Introduction to Special Relativity

by Wolfgang Rindler

Overview

This textbook offers a concise but thorough treatment of the theory of special relativity for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students. Assuming no prior knowledge of relativity, the author elaborates the underlying logic and describes the subtleties and apparent paradoxes. The text also contains a large number of problems which cover the basic modes of thinking and calculating in special relativity. Emphasis is placed on developing the student's intuitive understanding of space-time geometry along with the necessary methods of four-tensor calculus, though three-dimensional methods are also described. This updated new edition contains additional examples and problems, and the chapter on relativistic mechanics of continua has been substantially rewritten.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198539520
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	07/11/1991
Series:	Oxford Science Publications
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	180
Product dimensions:	9.25(w) x 6.13(h) x 0.43(d)

About the Author

University of Texas at Dallas

Table of Contents

PART I: The Foundations of Special Relativity1. Introduction2. Schematic Account of the Michelson-Morley Experiment3. Inertial frames in Special Relativity4. Einstein's Two Axioms for Special Relativity5. Coordinates. The Relativity of Time6. Derivation of the Lorentz Transformation7. Properties of the Lorentz TransformationPART II: Relativistic Kinematics8. Introduction9. Length Contraction10. The Length Contraction Paradox11. Time Dilation12. The Twin Paradox13. Velocity Transformation14. Transformation of Linear AccelerationPART III: Relativistic Optics15. Introduction16. The Drag Effect17. The Doppler Effect18. Aberration and the Visual Appearance of Moving ObjectsPART IV: Spacetime19. Introduction20. Spacetime and Four-Tensors21. The Minkowski Map of Spacetime22. Rules for the Manipulation of Four-Tensors23. Four-Velocity and Four-Acceleration24. Wave MotionPART V: Relativistic Particle Mechanics25. Introduction26. The Conservation of Four-Momentum27. The Equivalence of Mass and Energy28. Some Four-Momentum Identities29. Relativistic Billiards30. The Center of Momentum Frame31. Threshold Energies32. De Broglie Waves33. Photons34. The Angular Momentum Four-Tensor35. Three-Force and Four-Force36. Relativistic Analytic MechanicsPART VI: Relativity and Electromagnetism37. Introduction38. The Formal Structure of Maxwell's Theory39 Transformation of e and b. The dual field.40. Potential and Field of an Arbitrarily Moving Charge41. Field of a Uniformly Moving Charge42. The Electromagnetic Energy Tensor43. Electromagnetic WavesPART VII: Relativistic Mechanics of Continua44. Introduction45. Preliminaries. External and Internal Forces46. The Augmented Momentum and Mass Densities47. The Equations of Continuity and of Motion48. The Mechanical Energy Tensor49. Perfect Fluids and Incoherent Fluids50. Integral Conservation Laws