Relativity: The Special and the General TheoryTime 's 'Man of the Century', Albert Einstein is the unquestioned founder of modern physics, and relativity the most important scientific idea of the modern era. 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. Unsurpassed by any subsequent books on relativity, this remains the most popular and useful exposition of Einstein's immense contribution to human knowledge. |
Contents
Physical Meaning of Geometrical Propositions | 3 |
The System of Coordinates | 6 |
Space and Time in Classical Mechanics | 10 |
The Galileian System of Coordinates | 12 |
The Principle of Relativity in the Restricted Sense | 14 |
The Theorem of the Addition of Velocities Employed in Classical Mechanics | 18 |
The Apparent Incompatibility of the Law of Propagation of Light with the Principle of Relativity | 20 |
On the Idea of Time in Physics | 23 |
Special and General Principle of Relativity | 61 |
The Equality of Inertial and Gravitational | 68 |
A Few Inferences from the General Principle | 75 |
Euclidean and nonEuclidean Continuum | 83 |
The SpaceTime Continuum of the Special | 91 |
Exact Formulation of the General Principle | 97 |
The Solution of the Problem of Gravitation | 100 |
Cosmological Difficulties of Newtons Theory | 107 |
The Relativity of Simultaneity | 27 |
On the Relativity of the Conception of Distance | 30 |
The Lorentz Transformation | 32 |
The Behaviour of MeasuringRods | 37 |
The Heuristic Value of the Theory of Relativity | 44 |
Experience and the Special Theory | 51 |
The Structure of Space according to | 115 |
Minkowskis Fourdimensional Space | 124 |
c Displacement of Spectral Lines towards | 132 |
Relativity and the Problem of Space | 139 |
| 159 | |
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Relativity: The Special and the General Theory Albert Einstein,Robert W. Lawson Limited preview - 2001 |
Common terms and phrases
able acceleration according appears basis behaviour body of reference called carriage chest classical mechanics clocks co-ordinate system concept condition connection consideration considered continuum corresponding course definition derived described determined direction disc distance earth embankment energy equal equations Euclidean existence experience expression fact fixed four-dimensional fundamental Galileian geometry given gravitational field hold idea imagine important independent inertial system influence interpretation kind length light Lorentz transformation manner mass material matter means measured measuring-rods motion moving nature objects observer obtained origin particular physical plane position possible present principle of relativity propagation question railway reality reference-body regard relation respect rest result rigid body rods satisfy sense simultaneous space space-time special theory square stars statement straight line surface theoretical theory of relativity things thought tion train universe validity values velocity