What is the Difference Between General Relativity and Special Relativity?

The difference between General Relativity and Special Relativity lies in their scope and the phenomena they describe. Both theories were proposed by Albert Einstein, with Special Relativity published in 1905 and General Relativity in 1915.

Special Relativity:

• Applies to all physical phenomena in the absence of gravity.
• Explains the relationship between space, time, mass, and energy in inertial frames of reference.
• Key ideas:

1. The speed of light in a vacuum is the same for any observer, regardless of their relative motion or the motion of the light source.
2. Mass and energy are equivalent and transmutable, as expressed by the famous equation E=mc^2.

• Applicable in situations where objects and waves are in the same inertial frame of reference.

General Relativity:

• Describes the relationship between an observer and acceleration.
• Explains the law of gravitation and its relation to the forces of nature.
• Incorporates the Equivalence Principle, which states that the laws of physics are the same for all observers in any frame of reference, regardless of the observer's acceleration.
• Accounts for the bending of spacetime due to the presence of mass, as demonstrated by the phenomenon of gravitational lensing.
• Does not require objects and waves to be in the same inertial frame of reference.

In summary, Special Relativity focuses on objects moving at constant velocities and the effects of their motion on space, time, mass, and energy, while General Relativity deals with objects undergoing acceleration and the resulting curvature of spacetime due to gravity.

Comparative Table: General Relativity vs Special Relativity

The key difference between General Relativity and Special Relativity lies in their scope and the phenomena they describe. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences:

Special Relativity deals with the relationship between an observer and constant speed, ignoring the effects of gravity. Developed by Albert Einstein in 1905, it focuses on objects in uniform motion and has no effect on gravity. This theory introduced the concepts of time dilation and mass-energy equivalence.

On the other hand, General Relativity, developed by Albert Einstein in 1916, is an extension of Special Relativity that includes the effects of gravity. It describes the gravitational force as a continuous, non-spatial whole of space and time. This theory encompasses a broader range of phenomena, including curved and expanding spacetimes.