Oct 01, 2009 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by. With the publication of albert einstein s special and general theories of relativity, however, traditional approaches to solving the riddles of space and time crumbled. The special and general theory albert einstein, robert w. This formed the basis of this theory of general relativity. This new edition of einstein s popular presentation of both special and general relativity is a joy to read. Introduction to special relativity, by wolfgang rindler, oxford u. The special theory of relativity was a first step for einstein. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project. The special and general theory dover books on physics paperback. It clearly explains what postulates are unwavering and why and then proceeds to show how the other generally accepted physics concepts, which appear at first to be at odds with each other, can in fact coexist. There is an old book by max born, called einstein s theory of relativity which explains the special relativity in great detail without any advanced mathematics and a little bit of general relativity.
General relativity generalises special relativity and newtons law of universal gravitation, providing a unified description of gravity as a geometric property of space and time, or spacetime. 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 driven instead by philosophical questions. His intention was to give an exact insight into the theory of relativity to those readers who, from a general scientific and philosophical point of view, are interested in the theory. There are a great number of really excellent books on relativity, but no particular book is good for everyone. With the publication of albert einsteins special and general theories of relativity, however, traditional approaches to solving the riddles of space and time. From the age of galileo until the early years of the 20th century, scientists grappled with seemingly insurmountable paradoxes inherent in the theories of classical physics. What are good books for special relativity stack exchange. Over the past hundred years, relativity has been brought to the public in many formsmagazines, books, documentariesbut theres nothing quite like being guided through one of the most profound scientific insights of all time by the.
Today, einsteins general relativity remains scientists best understanding of gravity and a key to our understanding of the cosmos on the grandest scale. After completing the final version of his general theory of relativity in november 1915, albert einstein wrote a book about relativity for a popular audience. In simplest terms, the theory of relativity is an approach to the measurement and study of space and time. Einstein s theories shocked the world with their counterintuitive results. Albert einstein 18791955 was a renowned theoretical physicist of the 20th century, best. This is an introduction to einstein s theories of special and general relativity. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of pages and is available in paperback format. General relativity explained like youve never seen before. Einstein s theories shocked the world with their counterintuitive results, including the dissolution of absolute time.
The special and general theory dover books on physics. First published in 1916 by the nobel laureate, einstein s research and theories explain, using minimum of mathematical terms, the basic ideas and principles of the theory which have shaped the world we live in today. The special and the general theory ebook written by albert einstein, general press. 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. On the 100 th anniversary of albert einsteins general theory of relativity, bennetts book seeks to explain both special and general. In this book he brings a simplified form of his profound understanding of the subject to the layperson. The special and general theory albert einstein the physicist and humanitarian took his place beside the great teachers with the publication of relativity. The special and the general theory began as a short paper and was eventually published as a book written by albert einstein with the aim of giving an exact insight into the theory of. A fine, physicallybased introduction to many of the details of special relativity. The fuller development of his goal of relativizing physics came with his general theory of relativity.
Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. My failure to grasp the complexity of einstein s special and general theory of relativity is a result of my inexperience in the field of physics. A summary of special relativity in s albert einstein. The special and the general theory new ed by albert einstein isbn. This book will elucidate all the iconic thoughts of einstein without requiring a physics degree from the reader. Motion mountain relativity of the adventure of physics. General relativity generalises special relativity and newtons law of universal gravitation, providing a unified description of gravity as a geometric. Basically, with his general covariance principle, einstein applied the equivalence principle to special relativity. The special and the general theory translation by einstein, albert isbn. The book walks the reader through the development of the special and general theories of relativity and the supporting theories they were built upon. I am slowly expanding my knowledge, and while i started off with a basic understanding of special and general relativity, this book has been a gem in the pool of information.
The special and general theory may not sound very attractive at first. By andrew zimmerman jones, daniel robbins 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. This book quickly gets to the issue of why there even needs to be a theory of special relativity. To be honest i imagine that selflearning relativity to be quite difficult. A must read for anyone who would like to know time, space and relativity. A handsome annotated edition of einsteins celebrated book on. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
List of scientific publications by albert einstein wikipedia. Published on the hundredth anniversary of general relativity, this handsome edition of einsteins famous book places the work in historical and intellectual context while providing invaluable insight into one of the greatest scientific minds of all time. The main characters of this science, non fiction story are. The special and the general theory by albert einstein 17,031 ratings, 4. The special and the general theory 100th anniversary edition. The special and the general theory general press book online at best prices in india on. Students in physics, mathematics or engineering with an interest to learn einsteins theories of relativity should be able to use this book already in the second. Einsteins theories shocked the world with their counterintuitive results, including the dissolution of absolute time. There is an old book by max born, called einstein s theory of relativity which explains the special relativity in great detail without any advanced mathematics and a little bit of general relativity it is suitable for those who has not yet started to physics degree or will not, but would like to understand the theory in a deeper and mathematical manner. The special and general theory marxists internet archive. The special and the general theory if, relative to k, k is a uniformly moving coordinate system devoid of rotation, then natural phenomena run their course with respect to k according to exactly the same general laws as with respect to k. Exact spacetimes in einstein s general relativity, by jerry b. However, this is not a textbook and it is extremely difficult to follow as a 21st century reader.
Einsteins spacetime an introduction to special and general. The result was the general theory which altered our whole understanding of modern physics. Intended for a popular audience, the book remains one of the most lucid explanations of the special and general theories ever written. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of albert einstein and what it means. Starting with the special theory and its limited applicability and the later development of the more universal general theory. The general theory of relativity the general theory of relativity is, as the name indicates, a generalization of the special theory of relativity. Feb 01, 2004 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg.
The general theory of relativity christopher monroe. An accesible version of einsteins masterpiece of theory, written by the genius himself according to einstein himself, this book is intended to give an exact insight into the theory of relativity to those readers who, from a general scientific and philosophical point of view, are interested in the theory, but who are not conversant with the mathematical apparatus of. Along with quantum mechanics in the 1920s, einstein s special theory of relativity 1905 and general theory of relativity 1916 stand as the supreme achievements of twentiethcentury physics. This is an introduction to einstein s spacebending, timestretching theory of relativity, written by the master himself. Einstein in 1916, just after his completion of the general theory of relativity. The first edition of the novel was published in 1916, and was written by albert einstein. A listing of technical books for general relativity. Einstein explained relativity, the speed of light, time and space along with the lorentz transformation in this short book. The special and the general theory, einstein describes the theories that made him famous, illuminating his case with numerous examples and a smattering of math nothing more complex than highschool algebra. The special and general theory by albert einstein free ebook project gutenberg. Relativity is einstein s attempt to explain special and general relativity to a general audience.
The special and the general theory paperback 1 dec 2010 by albert einstein author. The ground that albert einstein gained in relativity is well demonstrated in this book. Dec 03, 2010 the book walks the reader through the development of the special and general theories of relativity and the supporting theories they were built upon. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features.
Relativity the special and the general theory 100th anniversary edition. Einstein breaks this book down into small digestible chunks that take anywhere between ten minutes to half an hour to read. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read relativity. General relativity or the general theory of relativity is the geometric theory of gravitation published by albert einstein in 1915.
Albert einstein is the unquestioned founder of modern physics. Albert einstein 5 preface december, 1916 the present book is intended, as far as possible, to give an exact insight into the theory of relativity to those readers who, from a general scientific and philosophical point of view. The special and general theory, einstein s own popular translation of the physics that shaped our truths of space and time. However, since einstein died in 1955, it may still be under in many other countries. The special and the general theory 100th anniversary edition hardcover. The manuscript of the general theory of relativity by. I will begin with saying that this book deserves its spot on the list of top 25 science books of all time. The book contains a complete account of special relativity that begins with the historical analysis of the reasons that led to a change in our manner of regarding. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg.
The special and general theory albert einstein full view 1920. This popular book is downloaded over 40 000 times per year and guarantees to be captivating and surprising on every page. Starting with the special theory and its limited applicability and the later development of the more universal general theory, aimed at covering the deficiencies of the former. First, the book introduces special relativity in a simple way. Other books that einstein wrote or cowrote that address relativity are the meaning of relativity,the principle of relativity,sidelights on relativity, and the evolution of physics. Relativity the special and general theory by einstein. This a quite excellent explanation of the special and general principles of relativity. The present book is intended, as far as possible, to give an exact insight into the theory of. A handy accompaniment to undergraduate study in relativity, the book is a mathematical exposition into its broad features and is not by any means a popularlay account of. General relativity generalizes special relativity and refines newtons law of universal gravitation, providing a unified description of gravity as a geometric property of space and.
What is the best book for selflearning special and. The special and the general theory ebook written by albert einstein, sbp editors. It is the current description of gravitation in modern physics. The special and the general theory began as a short paper and was eventually published as a book written by albert einstein with the aim of giving. Einstein does a reasonably good job of communicating the postulates and impacts of special and general relativity. Einstein labored for years to explain mathematically exactly how the distribution of mass and energy warps spacetime. Thats where einsteins general theory of relativity comes in, because it can explain the general case of any sort of motion. An accesible version of einsteins masterpiece of theory, written by th.
He states at the beginning of the book that hes trying to keep it concise and at a level where most people should be able to understand the small amounts of mathematics he uses. A handsome annotated edition of einstein s celebrated book on relativity. The special and the general theory by albert einstein. His theory of relativity is the most important scientific idea of the modern era. As soon as you accelerate or curve or do anything that changes the nature of the motion in any way special relativity ceases to apply. Special and general relativity explain the structure of space time and provide a theory of gravitation, respectively. Albert einstein determined that massive objects cause a distortion in spacetime, which is felt as gravity.