Einstein's Special Relativity

Bob Z. (United States of America)
Albert Einstein introduced Special Relativity through his 1905 article "Zur Elektrodynamik bewegter Körper" (in English: "On The Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies") in the German journal Annalen der Physik. This list is based on a translation published in the 1923 book "The Principle of Relativity". the translation is a treasure trove of vocabulary related to relativity and science in general.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. special relativity
    a physical theory of relativity based on the assumption that the speed of light in a vacuum is a constant and the assumption that the laws of physics are invariant in all inertial systems
    He traced his realization of light's finite speed—the core idea of special relativity—to his teenage daydreams about riding beams of light. Scientific American (Sep 2, 2015)
  2. asymmetry
    a lack of balance or proportion among the parts of something
  3. phenomenon
    any state or process known through the senses
  4. reciprocal
    something that has a mutual relation to something else
  5. magnet
    a device that attracts iron and produces lines of force
  6. conductor
    a substance that readily serves as a medium for transmission
  7. relative
    not absolute or complete
  8. motion
    the act of changing location from one place to another
  9. electric field
    a field of force surrounding a charged particle
  10. energy
    any source of usable power
  11. current
    a flow of electricity through a conductor
  12. stationary
    standing still
  13. electromotive force
    the rate at which energy is drawn from a source that produces a flow of electricity in a circuit; expressed in volts
  14. equality
    the quality of being the same in quantity, value, or status
  15. intensity
    the amount of energy transmitted
  16. ether
    a medium that was once thought to fill all space
  17. quantity
    how much there is or how many there are of something
  18. electromagnetism
    the study of the interaction of charged particles in relation to magnetism
  19. mechanics
    the branch of physics concerned with the motion of bodies
  20. conjecture
    a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating
  21. principle of relativity
    (physics) a universal law that states that the laws of mechanics are not affected by a uniform rectilinear motion of the system of coordinates to which they are referred
  22. postulate
    a proposition accepted as true to provide a logical basis
  23. light
    electromagnetic radiation that can produce visual sensation
  24. velocity
    distance traveled per unit time in one direction
  25. emit
    give off, send forth, or discharge
  26. theory
    a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the world
  27. superfluous
    more than is needed, desired, or required
  28. absolute
    expressing finality with no implication of possible change
  29. property
    a basic or essential attribute shared by members of a class
  30. vector
    a quantity that has magnitude and direction
  31. space
    the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
  32. kinematics
    the branch of mechanics concerned with motion without reference to force or mass
  33. body
    an individual 3-dimensional object that has mass
  34. coordinate
    a number that identifies a position relative to an axis
  35. clock
    a timepiece that shows the time of day
  36. transformation
    a change in the position of a figure on a coordinate plane
  37. Newtonian mechanics
    the branch of mechanics based on Newton's laws of motion
  38. measurement
    assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule
  39. Cartesian coordinate
    one of the coordinates in a system of coordinates that locates a point on a plane or in space by its distance from two lines or three planes respectively; the two lines or the intersections of the three planes are the coordinate axes
  40. time
    the continuum of experience in which events pass to the past
  41. simultaneous
    occurring or operating at the same time
  42. event
    something that happens at a given place and time
  43. origin
    the point of intersection of axes on a coordinate plane
  44. independent
    free from external control and constraint
  45. standpoint
    a mental position from which things are viewed
  46. observer
    a person who becomes aware through the senses
  47. point
    a specific identifiable position in a continuum or series
  48. proximity
    the region close around a person or thing
  49. defined
    clearly characterized or delimited
  50. ray
    (mathematics) a straight line extending from a point
  51. synchronism
    the relation that exists when things occur at the same time
  52. contradiction
    a statement that is necessarily false
  53. valid
    well grounded in logic or truth or having legal force
  54. experiment
    the testing of an idea
  55. constant
    a quantity that does not vary
  56. length
    the linear extent in space from one end to the other
  57. principle
    a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon
  58. constancy
    the quality of being enduring and free from change
  59. law
    a generalization that describes recurring events in nature
  60. translate
    change the position of in space without rotation
  61. interval
    a definite length of time marked off by two instants
  62. axis
    a straight line through a body or figure
  63. uniform
    always the same
  64. parallel
    being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting
  65. ascertain
    learn or determine by making an inquiry or other effort
  66. superpose
    place upon another so that their perimeters coincide
  67. rest
    not move
  68. discover
    determine the existence, presence, or fact of
  69. basis
    a relation that provides the foundation for something
  70. kinematics
    the branch of mechanics concerned with motion without reference to force or mass
  71. tacitly
    by unexpressed agreement
  72. operation
    a calculation by mathematical methods
  73. precisely
    indicating exactness or accuracy
  74. equal
    having the same quantity, value, or measure as another
  75. epoch
    point in time relative to which information is recorded
  76. geometrical
    of or relating to the mathematics of lines and shapes
  77. criterion
    a basis for comparison
  78. reflect
    throw or bend back from a surface
  79. simultaneity
    happening or existing or done at the same time
  80. envisage
    form a mental image of something that is not present
Created on Tue Oct 23 13:43:54 EDT 2012 (updated Tue Mar 21 18:15:02 EDT 2017)

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