When will we need to know Einstein's Theory of Relativity in real life? Every single time you use a cell phone, GPS, or watch satellite TV. When a satellite is sent into space without accounting for relativity, problems immediately arise with both GPS and nuclear detection, and the video explains why this occurs.

Concepts

gps, the theory of general relativity, time, satellites, satellite data

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Like the idea of time changing to the twin astronaut study where one stayed on earth while the other was on the ISS
• Discuss the fact that Australia is moving fast enough—it has to change the longitude and latitude coordinates every few years in order to stay accurate

Classroom Considerations

• Video uses the word triangulate rather than the correct word, trilaterate; the video does have the correction written in a pop-up, but many students might miss the difference

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• ELLs benefit from closed captioning in 10 languages
• Engaging and short to maintain viewers' attention

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4