Introduction to relativistic continuum mechanics (Q2383138)

The authors of this textbook present the foundations of special relativistic continuum dynamics in all details. In this form, the presentation is quite unique, as almost all other texts on relativistic continuum mechanics do it on the level of general relativity. In fact, in both approaches, the majority of formulas look quite similar, so it is a matter of taste which approach one wants to prefer. The nine chapters of this book are ordered as follows: four chapters deal with axiomatics and foundations of special relativity, together with electromagnetism, and give some examples for applications with the equation of motion etc. The next three chapters deal with continuum dynamics, both classical and relativistic. Chapter 8 is on relativistic thermodynamics, and the final chapter presents electromagnetism. The references give mainly papers by authors from Italy, which can be understood as hint to the strenght of the Italian school, but is partially also due to the authors' subjective view, as they are coming from Rome. The whole presentation is very clearly done, and has enough details, so that it can be used for a university teaching course on this topic.