afstæðiskenninguna

Afstæðiskenningin, commonly known in English as the theory of relativity, is a foundational concept in modern physics developed by Albert Einstein. It is comprised of two main interconnected theories: special relativity and general relativity. Special relativity, published in 1905, deals with the relationship between space and time. It posits that the laws of physics are the same for all non-accelerating observers and that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant, regardless of the observer's motion or the motion of the light source. This leads to the famous equation E=mc², which demonstrates the equivalence of mass and energy.

General relativity, published in 1915, expands upon special relativity to include gravity. Einstein proposed that gravity is not a force, but rather a curvature of spacetime caused by the presence of mass and energy. Massive objects warp the fabric of spacetime around them, and this warping dictates how other objects, including light, move. This theory has been experimentally verified through observations such as the bending of starlight around massive objects and the precise orbits of planets. Afstæðiskenningin has revolutionized our understanding of the universe, from the smallest subatomic particles to the largest cosmic structures.