The theory of special relativity explains how space and time are linked for objects that are moving at a consistent speed in a straight line. The “special theory of relativity” is based on the principle of special relativity, which states that all observers moving at constant velocities with respect to each other should find the same laws of … The theory of relativity refers to two different elements of the same theory: general relativity and special relativity. Special relativity, part of the wide-ranging physical theory of relativity formed by the German-born physicist Albert Einstein. One of its … The theory of special relativity was introduced first and was later considered to be a special case of the more comprehensive theory of general relativity. Special relativity applies to Minkowski space, or "flat spacetime" (phenomena which are not influenced by gravitation).

Along with quantum mechanics, relativity is central to modern physics. It applies to all physical phenomena, so long as gravitation is not significant. It was conceived by Einstein in 1905. Special relativity (or the special theory of relativity) is a theory in physics that was developed and explained by Albert Einstein in 1905.