Synopses & Reviews
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.
Synopsis
Radically reoriented presentation of Einstein’s Special Theory and one of most valuable popular accounts available. 60 illus.
Synopsis
Radically reoriented presentation of Einstein's Special Theory and one of most valuable popular accounts available derives relativity from Newtonian ideas, rather than in opposition to them. 60 illustrations.
Synopsis
Accessible, radically reoriented presentation of Einstein's Special Theory by a distinguished scientist derives relativity from Newtonian ideas rather than by opposing them. Very little mathematics required. 60 illustrations.
Table of Contents
I. "ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS"
The Concept of Force
The Evaluation of Acceleration
The Unity of Physics
II. MOMENTUM
The Motion of a System of Bodies
The Momentum of an Airplane
The Irrelevance of Velocity
III. ROTATION
Measurement of the Earth's Rotation
The Coriolis Effect
The Movement of Winds
Angular Momentum and Angular Velocity
Dropping a Cat
IV. LIGHT
Faraday and the Polarization of Light
Maxwell and the Electromagnetic Theory of Light
Using Radar to Measure Distance
The Units of Distance
The Velocity of Light
V. PROPAGATION OF SOUND WAVES
The Doppler Shift-The Sonic Boom
VI. THE UNIQUENESS OF LIGHT
A Hypothetical Ether
The Absurdity of the Ether Concept
Measuring Velocity
The Michelson-Morley Experiment
VII. ON COMMON SENSE
The Experience of Everyday Life
Time: A Private Matter
"The "Route-Dependence" of Time"
VIII. THE NATURE OF TIME
The Peculiarities of High Speeds
The Relationships of Inertial and Moving Observers
A More Complicated Situation
Relativity Explains a Supposed Discrepancy
The Value of k: A Fundamental Ratio
IX. VELOCITY
Einstein's Long Trains
Determining Relative Velocities by the Radar Method
The Relationship between k and v
Velocity Composition
Proper Speed
The Unique Character of Light
X. COORDINATES AND THE LORENTZ TRANSFORMATION
The Meaning of Coordinates
Rotation of Axes
The Lorentz Transformation
Four Dimensions
Application of the Lorentz Transformation
The Aberration of Light
XI. FASTER THAN LIGHT?
Cause and Effect
Simultaneity of Spatially Separated Events
Past and Future: Absolute and Relative
The Light Cone
XII. ACCELERATION
Acceleration and Clocks
"The Twin "Paradox"
How Far Can We Travel in Space?
XIII. PUTTING ON MASS
The Stretching of Time
Increasing Mass
Accelerating Protons
Einstein's Equation
Theory and Observation
INDEX