The Wonderful World of Relativity
A precise guide for the general reader
Published on 6. October 2011
Book
Hardback
250 pages
978-0-19-969461-7 (ISBN)
Description
This book provides a lively and visual introduction to Einstein's theory of relativity. It brings to life the excitement of this fascinating subject, for an audience including young people at school (post-16) and the general public with an interest in modern physics. It is different from existing books in that is uses many diagrams and simple equations (the reader is carefully guided through them), and richly rewards the reader with beautiful mathematical and physical insights. It begins by introducing spacetime, in the familiar context of low velocities. It then shows how Einstein's theory forces us to understand time in a new way. Paradoxes and puzzles are introduced and resolved, and the book culminates in a thorough unfolding of the relation between mass and energy. The book draws on the author's many years of experience in writing articles and reviews for a non-expert readership, and presenting physics to school pupils.
Reviews / Votes
This is a book which is really irreproachable * Hans Bouma, NVOX * Steane's book is original - it really starts with a level accessible to gifted schoolchildren and then guides the reader in a step-by-step manner and without much formalism to the central concepts of the theory. The book is perhaps as elementary as it can be without making undue oversimplifications. * Claus Kiefer, University of Cologne, Germany *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Scientists from all disciplines. Non-specialists and the general public with an interest in modern physics. Young people at school (post-16) with an interest in science.
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
66 b/w line drawings, 4 b/w halftones
Dimensions
Height: 218 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
440 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-969461-7 (9780199694617)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
03/2017
Oxford University Press
€24.16
Shipment within 15-20 days
E-Book
10/2011
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€16.99
Available for download
Person
Andrew M. Steane was born in Bath, England (1965) and educated at Christ's Hospital school and Oxford University. He has been Professor of Physics at the University of Oxford since 2002 and has been a Visiting Professor at various institutes. Steane was awarded the Maxwell Medal and Prize of the Institute of Physics in 2000 for his work on quantum error correction. He has given numerous public lectures and school demonstrations in physics.
Content
1. Introduction ; 2. A preview: the Laws of Motion ; 3. Something odd is happening all around us ; 4. Spacetime ; 5. Reference frames and coordinates ; 6. The basic principles of Relativity ; 7. Foundations re-explored. ; 8. Navigating in spacetime ; 9. Faster than light ; 10. Introduction to momentum and energy ; 11. Conclusion