Relativity: An Introduction to Spacetime Physics [Paperback]

Steve Adams (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0748406212 | ISBN-13: 978-0748406210 | Publication Date: September 29, 1997 | Edition: 1

Provides the essential principles and results of special relativity as required by undergraduates. The text uses a geometric interpretation of space-time so that a general theory is seen as a natural extension of the special theory. Although most results are derived from first principles, complex and distracting mathematics is avoided and all mathematical steps and formulae are fully explained and interpreted, often with explanatory diagrams.; The emphasis throughout the text is on understanding the physics of relativity. The structure of the book is designed to allow students of different courses to choose their own route through the short self-contained sections in each chapter. The latter part of the book shows how Einstein's theory of gravity is central to unraveling fundamental questions of cosmology.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis; 1 edition (September 29, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0748406212
• ISBN-13: 978-0748406210
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,972,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to Relativity, May 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Relativity: An Introduction to Spacetime Physics (Paperback)

If you are a ambitious highshool student or a physics freshman this is the best place to get started on special realtivity.
It is far less mathematically demanding then many books out there and clear on physical concepts.
(ch.1) Good review of classical ideas.
(ch.2) Need for special relativity, good explanations of
galaian and lorentz transformation, and uses of the latter.
(ch.3) Good introductions to spacetime geometry (the invariant
interval) and relativistic mechanics.

(ch.4) Good introduction to basis of general relativity and cosmmology.

One of the great things about the book is that it takes the common 'popular' accounts one step further by intoducing physics in precise languge and formulas. So that you can apply your knowldege to actully solve some problems and gain further understanding. There are problems at end of each chapter and they are (mostly) supplemented by answers in an appendix.

One thing that is left out completely is relativistic electrodynamics, of course that's only sutibale for a more advanced book. I would've liked to see the power of four vectors utilized more and see the role of tensors.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spacetime Physics - Relativity, October 24, 2011

By 

Harry Goldstein (Israel) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Relativity: An Introduction to Spacetime Physics (Paperback)

Since the age of 12 (I'm 80 now)I've wanted to understand Relativity theory. My mathematics background didn't get past simple derivative and integral calculus, so through the years I've slowly read and read various descriptions of relativity.

Steve Adam's book is an excellent introduction, with some 'simple' math, to relativity.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand relativity at a satisfactory level for non-physicists.

Harry