Written in an clear and informal style, this text explores the most accessible of the 20th century revolutions in physics. It allows readers to build up physical intuition for what is going on, before presenting concise mathematical descriptions. It contains many applications, ten appendices, and numerous illustrations, examples and problems.
'Helliwell's book strikes a tone that will be very effective with a wide population of students. The writing is very accessible and conveys excitement and engagement. The problems are abundant, and students will enormously appreciate the carefully worked examples throughout. This text chooses a middle road and has a 'practical flavor' that is often obscured in other books.' - Louis Buchholtz, California State University at Chico, USA
'Special Relativity by Helliwell is a very well written book that should be easy for the students to read and understand without much help from the instructor. The topics are very clearly explained with a lot of detail and clear illustrations. This book is definitely much better than the books I have read on this topic, and I would recommend it to any instructor who plans to teach a course on special relativity. For anyone teaching special relativity as a part of a Modern Physics course, this book offers valuable supplementary reading.' - Shirvel Stanislaus, Valparaiso University, USA
Internal Frames and Classical Mechanics
Light and Ether
Einstein's Postulates
Time Dilation
Lengths
Simultaneity
Paradoxes
The Lorentz Transformation
Spacetime
Momentum
Energy
Applications
Transforming Energy and Momentum
Gravitation
Appendices
A. The Binomial Approximation
B. The 'Paradox' of Light-Spheres
C. The Appearance of Moving Objects
D. The Twin Paradox Revisited
E. The 'Cosmic Speed Limit:'
F. "Relativistic Mass" and Relativistic Forces
G. The Ultimate Relativistic Spaceflight
H. Nuclear Decays, Fission and Fusion
I. Some Particles
J. Relativity and Electromagnetism
Answers to Odd-Numbered Problems
THOMAS M. HELLIWELL is Burton Bettingen Professor of Physics, Emeritus, at Harvey Mudd College, USA. He received his B.A. from Pomona College, USA and his Ph.D. at Caltech, USA, where his thesis was on atomic physics and quantum mechanics. He has published more than 40 research papers, many with undergraduate coauthors, in quantum mechanics and general relativity. He has taught a wide variety of undergraduate courses, from beginning to advanced, in classical mechanics, special and general relativity, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and electromagnetism. He has also served as Director of the Freshman Division, Chair of the Physics Department, Chair of the Faculty, and Dean of Faculty.
Description
Written in an clear and informal style, this text explores the most accessible of the 20th century revolutions in physics. It allows readers to build up physical intuition for what is going on, before presenting concise mathematical descriptions. It contains many applications, ten appendices, and numerous illustrations, examples and problems.
Reviews
'Helliwell's book strikes a tone that will be very effective with a wide population of students. The writing is very accessible and conveys excitement and engagement. The problems are abundant, and students will enormously appreciate the carefully worked examples throughout. This text chooses a middle road and has a 'practical flavor' that is often obscured in other books.' - Louis Buchholtz, California State University at Chico, USA
'Special Relativity by Helliwell is a very well written book that should be easy for the students to read and understand without much help from the instructor. The topics are very clearly explained with a lot of detail and clear illustrations. This book is definitely much better than the books I have read on this topic, and I would recommend it to any instructor who plans to teach a course on special relativity. For anyone teaching special relativity as a part of a Modern Physics course, this book offers valuable supplementary reading.' - Shirvel Stanislaus, Valparaiso University, USA
Contents
Internal Frames and Classical Mechanics
Light and Ether
Einstein's Postulates
Time Dilation
Lengths
Simultaneity
Paradoxes
The Lorentz Transformation
Spacetime
Momentum
Energy
Applications
Transforming Energy and Momentum
Gravitation
Appendices
A. The Binomial Approximation
B. The 'Paradox' of Light-Spheres
C. The Appearance of Moving Objects
D. The Twin Paradox Revisited
E. The 'Cosmic Speed Limit:'
F. "Relativistic Mass" and Relativistic Forces
G. The Ultimate Relativistic Spaceflight
H. Nuclear Decays, Fission and Fusion
I. Some Particles
J. Relativity and Electromagnetism
Answers to Odd-Numbered Problems
Authors
THOMAS M. HELLIWELL is Burton Bettingen Professor of Physics, Emeritus, at Harvey Mudd College, USA. He received his B.A. from Pomona College, USA and his Ph.D. at Caltech, USA, where his thesis was on atomic physics and quantum mechanics. He has published more than 40 research papers, many with undergraduate coauthors, in quantum mechanics and general relativity. He has taught a wide variety of undergraduate courses, from beginning to advanced, in classical mechanics, special and general relativity, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and electromagnetism. He has also served as Director of the Freshman Division, Chair of the Physics Department, Chair of the Faculty, and Dean of Faculty.
|