Theory of relativity

The theory of relativity was a concept in physics. According to Amelia Rumford, it stated that nothing in the universe can travel faster than the speed of light before encountering time distortion. (TV: The Stones of Blood) It also suggested that the universe was made of more than three dimensions and that space's geometry was non-Euclidean. (PROSE: The Book of the Enemy) Adric summarised it as E=mc$2$, or "energy equals mass times the speed of light squared." (TV: Four to Doomsday)

The theory of relativity was first proposed by Professor James Moriarty in his book On the Dynamics of the Asteroid. He based the theory on his extensive observations of asteroidal dynamics. The theory only gained widespread acceptance thirty years later, in the early 20th century. (PROSE: The Book of the Enemy) Moriarty disappeared shortly after the book's initial release; (PROSE: The Death of Art) he was later remembered as a fictional character. (COMIC: Character Assassin) Sherlock Holmes similarly became a fictional character after reading The Book of the Enemy. (PROSE: The Book of the Enemy)

Later generations attributed the special theory of relativity to Albert Einstein. (TV: The Stones of Blood, The Last Sontaran) The Fourth Doctor tried helping Einstein understand the mistakes in his theory, but Einstein insisted that it was correct. (TV: The Stones of Blood) Luke Smith found a flaw in the theory by 2009. (TV: The Last Sontaran) There were several ways to achieve faster-than-light travel without time distortion, including space warping and hyperspace. (TV: The Stones of Blood)

Susan studied relativity before she and the First Doctor settled at Totter's Lane. (PROSE: Losing the Audience) Adric considered the theory of relativity to be something that all people should understand. (TV: Four to Doomsday)

While Galastel was trying to explain the Sidhe's nomadic ways to Sam Jones, she thought he must be feeling like she would if she tried to explain the Theory of Relativity to a goldfish. (PROSE: Autumn Mist)