Einstein and The Special Theory of Relativity

How Einstein (& others) discovered Special Relativity.

Pi day (3.14) is Albert Einstein's Birthday! To celebrate, we'll explain 4 of his most groundbreaking papers from 1905, when he was just 26 years old.

And twitter - @minutephysics

Minute Physics provides an energetic and entertaining view of old and new problems in physics -- all in a minute!

Music by Nathaniel Schroeder

Thanks to Nima Doroud and Alex Yale for contributions and to Perimeter Institute for support. Created by Henry Reich

[microsoftwordtm]

This video is only understandable if you already know what the Theory of Relativity is

[cristian-sigb]

This makes sense if you already understand relativity. Not so much if you don't.

[BlueHawkPictures]

this video is what happens when you ask someone to describe one the most unintuitive properties of the universe in onr minute

[Theophage]

I think this is one of the best examples of how movement (or rather velocity) is actually a rotation in spacetime that I've seen. Kudos to you, sir.

[sloperdude]

I learned more from viewing this short video twice than I ever learned in school about relativity. I never quite understood the train analogy that was commonly used back in the day. Thanks so much. Also I love the video on how things acquire mass, and that mass keeps everything that has it from moving at the speed of light. Just awesome. I haven't gone through all the videos yet, but would love to see one on phonons.

[jtcook]

I don't know what he is talking about but I still watch

[jollyhrothgar]

Its a rare gift to be able to explain concepts like world-lines and group theory, without ever mentioning them by name, and phrasing them in a way that makes the mechanics of what's happening shine through. You're awesome.

[sirawesomehat]

So far in my physics learning, nothing has been more fun then finding out time dilation with relativity.

[subh]

beautiful. Haven't ever before come across such simple, yet accurate description of SR.

[spaceflyingsheep]

never head that kind of explanation behind relativity in my entire physics degree, so it was interesting to hear your explanation!

[madisonbenson]

I'm gonna try to type "Minute Physics" with my eyes closed.

Minute Physics

Yay!

[cricketknowall]

I think you shouldn't be explaining things like this in 1 min. Despite having learnt the Special Theory of Relativity, I barely managed to understand what you were trying to explain.

[macronencer]

Still the best graphical demonstration of SR I've ever seen. You are awesome.

[AnimationB]

The picture does an amazing job of describing how time bends yet the velocity of light remains constant. Thank you very much for simplifying this concept into graspable picture.

[salammohammedzafarulla]

awesomely explained, in love this explanation totally understood

[pradeep]

please make a video on interstellar.. We would love to see your graphic explanation of Nolan's sci-fi creation :)

[billzfeng]

HOLY SHIT!!! I spent 2 years in IB physics trying to understand this stuff, but the illustration you gave made it so much easier to comprehend!

[mwauraerick]

I now understand it so well. Never thought it in this way

[arielhernannapoli]

*What exactly is this **_The Truth Contest_** -website they're talking about on Physics-videos?*

[HenriqueStel]

"before Einstein was even born, physicists showed that the speed of light was one of those absolute things that can't be changed by a switcheroo..." before he was even born? Are you sure about that?