that all motions are relative to the selected reference frame or viewpoint. It means
that the motion of an object is based on the observers’ viewpoint.
The laws of physics are the same in all frames of reference that are
moving at a constant velocity with respect to one another.
Example: A teenage boy is standing inside a train that is passing equally between
two oak trees. Because the train is moving, he saw that a lightning struck the tree
on his left first then the tree on the right. Another boy, who is standing at a train
platform, also saw the same event. Only, in his viewpoint, the lightning struck both
trees at the same time.
The second principle in Einstein’s theory deals with the speed of light. This is
the constancy of speed. He established that light moves in a speed of 186,000 miles
per second and is the same for all observers’ viewpoint.
The speed of light in an empty space has the same magnitude for all
observers regardless of their velocity.
Example: An astronaut that is moving towards the source of light will think that light
is moving at 186,000 miles per second. Hence, an astronaut that is not moving
towards the source of light will think that light is moving at 186,000 miles per
second. In short, regardless of the rate movement of the source of light and the rate
movement of the astronauts, the speed of light will remain the same.
These two postulates clarify that if two events happen at different places, it is not
always likely to say which of the two events happens first or that they occur at the
same time.
3. Explain in your own words the conflict between Newtonian mechanics and
the Electromagnetic Theory.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c. _____ Heinrich Hertz generated and produced radio waves thereby proving
the theory of Maxwell.
f. _____Johannes Kepler described the motion of planets around the sun, now
known as Kepler’s Law of Planetary Motion.
You are almost at the end of this module, but before we totally wrap up, fill in the
blanks with terms/concepts you have learned from the topic discussed.
2. The mechanics explains that space (distance), time, and mass are
_______________.
5. The consistent law principle states that all _______________ are relative to the
selected reference frame or viewpoint.
6. Albert Einstein published his observation about the differing ideas of the two
theories through the _______________.
7. The speed of light in an empty space has the same _______________ for all
observers regardless of their velocity.
The special theory of relativity has cleared many doubts and conflicting ideas
about physics. Every day we see Einstein’s theory being displayed around us. Explain
how the things listed below are related to the special theory of relativity.
1. Electromagnets
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________.
Assessment
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
1. What two principles make up the theory of special relativity?
a. Principle of mass and the principle of nuclear forces
b. Principle of nuclear forces and the principle of the speed of light
c. Principle of relativity and the principle of mass
d. Principle of relativity and the principle of the speed of light
2. This theory explains how space and time are linked for objects that are
moving at constant speed in a straight line.
a. Electromagnetic theory
b. Kepler’s law of planetary motion
c. Newton’s law of universal gravitation
d. Special Theory of Relativity
7. Which of the following displays the use of special relativity in everyday life?
a. Global Positioning System (GPS)
b. Graphing Calculators
c. Microwave ovens
d. Toasters
8. This physicist demonstrated that electric and magnetic fields travel through
space as waves moving at the speed of light.
a. Albert Einstein
b. Heinrich Hertz
c. Isaac Newton
d. James Clerk Maxwell
12. Consider the list of physical properties below. According to special relativity,
which one(s) is/are dependent on the observer speed?
a. Energy
b. Length
c. Time
d. All of these
There are illusion puzzles that are related to the observer’s frame of reference.
Just as the same in the special theory of relativity, these illusions use the observer’s
frame of reference or viewpoint. Below are two optical illusions. Try to answer the
illusions and see in which viewpoint can you see the solutions to these puzzles.
Ng, David. Perfect Guide 'O' Level Physics Structured Questions. Times Centre, 1
New Industrial Road, Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Education, 2013.
Weber, Robert L., Kenneth Verne. MANNING, George A. WEYGAND, and Marsh W.
White. College Physics. (Fifth Edition.) Robert L. Weber, Kenneth V. Manning,
Marsh W. White, George A. Weygand. New York, New York City: McGraw-Hill
Book Co., 1974.
Yong, Loo Wan, Loo Kwok Wai, Ong Bee Hoo, and Poon Kwok Leung. New Century
Elective Physics Secondary 5. Jatujak, Bangkok, Thailand: Pearson Education
South Asia Pte Ltd, 2012.
Yong, Loo Wan, Loo Kwok Wai, Ong Bee Hoo, and Poon Kwok Leung. New Century
Elective Physics Secondary 6. Jatujak, Bangkok, Thailand: Pearson Education
South Asia Pte Ltd, 2012.