An easy to understand collection of the ideas of one of the greatest scientists of the twentieth century including the idea he is most known for, the theory of relativity
Redesigned inside and out to have a fresh, appealing look, this new edition of a classic Crown Trade Paperback is a collection of Einstein's own popular writings on his work and describes the meaning of his main theories in a way virtually everyone can understand.
Product Details
ISBN-13: 9780517884416
Media Type: Paperback
Publisher: Crown Publishing Group
Publication Date: 06-06-1995
Pages: 208
Product Dimensions: 5.20(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.50(d)
About the Author
Albert Einstein (1879-1955), one of the greatest thinkers of the twentieth century, was born in Ulm, Germany, to German-Jewish parents. He published his first great theories in Switzerland in the early 1900s while working as a patent clerk.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Preface
ix
Part I
The Special Theory of Relativity
1
Physical Meaning of Geometrical Propositions
3
2
The System of Co-ordinates
6
3
Space and Time in Classical Mechanics
10
4
The Galileian System of Co-ordinates
12
5
The Principle of Relativity (in the Restricted Sense)
14
6
The Theorem of the Addition of Velocities Employed in Classical Mechanics
18
7
The Apparent Incompatibility of the Law of Propagation of Light with the Principle of Relativity
20
8
On the Idea of Time in Physics
23
9
The Relativity of Simultaneity
27
10
On the Relativity of the Conception of Distance
30
11
The Lorentz Transformation
32
12
The Behaviour of Measuring-Rods and Clocks in Motion
37
13
Theorem of the Addition of Velocities. The Experiment of Fizeau
40
14
The Heuristic Value of the Theory of Relativity
44
15
General Results of the Theory
46
16
Experience and the Special Theory of Relativity
51
17
Minkowski's Four-dimensional Space
56
Part II
The General Theory of Relativity
18
Special and General Principle of Relativity
61
19
The Gravitational Field
65
20
The Equality of Inertial and Gravitational Mass as an Argument for the General Postulate of Relativity
68
21
In what Respects are the Foundations of Classical Mechanics and of the Special Theory of Relativity Unsatisfactory?
72
22
A Few Inferences from the General Principle of Relativity
75
23
Behaviour of Clocks and Measuring-Rods on a Rotating Body of Reference
79
24
Euclidean and non-Euclidean Continuum
83
25
Gaussian Co-ordinates
87
26
The Space-Time Continuum of the Special Theory of Relativity Considered as a Euclidean Continuum
91
27
The Space-Time Continuum of the General Theory of Relativity is not a Euclidean Continuum
94
28
Exact Formulation of the General Principle of Relativity
97
29
The Solution of the Problem of Gravitation on the Basis of the General Principle of Relativity
100
Part III
Considerations on the Universe as a Whole
30
Cosmological Difficulties of Newton's Theory
107
31
The Possibility of a "Finite" and yet "Unbounded" Universe
110
32
The Structure of Space according to the General Theory of Relativity
115
Appendices
1
Simple Derivation of the Lorentz Transformation [Supplementary to Section 11]
117
2
Minkowski's Four-dimensional Space ("World") [Supplementary to Section 17]
124
3
The Experimental Confirmation of the General Theory of Relativity
126
(a)
Motion of the Perihelion of Mercury
127
(b)
Deflection of Light by a Gravitational Field
129
(c)
Displacement of Spectral Lines towards the Red
132
4
The Structure of Space according to the General Theory of Relativity [Supplementary to Section 32]