Description
Book SynopsisThis book has three main goals: to explore a selection of topics from the early period of the theory of relativity, focusing on particular aspects that are interesting or unusual; to provide an exposition of the differential geometry needed to understand these topics; to reflect on the historical development of the subject and its significance for our understanding of what reality is.
Trade ReviewThis book is both pedagogical and humanistic in nature...in a historical setting, he gives a wealth of mathematical tools and many applications to astronomy, physics, and cosmology." — Alan S. McRae,
Mathematical Reviews"Roger Cooke has successfully presented a wealth of fascinating ideas from the realm of physics, astronomy and cosmology while developing a range of powerful mathematical tools...This is an encyclopaedic discourse on relativity in a mathematical, philosophical and 'humanistic' setting...Being inexpert in this field myself, I was captivated by Roger Cooke's introduction to relativity. His book will appeal to a wide readership and it should provide the basis for a taught course at some suitable stage at the undergraduate level and beyond." — Peter Ruane,
MAA ReviewsTable of Contents
- The special theory: Time, space, and space-time
- Relativistic mechanics
- Electromagnetic theory
- The general theory: Precession and deflection
- Concepts of curvature, 1700-1850
- Concepts of curvature, 1850-1950
- The geometrization fo gravity
- Historical and philosophical context: Experiments, chronology, metaphysics
- Bibliography
- Subject index
- Name index
