Relativity: The Special and General TheoryThe Nobel Prize-winning scientist's presentation of his landmark theory According to Einstein himself, this book is intended to give an exact insight into the theory of Relativity to those readers who, from a general scientific and philosophical point of view, are interested in the theory, but who are not conversant with the mathematical apparatus of theoretical physics. When he wrote the book in 1916, Einstein's name was scarcely known outside the physics institutes. Having just completed his masterpiece, The General Theory of Relativity -- which provided a brand-new theory of gravity and promised a new perspective on the cosmos as a whole -- he set out at once to share his excitement with as wide a public as possible in this popular and accessible book. |
Contents
Introduction | viii |
Preface | xiii |
The Special Theory of Relativity 1 Physical Meaning of Geometrical Propositions | 15 |
Copyright | |
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Relativity: The Special and the General Theory Albert Einstein,Robert W. Lawson Limited preview - 2001 |
Relativity: The Special and the General Theory Albert Einstein,Robert W. Lawson Limited preview - 2001 |
Common terms and phrases
acceleration according æther Albert Einstein body of reference Cartesian co-ordinate centre chest classical mechanics co-ordinate system consideration corresponding distance domain earth eclipse Einstein electrodynamics energy equation Euclidean continuum Euclidean geometry experience expression finite fixed stars formulation fundamental Galilei transformation Galileian reference-body Galileian system gravitational field gravitational mass hold hypothesis imagine inertial mass laws of nature length light in vacuo little rods Lorentz transformation magnitudes manner marble slab material points mathematics matter means measured measuring-rods and clocks Minkowski mollusc motion moving uniformly observer obtain orbit phenomena physical physicists plane position postulate of relativity principle of relativity propagation of light propositions radius railway carriage ray of light regard Relativity of Simultaneity result rigid body rotation satisfied Section space-time continuum special theory spectral lines square straight line surface system of co-ordinates theoretical theory of relativity three-dimensional transmission of light universe validity velocity of light x-axis