Albert biography einstein relativity special theory

Two interrelated physics theories by Albert Einstein

This article is about the scientific concept. For philosophical or ontological theories about relativity, see Relativism.

For the silent film, see The Einstein Theory of Relativity.

The theory of relativity usually encompasses two interrelated physics theories by Albert Einstein: special relativity and general relativity, proposed and published in 1905 and 1915, respectively.^[1] Special relativity applies to all physical phenomena in the absence of gravity.

General relativity explains the law of gravitation and its relation to the forces of nature.^[2] It applies to the cosmological and astrophysical realm, including astronomy.^[3]

The theory transformed theoretical physics and astronomy during the 20th century, superseding a 200-year-old theory of mechanics created primarily by Isaac Newton.^[3][4][5] It introduced concepts including 4-dimensi