Relativity, the Special Theory, explained to Children (from 7 to 107 years old)

Charles-Michel Marle (1)

1 AA - Analyse Algébrique

The author thinks that the main ideas or Relativity Theory can be explained to children (around the age of 15 or 16) without complicated calculations, by using very simple arguments of affine geometry. The proposed approach is presented as a conversation between the author and one of his grand-children. Limited here to the Special Theory, it will be extended to the General Theory elsewhere, as sketched in conclusion.

Mots clés: Principle of Inertia; Special Theory of Relativity; Reference frames

Domaines: Physique mathématique [math-ph]; Physique mathématique [math-ph]

Charles-Michel Marle. Relativity, the Special Theory, explained to Children (from 7 to 107 years old). Albert Einstein Century International Conference, Jun 2005, Paris, France. CDRom p. 1124--1131. ⟨hal-00940573⟩