Relativity and Common Sense: A New Approach To Einstein

Description

This radically reoriented and popular presentation of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity derives its concepts from Newtonian ideas rather than by opposing them. Sir Hermann Bondi explains the concepts of force, momentum, rotation, sound, and light and their relation to velocity. He then demonstrates that time is relative rather than absolute, that high speeds affect the nature of time, and that acceleration affects speed, time, and mass. Very little mathematics is required, and 60 illustrations augment the text. The fact that Einstein's Theory of Relativity has been considered something strange and revolutionary is due, according to Professor Bondi, to several commonsense though erroneous notions about velocity, light, and time. By viewing Newtonian physics in a different manner, a much more comprehensible picture of Relativity could be established with little trouble. This volume proceeds to do just that, offering a radically reoriented presentation of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity that derives Relativity "from" Newtonian ideas, rather than "in opposition to" them. It is one of the most valuable popular accounts available. Cover......Page 1 Title Page ......Page 7 Copyright ......Page 9 Preface ......Page 11 Table of Contents ......Page 13 Chapter 1: On The Shoulders of Giants ......Page 18 Chapter 2: Momentum ......Page 26 Chapter 3: Rotation ......Page 34 Chapter 4: Light ......Page 46 Chapter 5: Propagationof Sound Waves ......Page 56 Chapter 6: The Uniqueness of Light ......Page 68 Chapter 7: On Common Sense ......Page 78 Chapter 8: The Nature of Time ......Page 88 Chapter 9: Velocity ......Page 110 Chapter 10: Coordinates and the Lorentz Transformation ......Page 126 Chapter 11: Faster Than Light? ......Page 146 Chapter 12: Acceleration ......Page 164 Chapter 13: Putting On Mass ......Page 172 INDEX ......Page 186 Catalogue of Selected Dover Books ......Page 196