A Mathematical Approach To Special Relativity

This textbook expounds the major topics in the special theory of relativity. It provides a detailed examination of the mathematical foundation of the special theory of relativity, relativistic mass, relativistic mechanics, and relativistic electrodynamics. As well as covariant formulation of relativistic mechanics and electrodynamics, the text discusses the relativistic effect on photons. A new chapter on electromagnetic waves as well as several new problems and examples have been included in the second edition of the book. Using the mathematical approach, the text offers graduate students a clear, concise view of the special theory of relativity. Organized into 15 chapters and two appendices, the content is presented in a logical order, and every topic has been dealt with in a simple and lucid manner. To aid understanding of the subject, the text provides numerous relevant worked-out examples in every chapter. The mathematical approach of the text helps students in their independent study and motivates them to research the topic further.

Discusses the general theory of relativity, Lie derivatives, rotating black holes, with a focus on basics of cosmology and astrophysics.

A Mathematical Approach to Special Relativity introduces the mathematical formalisms of special and general relativity. Developed from the author’s experience teaching physics to students across all levels, the valuable resource introduces key concepts, building in complexity and using increasingly advanced mathematical tools as it progresses. Without assuming a background in calculus, the text begins with symmetry, before delving more deeply into Galilean relativity. Throughout, the book provides examples and useful "Guides to the Literature." This unique text emphasizes the experimental consequences and verifications of the underpinning theory in order to provide students with a solid foundation in this key area. Based on the professor’s 25+ years of experience teaching physics students at every level Covers key topics in special relativity, including some group theory, as well as an introduction to general relativity and basic differential geometry Contains numerous worked examples and "Guides to the Literature" throughout the text

This unique textbook offers a mathematically rigorous presentation of the theory of relativity, emphasizing the need for a critical analysis of the foundations of general relativity in order to best study the theory and its implications. The transitions from classical mechanics to special relativity and then to general relativity are explored in detail as well, helping readers to gain a more profound and nuanced understanding of the theory as a whole. After reviewing the fundamentals of differential geometry and classical mechanics, the text introduces special relativity, first using the physical approach proposed by Einstein and then via Minkowski’s mathematical model. The authors then address the relativistic thermodynamics of continua and electromagnetic fields in matter – topics which are normally covered only very briefly in other treatments – in the next two chapters. The text then turns to a discussion of general relativity by means of the authors’ unique critical approach, underlining the difficulty of recognizing the physical meaning of some statements, such as the physical meaning of coordinates and the derivation of physical quantities from those of space-time. Chapters in this section cover the model of space-time proposed by Schwarzschild; black holes; the Friedman equations and the different cosmological models they describe; and the Fermi-Walker derivative. Well-suited for graduate students in physics and mathematics who have a strong foundation in real analysis, classical mechanics, and general physics, this textbook is appropriate for a variety of graduate-level courses that cover topics in relativity. Additionally, it will interest physicists and other researchers who wish to further study the subtleties of these theories and understand the contemporary scholarly discussions surrounding them.

Writing a new book on the classic subject of Special Relativity, on which numerous important physicists have contributed and many books have already been written, can be like adding another epicycle to the Ptolemaic cosmology. Furthermore, it is our belief that if a book has no new elements, but simply repeats what is written in the existing literature, perhaps with a different style, then this is not enough to justify its publication. However, after having spent a number of years, both in class and research with relativity, I have come to the conclusion that there exists a place for a new book. Since it appears that somewhere along the way, mathem- ics may have obscured and prevailed to the degree that we tend to teach relativity (and I believe, theoretical physics) simply using “heavier” mathematics without the inspiration and the mastery of the classic physicists of the last century. Moreover current trends encourage the application of techniques in producing quick results and not tedious conceptual approaches resulting in long-lasting reasoning. On the other hand, physics cannot be done a ́ la carte stripped from philosophy, or, to put it in a simple but dramatic context A building is not an accumulation of stones! As a result of the above, a major aim in the writing of this book has been the distinction between the mathematics of Minkowski space and the physics of r- ativity.

This book opens with an axiomatic description of Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries. Euclidean geometry is the starting point to understand all other geometries and it is the cornerstone for our basic intuition of vector spaces. The generalization to non-Euclidean geometry is the following step to develop the language of Special and General Relativity. These theories are discussed starting from a full geometric point of view. Differential geometry is presented in the simplest way and it is applied to describe the physical world. The final result of this construction is deriving the Einstein field equations for gravitation and spacetime dynamics. Possible solutions, and their physical implications are also discussed: the Schwarzschild metric, the relativistic trajectory of planets, the deflection of light, the black holes, the cosmological solutions like de Sitter, Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker, and Gödel ones. Some current problems like dark energy are also scketched. The book is self-contained and includes details of all proofs. It provides solutions or tips to solve problems and exercises. It is designed for undergraduate students and for all readers who want a first geometric approach to Special and General Relativity.

One of the problems facing mathematics and physics is that mathematicians and physicists speak languages that the others find hard to understand. These notes take a fundamental part of physics, the special theory of relativity and describe it in terms that can be understood by mathematics students who have studied the two basic undergraduate topics, linear algebra and multivariable calculus. It gives a full description of the geometry of space-time and the foundations of the theory of electromagnetism in terms they are familiar with. Contents:Space and TimeMinkowski SpacesThe Principle of RelativitySpecial Relativity in the Real WorldNotationsThe Tensor Product of Vector SpacesElectromagnetism 1Dual Spaces and Covariant TensorsThe Theory of Minkowski SpacesElectromagnetism 2 Readership: Mathematicians and undergraduate mathematics students. Keywords:Special Theory;Relativity;Space;Time;Speed of Light;Minkowski Space;Electromagnetism;Maxwell&s EquationsReview: “The exhibition of the theory is very detailed. No deeper background in physics is necessary to understand the contents of this book. From this point of view the book can be recommended to students of mathematics who want to get insight into some basic theories of physics.” Bernd Wegner Mathematics Abstracts, 1992

This book presents an alternative representation of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity, which makes Special Relativity much more comprehensible. Moreover, one will come across a fundamental relationship between the Special Theory of Relativity and the mechanics of space lattice. In all previous formulations, the Einsteinian special principle of relativity, in one or the other form is used as the starting point for Special Relativity. In correspondence to this principle, one takes it as granted apriori, that all observers independent of their uniform motion to each other measure one and the same propagation velocity of a light signal. This book is thought of as a lecture for physicists, mathematicians and computer scientists and concentrates on the students of these fields. The book should reach a broad circle of interested readers from the fields of natural sciences and philosophy and provide and invigorating experience for engineers.