Although Newtonian mechanics provided accurate predictions for a wide range of everyday phenomena, it was eventually discovered that it had limitations in explaining certain observations. This led to the development of Einstein's theory of relativity, which expanded our understanding of the physical world in a more comprehensive manner. There are several reasons why the theory of relativity was developed despite the success of Newtonian mechanics:
Speeds approaching the speed of light: Newtonian mechanics assumes that time and space are absolute, independent of the observer. However, when objects approach the speed of light, strange phenomena occur, such as time dilation and length contraction. These effects were confirmed experimentally and could not be explained by Newtonian physics. The theory of relativity, particularly the special theory of relativity, introduced a new understanding of spacetime and the behavior of objects moving at high speeds.
Gravitational effects: Newtonian mechanics treats gravity as an instantaneous force acting at a distance. However, this concept conflicted with the observations made by astronomers, particularly during the study of Mercury's orbit. Mercury's orbit did not behave as predicted by Newtonian mechanics, and there were unexplained discrepancies. Einstein's general theory of relativity provided a new description of gravity as the curvature of spacetime, which resolved the discrepancies and accurately predicted the observed effects.
Unified framework: Einstein's theory of relativity provided a unified framework that encompassed both mechanics and electromagnetism. It allowed for a consistent treatment of all physical phenomena, including gravity, electromagnetism, and motion. This unified approach was a significant advancement and provided a more comprehensive understanding of the fundamental laws of nature.
Precision and accuracy: While Newtonian mechanics is accurate for everyday scenarios, it fails to provide precise predictions for certain high-precision experiments and extreme conditions. For instance, the Global Positioning System (GPS) relies on the principles of relativity to account for the time dilation effects of satellites in orbit. Without the corrections provided by relativity, the GPS system would accumulate significant errors over time. Therefore, in certain situations, such as those involving high velocities, strong gravitational fields, or extreme precision, the theory of relativity becomes crucial.
In summary, the development of Einstein's theory of relativity was driven by the need to explain phenomena that could not be accounted for by Newtonian mechanics. The theory provided a more comprehensive understanding of the physical world, particularly at high speeds and in the presence of gravity. It offered a unified framework and has been experimentally verified in numerous ways, solidifying its importance in modern physics.