Introduction to the Relativity Principle

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 as a preliminary to more formal courses designed for mathematicians.Die Relativität ist ein Thema, das Physik- und Mathematikstudenten gleichermaßen interessiert, fasziniert und unterhält. Sorgfältig geschrieben und strukturiert, handelt dieses Buch Theorie und Konzepte der Relativität ab; zahlreiche Beispiele und Übungsaufgaben aus der modernen Physik helfen beim Vertiefen des Stoffes. (09/99) 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.

Appendices.

Problems.

Index.

G. Barton is the author of Introduction to the Relativity Principle, published by Wiley. 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 as a preliminary to more formal courses designed for mathematicians.