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What does Einstein's theory of relativity have to do with the GPS system?
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
GPS receivers calculate your position using a timing signal which is sent from a number of different satellites. By knowing the time taken by each signal to reach you the receiver can calculate the distance from each satellite and hence your position. Using, distance from satellite = speed of light X time of travel. Inorder to very accurately know the time taken for the signal to reach you it is necessary to correct for the fact that time passes more slowly in a gravitational field. For example, time passes faster for a satellite far away from the earth where gravity is slightly weaker. This is were Einstein's General relativity is used - it can describe how time changes with position in gravtitional field.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
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What is an idea that is repeatedly supported by test results in science?
Einstein's theory of relativity is continuously tested by GPS satellites. If relativity weren't true the system wouldn't work.
What was albert Einsteins best invention?
Einstein wasn't an inventor he was a theoretical physicist which means his ideas underpinned later developments in technology. GPS systems would be quite inaccurate were it not for corrections developed from Einstein's General Theory of Relativity.
How has special relativity helped us today?
Special relativity is a fundamental pillar in our understanding of the Universe. Many things are based on it, like the GPS system and nuclear power. Indirectly much of nano technology is based on special relativity so things like iPads, computers, modern cars, all have ingredients which can be traced back to the theory of special relativity.
Can you prove that Einsteins relativity theory is wrong?
That would be kind of tough, since most of its explanations and predictions have been verified in thousands of experiments over the past hundred years. For one example: One of the predictions that falls out of the Relativistic math is the way that time becomes distorted or "dilated" when two objects have a high velocity relative to each other. That math was used in the design of the whole Global Positioning System. GPS would not work without the allowances built in for the effects of Relativity.
Why is it called the general theory of relativity and not the general hypothesis of relativity?
A "hypothesis" changes to a "theory" when empirical evidence backs it up. Every experiment done over the last 90 years has supported general relativity; not one experiment has challenged it. Indeed, accurate GPS devices would not work unless the effects of general relativity were not factored into their clocks -- so, in effect, every GPS device in the world is an experiment that supports GR. Contrary to what some people, with a CLEAR and UNDENIABLE motivation to confuse people on what a "theory" means, wrongly claim that a scientific "theory" is something unproven. That is simply not true, but these people will continue to repeat this lie.
Did Albert Einstein discover the GPS?
Albert Einstein did not invent Global Positioning Satellites or any kind of satellites. However, it is also true that it is necessary to understand Einstein's theory of relativity, in order to get sufficient accuracy to create a GPS system, since relativistic time dilation effects do affect the satellites.
How did Albert Einstein's theory of relativity make a difference?
Development of GPS Technology (Satellites at high altitude moving at high velocities) Atomic Clocks (adjust for lost nanoseconds) Radio telescopes
Where did Einstein prove the theory of relativity?
Einstein did not "prove" his postulates in the sense that he conducted tests to determine whether or not they fit experimental evidence. Instead, he wrote these postulates in his special theory of relativity while working as a patents clerk in Geneva in 1905 followed by the general theory in Germany in 1912. Both theories have been tested extensively over the decades, and no variance from either theory has ever been found. Indeed, GPS systems would not work if relativistic corrections were not added to their calculations. Thus, relativity is as established a part of our understanding of our Universe as is gravity.
What is equation proof of theory of relativity?
Equations are just statements. They don't prove anything. The theory of relativity predicted things that couldn't be measured at the time Einstein published his work. Since then, of course, measurement techniques have gotten a lot better, and the predictions of relativity have been checked out, both in laboratories on Earth and astronomical measurements. So far, in thousands of experiments and observations over roughly the past hundred years, whenever a group of scientists set up something to check relativity, it checks out. Here is the one I always like to mention: -- The Theory of Relativity predicted that when a clock moves, it slows down, and the faster it moves, the slower it runs. -- A correction for that had to be built into the GPS satellites, otherwise GPS wouldn't work. Oh, it would work, but the location where it says you are would be seriously wrong, and it wouldn't be of much use to anybody.
How much does general relativity affect the GPS satellite?
Something like 38 microseconds of on-board clock error per day. If not corrected for, then the whole system could not work.
Are GPS satellite clocks really updated due to time dilation from general relativity?
Yes, they are. If they were not, your GPS would have at most an accuracy of 50 ft.
What is the most exact prediction of the relativity theory?
Well, to pick out a few of them . . . Relativity predicts that if you see an object that you're familiar with moving through your room and you do some measurements on it before it's gone, you'll find that its length has shrunk, its mass has increased, and the clock inside it is running slow. Relativity tells you exactly how much these properties of the object will change, depending on how fast it's moving past you. These numbers have been tested from 99 bazillion different angles in thousands of experiments during the past 100 years, and have been proven to be right on, at least to the precision of which the measurements are capable. Here's an example that I think is so cool: Have you ever used a GPS receiver ? GPS uses very accurate atomic clocks aboard each GPS satellite. Those clocks have to be changed in order for GPS to work, because Relativity tells us how much the clocks will run slow on account of the satellite's speed in its orbit. If the clocks are not adjusted to account for Relativity, GPS doesn't work.
