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| | *'''General Relativity''' (GR) is a theory which explains the laws of motion as viewed from accelerating reference frames and includes a geometric explanation for gravity. This theory was developed by [[David Hilbert]] and [[Albert Einstein]] as an extension of the postulates of Special Relativity.<ref>"[T]he German mathematician David Hilbert submitted an article containing the correct field equations for general relativity five days before Einstein."[http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/physics/relativity/history-1.html Nobel Prize historical account]</ref> A dramatic but later discredited claim by Sir [[Arthur Eddington]] of experimental proof of General Relativity in 1919 made Einstein a household name. | | *'''General Relativity''' (GR) is a theory which explains the laws of motion as viewed from accelerating reference frames and includes a geometric explanation for gravity. This theory was developed by [[David Hilbert]] and [[Albert Einstein]] as an extension of the postulates of Special Relativity.<ref>"[T]he German mathematician David Hilbert submitted an article containing the correct field equations for general relativity five days before Einstein."[http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/physics/relativity/history-1.html Nobel Prize historical account]</ref> A dramatic but later discredited claim by Sir [[Arthur Eddington]] of experimental proof of General Relativity in 1919 made Einstein a household name. |
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| − | Unlike most of physics, the theories of relativity consist of complex mathematical equations relying on several hypotheses. For example, at Hofstra University general relativity is taught as part of an upperclass math course on differential geometry, based on three stated assumptions.<ref>http://people.hofstra.edu/Stefan_Waner/diff_geom/tc.html</ref> Of course, quantum mechanics, <ref>http://www.phy.olemiss.edu/~luca/Topics/qm/axioms.html</ref> thermodynamics,<ref>http://www.chem.psu.edu/Syllabus-1.pdf</ref> and every other theory of physics are often taught used explicitly stated assumptions. | + | Unlike most of physics, the theories of relativity consist of complex mathematical equations relying on several hypotheses. For example, at Hofstra University general relativity is taught as part of an upperclass math course on differential geometry, based on three stated assumptions.<ref>http://people.hofstra.edu/Stefan_Waner/diff_geom/tc.html</ref> The equations for special relativity assume that it is forever impossible to attain a velocity faster than the speed of light and that all inertial frames of reference are equivalent, hypotheses that can never be fully tested. By relying on ''assumptions'' about nature rather than ''observations'', the theories of relativity violate [[Isaac Newton]]'s rule against the use of hypotheses: "Hypotheses non fingo" ("I feign no hypotheses").<ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/newton-philosophy/</ref> Relativity rejects Newton's [[action at a distance]], which is basic to Newtonian gravity and [[quantum mechanics]]. The mathematics of relativity assume no exceptions, yet in the time period immediately following the origin of the universe the relativity equations could not possibly have been valid. |
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| − | The equations for special relativity imply that it is forever impossible to attain a velocity faster than the speed of light and that all inertial frames of reference are equivalent, hypotheses that can never be fully tested. Relativity was developed, in part, from observations that an accelerating electron gains inertia. This has been confirmed over and over in particle accelerators that accelerate particle to close to the speed of light.
| + | Relativity has been met with much resistance in the scientific world. To date, a Nobel Prize has never been awarded for relativity. Louis Essen, the man credited with determining the speed of light, wrote many fiery papers against it such as ''The Special Theory of Relativity: A Critical Analysis''.<ref>http://ephysics.fileave.com/physics/Essen/oxford5-essen.pdf</ref> Relativity also gravely conflicts with [[quantum mechanics]], and although theories like [[string theory]] and [[quantum field theory]] have attempted to unify relativity and quantum mechanics, neither has been entirely successful or proven. |
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| − | Relativity teaches that there is an ambiguity about the simultaneity of distant events, and thereby rejects Newton's [[action at a distance]], which is basic to Newtonian gravity.
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| − | Relativity has been met with much resistance in the scientific world. To date, a Nobel Prize has never been awarded for relativity theory itself, but prizes for relativistic physics were given in 1902, 1921, 1933, 1993, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1972, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1999, 2004, and 2008. | |
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| − | Louis Essen, the man credited with determining the speed of light, wrote many fiery papers against it such as ''The Special Theory of Relativity: A Critical Analysis''.<ref>http://ephysics.fileave.com/physics/Essen/oxford5-essen.pdf</ref> Relativity is alleged to conflict with [[quantum mechanics]], and although theories like [[string theory]] and [[quantum field theory]] have attempted to unify relativity and quantum mechanics, neither has been entirely successful or proven. | |
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| | Unlike [[Newton]]ian physics, in which space and time intervals are each invariant as seen by all observers, in SR the only invariant quantity is a quadratic combination of space and time intervals (x<sup>2</sup> - c<sup>2</sup> t<sup>2</sup>). The (assumed) instantaneous transmission of [[Newton]]ian gravitational effects also contradicts special relativity. | | Unlike [[Newton]]ian physics, in which space and time intervals are each invariant as seen by all observers, in SR the only invariant quantity is a quadratic combination of space and time intervals (x<sup>2</sup> - c<sup>2</sup> t<sup>2</sup>). The (assumed) instantaneous transmission of [[Newton]]ian gravitational effects also contradicts special relativity. |