Einstein and the Special Theory of Relativity, 2/e (with DVD)
Einstein and the Special Theory of Relativity, 2/e (with DVD)
₹265.50 ₹295.00 Save: ₹29.50 (10%)
Go to cartISBN: 9788130928463
Bind: Paperback
Year: 2014
Pages: 164
Size: 140 x 216 mm
Publisher: Viva Books Originals
Sales Territory: Worldwide
Description:
The Special Theory of Relativity is considered as one of the two major revolutions of the twentieth century, the second one being the "quantum theory". Roger Penrose wrote: "Albert Einstein had such extraordinary deep perceptions of the workings of Nature that he laid foundation stones for both of these twentieth century revolutions in the single year of 1905."
Since Einstein is considered as one of the supreme intellects of all time, Chapter 1 gives his brief life sketch. The following chapters, explain (in an easy-to-understand manner) the basic physics and the fascinating consequences of the Special Theory of Relativity.
Review of the first edition of the book
"Many may have the notion that relativity is difficult to understand, but not in Professor Ghatak's hand. The Special Theory of Relativity by Professor Ajoy Ghatak has been a delightful book in paperback. Here relativity is fun, fascinating and enjoyable to students, teachers and anyone interested to know what special theory of relativity is. In this book, the author presents the special theory of relativity (STR) to young physicists in a lucid and exciting manner. He touches on history, relativistic kinematics, relativistic dynamics and relativistic electrodynamics briefly and in a novel approach. The book is presented with lots of examples, illustrations and problems at the end of each chapter. The author presents time dilation in a simple fashion where the constancy of the velocity of light in different frames is presented in a subtle fashion . . . In the following chapter the author treats the mass-energy relationship in a simple way using Doppler shifts of two emitted photons from a moving source. This approach avoids the cumbersome relativistic collision dynamics and shows how the mass of a moving body changes with its velocity.?
—Professor B.K. Chatterjee and Professor S.C. Roy in Science & Culture (July 2009)
Target Audience:
People interested in physics.
Contents:
Preface • Summary of Results • Chapter 1: Albert Einstein: A Brief Life Sketch and his Numerous Contribution • Chapter 2: Time Dilation and Length Contraction: Introduction • Speed of light for a Moving Source • Time dilation • The Mu-meson Experiment • The Length Contraction • Understanding the Mu-meson Experiment via Length Contraction • Length Contraction of a Moving Train • Simultaneity of Two Events • The Twin Paradox • The Michelson Morley Experiment • Brief Historical Remarks • Problems • Reference • Chapter 3: The Mass-Energy Relation: Introduction • The Mass-Energy Relation • The Doppler Shift • Problems • References • Chapter 4: Lorentz Tranformations: Introduction • The Lorentz Transformations • Transformation Laws for the Components of the Momentum Vector • Addition of Velocities • Problems • Appendix A: Equations describing Galilean Tranformation • Appendix B: Invariance of the Wave Equation under Lorentz Transformation • Appendix C: Relativistic expression for Kinetic Energy
About the Author:
Professor Ajoy Ghatak received his M.Sc. from Delhi University and Ph.D., from Cornell University. His interests have been in Fiber Optics, Quantum Mechanics, and now Einstein and Relativity. He has written several books including the undergraduate text on Optics, which has been translated to Chinese and Persian. His other books include Introduction to Fiber Optics (coauthored with Professor K. Thyagarajan) and Quantum Mechanics (coauthored with Professor S. Lokanathan). His latest book is Albert Einstein: A Glimpse of His Life, Philosophy and Science. Professor Ghatak is a recipient of several awards including the 2008 SPIE Educator award in recognition of "his unparalleled global contributions to the field of fiber optics research, and his tireless dedication to optics education worldwide" and the 2003 Optical Society of America Esther Hoffman Beller award in recognition of his "outstanding contributions to optical science and engineering education". He is also a recipient of the CSIR S.S. Bhatnagar award, 16th Khwarizmi International award, International Commission for Optics Galileo Galilei award and the UGC Meghnad Saha Award. He received D.Sc. (Honoris Causa) from University of Burdwan in 2007.
