Einstein's Theory of Relativity

by Max Born

Overview

This excellent, semi-technical account includes a review of classical physics (origin of space and time measurements, Ptolemaic and Copernican astronomy, laws of motion, inertia, and more) and coverage of Einstein's special and general theories of relativity, discussing the concept of simultaneity, kinematics, Einstein's mechanics and dynamics, and more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780486142128
Publisher:	Dover Publications
Publication date:	04/25/2012
Series:	Dover Books on Physics
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	400
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER I. GEOMETRY AND COSMOLOGY
1. The Origin of the Art of Measuring Space and Time
2. Units of Length and Time
3. Origin and Coordinate System
4. The Axioms of Geometry
5. The Ptolemaic System
6. The Copernican System
7. The Elaboration of the Copernican Doctrine
CHAPTER II. THE FUNDAMENTAL LAWS OF CLASSICAL MECHANICS
1. Equilibrium and the Concept of Force
2. The Study of Motion?Rectilinear Motion
3. Motion in a Plane
4. Circular Motion
5. Motion in Space
6. Dynamics?The Law of Inertia
7. Impulses
8. The Effect of an Impulse
9. Mass and Momentum
10. Force and Acceleration
11. Example?Elastic Vibrations
12. Weight and Mass
13. Analytical Mechanics
14. The Law of Energy
15. Dynamical Units of Force and Mass
CHAPTER III. THE NEWTONIAN WORLD SYSTEM
1. Absolute Space and Absolute Time
2. Newton's Law of Attraction
3. Universal Gravitation
4. Celestial Mechanics
5. The Relativity Principle of Classical Mechanics
6. Limited Absolute Space
7. Galileo Transformations
8. Inertial Forces
9. Centrifugal Forces and Absolute Space
CHAPTER IV. THE FUNDAMENTAL LAWS OF OPTICS
1. The Ether
2. The Corpuscular and the Undulatory Theory
3. The Velocity of Light
4. Elements of the Wave Theory?Interference
5. Polarization and Transversality of Light Waves
6. The Ether as an Elastic Solid
7. The Optics of Moving Bodies
8. The Doppler Effect
9. The Convection of Light by Matter
10. Aberration
11. Retrospect and Further Development
CHAPTER V. THE FUNDAMENTAL LAWS OF ELECTRODYNAMICS
1. Electro- and Magnetostatics
2. Voltaic Electricity and Electrolysis
3. Resistance and Heat of Current
4. Electromagnetism
5. Faraday's Lines of Force
6. The Electrical Displacement Current
7. Magnetic Induction
8. Maxwell's Theory of Action by Contact
9. The Electromagnetic Theory of Light
10. The Electromagnetic Ether
11. Hertz's Theory of Moving Bodies
12. The Electron Theory of Lorentz
13. Electromagnetic Mass
14. Michelson and Morley's Experiment
15. The Contraction Hypothesis
CHAPTER VI. EINSTEIN'S SPECIAL PRINCIPLE OR RELATIVITY
1. The Concept of Simultaneity
2. Einstein's Kinematics and Lorentz's Transformations
3. Geometrical Representation of Einstein's Mechanics
4. Moving Measuring Rods and Clocks
5. Appearance and Reality
6. The Addition of Velocities
7. Einstein's Dynamics
8. The Inertia of Energy
9. Energy and Momentum
10. Optics of Moving Bodies
11. Minkowski's Absolute World
CHAPTER VII. EINSTEIN'S GENERAL THEORY OF RELATIVITY
1. Relativity in the Case of Arbitrary Motions
2. The Principle of Equivalence
3. The Failure of Euclidean Geometry
4. Geometry on Curved Surfaces
5. The Two-dimensional Continuum
6. Mathematics and Reality
7. The Metric of the Space-Time Continuum
8. The Fundamental Laws of the New Mechanics
9. Mechanical Inferences and Confirmations
10. Predictions of the New Mechanics and Their Confirmations
11. Optical Deductions and Confirmations
12. Cosmology
13. The Unified Field Theory
14. Conclusion
INDEX