Einstein Light

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written by Joe Wolfe and George Hatsidimitris

This web site is a basic, non-mathematical introduction to relativity, built around the framework of Flash media files with narration and animations. Einstein Light explores concepts from Galileo, Newton, and Maxwell through Einstein and special relativity. The site also introduces modern topics such as binding energies in the nucleus and the relationship between gravity and quantum mechanics. Background information is provided in 30 detailed pages, organized by topic and level of mathematics required for understanding. Questions are also available to assess student comprehension.

https://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Classical Mechanics - General Electricity & Magnetism Relativity - Beyond Relativity - Galilean Relativity - Special Relativity = Time Dilation	- High School - Informal Education - Lower Undergraduate	- Instructional Material = Tutorial - Audio/Visual = Movie/Animation

Appropriate Courses	Categories	Ratings
- Conceptual Physics - Algebra-based Physics - AP Physics	- Activity - Assessment - New teachers	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Intended User:: Learner
Formats:: image/gif
application/flash
text/html
Access Rights:: Free access
Restriction:: © 2005 School of Physics UNSW
Keywords:: electric force, magnetic force, quantum mechanics, relative motion, relativity, time dilation
Record Creator:: Metadata instance created December 3, 2007 by Christopher Bares
Record Updated:: February 22, 2025 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update when Cataloged:: February 12, 2007
Other Collections:: The PSRC

The Physics To Go

The Spacetime Emporium

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AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

4. The Physical Setting

4F. Motion

9-12: 4F/H2. All motion is relative to whatever frame of reference is chosen, for there is no motionless frame from which to judge all motion.
9-12: 4F/H3a. When electrically charged objects undergo a change in motion, they produce electromagnetic waves around them.
9-12: 4F/H3c. In empty space, all electromagnetic waves move at the same speed—the "speed of light."
9-12: 4F/H5ab. The observed wavelength of a wave depends upon the relative motion of the source and the observer. If either is moving toward the other, the observed wavelength is shorter; if either is moving away, the wavelength is longer.

10. Historical Perspectives

10C. Relating Matter & Energy and Time & Space

9-12: 10C/H1. As a young man, Albert Einstein, a German scientist, formulated the special theory of relativity, which brought about revolutionary changes in human understanding of nature. Among the counterintuitive ideas of special relativity is that the speed of light is the same for all observers no matter how they or the light source happen to be moving. In addition, nothing can travel faster than the speed of light.
9-12: 10C/H3. The special theory of relativity is best known for stating that any form of energy has mass, and that matter itself is a form of energy. Even a tiny amount of matter holds an enormous amount of energy. This relationship is described in the famous relativity equation E = mc2, in which the c in the equation stands for the immense speed of light.
9-12: 10C/H4. A decade after Einstein developed the special theory of relativity, he proposed the general theory of relativity, which pictures Newton's gravitational force as a distortion of space and time.
9-12: 10C/H5. Einstein's development of the theories of special and general relativity ranks as one of the greatest human accomplishments in all of history. Many predictions from the theories have been confirmed on both atomic and astronomical scales. Still, the search continues for an even more powerful theory of the architecture of the universe.
9-12: 10C/H6. Under everyday situations, most of the predictions of special relativity are nearly identical to those of classical mechanics. The more counterintuitive predictions of special relativity occur in situations that humans do not typically experience.

11. Common Themes

11B. Models

9-12: 11B/H1a. A mathematical model uses rules and relationships to describe and predict objects and events in the real world.

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<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=6229">Wolfe, Joe, and George Hatsidimitris. Einstein Light. February 12, 2007.</a>

AIP Format

J. Wolfe and G. Hatsidimitris, (2005), WWW Document, (https://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/).

AJP/PRST-PER

J. Wolfe and G. Hatsidimitris, Einstein Light (2005), <https://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/>.

APA Format

Wolfe, J., & Hatsidimitris, G. (2007, February 12). Einstein Light. Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/

Chicago Format

Wolfe, Joe, and George Hatsidimitris. Einstein Light. February 12, 2007. https://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/ (accessed 30 April 2025).

MLA Format

Wolfe, Joe, and George Hatsidimitris. Einstein Light. 2005. 12 Feb. 2007. 30 Apr. 2025 <https://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/>.

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@misc{ Author = "Joe Wolfe and George Hatsidimitris", Title = {Einstein Light}, Volume = {2025}, Number = {30 April 2025}, Month = {February 12, 2007}, Year = {2005} }

Refer Export Format

%A Joe Wolfe %A George Hatsidimitris %T Einstein Light %D February 12, 2007 %U https://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/ %O image/gif

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%0 Electronic Source %A Wolfe, Joe %A Hatsidimitris, George %D February 12, 2007 %T Einstein Light %V 2025 %N 30 April 2025 %8 February 12, 2007 %9 image/gif %U https://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/

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