Definition ∞ Special relativity is a physical theory developed by Albert Einstein that describes the relationship between space and time for objects moving at constant velocities relative to each other. Its postulates include the constancy of the speed of light for all observers and the principle of relativity, stating that the laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames of reference. This theory predicts phenomena such as time dilation and length contraction, fundamentally altering classical notions of space and time. It applies to systems where gravitational effects are negligible.
Context ∞ While a concept from physics, special relativity provides a foundational understanding of the ultimate limits on information transfer within globally distributed systems, including blockchain networks. The finite speed of light, a core tenet of special relativity, imposes physical constraints on how quickly transaction data can propagate and be confirmed across a decentralized ledger. This principle underpins the challenges in achieving instantaneous consensus and influences the design considerations for network synchronization in digital asset systems.
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