The study of physics has many things possible; in bigger areas like scientific experiments, technology, and in our day-to-day life. It helps us to understand many things, appliances and relations between objects, etc., with or without one’s knowledge.
There are many such theories in the study of physics; Big bang theory, chaos theory, dynamo theory, quantum field theory, relativity theory, etc. are a few examples of theories that have solved such big mysteries and gave us knowledge about things happening around us.
General Relativity vs Special Relativity
The difference between general relativity and special relativity is that general relativity is related to gravity and acceleration, whereas special relativity is related to speed and time. General relativity shows the relation between observer and acceleration, whereas special relativity shows us the relation between observer and constant speed when in motion.
It is known as the geometric theory of gravity. He predicts that the space-time around the planet earth is wrapped and twisted because of the planet’s rotation.
Special relativity is a theory that shows the relation between space and time. It states that they are not different notions. It explains how that relation is linked for objects moving at a constant speed (in a straight line).
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | General Relativity | Special Relativity |
|---|---|---|
| what is it | General relativity shows the relation of the observer and the acceleration. | Special relativity shows the relation of the observer and the speed and time. |
| Inclusion of Gravity | Considers and includes gravity | It does not include gravity, as no forces are acting on it. |
| Frame of Reference | Laws of physics are the same for all the inertial and non-inertial systems | The laws of physics are the same for only the inertial systems. |
| Published in | 1915 | 1905 |
| Complexity | More complex and covers a greater part of the universe. | Little simpler and covers a lesser part of the universe. |
What is General Relativity?
It is a theory proposed and published by Albert Einstein related to gravity. He says that the space-time around the planet earth is not only twisted but also wrapped because of the planet’s rotation.
When Einstein felt that the theory of special relativity was not sufficient in describing the whole universe, he, with the help of special theory, drew the general theory out of it.
It explains that space and time are the same but with different characteristics. The gravitation of force in and around the area of the object/observer depends on how curved the space-time is. The energy-momentum of the object’s matter causes the curve.
The equation on the left consists of the given amount of mass and energy that distorts space-time and explanation about the way the energy, momentum, mass, etc., are distributed in-universe on the right-hand side of the equation. General relativity is said to be a more advanced theory.
What is Special Relativity?
It is a scientific theory that was published by Albert Einstein in 1905; he published this in a paper titled ‘On the electrodynamics of moving bodies.
Isaac Newton has proposed studied the universe and proposed three laws of the universe before Einstein. But few things were missing, and the theory was not fully complete.
The speed of light in a vacuum is the same for everything, no matter what or how the motion of the source/ object is. Special relativity explains and shows as observers who show movement in constant velocity.
In simple words, the mass of the object becomes infinite when the object approaches the speed of light. Then it will not be able to go any faster than the light’s speed.
Main Differences Between General Relativity and Special Relativity
- General relativity talks about the curvature in space-time, whereas special relativity does not talk about any curves.
- General relativity is more complex and covers a greater part of the universe, whereas special relativity is a little simpler and covers a lesser part of the universe.
References
- https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=9S-hzg6-moYC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=general+relativity&ots=FJLRBJiEU9&sig=W52eaOvseveUPZ5Yy8_DIsLWYPQ
- https://www.osti.gov/biblio/4351384
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My name is Piyush Yadav, and I am a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. You can read more about me on my bio page.
