Albert Einstein, one of the most prolific scientists of the twentieth century, developed the theory of relativity which was crucial for the advancement of modern physics. Young Einstein identified a paradox between Newtonian Mechanics and Maxwell’s equations which pointed to a flawed understanding of space and time by the scientists of the day. In Relativity, Einstein presents his findings using a minimal amount of mathematical language, but the text can still be challenging for readers who lack an extensive scientific background.
The Routledge Guidebook to Einstein’s Relativity expands on and supplements this seminal text, by exploring:
- the historical context of Einstein’s work and the background to his breakthroughs
- details of experimental verification of special and general relativity
- the enduring legacy of Einstein’s theories and their implications for future scientific breakthroughs.
This is an essential introduction for students of physics, philosophy and history in understanding the key elements of the work and the importance of this classic text to society today.
1. Einstein’s life 2. The state of physics the start of the twentieth century 3. Coordinate systems 4. Foundations of Special Relativity 5. Time 6. Special Relativity 7. More results from Special Relativity 8. Experimental proofs of Special Relativity 9. General Relativity and the Equivalence Principle 10. General Relativity and Gravity 11. The formulation of General Relativity 12. Experimental tests of General Relativity 13. Cosmology 14. The Future of Relativity. Index
Biography
James Trefil is Robinson Professor of Physics at George Mason University, USA. In 2000 he received the Andrew W. Gemant Award from the American Institute of Physics for outstanding and sustained contributions in bridging the gap between science and society.
This Guidebook is written in a style that is both authoritative and approachable. The reader is clearly in the hands of an expert author who is determined to make a challenging subject comprehensible and enjoyable.
Professor Robert Lambourne, The Open University.
