Understanding Relativity A Simplified Approach to Einstein’s Theories 1st edition by Leo Sartori ISBN 0520916247 9780520916241

1 – Galilean Relativity

1.1. Relativity and Common Sense

1.2 – Events, Observers, and Frames of Reference

1.3 – The Principle of Relativity and Inertial Frames

1.4 – The Galilean Transformation

1.5 – Stellar Aberration

1.6 – The Covariance of Physical Laws

1.7 – The Conservation of Momentum

Problems

2 – The Michelson-Morley Experiment

2.1 – The Ether

2.2 – Prelude to Michelson-Morley

2.3 – The Experiment

2.4 – Attempts to Salvage the Ether

Problems

3 – The Postulates of Relativity and Their Implications

3.1 – The Postulates

3.2 – The Role of the Michelson-Morley Experiment in the Genesis of Relativity

3.3 – The Relativity of Time: Simultaneity

3.4 – The Synchronization of Clocks

3.5 – Time Dilation

3.6 – The Decay of Muons

3.7 – Length Contraction

3.8 – Transverse Lengths

3.9 – Summary

Problems

4 – The Lorentz Transformation

4.1 – Introduction

4.2 – The Transformation Equations

4.3 – Some Consequences of the Transformation Equations

4.4 – The Transformation of Velocity

4.5 – Fizeau’s Experiment

4.6 – The Transformation of Direction and Relativistic Aberration

4.7 – Acceleration in Special Relativity

4.8 – The Doppler Effect

4.9 – The Role of Lorentz and Poincaré in the Birth of Relativity

Appendix – The Low-Velocity Approximation

Problems

5 – Space-Time Diagrams

5.1 – World Lines

5.2 – The Light Cone

5.3 – Relativity and Causality

5.4 – Timelike and Spacelike Intervals

5.5 – The Loedel Diagram

5.6 – Applications of the Loedel Diagram

5.7 – The Doppler Effect Revisited

Appendix 5A – Mathematical Basis for the Loedel Diagram

Appendix 5B – The Doppler Formula

Problems

6 – Paradoxes of Relativity

6.1 – Introduction

6.2 – The “Pole and Barn” Paradox

6.3 – What if the Pole Stops?

6.4 – Other Length Paradoxes

6.5 – The Paradox of the Twins

Problems

7 – Relativistic Mechanics

7.1 – The Equivalence of Mass and Energy

7.2 – Kinetic Energy and Total Energy

7.3 – Relativistic Momentum

7.4 – Relativity in Nuclear and Particle Physics

7.5 – Beta Decay and the Neutrino

7.6 – The Transformation Law for Energy and Momentum; Four-vectors

7.7 – Photons

7.8 – Tachyons

Appendix – Transformation of Momentum and Energy

Problems

8 – General Relativity

8.1 – Introduction

8.2 – The Principle of Equivalence

8.3 – The Gravitational Red Shift

8.4 – Bending of Light in a Gravitational Field

8.5 – Curved Space

8.6 – General Relativity: Gravity as Geometry

Appendix – Curvature of a Spherical Space

Problems

9 – Cosmology

9.1 – Basic Facts: The Cosmological Principle

9.2 – Hubble’s Law and the Expansion of the Universe

9.3 – The Big Bang

9.4 – The Hubble Sphere and Horizons

9.5 – Cosmological Models: Friedmann Universes

9.6 – The Steady-State Universe

9.7 – Observational Tests

9.8 – The History of the Universe

9.9 – Did the Big Bang Really Happen?

Problems

Index