Special Relativity: From Einstein to Strings

✍ Scribed by Patricia M. Schwarz, John H. Schwarz

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2004
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 389
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This thorough introduction to Einstein's special theory of relativity is suitable for anyone with a minimum of one year of undergraduate physics with calculus. The authors cover every aspect of special relativity, including the impact of special relativity in quantum theory, with an introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. They also discuss the group theory of the Lorentz group, supersymmetry, and such cutting-edge topics as general relativity, the standard model of elementary particles and its extensions, and superstring theory, giving a survey of important unsolved problems. The book is accompanied by an interactive CD-ROM illustrating classic problems in relativity involving motion.

✦ Table of Contents

Contents......Page 8
Preface......Page 12
Part I
Fundamentals......Page 14
1
From Pythagoras to spacetime geometry......Page 16
2
Light surprises everyone......Page 34
3
Elements of spacetime geometry......Page 68
4
Mechanics in spacetime......Page 108
5
Spacetime physics of fields......Page 140
6
Causality and relativity......Page 210
Part II
Advanced Topics......Page 232
7
When quantum mechanics and relativity collide......Page 234
8
Group theory and relativity......Page 273
9
Supersymmetry and superspace......Page 300
10
Looking onward......Page 325
Appendix 1
Where do equations of motion come from?......Page 362
Appendix 2
Basic group theory......Page 372
Appendix 3
Lie groups and Lie algebras......Page 375
Appendix 4
The structure of super Lie algebras......Page 378
References......Page 380
Index......Page 382