Relativity
Wen Geyi · 2010
The relativity theory can be divided into special theory, which was systematically studied by Einstein in 1905, and general theory presented by Einstein in 1916. The special theory studies the physical phenomena perceived by different observers traveling at a constant speed relative to each other while the general theory studies the phenomena perceived by different observers traveling at an arbitrary relative speed. The tensor algebra and tensor analysis provide a natural mathematical language for describing the relativity. Newton’s law of motion is invariant under Galilean transformation but not under Lorentz transformation. Thus Newton’s law must be modified so that they are consistent with the special relativity. Controlled Vocabulary Terms algebra; general relativity; Lorentz transformation; tensors