Relativity, almost a hundred years old in its classic Einsteinian form, is one of the most fascinating threads running through science from Galileo's...
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Relativity, almost a hundred years old in its classic Einsteinian form, is one of the most fascinating threads running through science from Galileo's day to ours. This book, based on a short course at the University of Sussex, presents relativity as a natural outgrowth of dynamics: the concepts are introduced through careful physical reasoning and simple mathematics, and are then applied over a wide range, well meshed with current undergraduate syllabuses.
Features
* An accessible introduction through pre-Einstein relativity.
* Scrupulously assessed experimental evidence (mostly modern)
* Elementary mathematics, aimed at a working acquaintance with kinematics, energy and momentum conservation, and the propagation of plane waves
* The book includes many carefully chosen examples and student problems
Introduction to the Relativity Principle is suitable for undergraduates studying physics, also a preliminary to more formal courses designed for mathematicians.
Sommaire
INTRODUCTORY
Preliminaries
The Relativity Principle, and its Applications in Newtonian Physics
Einstein's Relativity Principle
KINEMATICS
Lorentz Transformations
Invariant Intervals and Space - Time Diagrams
Proper Time and Nonuniform Motion
Four-Vectors
Four-Acceleration
MOMENTUM AND ENERGY
Particle Dynamics: Momentum and Energy
Natural Units, and the Prevalence of MeV
Systems of Particles: Four-Momentum Conservation using Invariants
WAVES
Plane Waves
Light Waves in Empty Space: Aberration and Doppler Effect
Lorentz Transformations with Arbitrary Relative Velocity
Vectors, Four-Vectors, and Transformation Matrices
Motion Under Given Forces
Wave Equations
Black-Body Radiation: The Lorentz Transformation of Planck's Law.