The Background of the Special Theory of Relativity

The Background of the Special Theory of Relativity
Compiled by Vivek Panda


1) Newton’s empirical laws of Classical Mechanics says :
a) Particles can move with unlimited speed.
b) Velocity of light depends on the state of motion of the frame of reference (according to the Gallilean Transformation Equations).

2) But, Classical Electrodynamics (based of Maxwell’s Equations) says that the speed of light is a constant quantity, independent of the sate of motion of the observer.

3) As the laws of Physics must hold throughout the realm of Physics, therefore there should be a bridge between these two theories.

4) Therefore, there can be four possibilities :
a) Newton is correct and Maxwell is wrong.
b) Maxwell is correct and Newton is wrong.
c) Both Maxwell and Newton are correct.
d) Both Maxwell and Newton are wrong.

5) As all the experiments performed, accurately showed the truth of Maxwell’s Equations, there was no question in abandoning it. Hence a) and d) are dismissed.

6) An imaginary frame, the Ether Frame was hypothised to support both the laws. It was a ‘special’ frame in which the speed of light was constant. But the famous Michelson-Morley Experiment falsified the existence of this hypothetical medium. It showed that the speed of light is constant in all inertial frames.

7) Further, it was assumed that the velocity of light depends on the source. But experiments by Tomaschek and Miller could not support this assumption.

8) Thus, now everybody focused their attention (started to doubt) the Classical Mechanics.

9) After a whole lot of experiments, it was observed that the laws of Classical Mechanics failed miserably for high speed particles.

10) Hence the only option was the breakdown of the classical transformation equations. At last, it was abandoned.

11) A great crisis arose in the world of physics. There was a great chaos and everybody started questioning the validity of everything. All of a sudden, physicists were gripped in a world of desperation and disbelief.

12) At this point of time, Albert Einstein the unparalleled monument of theoretical Physics stepped forward in the scenario and the whole spotlight fell on him as he made the bold postulate of the constancy of the speed of light in his Special Theory of Relativity.

13) The genius’ theory explained the unanswered questions of all the major experiments that were performed and yet to be performed.

14) As a result of the postulate, the Lorentz-Fitzgerald Transformation Equations found its meaning and hence came the concepts of Length Contraction, Time Dilation, Mass Increment , and lastly the highly celebrated equation E=mc2, which changed the destiny of man. All of these were verified by experiments on high speed particles. Moreover, this artist of science showed that Newton’s laws were only a special case of his more general laws. Thus Physics found its lost ground and the great crisis was finally terminated.

Thus, the Special Theory of Relativity was established.

Vivek Panda 16th May 2005