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The Theory of Relativity is a geometrical theory of gravitation, stating that the [[speed of light]] and laws of physics are constant for all observers, regardless of their velocities relative to each other.

The Theory of Relativity is a geometrical theory of gravitation, stating that the [[speed of light]] and laws of physics are constant for all observers, regardless of their velocities relative to each other.

The theory of relativity was first proposed based on mathematical theory developed by Henri Poincaré and Hendrik Lorentz. This theory was not developed based on observation or experiments.  This theory rests on two postulates that are themselves difficult to test, and then derives mathematically what the physical consequences should be. Poincaré and Lorentz pondered what would happen if the speed of light was constant in all frames of reference, and all laws of physics were the same in every (inertial) frame of reference no matter where it is or how fast it is traveling. This theory differs from [[Isaac Newton]]'s theory of gravitation by disposing with the idea of a universal, mutually agreeable scale of time (i.e. a universal clock that all times can refer to) and space (i.e. a universal sheet of "graph paper", which location refers to).  

The theory of relativity was first proposed based on mathematical theory developed by [[Henri Poincaré]] and [[Hendrik Lorentz]]. This theory was not developed based on observation or experiments.  This theory rests on two postulates that are themselves difficult to test, and then derives mathematically what the physical consequences should be. Poincaré and Lorentz pondered what would happen if the speed of light was constant in all frames of reference, and all laws of physics were the same in every (inertial) frame of reference no matter where it is or how fast it is traveling. This theory differs from [[Isaac Newton]]'s theory of gravitation by disposing with the idea of a universal, mutually agreeable scale of time (i.e. a universal clock that all times can refer to) and space (i.e. a universal sheet of "graph paper", which location refers to).  

In general terms, relativity predicts that space-time can be curved by massive bodies, so that (for example) near a [[black hole]] the sum of the angles in a triangle is not exactly 180 degrees, time passes more rapidly away from a black hole than near it (for a distant observer) and other apparent violations of [[geometry]] and common sense.

In general terms, relativity predicts that space-time can be curved by massive bodies, so that (for example) near a [[black hole]] the sum of the angles in a triangle is not exactly 180 degrees, time passes more rapidly away from a black hole than near it (for a distant observer) and other apparent violations of [[geometry]] and common sense.