relativity
gb/ɹˌɛlɪtˈɪvəti/ us/ɹˌɛlɪtˈɪvəti/
C1
Inglés
~ 8900
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Sustantivo
technical
C1
entity
1
Einstein's theory of space-time
Einstein’s big idea in physics that says space, time, and gravity change depending on how fast something moves and how much mass it has.
Patrón de uso:
the theory of relativity explains [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'relativity' with 'relationship' or use 'relativity' to mean any personal connection (e.g., '*the relativity between my sister and me*'). In this scientific sense, 'relativity' is about physics, not social or family connections. For everyday 'connection', use 'relationship' or 'relation' instead.
Sinónimos
relativity theory (More explicit technical phrase; used mainly in scientific writing as a near-equivalent name for Einstein’s theory.)
|
Einsteinian physics (Broader and less common; refers to physics based on Einstein’s ideas, not only relativity.)
Antónimos
classical mechanics (Describes the earlier Newtonian theory of motion and forces, which relativity replaces at very high speeds or strong gravity.)
|
Newtonian physics (General term for pre-Einstein physics where time and space are treated as fixed and absolute.)
Colocaciones
theory of relativity
|Einstein's theory of relativity
|special relativity
|general relativity
|principle of relativity
|relativity equations
Temas
science
|physics
|astronomy
Ejemplos
- Einstein published his special relativity in 1905 and his general relativity a decade later.
- According to the theory of relativity, time passes at different rates for observers moving at different speeds.
- General relativity describes gravity as the curvature of space-time caused by mass and energy.
- GPS satellites must correct for relativity to keep their clocks synchronized with clocks on Earth.
- Many people first hear about relativity in high school physics or popular science books.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- Relativity says that time does not always pass at the same speed.
- Einstein became famous for his theory of relativity.
- In school, we watched a video that explained relativity in simple words.
- Scientists test relativity by looking at how light moves near the sun.
- Modern physics is strongly based on relativity and quantum theory.
Sustantivo
formal
C1
state
2
state of being relative
The idea that something changes in meaning, value, or size when you compare it with other things or look from a different point of view.
Patrón de uso:
the relativity of [idea or quality]
Error frecuente:
Learners may use 'relativity' when they really mean 'relationship' (e.g., '*the relativity between sleep and health*' instead of 'the relationship between sleep and health'). They may also confuse 'relativity' with 'relativism': 'relativity' is the general quality of being relative; 'relativism' is a specific belief or philosophy about that quality.
Sinónimos
relativeness (More rare and technical; a near-synonym that also refers to the quality of being relative.)
|
context-dependence (Plain and explicit; stresses that meaning or value changes with the situation or background.)
Antónimos
absoluteness (Highlights that something is fixed and independent of context, which contrasts with relativity.)
|
objectivity (Suggests truth that does not change with opinions or viewpoints, opposite to context-based relativity.)
Colocaciones
the relativity of truth
|the relativity of values
|the relativity of perception
|the relativity of time
|cultural relativity
|moral relativity
Temas
philosophy
|psychology
|language
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The relativity of beauty means that different cultures admire different physical features.
- In his essay, he discusses the relativity of moral standards across societies.
- Psychologists often point out the relativity of happiness, since people compare themselves to those around them.
- The relativity of time in everyday life is clear when a fun hour feels shorter than a boring hour.
- Her research focuses on the relativity of social status in online communities.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The relativity of price is clear when a rich person and a poor person see the same bill.
- Teachers sometimes talk about the relativity of success for different students.
- He believes in the relativity of truth and does not think there is only one right answer.
- The relativity of time is easy to feel when you wait in a long line.
- The relativity of taste means that I like this food, but my friend hates it.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
relativity
AFI
GB/ɹˌɛlɪtˈɪvəti/
US/ɹˌɛlɪtˈɪvəti/
Sílabas y acento
re - lativ - ity (3 sílabas)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ity)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: relativity
- Plural: relativities, relativity
Familia de palabras
Forms
relativities
noun
Core family
relate
verb B1
relation
noun B1
relationship
noun A2
related
adjective
relative
adjective A2
relatively
adverb B1
Advanced or less common
relativistic
adjective
Expresiones
cultural relativity
1/kˈʌlt͡ʃɚəl ɹˌɛlɪtˈɪvəti/
fixed phrase
formal
culture-based dependence of values
The idea that you should understand a culture’s rules and values by looking at that culture itself, not by using your own culture’s rules.
Ejemplos
- Anthropologists often stress cultural relativity when comparing different societies.
- Cultural relativity makes it difficult to declare one set of social norms as universally correct.
Einstein's theory of relativity
1/ˈaɪnstˌaɪnz θˈiɚi əv ɹˌɛlɪtˈɪvəti/
fixed phrase
technical
Einstein’s relativity theory (named)
The full name for Einstein’s famous physics theory about space, time, and gravity.
Ejemplos
- Einstein's theory of relativity was confirmed by measurements during a solar eclipse.
- Many people know the name Einstein's theory of relativity but do not fully understand it.
general relativity
1/d͡ʒˈɛnɚəl ɹˌɛlɪtˈɪvəti/
fixed phrase
technical
Einstein’s gravity theory
The part of Einstein’s theory that explains gravity as the bending of space and time by mass and energy.
Ejemplos
- General relativity predicts that massive objects bend the path of light.
- Black holes are a famous consequence of general relativity.
principle of relativity
1/pɹˈɪnsəpəl əv ɹˌɛlɪtˈɪvəti/
fixed phrase
technical
basic rule behind relativity
The basic rule that the main laws of physics work the same way for observers who move at constant speed compared with each other.
Ejemplos
- The principle of relativity says that no experiment can tell you if you are moving at a constant speed or standing still.
- Einstein started with the principle of relativity and the speed of light to build his theory.
relativity theory
1/ɹˌɛlɪtˈɪvəti θˈiɚi/
fixed phrase
technical
another name for relativity
Another way to say 'the theory of relativity', Einstein’s physics theory about space, time, and gravity.
Ejemplos
- Relativity theory and quantum mechanics are the foundations of modern physics.
- She is writing her thesis on the history of relativity theory.
special relativity
1/spˈɛʃəl ɹˌɛlɪtˈɪvəti/
fixed phrase
technical
Einstein’s special relativity theory
The part of Einstein’s theory that explains how space and time change for things that move fast in a straight line, without strong gravity.
Ejemplos
- Special relativity shows that moving clocks run more slowly than clocks at rest.
- In special relativity, nothing can move faster than the speed of light in a vacuum.
the relativity of truth
1/ðə ɹˌɛlɪtˈɪvəti əv tɹˈuθ/
fixed phrase
formal
truth depending on viewpoint
The idea that what people call 'true' can change with their point of view, culture, or situation.
Ejemplos
- Philosophers have long debated the relativity of truth in ethics and religion.
- Some people accept the relativity of truth, while others believe in absolute facts.
theory of relativity
1/θˈiɚi əv ɹˌɛlɪtˈɪvəti/
fixed phrase
technical
Einstein’s theory of relativity
Einstein’s famous physics theory that explains how space, time, and gravity change with speed and mass.
Ejemplos
- The theory of relativity completely changed our understanding of space and time.
- Many popular science books try to explain the theory of relativity in everyday language.