Название: Special Relativity for the Enthusiast Автор: Thomas Strohm Издательство: Springer Год: 2023 Страниц: 347 Язык: английский Формат: pdf (true), epub Размер: 36.4 MB
This textbook introduces special relativity with a focus on a profound understanding of the physics behind the theory. The main part of the book is targeted to undergraduates, for physics education, for undergraduate students in natural sciences in general, and even to interested laypersons. To serve these target groups, the book uses only basic mathematics and, in contrast to many other introductions to special relativity, the book is based on a pedagogical approach that relies on geometry and space-time diagrams to make the surprising predictions of the theory particularly clear. Special relativity is a geometric theory, and space-time diagrams are an efficient and easily understandable way to comprehend its implications.
The textbook, however, is also suitable for advanced students and enthusiasts that already learned the basics of the special theory of relativity and want to know more. Special digression sections provide plenty of interesting material. Carefully selected problems with solutions and in-depth explanations for all key experiments help deepen the knowledge.
1. Introduction 2. The Limits of Classical Mechanics 3. The Relativity Principle of Classical Mechanics 4. Waves and Light 5. The Unsuccessful Hunt for the Special Inertial Frame 6. Einstein’s Solution: The Special Theory of Relativity (SR) 7. Relativity of Simultaneity 8. Length Contraction 9. Time Dilation 10. Lorentzian Addition of Velocities 11. The Lorentz Transformation: Derivation 12. The Lorentz Transformation: Applications 13. Energy and Momentum 14. Electrodynamics 15. Towards General Relativity 16. Summary