Basic relativity. An introductory essay

DOI10.1007/978-3-642-17810-8MaRDI QIDQ626381zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors Péter Hraskó

Publication date 17 February 2011

Published in SpringerBriefs in Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-17810-8

zbMATH Keywords

Doppler effectLorentz groupLorentz transformationsspecial relativitytwin paradox

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

General properties and structure of complex Lie groups (22E10) Introductory exposition (textbooks, tutorial papers, etc.) pertaining to relativity and gravitational theory (83-01) Special relativity (83A05) Einstein's equations (general structure, canonical formalism, Cauchy problems) (83C05) Equations of motion in general relativity and gravitational theory (83C10) Physics, astronomy, technology, engineering (aspects of mathematics education) (97M50)

Review text

This is an elementary exposition (with a few formulas) of the basic ideas and notions of special relativity. The book contains three main chapters. In Chapter I (``From time dilation to \(E_0 = mc^2\)), the author discusses the Doppler-effect and he deduces from it the time dilation and the relativity of the notion of simultaneity. From time dilation, he derives Lorentz contraction, the equation of motion and the mass-energy relation. Chapter II (``The Lorentz transformations) is devoted to the Lorentz transformations, which are introduced by analyzing the interrelation between constancy of the velocity of light and synchronization of clocks. Standard consequences of the Lorentz transformations are discussed, including the Causality Paradox and the Twins Paradox. In Chapter III (``General relativity) the author considers the problem of the description of gravity and basic ideas of General Relativity. The following subjects are shortly discussed: the equality of the gravitational and the inertial mass, the equivalence principle, locality of inertial frames, the Gravity Probe B experiment of NASA, light deflection, perihelion precession, gravitational red shift, and the Michelson-Morley experiment. In the last chapter, some selected problems to chapter I and their solutions are given.

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Cited in

(5)

• Essential dynamics and relativity
• An illustrated guide to relativity
• Special theory of relativity through the Doppler effect
• EAGLE guide. Space and time -- relativity
• Relativity without tears

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