An Illustrated Guide to Relativity

Erscheinungsjahr 2017
ISBN: 978-0-521-14100-0
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 266 Seiten, Format (B × H): 152 mm x 229 mm, Gewicht: 393 g

Aimed at both physics students and non-science majors, this unique book explains Einstein's special theory of relativity pictorially, using diagrams rather than equations. The diagrams guide the reader, step-by-step, from the basics of relativity to advanced topics including the addition of velocities, Lorentz contraction, time dilation, the twin paradox, Doppler shift, and Einstein's famous equation E=mc². The distinctive figures throughout the book enable the reader to visualize the theory in a way that cannot be fully conveyed through equations alone. The illustrative explanations in this book maintain the logic and rigour necessary for physics students, yet are simple enough to be understood by non-scientists. The book also contains entertaining problems which challenge the reader's understanding of the materials covered.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Takeuchi, Tatsu

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Physik Quantenphysik Relativität, Gravitation
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Physik Allgemein Theoretische Physik, Mathematische Physik, Computerphysik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Preface; Part I. Kinematics: 1. Introduction; 2. Basics; 3. Galilean relativity; 4. Einsteinian relativity; 5. Causality; 6. Consequences; 7. Summary of Part I; Part II. Problems: 8. Qualitative problems; 9. Quantitative problems; Part III. Dynamics: 10. The world's most famous equation; 11. The problem; 12. Newtonian dynamics; 13. Relativistic dynamics; 14. Summary of Part III; Afterword; References; Index.

Über Autor(innen)

Takeuchi, Tatsu
Tatsu Takeuchi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at Virginia Tech. This book grew from the 'Highlights of Contemporary Physics' course he taught for many years. Primarily aimed at non-physics majors, it has been highly popular among physics students as well.