Relativity simply explained by martin gardner goodreads. So general relativity describes how any massive object, such as the sun, produces gravity by bending space and time around it. The 50 most fundamental concepts in physics, each explained in half a minute. General relativity was einsteins theory of gravity, published in 1915, which extended special relativity to take into account noninertial frames of reference areas that are accelerating with respect to each other. To the degree possible, the work had been confirmed, and most of the physics world agreed with it.
This confirms a major prediction of albert einsteins 1915 general theory of. Say einstein, and most of us think a cheeky oldster with wild white hair, sticking out his tongue and b either e mc2, or the theory of relativity. And when you hear about blackhole, here is the stuff. Since the publication of einsteins special theory of r. General relativity had made a prediction that matched observation.
Shifting world views, separating the classical from the modern. Both ideas are very important for scientists who study outer space. In 1905, albert einstein determined that the laws of physics are the same for all nonaccelerating observers, and that the speed of light in a vacuum was independent of the motion of all observers. Geometry and cosmology, the fundamental laws of classical mechanics, the newtonian worldsystem, the fundamental laws of optics, the fundamental laws of electrodynamics and einsteins special principle of relativity. Special relativity simple english wikipedia, the free. Mechanics, relativity, and thermodynamics the open yale courses series. For 100 years, the general theory of relativity has been a pillar of modern physics. The theory of relativity is actually two theories that albert einstein came up with in the early 1900s.
This book gives an interesting view on einsteins theory of relativity. We will just discuss the very basics of the theory here. The beautiful simplicity and weird time sags of einsteins 100yearold masterpiece carlo rovellis seven brief lessons in physics. He was one of the most advanced scientific minds of his day, and he made many contributions to physical science study.
Relativity simply explained dover classics of science. Einsteins relativity explained in 4 simple steps the revolutionary physicist used his imagination rather than fancy math to come up with his most famous and elegant equation. If an object moves in relation to a nonaccelerating observer, einstein has taught us that the time of the object t differs from the time t of the observer, and in such a way that ttv 1. A very good book for beginners, with some material not found in other books, such as alternative. The theory of relativity is based on previously known scientific studies plus insights penned by albert einstein. Buy einsteins theory of relativity dover books on physics book online at best prices in india on.
One is called special relativity and the other is called general relativity. The theory of relativity for dummies the theory of relativity explained for dummies with cartoons. Einsteins gravitational waves, explained for dummies. Simple relativity is a 2d short educational animation film. A fun way of understanding einsteins general theory of. Einsteins gravitational waves, explained for dummies gq. News science general theory of relativity explained. Martin gardner was a renowned author who published over 70 books on. Einstein explained that when two objects are moving at a constant speed as the relative motion between the two. General relativity gr, also known as the general theory of relativity gtr, is the geometric theory of gravitation published by albert einstein in 1915 and the current description of gravitation in modern physics.
Special relativity einstein 1905 based on two postulates. Theory of relativity, theories of science, books barnes. To be honest i imagine that selflearning relativity to be quite difficult. Einsteins theory of relativity physics reference book for grade 5. This result appears puzzling because each twin sees the other twin as moving, and so, according to an incorrect and naive application of time. Motion mountain relativity of the adventure of physics. Since the publication of einsteins special theory of relativity in 1905, the discovery of such astronomical phenomena as quasars, pulsars, and black holesall intimately connected to relativityhas provoked a tremendous upsurge of interest in the subject. The film is an attempt to explain albert einsteins special theory of relativity with a simpler visual representation and exciting. General relativity is a beautiful scheme for describing the gravitational. This was the first book on relativity theory, written in a burst of youthful enthusiasm by the twenty year old pauli.
Albert einstein had successfully created a theory that explained the gravitational forces of the universe and had done so by applying a handful of basic principles. There are two ways of looking at the theories of relativity. This is why in an introduction to general relativity it is of. The theory of relativity usually encompasses two interrelated theories by albert einstein. The development of general relativity began with the equivalence principle, under which the states of.
The special theory of relativity from stanford university. In 1905, albert einstein published the theory of special relativity, which explains how to interpret motion between different inertial frames of reference that is, places that are moving at constant speeds relative to each other. Einstein theory of relativity simplified explained hrf. In 1915, albert einstein explained that the force of gravity arises when mass and energy warp space and time, or spacetime. Here is a book which is quirky but which will be valuable to some. Theory of relativity for the rest of us but not for dummies. Paul daviess recent article how to build a time machine has rekindled interest in the twin paradox, arguably the most famous thought experiment in relativity theory.
Relativity for dummies book einsteins theory of general relativity predicted that the spacetime around this was the theory of special relativity. How would you explain the theory of relativity in laymans. There are a great number of really excellent books on relativity, but no particular book is good for everyone. In physics, the twin paradox is a thought experiment in special relativity involving identical twins, one of whom makes a journey into space in a highspeed rocket and returns home to find that the twin who remained on earth has aged more. Newtonian physics and special relativity 1 1 relativity principles and gravitation 3. The theory of relativity for dummies the crazy history. In this lesson, youll learn about albert einsteins theory of relativity, including general relativity and special relativity.
How does relativity theory resolve the twin paradox. The theory of relativity is a very complex and difficult subject to understand. It describes what happens in the physical world, with the exception of gravity. General relativity generalizes special relativity and refines newtons law of universal gravitation, providing a unified description of gravity as a geometric property of space.
General relativity says that being at rest in a gravitational field and accelerating are physically identical. Einsteins theory of relativity is a famous theory, but its little understood. Since the publication of einsteins special theory of relativity in 1905, the. Relativity for dummies published on thu 6 jan 2005 07. It applies to all physical phenomena, so long as gravitation is not significant. General relativity is a theory of gravitation developed by einstein in the years 19071915. The basic idea is so elegant that you dont need superpowers to understand it. Special relativity applies to all physical phenomena in the absence of gravity.
The theory is when the life of the star ends, it falls in his own gravitationnal hole the spacetime curvation, as you saw on my drawing. It applies to the cosmological and astrophysical realm, including astronomy. A simplified approach to einsteins theories by leo sartori isbn. Einsteins theory of general relativity predicted that the spacetime around earth would be not only warped but also twisted by the planets rotation. The general theory of relativity christopher monroe. In this course we will seek to understand einstein, especially focusing on the special theory of relativity that albert einstein, as a twentysix year old. Special relativity is the theory that no matter what constant speed youre travelling all the laws of physics are the same.
Needless to say, it is of purely historical interest today. General relativity explained like youve never seen before. Wow, when i bought this book i was hoping for a better grasp of einsteins theories of relativity, and ended up gaining a much better understanding of physics in. Basically, it states that the faster we go, the more the time is affected. Special relativity applies to minkowski space, or flat spacetime phenomena which are not influenced by gravitation einstein knew that some weaknesses had been. It is certainly one of the most remarkable achievements of science to date, it was developed by einstein with little or no experimental motivation but. Einsteins theory of relativity incorporates two components.
The reader is assumed to have but little mathematical knowledge. Things like distance, time, and size are described as relative, not absolute. Travel near the speed of light, explore the twin paradox, black holes, the big bang, the history of the universe, curved space, gravitational waves, the jets of the milky way and many other captivating topics. The new book by jeffrey bennett introduces einsteins theory of relativity to a lay audience, explaining why black holes dont suck and other phenomena. General relativity explains the law of gravitation and its relation to other forces of nature. Special relativity involves how the basic particles of the universe interact with one another. Einsteins theory of relativity dover books on physics. Einsteins general theory of relativity, bennetts book seeks to explain. General relativity, part of the wideranging physical theory of relativity formed by the germanborn physicist albert einstein. The idea occurred suddenly i came to realize that all the natural laws except the law of gravity could be discussed within the framework of the special theory of relativity. If you understand the meaning and insight behind the theories, then you will understand questions, such as why cant you travel faste. Together these two show that no matter how youre moving all the laws of physics work the same, and so you. If you are interested in astrophysic and all this crazy stuff, even if you dont know a single drop in physic, its a good book to start.
The aim of this book is to introduce people without a strong physics or even scientific background to the special and general theories of relativity and now i want to read other similar scientific books. It is an explanation of how gravitation laws relate. Albert einstein is famous for his theory of relativity, and gps navigation and nuclear energy would be impossible without the equation emc2. Nowadays this theory is often used as a prototype for other, more intricate constructions to describe forces between elementary particles or other branches of fundamental physics.
The general theory of relativity is, as the name indicates, a generalization of the special theory of relativity. An object remains in uniform motion unless acted on. What is the best book for selflearning special and. The theory of relativity refers to two different elements of the same theory. In einsteins theory of relativity, time dilation describes a difference of elapsed time between two events, as measured by observers that are either moving relative to each other, or differently, depending on their proximity to a gravitational mass. Einsteins theory of relativity physics reference book for grade 5 childrens physics books.
General relativity is concerned with gravity, one of the fundamental forces in the universe. What do they actually mean and what do they predict. Special relativity or the special theory of relativity is a theory in physics that was developed and explained by albert einstein in 1905. A fun way of understanding einsteins general theory of relativity. The fascination of relativity in a free downloadable pdf book.