Lesson 1 Theory of

Special Relativity
 Objectives
• At the end of the lesson, you should be able to
explain how special relativity resolved the conflict
between Newtonian mechanics and Maxwell's
electromagnetic theory.
• Newtonian mechanics also known as classical
mechanics has concepts that do not entirely agree
with all known theories in Physics like Maxwell’s
electromagnetic theory but when Einstein
presented his theory of special relativity, the conflict
between these two great ideas was resolved.
 Learn about it!
Maxwell observed that the value of the above
expression is equivalent to the speed of light c
(3.0 x 108 m/s) which implies that speed of light
c must also be constant. This is where the
conflict between Newtonian mechanics and
Maxwell’s theory starts.
 Learn about it!
Newtonian or classical mechanics discusses the
everyday motion of the objects of normal size
around us including the force that causes this
motions. The concept under Newtonian mechanics
are mainly based on ideas of Newton about motion
which correctly describe the state of motion of an
object whether at rest or moving on the straight
path and the force that maintain can cause
changes in the body’s states of motion.
 Learn about it!
• Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory consists of
four formulas gathered from the different works
of Faraday and other physicists that unites all the
concepts of electricity and magnetism and had
the findings that electric and magnetic fields
spread as waves. In 1886, Hertz proved that this
waves really exists and the propagation speed
this waves can be calculated using the formula;
If we consider a moving object of speed 100 m/s
and placed a switched on flashlight in it,
according to Newtonian mechanics the speed of
the light coming from the flashlight in this
scenario would be 100 m/s + c and this
contradicts what Maxwell’s theory tells that
speed of light is a constant value. Which is true
between these two concepts?
The theory of special relativity proposed by
Einstein in 1905 explains the problems that involve
motion of frames of reference at constant linear
velocity with respect to one another and is based
on two postulates: (1) the laws of Physics are the
same in all inertial frames of reference moving with
constant velocity relative to one another and (2)
the speed of light is the same in all inertial frames
of reference.
The second postulate clearly tells that Maxwell’s idea is
correct but does mean Newtonian mechanics is wrong? Not
totally, but the postulates of Einstein tell us that Newtonian
mechanics has limitations in terms of its application. If we
consider moving objects with speed very small compared to
the speed of light, Newtonian mechanics applies like the
speeds of a flying ball and running car but if we consider
speeds that is close to the speed of light a new concept must
be included in order to supply the limit of Newtonian
mechanics and that is the Lorentz transformation the
counterpart of the Galilean transformation of the Newtonian
mechanics.
 Key Points
• Newtonian or classical mechanics tells that the
measures speed of light should depend on the
motion of the observer.
• Maxwell's electromagnetic theory tells that the
value of the speed of light is constant.
• Theory of special relativity tells that the speed
of light is constant in all frames of reference.