Einstein's theory of relativity (in context of Dutch contributions)

Einstein's theory of relativity, comprising special and general relativity, revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity. While Einstein developed these ideas, Dutch scientists like Hendrik Lorentz contributed earlier by exploring how objects contract and time dilates when moving near light speeds, laying the groundwork for Einstein’s insights. Special relativity shows that measurements of time and space depend on the observer's motion, especially at high speeds. General relativity describes gravity as the curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy. Together, these theories unify space, time, and gravity into a single, dynamic framework, profoundly influencing modern physics and cosmology.