The special theory of relativity. Foundations, theory, verification, applications (Q744953)

The ten chapters of this text-book are headed as follows: 1. Historical introduction, 2. Prolegomena, 3. Relativistic kinematics, 4. Applications of relativistic kinematics, 5. Optical phenomena, 6. Relativistic dynamics, 7. Applications of relativistic dynamics, 8. Minkowski's spacetime and four-vectors, 9. Electromagnetism, 10. Experiments. Each chapter ends with a short reference list. Seven appendices, solutions to the problems, and a subject index close this interesting monograph. 1. The historical introduction starts with Galilei, mentions the several methods to measure the speed of light, and goes via Maxwell and Lorentz to Einstein. 2. This chapter deals with inertial frames of reference, clock synchronization, and some philosophical notes. 3. Here, the Lorentz transformations are deduced, as well as length contraction and time dilatation. 4. The Meson paradox, the Sagnac effect, the Thomas precession, and the twin paradox are covered in this chapter. 5. Aberration of light, the Doppler effect, and other effects are deduced here. 6. This chapter deals with \(E = m c^2\). The remaining four chapters are on Compton effect, cyclotron, synchrotron and other experimentally oriented questions, and also on vector spaces. In the Appendices, the Lorentz transformation in matrix form and similar formulas are presented. Publisher's description: ``This book offers a comprehensive, university-level introduction to Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity. In addition to the purely theoretical aspect, emphasis is also given to its historical development as well as to the experiments that preceded the theory and those performed in order to test its validity. The main body of the book consists of chapters on Relativistic Kinematics and Dynamics and their applications, Optics and Electromagnetism. These could be covered in a one-semester course. A more advanced course might include the subjects examined in the other chapters of the book and its appendices. As a textbook, it has some unique characteristics: It provides detailed proofs of the theorems, offers abundant figures and discusses numerous examples. It also includes a number of problems for readers to solve, the complete solutions of which are given at the end of the book. It is primarily intended for use by university students of physics, mathematics and engineering. However, as the mathematics needed is of an upper-intermediate level, the book will also appeal to a more general readership.''