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The Crisis of Classical
Physics
and Einstein’s Theory of General
Relativity
Newton v. Einstein
Newton’s Laws of motion
are a very good
approximation of the
fundamental laws that
govern our universe in
the non-warped
spacetime we experience
here on Earth.
Classical Newtonian
mechanics break down in
the presence of high
gravitational fields.
Click video to start
Newton v. Einstein
Newton’s laws cannot be used to explain
phenomena such as conduction of
electricity in a semiconductor, optical
properties of substances, and
superconductivity. Explanation of these
phenomena requires more sophisticated
physical theory, including General
Relativity and Relativistic Quantum
Mechanics.
Newton v. Einstein
In quantum mechanics concepts such as force,
momentum, and position are defined by linear operators
that operate on the quantum state; at speeds that are
much lower than the speed of light, Newton's laws are
just as exact for these operators as they are for classical
objects.
At speeds comparable to the speed of light, the second
law holds in the original form F = dp/dt, which says that
the force is the derivative of the momentum of the object
with respect to time.
Some of the newer versions of the second law (such as
the constant mass approximation above) do not hold at
relativistic velocities.
General Relativity
Many predictions of general relativity differ
significantly from those of classical
physics, especially concerning the
passage of time, the geometry of space,
the motion of bodies in free fall, and the
propagation of light.
General Relativity
Examples of differences
include gravitational time
dilation, the gravitational
redshift of light, and the
gravitational time delay.
General relativity's predictions
have been confirmed in all
observations and experiments
to date. Although general
relativity is not the only
relativistic theory of gravity, it is
the simplest theory that is
consistent with experimental
data.
Click video to start
Elements of Physics: Modern
Physics and Cosmology
The following is a program on the way that modern
physics has revolutionized the way we understand our
universe. Physicists found that the sub-atomic world
does not follow the laws of classical physics and
developed quantum theory to give a more exact
explanation. Einstein developed his special theory of
relativity to explain what happens when objects travel
close to the speed of light and later developed the
general theory of relativity, which provided a new
explanation of gravity. These theories have shed light on
the existence of black holes and the origins of the
universe.
Approximate running time: 56 minutes
Citations
Elements of Physics: Modern Physics and
Cosmology. Discovery Education.
(2006). Retrieved October 2, 2009, from
Discovery Education:
http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/
General Relativity. Wikipedia. (2009).
Retrieved October 2, 2009, from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_relativity