Einstein's theory of special relativity includes electricity and magnetism in a simple, logical extension of the relativity of Galileo and Newton. Its conclusions, including time dilation, length contraction, and E=mc² have changed profoundly our ideas of time and space, matter and energy.

These multimedia modules (click here for the PDF) developed by the University of New South Wales, one of Australia's leading research and teaching universities, give a brief overview of relativity - they present the main ideas. Inevitably, you will have questions. So related links give more complete explanations.

Related Links for each module:

1. GALILEO - Mechanics and Galilean relativity
2. MAXWELL - Electricity, magnetism and relativity
3. EINSTEIN - The principle of Special Relativity
4. TIME DILATION - How relativity implies time dilation and length contraction
5. E = mc² - How relativistic mechanics leads to E = mc²
6. BEYOND RELATIVITY

Animations from Einstein Light require the Flash Plugin. The multimedia modules have animations and film clips and are typically 2Mb. The much smaller HTML versions have only text and images.