Albert Einstein

Maverick · Post by **Maverick** » Wed Dec 04, 2002 3:25 am

so I guess I'm not the only one reading Steven Hawking's "A Brief History of Time"?

Post by **Sloth** » Wed Dec 04, 2002 8:38 am

"All physical theories ... ought to lend themselves to so simple a description that even a child could understand them."

-Einstein, attributed

Post by **Sloth** » Wed Dec 04, 2002 8:39 am

Light comes in discrete bits or "quanta" called photons; their speed is exactly the same for any person who cares to measure it, no matter how fast that person is moving.

Mass and energy are interchangeable, as expressed by the famous equation E=mc2. A tiny amount of matter can be converted into an enormous amount of energy.

Space and time, lumped together as the four dimensions of space-time, actually depend on who's measuring them. The laws of physics are unchanging for any single observer, but two observers whipping past each other at near the speed of light see time slow down and length shorten in the other's world. This is the essence of the 1905 special theory of relativity.

Gravity and acceleration are intimately related, according to the 1916 general theory of relativity. Gravity is basically a warping of space-time, so a falling apple is actually tumbling into the "dent" in the fabric of space-time made by the Earth's mass. Same thing with planets orbiting around the sun or light vanishing into a black hole.

Post by **Sloth** » Wed Dec 04, 2002 8:42 am

"Humanity needs a few romantic idols as spots of light in the drab field of earthly existence. ... The particular choice of person is inexplicable and unimportant."
-Einstein, at the age of 70

Brett · Post by **Brett** » Wed Dec 04, 2002 8:45 am

You MUST me playing with Mary Jane.

Post by **mccutcheon** » Fri Dec 06, 2002 5:12 pm

Albert is Mickey Mouse.

Maverick · Post by **Maverick** » Fri Dec 06, 2002 6:53 pm

I don't even get that Mc. Perhaps I haven't got enough "spider bites" to understand your comparison.

marky · Post by **marky** » Sun Dec 08, 2002 7:39 am

Reading Albert Einstein quotes is cool. Stephen Hawking's good too. I could have sworn that at some time in the past on this website someone said Einstein was not cool for some reason. I can't remember who it was or why they said he was uncool.

Hmmm...

Ah well, back to the music...
I'm crazy about this song by Be Bop Deluxe called "Modern Music". It was definitely inspired by the second side of Abbey Road.

Whoops this isn't under the Sex Drugs & Rock and Roll heading...