Definition:Relativity Theory/Special

Definition

The special theory of relativity is concerned with the phenomena of physics as experience by two observers moving relative to one another at constant velocity.

Hence it is restricted to inertial frames of reference.

Postulates

The postulates of the special theory of relativity are as follows:

First Postulate

The laws of physics can be expressed in the same mathematical form in all inertial frames of reference.

Hence it is impossible to distinguish between two inertial frames by any physical experiment.

Second Postulate

In free space, every observer in an inertial frame of reference measures the same value of the speed of light relative to the observer.

Hence the speed of light in free space is a universal constant.

Also see

• Results about the special theory of relativity can be found here.

Historical Note

The special theory of relativity was published by Albert Einstein in $1905$.

Sources

• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): relativity
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): relativity