Kater

===  **Society has been impacted both positively and negatively through the Theory of Relatively in regards of the Global Positioning Signal (GPS), and nuclear energy.**        ===



The Theory of Relativity
In 1915, Albert Einstein released the Theory of Relativity to the world. The Theory of Relativity can be seperated into two distinct parts: Special Relativity, and General Relativity. Special Relativity can only be applied with moving objects. It is the base of the famous formula E=mc^2, supported the idea that the speed of light cannot be reached by any material object, and more. General Relativity applies to gravity and space. This led to the discovery/ better knowledge of stars, blackholes, and forces within space. Although the Theory of Relativity can be hard to understand, it is used in almost everyone's day-to-day life.

Global Positioning Signal
 Society has been positively effected through the use of the Global Positioning Signal (GPS). GPS helps people in their day-to-day lives, whether they are using it to target an object in battle, or simply using it to find the closest restaurant. The GPS system has eliminated the use of maps, thus making it easier to drive and find areas of interest. However, the GPS system is very complex and precise. The clock on the satellite (where the vehicle, etc. is getting the feed,) must be known to an accuracy of 20-30 nanoseconds. To make sure this is working properly, the Theory of Relativity is used. It predicts that the clocks on the satellites should be late by about 7 microseconds per day compared to the clocks on the ground.. Also, the clocks on the satellites appear to be ticking faster than the clocks on the ground. General Relativity predicts that the clocks in each GPS satellite should get ahead of ground clocks by 45 microseconds per day (Pogge).

Nuclear Energy-The Positives
Society has been positvely effected through the use of nuclear energy. In order to get nuclear energy, the nuclear fission process generates heat within itself. The heat is then removed by a cooling wave inside it's core. Nuclear energy limits our need for non-renewable sources and has become one of the major energy-suppliers in the world. Although nuclear energy can be used for military tactics, it can also be used right inside your home. Nuclear energy replaces electricity and can be used to heat up houses, neighborhoods, and citites (Arora).

Nuclear Energy- The Negatives
 In contrast, society has been negatively effected through the use of nuclear energy. The Theory of Relativity is supported with the formula E=mc^2. This formula was used to invent and create certain types of atom bombs through a difference of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion (this is what the formula and theory prove). The fusion of hydrogen into helium is the energy source in stars and provides the power of a hydrogen bomb ("Relativity:physics"). Once the bombs were created, military tactics and technology took a huge leap from the previous stages and changed the courses of all wars to come. Even though bombs were first created to solve wars (i.e. bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki in WWII), they are now being abused and used for terroristic purposes. It is seldom to find a country who does not use nuclear energy to create weapons. These powerful, merciless weapons were created to end wars by deafeating large masses of people at a time. But they are now sometimes being used to get a point across- merely to terrorize another country.

Review
The Theory of Relativity has impacted society both positively and negatively. GPS systems and nuclear energy (in the form of heating) has helped our society become better and continue to improve. However, nuclear energy (in the form of atom bombs) can be constructed into an insanely negative impact (terrorists). It is obvious that the Theory will continue to impact society for years to come, but it is unknown whether it will be beneficial.

Works Cited: Arora, Hans. "Einstein’s Theory of Relativity: Implications Beyond Science?." __Science in Society__ 20 Oct 2008 5 Feb 2009 . (This website has an in-depth look at the impacts on society and gives specific examples that are easy to identify. This also has links to many other useful websites.)

"Buckdog: January 2008." __Buckdog__. 6 Feb. 2009 <http://buckdogpolitics.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html>. (A picture website. Has alot of good images to support my theories.)

" The GPS Constellation: Now and Future." __Defense Industry Daily - Military Purchasing News for Defense Procurement Managers and Contractors__. 5 Feb. 2009 <http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/the-gps-constellation-now-and-future-01069/>. (This has alot of really good pictures. All of them are easy to identify and go along with my subjects perefectly.)

Pogge, Richard. "GPS and Relativity." __The Ohio State University Department of Astronomy__. 15 Dec. 2004. 5 Feb. 2009 <http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~pogge/Ast162/Unit5/gps.html>. (This website gives a detailed analysis of how the GPS has come from the Theory. It is easy to understand.)

"Relativity (physics)" :: Intellectual and cultural impact of relativity -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia." __Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia__. 5 Feb. 2009 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/496904/relativity/252907/Intellectual-and-cultural-impact-of-relativity>. (Has tons of information that help the reader understand the Theory. Anyone who needs to understand the Theory will find this website useful.)