principle of equivalence
1
9.7
- noun
- /ˈprɪnsəpəl əv ɪˈkwɪvələns/
- Specialized
:
principio de equivalencia
- The principle of equivalence is crucial for understanding the relationship between gravity and acceleration in physics.
- Einstein's principle of equivalence
But we know that matter does have quantum effects, so strictly speaking, we don't know how Einsteins principle of equivalence even works.
- But we know that matter does have quantum effects, so strictly speaking, we don't know how Einsteins principle of equivalence even works.
Examples
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It was based on the principle of equivalence, in which Einstein surmised that a person in empty space being pulled upward in a windowless elevator would not be able to tell the difference between gravity and acceleration, and that, therefore, there was no difference between them.
Academic text (1991) -
The principle of equivalence, a principle of local symmetry (the invariance of the laws of nature under local changes of the space-time coordinates), dictated the dynamics of gravity and of space-time itself.
Academic text (1995) -
In itself, the principle of equivalence would allow field equations of almost unlimited complexity.
Academic text (2005) -
The principle of equivalence asserts that an object's inertial and gravitational
Academic text (1994) -
But we know that matter does have quantum effects, so strictly speaking, we don't know how Einsteins principle of equivalence even works.
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If inertial mass is in reality an electromagnetic effect created by the zero-point field of the quantum vacuum, then, by the principle of equivalence, gravitational mass must have a similar origin.
Academic text (2000) -
According to Einstein's principle of equivalence, an observer falling freely in a gravitational field cannot sense the presence of that gravitational field (see box on p. 27).
Academic text (1996) -
Einstein's principle of equivalence states that the effects of gravity are indistinguishable from those of acceleration.
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According to the principle of equivalence, a person in a closed elevator cannot tell if they are in a gravitational field or accelerating.
Surface Forms
Morphology
principle + of + equivalence
A B1 learner who knows 'principle' (a rule) and 'equivalence' (sameness) can infer that this is a rule about some kind of equivalence, so the composition is partly transparent. However, the specific technical sense in physics (the indistinguishability of a uniform gravitational field and an accelerated frame) is specialized and cannot be fully derived from the constituents, making the overall expression only partially predictable.
Etymology
Principle of equivalence comes from a simple story Einstein used: imagine you are inside a closed elevator and you feel a push that could be from 'gravity' pulling you down or from the elevator moving, and you cannot tell the difference. That's why the principle talks about equivalence — it means 'gravity' and 'acceleration' give the same effect in that situation.