1.

Theory of Relativity

The Theory of Relativity, developed by Albert Einstein, is a crucial framework for understanding the
physics of the universe. It consists of two parts: Special Relativity and General Relativity.

Special Relativity, published in 1905, fundamentally changed our understanding of space and time. It
introduced the idea that time and space are relative and that both the distance measured and the
time elapsed can vary depending on the observer’s velocity relative to the object being measured.
Central to Special Relativity are two postulates: the laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames
(non-accelerating frames), and the speed of light in a vacuum is constant for all observers, regardless
of their relative motion.

General Relativity, introduced in 1915, expanded this framework to include gravity. Einstein proposed
that gravity is not a conventional force but a curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy. This
curvature affects the paths that objects travel, even light. General Relativity has important
implications for cosmology and astrophysics, including the prediction of black holes, the expansion of
the universe, and gravitational lensing.