Special relativity (Q4023628)

This is a textbook on special relativity which emphasizes a geometric, 4- dimensional point of view. After a very short motivation the author introduces the Minkowski metric and shows that it satisfies a number of physical postulates. In the next two chapters he presents fundamental geometric objects (such as 4-velocity) and fundamental geometric results including a discussion of the appearance of moving spheres. The book contains short chapters on the mechanics of relativistic 4-particles, tensor algebra, electrodynamics, the energy momentum tensor, and the Killing fields of Minkowski space (including a discussion of their relation to conservation laws). It is written in the style of theoretical physics but rigorous. It contains many interesting exercises and worked out examples. Whereas familiarity with physical knowledge taught in the first two years (to physics students) is assumed, the mathematical preliminaries do not exceed multivariable calculus and elementary linear algebra. Since the book is elementary from a mathematical point of view it should (with a few modifications) be suitable for a second year course in special relativity. The true difficulty for students is of course to think in 4 instead of \(3+1\)-dimensions. But this is a matter of habit and the clear presentation in this book helps the student much more to become accustomed with the 4-dimensional picture than any traditional presentation resting on standard Lorentz transformations. It also prepares students well for general relativity. If it was not for the outrageously high price of this small volume, I would heartily recommend it.