Teachers' Domain; Physical Science/Engineering; Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity

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Series
Teachers' Domain
Program
Physical Science/Engineering
Title
Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity
Producing Organization
WGBH Educational Foundation
Contributing Organization
WGBH (Boston, Massachusetts)
AAPB ID
cpb-aacip-15-ng4gm81z57
If you have more information about this item than what is given here, or if you have concerns about this record, we want to know! Contact us, indicating the AAPB ID (cpb-aacip-15-ng4gm81z57).
Description
Description
What happens when you approach the speed of light? This video segment adapted from NOVA follows one of Albert Einstein's thought experiments and his quest to find the answer.
Description
See related asset "phy03_vid_sprelativity_Backgrounder.xml"
Description
Both jugglers see the clubs moving at the same speed. Why is this possible if one of them is moving and the other is standing still? Why can't the two observers agree on when the lightning bolts hit the poles? (Consider the relationship between distance, time, and speed.) Consider the implication that to an observer, the car would shrink to 44 percent of its length. How does this relate to both jugglers seeing the clubs moving at the same time?
Description
Einstein's special theory of relativity states that the same laws of physics hold true in all inertial reference frames and that the speed of light is the same for all observers, even those moving with respect to one another. In this video segment, adapted from NOVA, one of Einstein's thought experiments is re-created to reinforce one consequence of special relativity: that events that are simultaneous to one observer are not to an observer in a different reference frame that is moving with respect to the observer in the first reference frame.
Topics
Science
Subjects
wave :: type :: electromagnetic :: visible light; science; scientist :: physics :: Newton; light; The Special Theory of Relativity; force :: type :: gravitational; energy :: light :: basic properties; motion :: property :: frame of reference; motion :: property :: speed/velocity; energy :: matter :: E=mc2; motions and forces :: motion :: frame of reference; physical property :: mass; physics :: relativity; research :: science and society :: history; research :: science and society :: scientific knowledge; advanced physics :: relativity; scientific method :: step :: experimentation; scientist :: physics :: Einstein
Rights
Rights Note:Streaming only,Rights:,Rights Credit:1996 WGBH Educational Foundation. All Rights Reserved. A NOVA Production by Green Umbrella Ltd. in association with BBC-TV and Sveriges Television. Photographs courtesy of Leo Baeck Institute and University of New Hampshire.,Rights Type:All,Rights Coverage:,Rights Holder:WGBH Educational Foundation
Media type
Moving Image
Duration
00:00:53
Credits
Producing Organization: WGBH Educational Foundation
AAPB Contributor Holdings
WGBH
Identifier: cpb-aacip-efbcb2f2ad7 (unknown)
Format: video/quicktime
Color: Color
Duration: 00:04:31
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Citations
Chicago: “Teachers' Domain; Physical Science/Engineering; Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity,” WGBH, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC, accessed September 8, 2025, http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-15-ng4gm81z57.
MLA: “Teachers' Domain; Physical Science/Engineering; Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity.” WGBH, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Web. September 8, 2025. <http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-15-ng4gm81z57>.
APA: Teachers' Domain; Physical Science/Engineering; Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity. Boston, MA: WGBH, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-15-ng4gm81z57