A Tale of Two Theories

Our universe is currently explained using two contradicting theories: general relativity and quantum mechanics. The quest for one unified theory has gripped the world of physics into frenzy.

Our universe is split into two different worlds; the world of the very big and the world of the very small. Einstein’s theory of general relativity elegantly and effectively explains the world of the large, including things like stars, planets, galaxies and even black holes to an extent. However, when zooming into the atomic realm of electrons and photons, general relativity starts to unwind and break down. The core issue when analyzing very small particles is that gravity, the weakest of the forces and a major component of general relativity, seems to have no effect. Let’s explore the two theories and their importance to our everyday lives with help from PBS, Stanford University and Infoplease. General relativity The theories of general …

•  8 Comments
• Videos (2)

Philip Freda

4:24 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Ms. Dalantinow, Thank you so much! I am also very glad to see others comment on the articles! It is good to have some healthy, enlightened discussion once and a while   more ›

Practical Science with Phil Freda

Einstein and the Relativity of Time

Time: it sets the seasons, tells us when to go to work and is inescapable. However, Einstein saw time differently.

Your alarm starts to ring. Get up its time for work! Jump in the shower, scarf down a meal and run to the door. Don't forget to kiss your loved ones goodbye. OK, hurry, get to the car! Sound familiar? You can thank time for your busy, hurried life. In our everyday lives, time is a cruel slave master. As each second ticks by and each moment passes, the closer you are to your next point on your agenda. If you are like me, I'm sure there are times where you wish you can slow time down or perhaps even speed it up. Wouldn't it be nice to somehow speed up the clock at work or slow it down on a lazy Sunday. Well, I have some good news. Time, according to Einstein and almost a hundred years of research, is relative. Time is variable, it can and …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (2)

Philip Freda

12:26 pm on Wednesday, March 30, 2011

It definitely does. Thank you for your comment.   more ›