Relativity physics Books

Book SynopsisWas there a beginning of time? Could time run backwards? Is the universe infinite or does it have boundaries?These are just some of the questions considered in the internationally acclaimed masterpiece by the world renowned physicist - generally considered to have been one of the world''s greatest thinkers. It begins by reviewing the great theories of the cosmos from Newton to Einstein, before delving into the secrets which still lie at the heart of space and time, from the Big Bang to black holes, via spiral galaxies and strong theory. To this day A Brief History of Time remains a staple of the scientific canon, and its succinct and clear language continues to introduce millions to the universe and its wonders.This new edition includes recent updates from Stephen Hawking with his latest thoughts about the No Boundary Proposal and offers new information about dark energy, the information paradox, eternal inflation, the microwave background radiation observations, and the discovery of gravitational waves. It was published in tandem with the app, Stephen Hawking''s Pocket Universe.Trade ReviewThis app/book version of Hawking's famous laymen book is just an amazing piece of learning. This makes much more accessible and understandable the complex and awesome topics dealt by Hawking as he explains how our universe works. I am just in awe at how creative he is to produce one of a kind e-book like this. The pace, illustrations and connections of topics within the book are so helpful and so appropriate for the new generation used to tweets and small bites of information. You can flip over some topics when you have some time, learn some amazing fact, and come back later which no rush or worry about how fast you are progressing through the book. Hope other books on complex topics are translated to this format. And I love the updates of the latest science since the publication of the original book. We have learned so much in the last decade that I agree with Hawking, it is an honour to live in this times. * Ribozyme *Master of the Universe... One scientist's courageous voyage to the frontiers of the Cosmos * Newsweek *This book marries a child's wonder to a genius's intellect. We journey into Hawking's universe, while marvelling at his mind * The Sunday Times *He can explain the complexities of cosmological physics with an engaging combination of clarity and wit... His is a brain of extraordinary power * Observer *To follow such a fine mind as it exposes such great problems is an exciting experience * The Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisThe third volume in Leonard Susskind's one-of-a-kind physics series cracks open Einstein's special relativity and field theory In the first two books in his wildly popular The Theoretical Minimum series, world-class physicist Leonard Susskind provided a brilliant first course in classical and quantum mechanics, offering readers not an oversimplified introduction, but the real thing - everything you need to start doing physics, and nothing more. Now, thankfully, Susskind and his former student Art Friedman are back, this time to introduce readers to special relativity and classical field theory. At last, waves, forces and particles will be demystified. Using their typical brand of relatively simple maths, enlightening sketches and the same fictional counterparts, Art and Lenny, Special Relativity and Classical Field Theory takes us on an enlightening journey through a world now governed by the laws of special relativity. Starting in their new watering hole,Trade ReviewWitty and insightful ... I found it thrilling -- Robert P. Crease * Nature *This is quantum mechanics for real. This is the good stuff, the most mysterious aspects of how reality works, set out with crystalline clarity. If you want to know how physicists really think about the world, this book is the place to start -- Sean Carroll, physicist, California Institute of Technology * author of The Particle at the End of the Universe *

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Book SynopsisThe two towering achievements of modern physics are quantum theory and Einstein''s general theory of relativity. Together, they explain virtually everything about the world we live in. But, almost a century after their advent, most people haven''t the slightest clue what either is about.Did you know that there''s so much empty space inside matter that the entire human race could be squeezed into the volume of a sugar cube? Or that you grow old more quickly on the top floor of a building than on the ground floor? And did you realize that 1% of the static on a TV tuned between stations is the relic of the Big Bang? Marcus Chown, the bestselling author of What A Wonderful World and the Solar System app, explains all with characteristic wit, colour and clarity, from the Big Bang and Einstein''s general theory of relativity to probability, gravity and quantum theory. ''Chown discusses special and general relativity, probablity waves, quantum entang

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Book SynopsisImagine if The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy were a real, practical book about the mysteries of the universe . . .The Universe in Your Hand takes us on a wonder-filled journey to the surface of our dying sun, shrinks us to the size of an atom and puts us in the deathly grip of distant black holes. Along the way you might come to understand, really understand, the mind-bending science that underpins modern life, from quantum mechanics to Einstein's theory of general relativity.Through brilliant storytelling and humour rather than graphs and equations, internationally renowned astrophysicist Christophe Galfard has written an instant classic that brings the astonishing beauty of the universe to life - and takes us deep into questions about the beginning of time and the future of humanity.Trade ReviewWill thrill readers but rarely perplex them . . . Galfard leaves exhilarated readers eager to share in the forthcoming discoveries. * Booklist, Starred Review *Entertaining and comprehensive . . . Readers looking to expand their knowledge of physics and cosmology will find everything they need here. * Publishers Weekly, Starred Review *Part personal conversation, part travelogue, and part science primer for the non-scientist, The Universe in Your Hand is a delightful and highly educational read. -- Jim Bell, author of The Interstellar Age and Postcards from MarsIf Ms. Frizzle were a physics student of Stephen Hawking, she might have written The Universe in Your Hand, a wild tour through the reaches of time and space, from the interior of a proton to the Big Bang to the rough suburbs of a black hole. It's friendly, excitable, erudite, and cosmic. -- Jordan Ellenberg, New York Times bestselling author of How Not To Be WrongA useful book for readers to visualize the complex ideas of modern physics. * Kirkus Reviews *Table of ContentsSection - i: Foreward Chapter - 1: The Cosmos Chapter - 2: Making Sense of Outer Space Chapter - 3: Fast Chapter - 4: A Dive into the Quantum World Chapter - 5: To the Origin of Space and Time Chapter - 6: Unexpected Mysteries Chapter - 7: A Step Beyond What is Known Section - ii: Epilogue Acknowledgements - iii: Acknowledgements Section - iv: Sources Index - v: Index

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Book Synopsis''Compulsively readable...Green threatens to do for string theory what Stephen Hawking did for holes'' New York TimesIn this international bestseller, Columbia University professor Brian Greene provides, in layman's terms, a comprehensive demystification of string theory. Greene, one of the world''s leading string theorists, peels away layers of the unknown, through introducing concepts from quantum mechanics to general relativity, to reveal a universe that consists of eleven dimensions. Accessible and enlightening, Greene''s inimitable blend of expert scientific insight and literary ingenuity makes The Elegant Universe an exhilarating read that brings us closer to understanding how our magnificent universe works. Utterly absorbing...a brilliant achievement. An accessible, equationless account of strings' Sunday TelegraphTrade ReviewDevelops one fresh new insight after another... In the great tradition of physicists writing for the masses, The Elegant Universe sets a standard that will be hard to beat * New York Times Book Review *Utterly absorbing...a brilliant achievement. An accessible, equationless account of strings, explaining why they are generating so much excitement among their devotees. Greene's achievement is to make us feel at home in the chillingly abstract world of strings and to convince us that we must take it seriously * Sunday Telegraph *As rewarding as it gets... A thrilling ride through a lovely landscape... A compelling human saga * Los Angeles Times Book Review *Compulsively readable...Green threatens to do for string theory what Stephen Hawking did for holes * New York *[A] tour-de-force of science writing...peels away layers of detail and reveals the stunning essence of cutting-edge physics -- Shing-Tung Yau, Harvard University; Fields Medalist, winner of the National Medal of Science

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Book SynopsisSTEPHEN HAWKING was a brilliant theoretical physicist and is generally considered to have been one of the world's greatest thinkers. He held the position of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge for thirty years and is the author of A Brief History of Time which was an international bestseller. His other books for the general reader include A Briefer History of Time, the essay collection Black Holes and Baby Universe, The Universe in a Nutshell, The Grand Design, and Black Holes: The BBC Reith Lectures.He died on 14 March, 2018.Trade ReviewThis book marries a child's wonder to a genius's intellect. We journey into Hawking's universe, while marvelling at his mind * The Sunday Times *A Brief History of Time:'It is the publishing sensation of the past decade' * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisIn Einstein: A Biography, Jurgen Neffe presents a clear and probing portrait of the man behind the myth. He recounts Einstein's life with detail and accuracy, presenting a comprehensive account of the educational, religious, psychological and historical conditions that enabled Einstein to become the ber-physicist of all time.Trade Review"Exhilarating [...] Neffe's zingy, dramatic style - for which we must offer congratulations to his translator, Shelley Frisch - sometimes calls to mind the New Yorker's John McPhee: his pages are rich in odd facts, take us deep into what one might call the Einstein industry and display both reverence for the genius and lèse-majesté before the man." Washington Post

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Book Synopsis''Quantum mechanics is perhaps the most successful theory ever formulated. The only problem with it, argues Lee Smolin, is that it is wrong ... a fount of provocative ideas ... lucid, upbeat and, finally, optimistic'' Graham Farmelo, Nature Human beings, says Lee Smolin, author of The Trouble With Physics, have always had a problem with the boundary between reality and fantasy, confusing our representations of the world with the world itself. Nowhere is this more evident than in quantum physics, which forms the basis for our understanding of everything from elementary particles to the behaviour of materials.While quantum mechanics is currently our best theory of nature at an atomic scale, it has many puzzling qualities - qualities that preclude realism and therefore give an incomplete description of nature. Rather than question this version of quantum mechanics, however, whole groups of physicists have embraced it as correctTrade ReviewA masterful exposition on the state of quantum physics ... spellbinding * Financial Times *Quantum mechanics is perhaps the most successful theory ever formulated. The only problem with it, argues Lee Smolin, is that it is wrong. He attempts to examine other options for a theory of the atomic world ... a fount of provocative ideas ... lucid, upbeat and, finally, optimistic * Nature *An inventive and provocative thinker, as well as an engaging writer ... lucid, searingly honest, impassioned, inspiring * Physics World *Full of extraordinary ideas ... a new theory of everything ... Smolin's promised solution, when it comes, is just comprehensible enough for us to see that it's beautiful * The Times *A superb and sweeping book ... masterfulAs the latest entry into the conversation, Smolin's book feels the most immediate and personal. Here is no detached narrator, but an active participant in the fray who perceives the debate over the nature of reality in personal terms. . . While the way forward remains elusive, Smolin and others who seek to illuminate how physics got to where it is today are at least making the quest for answers a bit less costly * Globe and Mail *Smolin is an extremely creative thinker who has been a leader in theoretical physics for many years. He is also a gifted writer who manages to translate his own insights about how science works into engaging language and compelling stories . . . Smolin's description of how quantum mechanics works is both elegant and accessible * NPR *The best explanation yet of what has yet to be explained. -- George Dyson, author of Turing’s Cathedral

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Book SynopsisDROPOUT. PACIFIST. PHYSICIST. CASANOVA. REFUGEE. REBEL. GENIUS.THINK YOU KNOW EINSTEIN? THINK AGAINHis face is instantly recognisable. His name is shorthand for genius. Today, he's a figurehead as much as a man, symbolic of things larger than himself: of scientific progress, of the human mind, even of the age. But who was Einstein really?The Nobel Prize-winning physicist who discovered relativity, black holes and E = mc2, dined with Charlie Chaplin in Hollywood and was the inspiration for (highly radioactive) element 99, Albert Einstein was also a high school dropout with an FBI file 1,400 pages long.In this book, Samuel Graydon brings history's most famous scientist back to life. From his lost daughter to escaping the Nazis, from his love letters to unlikely inventions, from telling jokes to cheer up his sad parrot Bibo to refusing the Presidency of Israel, through the discoveries and thought experiments that changed science, Einstein in Time and Space tells 99 unforgettable stories of the man who redefined how we view our universe and our place within it.Trade ReviewIlluminating * Nature *A mosaic biography of an exceptional scientist . . . [pieced together] with illuminating skill, style, candour and charm * TLS *For all the thousands of biographies previously written of him, I think Graydon has done a fine and often fascinating job here, and anyone with an interest in science and scientists will absolutely lap this up * Mail on Sunday *A masterful biography and a hugely entertaining read * i Paper *An intriguing, mosaic-like portrait of the great physicist * Literary Review *A great biography. Einstein is not treated as an unknowable genius, but as a flawed individual with interesting stories . . . an incredibly enjoyable read * Sky At Night *A fresh take . . . compelling and beautifully written. Enhances our understanding of both a great scientist and an exemplary humanist * Wall Street Journal *An immensely readable work about the man himself, collected into 99 short, mostly two-page, chapters, exploring his scientific ideas, quoting his letters, and telling many revealing anecdotes. * Church Times *Gems about this icon of modern physics continue to be written because he is such a rich subject, with more original sources referring to him becoming public every year. Still, it does take a new angle on Einstein to get publishers and reviewers excited. Samuel Graydon has achieved just that. * Physics World *A mosaic biography of an exceptional scientist . . . [pieced together] with illuminating skill, style, candour and charm -- Andrew Robinson, author of EINSTEIN: A HUNDRED YEARS OF RELATIVITY * TLS *For all the thousands of biographies previously written of him, I think Graydon has done a fine and often fascinating job here, and anyone with an interest in science and scientists will absolutely lap this up. * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisWhen scientists peer through a telescope at the distant stars in outer space or use a particle-accelerator to analyze the smallest components of matter, they discover that the same laws of physics govern the whole universe at all times and all places. Physicists call the eternal, ubiquitous constancy of the laws of physics symmetry. Symmetry is the basic underlying principle that defines the laws of nature and hence controls the universe. This all-important insight is one of the great conceptual breakthroughs in modern physics and is the basis of contemporary efforts to discover a grand unified theory to explain all the laws of physics. Nobel Laureate Leon M. Lederman and physicist Christopher T. Hill explain the supremely elegant concept of symmetry and all its profound ramifications to life on Earth and the universe at large in this eloquent, accessible popular science book. They not only clearly describe concepts normally reserved only for physicists and mathematicians, but they also instill an appreciation for the profound beauty of the universe's inherent design. Central to the story of symmetry is an obscure, unpretentious, but extremely gifted German mathematician named Emmy Noether. Though still little known to the world, she impressed no less a scientist than Albert Einstein, who praised her "penetrating mathematical thinking." In some of her earliest work she proved that the law of the conservation of energy was connected to the idea of symmetry and thus laid the mathematical groundwork for what may be the most important concept of modern physics. Lederman and Hill reveal concepts about the universe, based on Noether's work, that are largely unknown to the public and have wide-reaching implications in connection with the Big Bang, Einstein's theory of relativity, quantum mechanics, and many other areas of physics. Through ingenious analogies and illustrations, they bring these astounding notions to life. This book will open your eyes to a universe you never knew existed.Table of ContentsIntroduction: What is Symmetry?; Children of the Titans; Time & Energy; Emmy Noether; Symmetry, Space & Time; Noether's Theorem; Inertia; Relativity; Reflections; Broken Symmetry; Quantum Mechanics; The Hidden Symmetry of Light; Quarks & Leptons; An Epilogue for Educators; Notes; Index.

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Book SynopsisA superlative, fascinating graphic account of Albert Einstein's strange world and how his legacy has been built upon since. It is now more than a century since Einstein's theories of Special and General Relativity began to revolutionise our view of the universe. Beginning near the speed of light and proceeding to explorations of space-time and curved spaces, Introducing Relativity plots a visually accessible course through the thought experiments that have given shape to contemporary physics. Scientists from Isaac Newton to Stephen Hawking add their unique contributions to this story, as we encounter Einstein's astounding vision of gravity as the curvature of space-time and arrive at the breathtakingly beautiful field equations. Einstein's legacy is reviewed in the most advanced frontiers of physics today - black holes, gravitational waves, the accelerating universe and string theory.

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Book SynopsisIntroduction to General Relativity and Cosmology gives undergraduate students an overview of the fundamental ideas behind the geometric theory of gravitation and spacetime. Through pointers on how to modify and generalise Einstein's theory to enhance understanding, it provides a link between standard textbook content and current research in the field.Chapters present complicated material practically and concisely, initially dealing with the mathematical foundations of the theory of relativity, in particular differential geometry. This is followed by a discussion of the Einstein field equations and their various properties. Also given is analysis of the important Schwarzschild solutions, followed by application of general relativity to cosmology. Questions with fully worked answers are provided at the end of each chapter to aid comprehension and guide learning. This pared down textbook is specifically designed for new students looking for a workable, simple presentation of some of the key theories in modern physics and mathematics.

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Book Synopsis100 years ago, Einstein''s theory of relativity shattered the world of physics. Our comforting Newtonian ideas of space and time were replaced by bizarre and counterintuitive conclusions: if you move at high speed, time slows down, space squashes up and you get heavier; travel fast enough and you could weigh as much as a jumbo jet, be squashed thinner than a CD without feeling a thing - and live for ever. And that was just the Special Theory. With the General Theory came even stranger ideas of curved space-time, and changed our understanding of gravity and the cosmos. This authoritative and entertaining Very Short Introduction makes the theory of relativity accessible and understandable. Using very little mathematics, Russell Stannard explains the important concepts of relativity, from E=mc2 to black holes, and explores the theory''s impact on science and on our understanding of the universe.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of ContentsFURTHER READING; INDEX

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Book SynopsisTable of Contents1. Galilean relativity 2. Lorentz Boosts 3. Development of the Formalism 4. Electrodynamics 5. Gravity 6. Experiments and Applications Part II: Mathematics 7. Mathematics of Translations 8. The Rotation Group 9. The Lorentz Group

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Book SynopsisBy the end of the astonishing E=mc2, a dedicated reader will have achieved, if only by osmosis, an understanding of Einstein's theory of relativity and feel quite at ease dining with Nobel Prize winners. It's a lucid, even thrilling study: the very best kind of science journalism. I didn't know I could know so much.' Fay Weldon, Books of the Year, Washington Post In 1905, Albert Einstein produced five historic papers that shattered many cherished scientific beliefs. One of those papers introduced the theory of special relativity and his legendary equation, E=mc2. Generations have grown up knowing that equation changed the shape of our world, but without understanding what it really means and why it is so significant. In this fascinating biography David Bodanis tells the story of one of the greatest scientific discoveries in history. He looks at the elements 'e', 'm' and 'c'; and honours the scientists whose landmark discoveries paved the way for Einstein. He plots the course of the equation through the twentieth century, showing how our lives have been revolutionized by its applications; and looks far ahead to the future. But as with any biography, it is the human stories that really ignite the subject - stories of love, courage and tragedy, of near misses, disappointments and disasters that, brought together by Bodanis in this remarkable book, turn Einstein's seemingly impenetrable theory into a dramatic and accessible human achievement. 'Both informative and highly readable...E=mc2 is a wonderful romp through Einstein's famous formula.. this is everything a popular science book should be' DAILY EXPRESS 'Bodanis himself seems like an intellectual thermonuclear explosion, a kind of Jonathan Miller on speed...This is an outstanding introduction to relativity by a gifted practitioner of popular science' INDEPENDENT 'With skill and plenty of colourful anecdotes Bodanis traces the intellectual ancestry of E=mc2...fast moving and entertaining' THE TIMES 'E=mc2 reveals, amongst other wonders, how many women physicists were involved in the story. Which makes this morally improving, as well as fascinating reading' George Walden, Books of the Year, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'The book fizzes in the readers imagination' TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT

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Book SynopsisToday, Relativity is becoming an integrated aspect of engineering fields. Its application to the Global Positioning System (GPS), extends in usage from smart watches to the navigation of cars, airplanes (drones) and even autonomous tractors. In rather expensive particle accelerators, physicists are everyday 'playing' with Relativistic Billiards, common to the betatrons of cancer therapy using electrons. Computer programs, such as 'ray tracing' methods, are enhanced to simulate objects in relativistic motion, which now offer us relativistic visualizations of accretion disks around compact, astrophysical objects like Black Holes.Against the backdrop of the applications explained throughout the chapters, this book takes on a practical and intuitive approach in introducing the Lorentz invariance of light propagation and space-time concepts. The book begins with simple mathematics, like the classical Pythagoras formula for energy-momentum 'triangles'. Later, readers will find the intuitive vector calculus reemerging in the expansion of full relativistic expressions. Prepared with instructive diagrams of recent experiments, even the layperson can grasp the essential study of Relativity and marvel at its applications within this book.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOne of Science Friday's Best Science Books of 2015, chosen by Maria Popova One of The Independent.ie Irish Writers' Top Reads 2015 One of Brainpickings' The Best Science Books of 2015 "The Physicist and the Philosopher is an extraordinarily rich and wide-ranging work. Canales has rescued from near oblivion a fascinating, highly significant debate that is still relevant in an age which has begun uneasily to question the hegemony of science and its uncontrollable child, technology."--John Banville, London Review of Books "In illuminating a historic 1922 debate between Albert Einstein and Henri Bergson about the nature of time, Canales marks a turning point in the power of philosophy to influence science."--Publishers Weekly "Sparks--both incendiary and illuminating--fly from the collision of two giants!"--Booklist, starred review "This fascinating, scholarly, readable look at physics and epistemology will interest readers of science, history, philosophy, and biography."--Library Journal, starred review "Whether or not you agree, this humane and melancholy account of how two talents misunderstood each other will linger in the mind."--New Scientist "[Canales] weaves a tale around Europe and to America... [Her] subject raises important core philosophical issues, like the scope of philosophy itself."--Michael Ruse, The Chronicle of Higher Education "This fascinating book traces a debate about the nature of time... Canales has done a masterful job of research and explication. Her account of the debate is lively, the background of it is interesting, and the debate's ramifications as filtered through other minds are downright exciting. Anyone interested in physics or philosophy will have a field day with this book."--Kelly Cherry, The Smart Set "Canales does sterling work investigating these engagements ... [A] stimulating book."--Graham Farmelo, Nature "In The Physicist and the Philosopher, Canales recounts how Bergson challenged Einstein's theories, arguing that time is not a fourth dimension definable by scientists but a 'vital impulse,' the source of creativity. It was an incendiary topic at the time, and it shaped a split between science and humanities that persisted for decades--though Einstein was generally seen as the winner and Bergson is all but forgotten."--Nancy Szokan, Washington Post "A book remarkable both for its profound research and for its elegance in presentation. Intellectual history should always be so accessible."--Benjamin Franklin Martin, Key Reporter "[General and professional readers] will learn much from a study that is accessible and edifying to a great diversity of readers."--Choice "The Physicist and the Philosopher ... is at least three things: a monument to precise scholarship, an exemplar of logical clarity, and a fine example of excellent writing. I have rarely learned more from a book."--Peter A.Y. Gunter, Physics in Perspective "Brilliant."--James Gleick, Bits in the Ether "A masterwork of cultural forensics."--Maria Popova, Brainpickings "It's hard to imagine that any single author will ever outdo this account of the recent history of our concepts of time."--Chris Nunn, Journal of Consciousness Studies "A gripping critique of Einstein's thought and a convincing rehabilitation of Bergsonian time, freed from the tyranny of mathematics."--Hilary Davies, The TabletTable of ContentsPreface vii PART 1. THE DEBATE CHAPTER 1 Untimely 3 CHAPTER 2 "More Einsteinian than Einstein" 16 CHAPTER 3 Science or Philosophy? 38 PART 2. THE MEN CHAPTER 4 The Twin Paradox 53 CHAPTER 5 Bergson's Achilles' Heel 62 CHAPTER 6 Worth Mentioning? 73 CHAPTER 7 Bergson Writes to Lorentz 87 CHAPTER 8 Bergson Meets Michelson 98 CHAPTER 9 The Debate Spreads 114 CHAPTER 10 Back from Paris 131 CHAPTER 11 Two Months Later 139 CHAPTER 12 Logical Positivism 153 CHAPTER 13 The Immediate Aftermath 162 CHAPTER 14 An Imaginary Dialogue 172 CHAPTER 15 "Full-Blooded" Time 179 CHAPTER 16 The Previous Spring 195 CHAPTER 17 The Church 203 CHAPTER 18 The End of Universal Time 218 CHAPTER 19 Quantum Mechanics 230 PART 3. THE THINGS CHAPTER 20 Things 241 CHAPTER 21 Clocks and Wristwatches 252 CHAPTER 22 Telegraph, Telephone, and Radio 265 CHAPTER 23 Atoms and Molecules 274 CHAPTER 24 Einstein's Films: Reversible 283 CHAPTER 25 Bergson's Movies: Out of Control 292 CHAPTER 26 Microbes and Ghosts 303 CHAPTER 27 One New Point: Recording Devices 315 PART 4. THE WORDS CHAPTER 28 Bergson's Last Comments 327 CHAPTER 29 Einstein's Last Thoughts 337 Postface 349 Acknowledgments 359 Notes 363 Bibliography 423 Index 451

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Book SynopsisEinstein''s theory of general relativity is a cornerstone of modern physics. It also touches upon a wealth of topics that students find fascinating black holes, warped spacetime, gravitational waves, and cosmology. Now reissued by Cambridge University Press, this ground-breaking text helped to bring general relativity into the undergraduate curriculum, making it accessible to virtually all physics majors. One of the pioneers of the ''physics-first'' approach to the subject, renowned relativist James B. Hartle, recognized that there is typically not enough time in a short introductory course for the traditional, mathematics-first, approach. In this text, he provides a fluent and accessible physics-first introduction to general relativity that begins with the essential physical applications and uses a minimum of new mathematics. This market-leading text is ideal for a one-semester course for undergraduates, with only introductory mechanics as a prerequisite.Trade Review'Jim Hartle's Gravity is a gem that offers a novel approach to general relativity pedagogy. It is written for senior level undergraduate physics students, but I expect it will be useful for a broader audience. The writing throughout is clear, methodical, and elegant, spiced with the author's characteristic dry sense of humor. His book is a fine contribution that extends the range of pedagogical choices available to instructors.' Jennie Traschen, Physics Today'Teaching general relativity at undergraduate level inevitably brings a dilemma: [whether] to be rigorous from the beginning, developing all the tools necessary to do it but risk discouraging the student with difficult new mathematics or to emphasize the physical aspects but risk being so qualitative that the full content of the theory cannot be grasped by the student. Hartle solves this dilemma in a quite consistent way. The flavour of the physics which relies on general relativity theory is preserved and, at the same time, the reader can, at the end, perform calculations by himself. What more could we ask for in an introductory book on this difficult and fascinating subject?' Júlio C. Fabris, Classical and Quantum Gravity'This is an excellent introduction to general relativity with a hands-on approach that is based on physical situations of interest like black holes and the expanding universe. It fills a real gap in the literature for an undergraduate or graduate course.' Stephen Hawking, University of Cambridge'… the best elementary introduction to general relativity ever written. It brings relativity fully within the grasp of undergraduates and should trigger the creation of general relativity courses at colleges and universities around the world.' Kip Thorne, California Institute of Technology'Hartle brings the beauty and excitement of relativistic gravitation to the appropriate undergraduate level via a remarkably accessible development. He uses many more familiar concepts to produce a broad understanding of the basic structure and applications of the theory. The pedagogy is remarkably effective.' Robert V. Wagoner, Stanford University'Hartle is an established master of the field and his competence assures that this book is authoritative. The book provides a striking combination of classical general relativity theory and the latest modern observational results.' Edwin F. Taylor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology'… a truly novel approach. With Hartle's presentation, relativity is more than its dry mathematics; instead it is an elegant, curious, and intellectually vibrant subject that is central to many of the most intriguing questions in physics and astrophysics today.' Marc Kamionkowski, California Institute of Technology'This book should appeal to a new generation of physicists… It includes an excellent review of special relativity and provides a unified geometrical approach to both special and general relativity.' Hans Juergen Weber, University of Virginia'A very fine book by a leading expert. By concentrating on physical ideas and the very latest observational results, Hartle achieves his admirable aim of making general relativity accessible without relying on daunting mathematics. This book is likely to become a classic that every physics student should possess.' Jonathan Halliwell, Imperial College London'Professor Hartle is to be commended for writing such a fine and much needed introductory book on general relativity. With the right balance of physical ideas and mathematical details delivered in a clear style, this text will be welcomed.' Bei Lok Hu, University of Maryland'This book should make a major impact in undergraduate education. It is far clearer and more physically motivating than other texts. The exposition is at precisely the right level … clear worked examples and good problems make it especially useful.' Mike Hobson, University of Cambridge'… for decades, general relativity has largely been the purview of graduate students … Hartle's new book promises to change that. It provides an admirable overview of one of physics' most beautiful and increasingly relevant theories and can be understood with only a first mechanics class as a prerequisite. It should persuade many physics departments to offer general relativity as a routine part of the undergraduate curriculum.' Arthur Kosowsky, Rutgers University'… the ideal text for … an introductory course. In no other single text have I found all the up-to-date material that a modern physicist should know about gravity. At the same time, it is an excellent basis for more advanced study.' Dieter Brill, University of Maryland'This is probably my favourite book on GR at this level. It should appeal to those who also like the physics-first approach, and be accessible to those with an undergraduate-level understanding of mechanics.' Phillip Helbig, The ObservatoryTable of ContentsList of Boxes; Preface; Figure credits; Part I. Space and Time in Newtonian Physics and Special Relativity: 1. Gravitational physics; 2. Geometry as physics; 3. Space, time, and gravity in Newtonian physics; 4. Principles of special relativity; 5. Special relativistic mechanics. Part II. The Curved Spacetimes of General Relativity: 6. Gravity as geometry; 7. Description of curved spacetime; 8. Geodesics; 9. The geometry outside a spherical star; 10. Solar System tests of general relativity; 11. Relativistic gravity in action; 12. Gravitational collapse and black holes; 13. Astrophysical black holes; 14. A little rotation; 15. Rotating black holes; 16. Gravitational waves; 17. The universe observed; 18. Cosmological models; 19. Which universe and why?. Part III. The Einstein Equation: 20. A little more math; 21. Curvature and the Einstein equation; 22. The source of curvature; 23. Gravitational wave emission; 24. Relativistic stars; Appendix A. Units; Appendix B. Curvature quantities; Appendix C. Curvature and the Einstein equation; Appendix D. Pedagogical strategy; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisEinstein said that the most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible. But was he right? Can the quantum theory of fields and Einstein's general theory of relativity, the two most accurate and successful theories in all of physics, be united into a single quantum theory of gravity? Can quantum and cosmos ever be combineTrade Review"This elegant little volume provides a clear account of two approaches to some of the greatest unsolved problems of gravitation and cosmology."--John Barrow, New Scientist "A debate between Hawking and Penrose ... raises the reader's expectations of a lively interaction, and this is fully bourne in the transcribed discussion... Hawking's effervescent sense of humour frequently enlivens the text."--Joseph Silk, Times Higher Education Praise for Princeton's previous editions:: "If there were such a thing as the World Professional Heavyweight Theory Debating Society, this would be the title bout."--Christopher Dornan, Toronto Globe & Mail Praise for Princeton's previous editions: "This is a very courteous and intellectually stimulating exchange between two first-rate minds."--Library Journal Praise for Princeton's previous editions: "This is an interesting book to read now, but it promises to become an even more interesting book for future generations of physicists."--Robert M. Wald, Science Praise for Princeton's previous editions: "As well as providing an accurate scientific record of the lectures, the text has lost none of the drama of the original occasion, which stemmed from the almost antithetical views of the two protagonists on almost everything except the classical theory of general relativity."--Gary Gibbons, Physics World Praise for Princeton's previous editions: "I found great satisfaction and not inconsiderable benefit from my efforts... The clarity and brilliance of Hawking's logic would break through in simple straightforward terms... This provided a real thrill."--Lucy Horwitz, Boston Book ReviewTable of ContentsForeword by Michael Atiyah vii Acknowledgments ix CHAPTER ONE Classical Theory, Stephen Hawking 3 CHAPTER TWO Structure of Spacetime Singularities, Roger Penrose 27 CHAPTER THREE Quantum Black Holes, Stephen Hawking 37 CHAPTER FOUR Quantum Theory and Spacetime, Roger Penrose 61 CHAPTER FIVE Quantum Cosmololgy, Stephen Hawking 75 CHAPTER SIX The Twistor View of Spacetime, Roger Penrose 105 CHAPTER SEVEN The Debate, Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose 121 AFTERWORD TO THE 2010 EDITION The Debate Continues, Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose 139 References 143

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Book SynopsisThis textbook provides students with a sound mathematical introduction coupled with an understanding of the physical insights needed to explore the subjectTable of Contents1: The Organisation of the Book A: Special Relativity 2: The k-Calculus 3: The Key Attributes of Special Relativity 4: The Elements of Relativistic Mechanics B: The Formalism of Tensors 5: Tensor Algebra 6: Tensor Calculus 7: Integration, Variation, and Symmetry C: General Relativity 8: Special Relativity Revisited 9: The Principles of General Relativity 10: The Field equations of General Relativity 11: General Relativity from a Variational Principle 12: The Energy-Momentum Tensor 13: The Structure of the Field Equations 14: The 3+1 and 2+2 Formalisms 15: The Schwarzschild sSlution 16: Classical Experimental Tests of General Relativity D: Black Holes 17: Non-Rotating Black Holes 18: Maximal Extension and Conformal Compactification 19: Charged Black Holes 20: Rotating Black Holes E: Gravitational Waves 21: Linearized Gravitational Waves and their Detection 22: Exact Gravitational Waves 23: Radiation from an Isolated Source F: Cosmology 24: Relativistic Cosmology 25: The Classical Cosmological Models 26: Modern Cosmology Answers to Exercises Selected Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisIn About Time: Einstein''s Unfinished Revolution Paul Davies confronts the puzzles and paradoxes of time that have bemused the world''s greatest thinkers throughout the ages.When Albert Einstein formulated his theory of relativity it brought about a revolution in our understanding of time, yet also presented a new set of mysteries. Einstein''s time can be warped, leading to bizarre possibilities such as black holes and time travel, while making a nonsense of our perception of a ''now'' or a division of time into past, present and future.In About Time Paul Davies tackles the tough questions about time, including the strange relationship between physical time and our psychological perception of it. He gives straightforward descriptions of topics such as the theory of relativity, the relation between time dilation and the speed of light and Hawking''s ''imaginary time''. He concludes that, despite decades of progress in unravelling the mysteries of Table of ContentsA very brief history of time; time for a change; timewarps; black holes - gateways to the end of time; the beginning of time - when exactly was it?; Einstein's greatest triumph?; quantum time; imaginary time; the arrow of time; backwards in time; time travel - fact or fantasy?; but what time is it now?; experimenting with time; the unfinished revolution.

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Book SynopsisCHOSEN AS A BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE GUARDIAN, DAILY TELEGRAPH, NEW STATESMAN AND BBC SCIENCE FOCUS''An intimate, unique, and inspiring perspective on the life and work of one of the greatest minds of our time. Filled with insight, humour, and never-before-told stories, it''s a view of Stephen Hawking that few have seen and all will appreciate'' James Clear, author of Atomic HabitsAn icon of the last fifty years, Stephen Hawking seems to encapsulate genius: not since Albert Einstein has a scientific figure held such a position in popular consciousness. In this enthralling memoir, writer and physicist Leonard Mlodinow tells the story of his friend and their collaboration, offering an intimate account of this giant of science. The two met in 2003, when Stephen asked Leonard if he would consider writing a book with him, the follow up to the bestselling A Brief History of Time. As they spent years working on a seconTrade ReviewA very fine book indeed. Mlodinow is himself a physicist of some distinction, but he is also a very skilled writer. Writing of the stubbornness that enabled Hawking to pursue theoretical physics despite his motor neurone disease, he says, "It allowed his spirit to dance in the prison of his limp body." The great merit of this book is to convey so vividly the dance, the spirit and the prison -- Ray Monk * New Statesman Books of the Year *Even Stephen Hawking's brain was not a computer; fellow physicist Leonard Mlodinow provides a warm and three-dimensional portrait of a brilliant and stubborn human being, rather than simply a genius in a chair * Daily Telegraph Books of the Year *One of the most touching biographies of the year shows the human side of the great physicist Stephen Hawking, as seen by his friend and collaborator Leonard Mlodinow. With admirably easy-to-grasp digressions into favourite subjects such as Einstein, dark energy and black holes, Mlodinow tells us about Hawking the man -- Katy Guest * Guardian Books of the Year *A personal and intellectual biography - and tremendously entertaining. . . Leonard Mlodinow is himself a theoretical physicist, and a brilliant writer to boot. . . Five stars -- Daily Telegraph * Steven Poole *Hawking's collaborator retells his story with humour and fondness, and helps us know the famous scientist as he really was. . . Highly enjoyable. . . a tender account, full of genuine affection, which doesn't shy away from Hawking's intense focus, self-centredness and unpredictability -- Guardian * Jim Al-Khalili *A compelling read. . . fresh and worthwhile. As a serious theoretical physicist who co-wrote two books with Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow saw the great man from a unique vantage point. He can delve into intimate details and survey the intellectual high ground -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *Leonard Mlodinow has done the impossible. He has skillfully woven together a thoughtful, insightful, intimate, and engaging portrait of Stephen Hawking, one of the greatest minds of our times, while being scrupulously faithful to the physics. Hawking would have been proud of this book -- Michio KakuStartlingly good ... What really comes over is his modest delight that he made a friend of such an eminent man. Mlodinow explains the science with a clarity and an elegance. You will learn from this what you signally failed to learn from A Brief History of Time -- Daily MailStephen Hawking was a unique scientist and person, and Leonard Mlodinow's book is a unique glimpse into how he worked and lived. As educational as it is touching, this is a deeply human look at a mind that spanned the cosmos -- Sean Carroll, author of Something Deeply HiddenDespite the acclaim, there is still much to discover about Steven Hawking ... theoretical physicist Leonard Mlodinow offers an intimate glimpse inside the famous scientist's life * New Scientist *Hugely enjoyable. . . fresh and compelling. Instead of the spellbound exaltation of a great mind, it is a humane and intimate portrayal of a brilliant scientist. It is also written from a special vantage point. Mlodinow, a theoretical physicist and gifted author, spent several years working with Hawking, co-writing two books. Their working sessions form the narrative backbone of this emotionally satisfying and intellectually stimulating memoir John Paul Rathbone, Financial Times -- Financial Times * John Paul Rathbone *An intimate, unique, and inspiring perspective on the life and work of one of the greatest minds of our time. Filled with insight, humour, and never-before-told stories, it's a view of Stephen Hawking that few have seen and all will appreciate -- James Clear, author of Atomic HabitsStephen Hawking surpassed science and touched the world with his transcendent genius and heroic courage that inspired millions. In this intimate memoir, his long-time friend and physics collaborator Leonard Mlodinow, one of the finest science writers of our time, shares insights into Hawking that humanizes him while also revealing what made him one of history's greatest minds -- Michael Shermer, author of The Believing Brain

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Book SynopsisThe astonishing science of black holes, and their role in understanding the history and future of our universe.Trade Review"Black holes were originally flights of theoretical fancy, difficult for even professional physicists to wrap their brains around. In Einstein's Monsters, Chris Impey shows how modern astronomy has brought them into vivid focus, and conveys how much more we're learning about these extreme beasts with every passing year." -- Sean Carroll"In Einstein's Monsters, Impey provides a history of black holes and an overview of investigations into their supremely counter-intuitive behaviour...[he] addresses the seeming absurdities of [the] subject with authority and wit." -- Nature"Impey skilfully weaves a fascinating tale out of the work and ideas of the scientists who... pieced together the history of black holes by understanding the evolution of stars and how they can, depending on their mass, end up as white dwarfs, ultra-dense neutronstars, rapidly spinning pulsars or as an exploding supernova." -- Financial Times"Einstein's Monsters cuts through the "fiendishly complex" mathematics to set out the evidence for black holes, and how they are born and die." -- Times Higher Education"Impey does an admirable job describing multiple facets of the often contradictory field of black hole astrophysics... Einstein's Monsters will be sure to capture the imagination of most who pick it up, simultaneously convincing the reader that these monsters, while in fact quite certainly real, should be loved and not feared." -- Science"The book gives an awe-inspiring account of the complexity and beauty of black holes that were there before our Galaxy formed and will probably be there after everything else has been shredded apart by the forces of an ever-expanding Universe." -- Nature"Astronomer Impey's accessible approach breaks down complex scientific concepts with ease and flair, name-checking everyone from Edgar Allen Poe to Pink Floyd as he lays out what we think we know about black holes—and what remains mysterious." -- Discover

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Book SynopsisThey say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. But this 'witty and clear thinking' (New York Times) book wonders, what about relativity? Physics professor Chad Orzel and his inquisitive canine companion, Emmy, tackle the concepts of general relativity in this irresistible introduction to Einstein's physics. Through armchair- and sometimes passenger-seat-conversations with Emmy about the relative speeds of dog and cat motion or the logistics of squirrel-chasing, Orzel translates complex Einsteinian ideas -- the slowing of time for a moving observer, the shrinking of moving objects, the effects of gravity on light and time, black holes, the Big Bang, and of course, E=mc2 -- into examples simple enough for a dog to understand. A lively romp through one of the great theories of modern physics, How to Teach Relativity to Your Dog will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about space, time, and anything else you might have slept through in high school physics class.Trade ReviewSteve Nadis, coauthor of The Shape of Inner Space "Emmy may be one smart dog, but her owner also happens to be an uncommonly gifted communicator. Chad Orzel's treatment of special and general relativity is comprehensive, informative, and amazingly accessible, yet it's funny too. This is, by far, the most entertaining discussion of the subject that I've ever had the pleasure of reading." Frank Close, author of The Infinity Puzzle "With Nero, the egocentric cat who believes it is the centre of the universe, and Emmy, the student dog whose questions and misunderstandings would drive any teacher to distraction, and whose interest in relativity is how E=mc^2 can turn squirrels into energy, Chad Orzel has created a delightful cast of characters to make his introduction to relativity relatively painless. A cleverly crafted and beautifully explained narrative that guides readers carefully into the depths of relativity. Whether you are a hare or a tortoise, or even a dog, you will enjoy this." Louisa Gilder, author of The Age of Entanglement "For the price of a book, Orzel delivers the heady, joyful experience of taking a small college class with a brilliant and funny professor who really knows how to teach. A thoroughly winning romp through a rock-solid presentation of a beautiful subject." Booklist "With canine humor and math- or physics-related jokes, Orzel keeps readers interested, while teaching the elements of physics that we promptly forgot after we took the test." Library Journal "Readers who enjoy Michio Kaku, Brian Greene, or Neil deGrasse Tyson will love this book. Full of quotes, math jokes, and silly canines, the book strives to make its audience amazed by, not frightened of, physics. With exuberant Emmy at the lead, readers can't help but be dragged (willingly!) toward a better understanding of special and general relativity." Washington Post "Rather than barking or growling, Emmy leavens the mood with requests for walks; and when the academics get heavy, she interjects to beg for clarification. Obviously, real-life dogs will not walk away from the book with a grasp of the universe's mechanics, but the human sort of non-scientist can get some benefit." Nature Physics "[E]ngaging and readable for a general audience... I suggest people who baulk at the idea of a talking dog but are nevertheless interested in the broad sweep of one of the two great theories of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries should give this book a chance. After all, every dog has its day." Publishers Weekly "[A] compact and instructive walk through Einstein's theory of relativit... [T]he prose is breezy and straightforward, and the material well organized... Relativity constantly amazes, and the glimpses of understanding provide rewarding and satisfying moments." Kirkus Reviews "Unlike quantum physics, which remains bizarre even to experts, much of relativity makes sense. Thus, Einstein's special relativity merely states that the laws of physics and the speed of light are identical for all observers in smooth motion. This sounds trivial but leads to weird if delightfully comprehensible phenomena, provided someone like Orzel delivers a clear explanation of why." Science News "A clever introduction to the often intimidating concepts of special and general relativity, couched as a series of conversations between the author and his dog, Emmy. It may sound like a strange setup, but the somewhat kooky concept works well for explaining a field of physics that can sound, well, kooky to the uninitiated... While keeping the math to a minimum, Orzel provides a clear and thorough primer. It might take some practice to start equating subatomic particles to running bunnies, but the reader will find that puzzling through the details is worth the effort." James Kakalios, Professor of Physics, University of Minnesota, and author of The Physics of Superheroes and The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics "Move over, Krypto--there's a new superdog in town! Chad Orzel's dog Emmy, having mastered quantum physics, now helps us understand Einstein's theories of relativity in a deep and accessible way. Get this dog a cape!" Jennifer Ouellette, author of The Calculus Diaries "Everyone's favorite physics-loving canine is back, this time giving us a dog's eye view of Einstein and relativity. Physics professor Chad Orzel leads Emmy (and us) through an engaging tour of light speed, time dilation, and amazing shrinking bunnies (length contraction)--not to mention what all this means for the search for the elusive 'bacon boson.'" Sean Carroll, author of From Eternity to Here "Dogs are a practical species. They aren't interested in speculation and conjecture; they like food, walks, and proven physics like Einstein's relativity. If you really want to further your dog's education (and learn something yourself in the process), Chad Orzel's book is the first place you should turn."

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Book SynopsisEinstein's General Theory of Relativity leads to two remarkable predictions: first, that the ultimate destiny of many massive stars is to undergo gravitational collapse and to disappear from view, leaving behind a 'black hole' in space; and secondly, that there will exist singularities in space-time itself. These singularities are places where space-time begins or ends, and the presently known laws of physics break down. They will occur inside black holes, and in the past are what might be construed as the beginning of the universe. To show how these predictions arise, the authors discuss the General Theory of Relativity in the large. Starting with a precise formulation of the theory and an account of the necessary background of differential geometry, the significance of space-time curvature is discussed and the global properties of a number of exact solutions of Einstein's field equations are examined. The theory of the causal structure of a general space-time is developed, and is useTrade Review'The book is a masterpiece, written by sure hands.' Science'Certain to rank as an outstanding classic of the current advance of relativity theory.' Contemporary Physics'La parution de ce livre est un événement important …' La RechercheTable of ContentsPreface; 1. The role of gravity; 2. Differential geometry; 3. General relativity; 4. The physical significance of curvature; 5. Exact solutions; 6. Causal structure; 7. The Cauchy problem in General Relativity; 8. Space-time singularities; 9. Gravitational collapse and black holes; 10. The initial singularity in the universe; Appendixes; References; Notation; Index.

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Book SynopsisHow did it all begin? Where is it all going?A little over a century ago, a young Albert Einstein presented his general theory of relativity to the world and utterly transformed our understanding of the universe. His theory changed the way we think about space and time, revealed how our universe has been expanding from a hot dense state called the big bang and predicted black holes. WHERE THE UNIVERSE CAME FROM is a 13.8-billiion-year journey through the cosmos. Discover how Einstein's work explains why the cosmos is the way it is, why 95% of the universe is missing, how physicists go to extraordinary lengths to unlock gravity's secrets and how black holes could hold the key to a theory of everything.ABOUT THE SERIESNew Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subjects that challenge, attract debate, invite controversy and engage the most enquiring minds. Designed for curious readers who want to know how things work and why, the Instant Expert series explores the topics that really matter and their impact on individuals, society, and the planet, translating the scientific complexities around us into language that's open to everyone, and putting new ideas and discoveries into perspective and context.

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Book SynopsisA new, popular edition with a clear introduction, Special & General Relativity by Albert Einstein contains his core paper, 'Relativity, The Special & The General Theory: A Popular Exposition', which established his reputation as one of the greatest thinkers of our (and perhaps any) age. Also included are two of the Princeton University lectures he gave to explain his findings in more detail, on 'The Meaning of Relativity', as well as the early paper which led to his famous equation E = mc2. The FLAME TREE Foundations series features core publications which together have shaped the cultural landscape of the modern world, with cutting-edge research distilled into pocket guides designed to be both accessible and informative.

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Book SynopsisThe aim of this textbook is to present in a comprehensive way several advanced topics of general relativity, including gravitational waves, tests of general relativity, time delay, spinors in curved spacetime, Hawking radiation, and geodetic precession to mention a few. These are all important topics in today's research activities from both a theoretical and experimental point of view. This textbook is designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate students to strengthen the knowledge acquired during the core courses on General Relativity. The author developed the book from a series of yearly lectures with the intention of offering a gentle introduction to the field. This book helps understanding the more specialized literature and can be used as a first reading to get quickly into the field when starting research. Chapter-end exercises complete the learning material to master key concepts.Trade Review“It is not a textbook, but rather a compendium of, as the title says, applications of General Relativity (GR) … useful for someone who knows the material but wants to look something up, refresh their memory, etc. … The breadth of topics covered is thus smaller than in some other books, but the depth is great. … it is very specialized, but fills an interesting niche.” (Phillip Helbig, The Observatory, Vol. 142 (1291), December, 2022)Table of ContentsIntroduction.- Elements of General Relativity.- Gravitational Waves.- Black Holes.- Tests of General Relativity.- Solutions.

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Book SynopsisWritten by a former Olympiad student, Wang Jinhui, and a Physics Olympiad national trainer, Bernard Ricardo, Competitive Physics delves into the art of solving challenging physics puzzles. This book not only expounds a multitude of physics topics from the basics but also illustrates how these theories can be applied to problems, often in an elegant fashion. With worked examples that depict various problem-solving sleights of hand and interesting exercises to enhance the mastery of such techniques, readers will hopefully be able to develop their own insights and be better prepared for physics competitions. Ultimately, problem-solving is a craft that requires much intuition. Yet this intuition, perhaps, can only be honed by trudging through an arduous but fulfilling journey of enigmas.This is the second part of a two-volume series and will mainly analyze thermodynamics, electromagnetism and special relativity. A brief overview of geometrical optics is also included.

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Book SynopsisIn Synchronicity Paul Halpern tells the little-known story of the unlikely friendship between the Nobel-prize-winning quantum physicist Wolfgang Pauli and the father of psychoanalysis, Carl Jung. In the 1930s, Pauli and Jung began collaborating on a unified theory of quantum and the mind, the result of which was Jung's synchronicity principle-the idea that events connected by meaning need not be explained by causality. Pauli's work on entanglement theory, which allowed for instantaneous cause and effect relationships, was particularly appealing to Jung, as it seemed to give weight to his controversial theory of a collective unconscious.Casting their relationship within a larger intellectual history of entanglement theory, Halpern poses a question that has mystified physicists and philosophers alike since the times of Aristotle: Is the speed of light finite, as Einstein posited, or is it, as Pauli and the proponents of entanglement theory asserted, variable across time and dimensions? As Halpern works his way through the history of the physics of cause and effect, he shows that this centuries-old debate is not only relevant at the smallest scales of particle physics but also at the largest scales of the cosmos itself.

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Book SynopsisAfter completing the final version of his general theory of relativity in November 1915, Albert Einstein wrote a book about relativity for a popular audience. His intention was "to give an exact insight into the theory of relativity to those readers who, from a general scientific and philosophical point of view, are interested in the theory, but whTrade ReviewOne of Symmetry magazine's Physics Books of 2015 "I can still see some fugitive magic in Relativity ... it conjures Einstein as the oracle presenting a theory to the world--one of the most revolutionary and profound theories of all time."--Pedro Ferreira, Nature "Nobody is better at explaining relativity than Einstein himself; his account provides a combination of depth and clarity that only he could confidently produce... This 100th anniversary edition is complemented by commentary from Gutfreund and Renn, who clarify some key points and add historical perspective, making Einstein's own words even more accessible and meaningful."--Tom Siegfried, Science News "Hanoch Gutfreund, professor emeritus of theoretical physics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Jurgen Renn, director of the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin, augment the 100th anniversary edition of [Relativity] with a reading companion to make Einstein's thinking clearer to present-day readers."--Mike Perricone, Symmetry MagazineTable of ContentsIntroduction xiii Einstein as a Missionary of Science 1 Einstein's Booklet: Relativity: The Special and the General Theory 7 PART I : The Special Theory of Relativity 1.Physical Meaning of Geometrical Propositions 11 2.The System of Co- ordinates 14 3.Space and Time in Classical Mechanics 18 4.The Galileian System of Co- ordinates 21 5.The Principle of Relativity (in the Restricted Sense) 23 6.The Theorem of the Addition of Velocities Employed in Classical Mechanics 27 7.The Apparent Incompatibility of the Law of Propagation of Light with the Principle of Relativity 28 8.On the Idea of Time in Physics 32 9.The Relativity of Simultaneity 36 10.On the Relativity of the Conception of Distance 39 11.The Lorentz Transformation 41 12.The Behaviour of Measuring- Rods and Clocks in Motion 47 13.Theorem of the Addition of the Velocities. The Experiment of Fizeau 50 14.The Heuristic Value of the Theory of Relativity 54 15.General Results of the Theory 56 16.Experience and the Special Theory of Relativity 62 17.Minkowski's Four- Dimensional Space 68 PART II: The General Theory of Relativity 18.Special and General Principle of Relativity 72 19.The Gravitational Field 76 20.The Equality of Inertial and Gravitational Mass as an Argument for the General Postulate of Relativity 80 21.In What Respects Are the Foundations of Classical Mechanics and of the Special Theory of Relativity Unsatisfactory? 85 22.A Few Inferences from the General Principle of Relativity 88 23.Behaviour of Clocks and Measuring- Rods on a Rotating Body of Reference 93 24.Euclidean and Non- Euclidean Continuum 97 25.Gaussian Co- ordinates 101 26.The Space- Time Continuum of the Special Theory of Relativity Considered as a Euclidean Continuum 106 27.The Space- Time Continuum of the General Theory of Relativity Is Not a Euclidean Continuum 109 28.Exact Formulation of the General Principle of Relativity 113 29.The Solution of the Problem of Gravitation on the Basis of the General Principle of Relativity 117 PART III: Considerations on the Universe as a Whole 30.Cosmological Diffi culties of Newton's Theory 122 31.The Possibility of a "Finite" and Yet "Unbounded" Universe 125 32.The Structure of Space According to the General Theory of Relativity 131 Appendixes 1.Simple Derivation of the Lorentz Transformation (Supplementary to Section 11) (1918) 133 2.Minkowski's Four- Dimensional Space ("World") (Supplementary to Section 17) (1918) 140 3.The Experimental Confi rmation of the General Theory of Relativity (1920) 142 4.The Structure of Space According to the General Theory of Relativity (Supplementary to Section 32) (1946) 153 5.Relativity and the Problem of Space (1953) 155 A Reading Companion: Thirteen Commentaries Physics and Geometry ( 1- 2) 180 Mechanics and Space ( 3- 6) 182 Light Propagation and Time ( 7- 9) 187 Light Propagation and Space ( 10- 12 and Appendix 1) 191 Physics in Relativistic Space and Time ( 13- 16) 193 The World of Four Dimensions ( 17 and Appendix 2) 201 From Special to General Relativity 204 Gravitation and Inertia ( 18- 21) 205 Acceleration, Clocks, and Rods ( 22- 23) 209 Gravitation and Geometry ( 24- 27) 213 Gravitation and General Relativity ( 28- 29) 218 The Challenge of Cosmology ( 30- 32 and Appendix 4) 222 The Relation between Theory and Experiment (Appendix 3) 226 The Changing Concept of Space (Appendix 5) 230 A History and Survey of Foreign-Language Editions The English Translation 244 The French Translation 247 The Italian Translation 252 The Spanish Translation 256 The Russian Translation 259 The Chinese Translation 262 The Japanese Translation 266 The Polish Translation 270 The Czech Translation 273 The Hebrew Translation 276 Concluding Remarks 279 Appended Documents A Letter from Walther Rathenau to Einstein 281 A Sample Page of Einstein's Handwriting 284 Manuscript of Appendix 3 of the Booklet 286 Further Reading 293 Index 297

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Book SynopsisRelativistic cosmology has in recent years become one of the most active and exciting branches of research, often considered to be today where particle physics was forty years ago, with major discoveries just waiting to happen. Consequently the part most affected by this second edition is the last part on cosmology. But there are additions, improvements, and new exercises throughout. _ The book''s basic purpose is unchanged. It is to make relativity come alive conceptually, and to display the grand theoretical edifice that it is, with consequences in many branches of physics. The emphasis is on the foundations, on the logical subtleties, and on presenting the necessary mathematics - including differential geometry and tensors - but always as late and in as palatable a form as possible. Aided by over 300 exercises, the book seeks to promote an in-depth understanding, and the confidence to tackle any basic problem in relativity.Trade ReviewRindler's writing is elegant, yet compact and logically precise. ... this book should be on the shelf of all who are intrigued by the startling modern advances in our understanding of space and time. * American Journal of Physics *An outstanding introductory treatise by one of the masters of the subject, this book belongs to the shelves of every physics library. * Foundations of Physics *... a self-contained and balanced work. Every sentence hits home, and no word is superfluous. Each chapter ends with a set of well-chosen and instructive exercises. ... it exposes the reader to the physics with inspiring and occasionally surprising arguments. ... a totally successful textbook and a must for all who study special and general relativity. * Physik Journal *... a first-class presentation of the intellectual glory of the first century of relativity. * Times Higher Education Supplement *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION; PART I: SPECIAL RELATIVITY; PART II: GENERAL RELATIVITY; PART III: COSMOLOGY

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Book SynopsisAlbert Einstein is often viewed as the icon of genius, and his theories are admired for their beauty and correctness. Yet the final judge of any theory is the rigorous test of experiment, not the fame of its inventor or the allure of its mathematics. For decades, general relativity has passed test after test with flying colors, including some remarkable new tests using the recently detected gravitational waves. Still, there are reasons for doubt. Einstein''s theory of gravity, as beautiful as it is, seems to be in direct contradiction with another theory he helped create: quantum mechanics. Until recently, this was considered to be a purely academic affair. But as more and more data pour in from the most distant corners of the universe, hinting at bizarre stuff called dark energy and dark matter, some scientists have begun to explore the possibility that Einstein''s theory may not provide a complete picture of the cosmos. This book chronicles the latest adventures of scientists as theyTrade ReviewI strongly recommend it to all those interested in general relativity. Although non-specialist readers may find it challenging, they will surely be rewarded by its compelling descriptions and fascinating narrative. * Roberto Lalli, Physics Today *Will and Yunes provide an entertaining overview of the many tests that general relativity has been put to over the past 100 years or so... In fact, the book contains a lot more interesting stuff - and nice personal anecdotes... than the title suggests... the authors strike the perfect balance between depth and accessibility, using helpful metaphors wherever is necessary. * Govert Schilling, BBC Sky at Night *The two authors have not only the broad spectrum of knowledge and personal experience necessary to master the subject, but also the writing skills needed to provide a fresh and witty narrative that is comprehensible to a wide audience... I strongly recommend it to all those interested in general relativity. * Roberto Lalli, Physics Today *[Will and Yunes] succeed superbly in describing the history and personalities ... and work diligently ... to explain the science ... Solid insights into Einstein's dazzling discoveries. * Kirkus Reviews *Physicists Will and Yunes take readers on an intellectually challenging but invigorating tour of experiments involving Einstein's theory of general relativity ... A valuable treatise on a foundational topic in modern physics. * Publishers Weekly *Clifford Will and Nicolás Yunes are celebrating the effectiveness of the general theory of relativity... a genuinely interesting book. * Brian Clegg, Popular Science *Table of Contents1: A Very Good Summer 2: Wrinkles in Time 3: How Light Sheds Light on Gravity 4: Does Gravity Do the Twist? 5: Celestial Lighthouses for Testing Relativity 6: How to Use a Black Hole to Test General Relativity 7: Gravitational Waves Detected at Last! 8: What do Gravitational Waves Tell Us? 9: A Loud Future for Gravitational Wave Science 10: A Dialogue

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Book SynopsisDocuments how traditional gradualistic views of biological and geographic evolution are giving way to a catastrophism that credits cataclysmic events, such as meteorite impacts, for the rapid bursts and abrupt transitions observed in the fossil record. This book discusses topics such as the history of the solar system and hominid evolution.Trade ReviewFrom the reviews: "Trevor Palmer … provides in this volume a chronicle of the emergence of catastrophe evidence and thought. He explores planetary science, paleontology, geology, and evolution, with emphasis on human evolution from about 1970 to 1999, but with substantial expeditions into the history of astronomy and evolutionary theory … . it is … a major contribution to understanding the growth of the present position. … Palmer thoroughly documents the K-T extinction dispute." (Hiram Caton, Reports of the National Center for Science Education, Vol. 25 (3-4), 2005)Table of ContentsThe Context of Evolution: The Earth and Its Surroundings. The Establishment of Gradualism. Gradualism under Challenge. Nemesis for Evolutionary Gradualism? The Eratic Descent of Man. Towards a New Evolutionary Synthesis. Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book explains the Lorentz mathematical group in alanguage familiar to physicists. This new edition extends applications tooptical sciences and includes five new chapters on applications in statisticalphysics, condensed matter physics. quantum optics and quantum information and artificialintelligence.

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Book SynopsisMartinez draws from an unparalleled wealth of sources to demonstrate why it is essential to the study and evolution of physics today.Trade ReviewFascinating... Recommended. Choice The author uses clear and easy-to-understand language to describe how kinematics is essential to the modern study of physics. Scitech Book News 2010 A great deal of interesting historical material on kinematic ideas... the story of Einstein's pathway to discovery is a gem... an illuminating pleasure to read. Einstein, the smasher of earlier images of physics, would have been the first to applaud this very human account of himself and this period of his life. Perhaps this text will turn out to be inspirational reading for some future young Einstein! -- Peter J. Bussey Contemporary Physics 2011 The book is really two books in one... Martinez deserves our gratitude for digging up a rich selection of recollections. Physics in Perspective 2011 This often-overlooked branch of mechanics, which describes objects' motion, provided the foundation for special relativity. Science News Martinez draws from an unparalleled wealth of sources. -- Hans-Jurgen Schmidt Zentralblatt Math 2011Table of ContentsPreface1. Big Picture: Rise of a Rejected Science2. Where to Begin? Invisible Causes or Visible Motions3. Ambiguous Truths: The Allegedly Pure Science of Motion4. Debates over Language: Coordinates versus Vectors5. Scientific Definitions: The Concepts of Space and Time6. Discovery and Invention: Conceptual Origins of Einstein's Relativity7. Text and Equations: Elements of Einstein's Kinematics8. Critical History: The Algebra of MotionBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisThe influence of Einstein''s contributions on so many branches of physics is such that if one wanted to describe its full extent, it would be hard to know where to begin. His work and discoveries are so fundamental that each achievement alone would have guaranteed him a prominent place in the history of physics. But what brought him unprecedented fame outside his own discipline is undoubtedly his theory of relativity, which revolutionised the old, established Newtonian picture of space, time, and gravitations. - Professor Hanoch Gutfreund, from the IntroductionThis volume presents Albert Einstein''s 1912 manuscript on the special theory of relativity, one of the most revolutionary and influential scientific documents of the twentieth century. It includes faithful reproductions of each of the seventy-two handwritten pages along with an English translation of the original German text. A tribute to Einstein''s genius, the book opens with a brief essay by Hanoch Gutfreund, a Trade ReviewThe influence of Einstein's contributions on so many branches of physics is such that if one wanted to describe its full extent, it would be hard to know where to begin. His work and discoveries...are so fundamental that each achievement alone would have guaranteed him a prominent place in the history of physics. But what brought him unprecedented fame outside his own discipline is undoubtedly his theory of relativity, which revolutionized the old, established Newtonian picture of space, time, and gravitation.

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Book SynopsisThe material in this book forms the basis of an interdisciplinary, college-level course, which uses science fiction film as a vehicle for exploring science concepts. Unlike traditional introductory-level courses, the science content is arranged according to major themes in science fiction, with a deliberate progression from the highly objective and discipline-specific (e.g. Reference Frames; Physics of Space Travel and Time Travel) to the very multi-disciplinary and thought-provoking (e.g. Human Teleportation; Science and Society). Over 100 references to science fiction films and television episodes are included, spanning more than 100 years of cinematic history. Some of these are conducive to calculations (solutions included).

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Book SynopsisOne of the world's most celebrated cosmologists presents her breakthrough explanation of our origins in the multiverse.'Fascinating' ROGER PENROSE, Nobel laureate'What if our universe is but an infinitesimal fragment of reality? What would this "multiverse" be like? There is no better guide to the bizarre, and sometimes paradoxical, cosmic super-realm than Laura Mersini-Houghton' Paul Davies, author of What's Eating the Universe?In recent years, Laura Mersini-Houghton's ground-breaking theory, spectacularly vindicated with observational evidence, has turned the multiverse from philosophical speculation to one of the most compelling and credible explanations of our universe's origins. In Before the Big Bang, she interweaves the story of how she arrived at this theory with her journey from communist Albania, where she was born and brought up, to the West, showing how her unconventional path helped her to challenge orthodoxies and become one of the most courageous thinkers on the world stage of theoretical physics.'A riveting tour of the cosmos from the one of the brightest minds in astrophysics' Washington Post'A fascinating and unusual hybrid of pop science and memoir' 5*, Stephen Poole, Daily Telegraph'One of the world's most renowned cosmologists offers insights into the majestic world of the quantum multiverse' Stephon Alexander, author of Fear of a Black Universe*A DAILY TELEGRAPH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022*Trade ReviewA fascinating account -- SIR ROGER PENROSE, Nobel laureateWhat if our universe, vast though it may be, is but an infinitesimal fragment of reality? What would this 'multiverse' be like? And how could we possibly test the idea? There is no better guide to the bizarre, and sometimes paradoxical, cosmic super-realm than Laura Mersini-Houghton -- PAUL DAVIES, author of What’s Eating the Universe?From one of the world's most renowned cosmologists, Before the Big Bang offers insights into the Big Bang and, beyond it, into the majestic world of a quantum multiverse -- STEPHON ALEXANDER, author of Fear of a Black UniverseA fascinating and unusual hybrid of pop science and memoir... The author's explanation of such exotic ideas is vivid and good-humoured, and much enlivened by tableaux from her education in Albania -- Stephen Poole * Daily Telegraph, 5* *The age-old cosmological question of how and why the Big Bang happened has never been tackled with such aplomb * Daily Telegraph, *Books of the Year* *

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Book SynopsisBased on Prof. Lüst's Masters course at the University of Munich, this book begins with a short introduction to general relativity. It then presents black hole solutions, and discusses Penrose diagrams, black hole thermodynamics and entropy, the Unruh effect, Hawking radiation, the black hole information problem, black holes in supergravity and string theory, the black hole microstate counting in string theory, asymptotic symmetries in general relativity, and a particular quantum model for black holes. The book offers an up-to-date summary of all the pertinent questions in this highly active field of physics, and is ideal reading for graduate students and young researchers.Table of ContentsSpecial relativity.- Riemannian geometry.- Introduction to general relativity.- General relativity.- Einstein's equations.- Black holes.- Kruskal-Szekeres coordinates and geodesics of the Schwarzschild black hole.- Conformal compactifications and Penrose diagrams.- Penrose diagrams of charged & rotating black holes.- Rotating black holes and black hole mechanics.- Black hole mechanics and thermodynamics.- Black hole thermodynamics .- Black holes and entropy.- Hawking and Unruh radiation.- Quantum field theory in curved space-time backgrounds.- Unruh und Hawking effect.- Information loss paradox.- Solitons in String Theory.- Brane solutions.- Dimensional reduction and black holes.- Black holes in string theory from p/D-branes.- Black hole microstate counting.- Asymptotic symmetries in general relativity and black hole hair.- Asymptotic symmetries of 4D space-time geometries.- BMS charges.- The gravitational memory effect.- Current research on BMS-like transformations and charges of black holes.- Quantum hair and quantum black hole vacua.

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Book SynopsisThis primer brilliantly exposes concepts related to special and general relativity for the absolute beginner. It can be used either as an introduction to the subject at a high school level or as a useful compass for undergraduates who want to move the first steps towards Einstein's theories.The book is enhanced throughout with many useful exercises and beautiful illustrations to aid understanding.The topics covered include: Lorentz transformations, length contraction and time dilation, the twin paradox (and other paradoxes), Minkowski spacetime, the Einstein equivalence principle, curvature of space and spacetime, geodesics, parallel transport, Einstein’s equations of general relativity, black holes, wormholes, cosmology, gravitational waves, time machines, and much more.Table of Contents1 Introduction.- 2 Fundamentals of Math & Classical Mechanics.- 3 Special Relativity.- 4 General Relativity.- A Quick Reference.- B Answer to Select Problems.

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Book SynopsisStarting out from humankind's earliest ideas about the cosmos, this book gives the reader a clear overview of our current understanding of the universe, including big bang theories and the formation of stars and galaxies, as well as addressing open questions. The author shows how our present view gradually developed from observations, and also how the outcome of ongoing research may still change this view. The book brings together concepts in physics and astronomy, including some history in both cases. The text is descriptive rather than technical: the goal is to present things rigorously and without oversimplification, by highlighting the crucial physical concepts. The only prerequisite is a qualitative knowledge of basic physics concepts at high-school level.Table of ContentsChapter 1 - Introduction Chapter 2 - Classical Astronomy Chapter 3 - From the Renaissance to Modern Science Chapter 4 - Classical Physics Chapter 5 - The Physics of Relativity Chapter 6 - The Physics of Stars and Galaxies Chapter 7 - The Physics of the Universe Chapter 8 - New frontiers

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Book SynopsisThis book introduces the phenomenology of gravitational lensing in an accessible manner and provides a thorough discussion of the related astrophysical applications. It is intended for advanced undergraduates and graduate students who want to start working in this rapidly evolving field. This includes also senior researchers who are interested in ongoing or future surveys and missions such as DES, Euclid, WFIRST, LSST. The reader is guided through many fascinating topics related to gravitational lensing like the structure of our galaxy, the searching for exoplanets, the investigation of dark matter in galaxies and galaxy clusters, and several aspects of cosmology, including dark energy and the cosmic microwave background. The author, who has gained valuable experience as academic teacher, guides the readers towards the comprehension of the theory of gravitational lensing and related observational techniques by using simple codes written in python. This approach, beyond facilitating the understanding of gravitational lensing, is preparatory for learning the python programming language which is gaining large popularity both in academia and in the private sector.Table of ContentsPART I: Generalities1. Light deflection1.1. Deflection of a light corpuscle1.2. Deflection of light according to General Relativity1.3. Deflection by an ensable of point masses1.4. Deflection by an extended mass distribution1.5. Light propagation through an inhomogeneous universe1.6. Python examples2. The general lens2.1. Lens equation2.2. Lensing potential2.3. First order lens mapping2.4 Magnification2.5 Lensing to the second order2.6 Time delay surface2.7 Python examplesPART II: Applications of gravitational lensing1. Microlensing1.1 The point mass lens1.2 Standard microlensing light curve1.3 Microlensing parallax1.4 Optical depth and event rate1.5 Astrometric microlensing1.6 Multiple point lenses1.7 Planetary microlensing1.8 Python examples2. Strong lensing by galaxies and galaxy clusters2.1 Axially symmetric lenses2.2 Power-law lens2.3 Softened lenses2.4 Elliptical lenses2.5 Substructures2.6 External shear2.7 Parametric lens modeling2.8 Non-parametric lens modeling2.9 Searches for strong lenses2.10 Cosmic telescopes2.11 Strong lensing cosmography2.12 Time-delay cosmology2.13 Python examples3. Weak lensing by virialized structures3.1 Shear measurements3.2 Tangential and cross component of the shear3.3 Lens mass measurements3.4 Two-dimensional mass mapping3.5 Mass-sheet degeneracy3.6 Python examples4. Weak lensing by the large-scale-structure4.1 Effective convergence4.2 Limber’s equation4.3 Shear correlation functions4.4 Shear in apertures and aperture mass4.5 E- and B-modes4.6 Python examples5. Lensing of the Cosmic Microwave Background5.1 Lensing of the CMB temperature5.2 Gravitational lensing of the CMB polarization5.3 Recovery of the gravitational potential5.4 Python examples

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