Relativity

Albert (trans Robert W. Lawson). Einstein9780415255387, 0415255384

In this famous short book Einstein explains clearly, using the minimum amount of mathematical terms, the basic ideas and principles of the theory which has shaped the world we live in today.

Amazon.com Review How better to learn the Special Theory of Relativity and the General Theory of Relativity than directly from their creator, Albert Einstein himself? In Relativity: The Special and the General Theory, Einstein describes the theories that made him famous, illuminating his case with numerous examples and a smattering of math (nothing more complex than high-school algebra). Einstein’s book is not casual reading, but for those who appreciate his work without diving into the arcana of theoretical physics, Relativity will prove a stimulating read.

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Table of contents :
Book Cover……Page 1
Title……Page 4
Contents……Page 5
PREFACE……Page 10
Physical Meaning of Geometrical Propositions……Page 14
The System of Co-ordinates……Page 17
Space and Time in Classical Mechanics……Page 21
The Galileian System of Co-ordinates……Page 23
The Principle of Relativity (in the Restricted Sense)……Page 25
The Theorem of the Addition of Velocities Employed in Classical Mechanics……Page 29
The Apparent Incompatibility of the Law of Propagation of Light with the Principle of Relativity……Page 31
On the Idea of Time in Physics……Page 34
The Relativity of Simultaneity……Page 38
On the Relativity of the Conception of Distance……Page 41
The Lorentz Transformation……Page 43
The Behaviour of Measuring-Rods and Clocks in Motion……Page 48
Theorem of the Addition of Velocities. The Experiment of Fizeau……Page 51
The Heuristic Value of the Theory of Relativity……Page 55
General Results of the Theory……Page 57
Experience and the Special Theory of Relativity……Page 62
Minkowski’s Four-dimensional Space……Page 67
Special and General Principle of Relativity……Page 72
The Gravitational Field……Page 76
The Equality of Inertial and Gravitational Mass as an Argument for the General Postulate of Relativity……Page 79
In what Respects are the Foundations of Classical Mechanics and of the Special Theory of Relativity Unsatisfactory?……Page 83
A Few Inferences from the General Principle of Relativity……Page 86
Behaviour of Clocks and Measuring-Rods on a Rotating Body of Reference……Page 90
Euclidean and non-Euclidean Continuum……Page 94
Gaussian Co-ordinates……Page 98
The Space-Time Continuum of the Special Theory of Relativity Considered as a Euclidean Continuum……Page 102
The Space-Time Continuum of the General Theory of Relativity is not a Euclidean Continuum……Page 105
Exact Formulation of the General Principle of Relativity……Page 108
The Solution of the Problem of Gravitation on the Basis of the General Principle of Relativity……Page 111
Cosmological Difficulties of Newton’s Theory……Page 118
The Possibility of a ~Finite~ and yet ~Unbounded~ Universe……Page 121
The Structure of Space according to the General Theory of Relativity……Page 126
Simple Derivation of the Lorentz Transformation Supplementary to Section 11……Page 128
Minkowski’s Four-dimensional Space (~World~) Supplementary to Section 17……Page 135
The Experimental Confirmation of the General Theory of Relativity……Page 137
Motion of the Perihelion of Mercury……Page 138
Deflection of Light by a Gravitational Field……Page 140
Displacement of Spectral Lines towards the Red……Page 143
The Structure of Space according to the General Theory of Relativity Supplementary to Section 32……Page 147
Relativity and the Problem of Space……Page 150
BIBLIOGRAPHY……Page 170
INDEX……Page 172