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Examples of special relativity in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hafele carefully computed the tiny effects from motion (special relativity) and altitude (general relativity), effects that added up and sometimes even canceled out.
—C. Renée James, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2014
It was eventually disproved—thanks to the famous Michelson-Morley experiment in 1887 and Albert Einstein's development of special relativity and his paper on the photoelectric effect in 1905 (his annus mirabilis).
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 4 Feb. 2023
This is not a violation of the familiar speed-of-light rule from special relativity, because the galaxies themselves aren’t moving; instead, the space between us is expanding.
—Popular Mechanics, 7 Mar. 2023
According to special relativity, motion is relative.
—Jennifer Ouellette and Sean M. Carroll, Ars Technica, 24 Nov. 2023
Time is relative However, physicist Albert Einstein’s theory of special relativity suggests that time passes at different rates for different people.
—Adi Foord, University Of Maryland, Discover Magazine, 17 Nov. 2023
Indeed, Einstein was not the first person to wonder if time is an illusion — and his own theory of special relativity may make the statement plausible.
—Paul M. Sutter, Discover Magazine, 7 July 2023
Our route into special relativity might be thought of as top-down, taking the idea of a unified space-time seriously from the get-go and seeing what that implies.
—Sean Carroll, Quanta Magazine, 14 Nov. 2022
In 1865, physicist James Clerk Maxwell drew the connection between these twin forces, setting the stage for Einstein to form his famed theory of special relativity.
—Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, 29 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'special relativity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1919, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of special relativity was
in 1919
Dictionary Entries Near special relativity
Cite this Entry
“Special relativity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20relativity. Accessed 13 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
special relativity
nounMore from Merriam-Webster on special relativity
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about special relativity
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