Relativity Principles and Theories from Galileo to Einstein

Motion is relative to something, whether a concrete body, an abstract space, or an imagined frame. The choice of reference affects the laws of physics, and there is a physical cause for the choice made. This book explores the history of modern physics, from Galileo to Einstein, and how relativity principles emerged in early modern mechanics, optics, and electrodynamics. It demonstrates the connectivity of issues and approaches across several centuries, despite changes in context and culture.

Format: Hardback
Length: 496 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Motion, a fundamental concept in physics, is inherently tied to a reference point. This reference point can take various forms, ranging from concrete physical bodies like the Earth to abstract spaces or imagined frames. The question arises: Do the laws of physics depend on the choice of reference? Is there a specific reference point that simplifies the laws of physics? Is this choice unique, or are there multiple possible choices? Furthermore, what is the physical cause behind the selection made? These profound inquiries have traversed the annals of modern physics, from the pioneering work of Galileo to the revolutionary theories of Einstein. The answers to these questions have been shaped by a rich tapestry of ideas, including Galilean relativity, Newton's absolute space, the purely relational concepts of Descartes, Leibniz, and Mach, as well as numerous forgotten applications of relativity principles in mechanics, optics, and electrodynamics.

Until the relativity theories of Poincaré, Einstein, Minkowski, and Laue emerged in the early twentieth century, space and time were fundamentally redefined to satisfy universal principles of relativity. This book serves as a historical exploration, tracing the emergence of relativity principles in early modern mechanics, documenting their constructive applications in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century mechanics, optics, and electrodynamics, and providing a comprehensive account of the genesis of special and general relativity.

As a long-term historical exercise, it highlights the interconnectedness of issues and approaches across centuries, despite significant changes in context and culture. Moreover, this book offers unparalleled clarity and richness by expanding the spectrum of resources upon which the principal actors drew. By delving into the historical development of relativity theories, it sheds light on the intricate interplay of ideas, the contributions of influential figures, and the profound impact of these theories on our understanding of the universe.

Weight: 1050g
Dimension: 176 x 248 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192849533