This book, explores the conceptual foundations of Einstein's theory of relativity: the fascinating, yet tangled, web of philosophical, mathematical, and physical ideas that is the source of the theory's enduring philosophical interest. Originally published in 1983. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Based on papers presented at the Jerusalem Einstein Centennial Symposium in March 1979, this volume sets forth an articulated sequence of chapters on the impact of Einstein's work, not only in science but in humanistic studies and problems such as international security in the nuclear age. Originally published in 1982. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

An in depth exploration of how Clifford algebras and spinors have been sparking collaboration and bridging the gap between Physics and Mathematics. This collaboration has been the consequence of a growing awareness of the importance of algebraic and geometric properties in many physical phenomena, and of the discovery of common ground through various touch points: relating Clifford algebras and the arising geometry to so-called spinors, and to their three definitions (both from the mathematical and physical viewpoint). The main points of contact are the representations of Clifford algebras and the periodicity theorems. Clifford algebras also constitute a highly intuitive formalism, having an intimate relationship to quantum field theory. The text strives to seamlessly combine these various viewpoints and is devoted to a wider audience of both physicists and mathematicians. Among the existing approaches to Clifford algebras and spinors this book is unique in that it provides a didactical presentation of the topic and is accessible to both students and researchers. It emphasizes the formal character and the deep algebraic and geometric completeness, and merges them with the physical applications.

Dark energy, the mysterious cause of the accelerating expansion of the universe, is one of the most important fields of research in astrophysics and cosmology today. Introducing the theoretical ideas, observational methods and results, this textbook is ideally suited to graduate courses on dark energy, and will also supplement advanced cosmology courses. Providing a thorough introduction to this exciting field, the textbook covers the cosmological constant, quintessence, k-essence, perfect fluid models, extra-dimensional models, and modified gravity. Observational research is reviewed, from the cosmic microwave background to baryon acoustic oscillations, weak lensing and cluster abundances. Every chapter ends with problems, with full solutions provided, and any calculations are worked through step-by-step.

The 2015 centenary of the publication of Einstein's general theory of relativity, and the first detection of gravitational waves have focused renewed attention on the question of whether Einstein was right. This review of experimental gravity provides a detailed survey of the intensive testing of Einstein's theory of gravity, including tests in the emerging strong-field dynamical regime. It discusses the theoretical frameworks needed to analyze gravitational theories and interpret experiments. Completely revised and updated, this new edition features coverage of new alternative theories of gravity, a unified treatment of gravitational radiation, and the implications of the latest binary pulsar observations. It spans the earliest tests involving the Solar System to the latest tests using gravitational waves detected from merging black holes and neutron stars. It is a comprehensive reference for researchers and graduate students working in general relativity, cosmology, particle physics and astrophysics.

Max Jammer's Concepts of Simultaneity presents a comprehensive, accessible account of the historical development of an important and controversial concept -- which played a critical role in initiating modern theoretical physics -- from the days of Egyptian hieroglyphs through to Einstein's work in 1905, and beyond. Beginning with the use of the concept of simultaneity in ancient Egypt and in the Bible, the study discusses its role in Greek and medieval philosophy as well as its significance in Newtonian physics and in the ideas of Leibniz, Kant, and other classical philosophers. The central theme of Jammer's presentation is a critical analysis of the use of this concept by philosophers of science, like PoincarA(c), and its significant role in inaugurating modern theoretical physics in Einstein's special theory of relativity. Particular attention is paid to the philosophical problem of whether the notion of distant simultaneity presents a factual reality or only a hypothetical convention. The study concludes with an analysis of simultaneity's importance in general relativity and quantum mechanics.

Dieses Buch ist bis heute eine der popularsten Darstellungen der Relativitatstheorie geblieben. In der vorliegenden Version haben J. Ehlers und M. Poessel vom Max-Planck-Institut fur Gravitationsphysik (Albert-Einstein-Institut) in Golm/Potsdam den Bornschen Text kommentiert und einen den anschaulichen, aber prazisen Stil Borns wahrendes, umfangreiches Erganzungskapitel hinzugefugt, das die sturmische Entwicklung der Relativiatatstheorie bis hin zu unseren Tagen nachzeichnet. Eingegangen wird auf Gravitationswellen und Schwarze Loecher, auf neuere Entwicklungen der Kosmologie, auf Ansatze zu einer Theorie der Quantengravitation und auf die zahlreichen raffinierten Experimente, welche die Gultigkeit der Einsteinschen Theorie mit immer groesserer Genauigkeit bestatigt haben. Damit bleibt dieses Buch nach wie vor einer der unmittelbarsten Zugange zur Relativitatstheorie fur alle die sich fur eine uber das rein popularwissenschaftliche hinausgehende Einfuhrung interessieren.

Im Alter von 21 Jahren hat W. Pauli einen Handbuchartikel zur Relativitatstheorie verfasst, der bis heute gelesen und zitiert wird. Er ist wohl der beruhmteste Text zum Thema und wurde nicht zuletzt von A. Einstein begeistert gewurdigt. Die vorliegende Neuausgabe enthalt den Originalartikel sowie weitere, teilweise recht ausfuhrliche Erganzungen, die Pauli im Jahre 1956 fur die englische Ausgabe schrieb. Eine Reihe von Anmerkungen des Herausgebers dienen daruber hinaus als Lesehilfen und zeigen Verbindungen zu modernen Entwicklungen auf."

Newton's Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica provides a coherent and deductive presentation of his discovery of the universal law of gravity. The Principia is, in fact, a model for all mathematical physics.

Representing a decade's work from one of the world's most distinguished physicists, this major publication is, as far as is known, the first comprehensive analysis of Newton's Principia without recourse to secondary sources. Chandrasekhar analyses some 150 propositions which form a direct chain leading to Newton's formulation of his universal law of gravitation. In each case, Newton's proofs are arranged in a linear sequence of equations and arguments, avoiding the need to unravel the necessarily convoluted style of Newton's connected prose. In almost every case, a modern version of the proofs is given to bring into sharp focus the beauty, clarity, and breathtaking economy of Newton's methods. Chandrasehkar's work is an attempt by a distinguished practising scientist to read and comprehend the enormous intellectual achievement of the Principia. This book will stimulate great interest and debate among the scientific community, illuminating the brilliance of Newton's work under the steady gaze of Chandrasekhar's rare perception.

"Dies ist kein Lehrbuch der theoretischen Physik, auch kein Kompendium der Physikgeschichte ..., vielmehr eine recht anspruchsvolle Sammlung historischer Miniaturen zur Vergangenheit der theoretischen Physik - ihrer "Sternstunden," wenn man so will. Frei vom Zwang, etwas Erschopfendes vorlegen zu mussen, gelingt dem Autor etwas Seltenes: einen "lebendigen" Zugang zum Ideengebaude der modernen Physik freizulegen, ... zu zeigen, wie Physik in praxi entsteht... Als Vehikel seiner Absichten dienen dem Autor geschichtliche Fallstudien, insgesamt sieben an der Zahl. Aus ihnen extrahiert er das seiner Meinung nach Lehrhafte, dabei bestrebt, mathematische Anachronismen womoglich zu vermeiden... Als Student hatte ich mir diese gescheiten Essays zum Werden unserer heutigen physikalischen Weltsicht gewunscht. Sie sind originell, didaktisch klug und genieren sich auch nicht, von der Faszination zu sprechen, die ... von der Physik ausgeht. Unnotig darauf hinzuweisen, das sie ein grundliches "konventionelles" Studium weder ersetzen wollen noch konnen, sie vermogen aber, dazu zu ermuntern." #"Astronomische Nachrichten (zur englischen " "Ausgabe)"#1"

Il libro e basato sulle lezioni attualmente tenute dall'autore presso l'Universita di Bari, ed e progettato in modo da rappresentare un testo di riferimento il piu possibile moderno, completo e autosufficiente per i corsi semestrale di Cosmologia, Astrofisica o Fisica Astroparticellare che compaiono nel piano di studi della Laurea Magistrale in Fisica e in Astronomia. Contiene gli elementi di base della cosmologia relativistica, del modello cosmologico standard e del suo completamento inflazionario. E' organizzato per servire da traccia ad un corso di cosmologia di stampo teorico, ma cerca di non perdere mai di vista il confronto con i principali risultati osservativi: molta attenzione viene infatti dedicata alla fenomenologia dei fondi cosmici, e in particolare alla radiazione gravitazionale fossile perche la sua rivelazione, diretta o indiretta, potrebbe dare indicazioni cruciali sulla scelta del corretto modello per l'Universo primordiale. Non mancano infine alcuni accenni ad argomenti di interesse emergente, di tipo teorico-fenomenologico, come lo studio dell'effetto di "deriva" del redshift, la cosmologia delle membrane, e il problema delle medie cosmologiche fatte su ipersuperfici spaziali (o nulle) non omogenee."

Supergravity, together with string theory, is one of the most significant developments in theoretical physics. Written by two of the most respected workers in the field, this is the first-ever authoritative and systematic account of supergravity. The book starts by reviewing aspects of relativistic field theory in Minkowski spacetime. After introducing the relevant ingredients of differential geometry and gravity, some basic supergravity theories (D=4 and D=11) and the main gauge theory tools are explained. In the second half of the book, complex geometry and N=1 and N=2 supergravity theories are covered. Classical solutions and a chapter on AdS/CFT complete the book. Numerous exercises and examples make it ideal for Ph.D. students, and with applications to model building, cosmology and solutions of supergravity theories, it is also invaluable to researchers. A website hosted by the authors, featuring solutions to some exercises and additional reading material, can be found at www.cambridge.org/supergravity.

Exact solutions to Einstein 's equations have been useful for the understanding of general relativity in many respects. They have led to such physical concepts as black holes and event horizons, and helped to visualize interesting features of the theory. This volume studies the solutions to the Ernst equation associated to Riemann surfaces in detail. In addition, the book discusses the physical and mathematical aspects of this class analytically as well as numerically.

Gravity is one of the four fundamental interactions that exist in nature. It also has the distinction of being the oldest, weakest, and most difficult force to quantize. Understanding gravity is not only essential for understanding the motion of objects on Earth, but also the motion of all celestial objects, and even the expansion of the Universe itself. It was the study of gravity that led Einstein to his profound realisations about the nature of space and time. Gravity is not only universal, it is also essential for understanding the behaviour of the Universe, and all astrophysical bodies within it. In this Very Short Introduction Timothy Clifton looks at the development of our understanding of gravity since the early observations of Kepler and Newtonian theory. He discusses Einstein's theory of gravity, which now supplants Newton's, showing how it allows us to understand why the frequency of light changes as it passes through a gravitational field, why GPS satellites need their clocks corrected as they orbit the Earth, and why the orbits of distant neutron stars speed up. Today, almost 100 years after Einstein published his theory of gravity, we have even detected the waves of gravitational radiation that he predicted. Clifton concludes by considering the testing and application of general relativity in astrophysics and cosmology, and looks at dark energy and efforts such as string theory to combine gravity with quantum mechanics. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Una moderna presentazione della teoria della Relativita Ristretta, specificatamente progettata per i nuovi corsi della Laurea Triennale in Fisica. Un testo essenziale ma autosufficiente, che adotta lo stile e il linguaggio delle lezioni svolte in aula, e che introduce alle trasformazioni di Lorentz, alla formulazione covariante dell'elettromagnetismo e alle basi della cinematica e dinamica relativistiche. Include una discussione della cinematica dei processi d'urto e una derivazione dettagliata dell'effetto Cherenkov.

Aimed at students and researchers entering the field, this pedagogical introduction to numerical relativity will also interest scientists seeking a broad survey of its challenges and achievements. Assuming only a basic knowledge of classical general relativity, the book develops the mathematical formalism from first principles, and then highlights some of the pioneering simulations involving black holes and neutron stars, gravitational collapse and gravitational waves. The book contains 300 exercises to help readers master new material as it is presented. Numerous illustrations, many in color, assist in visualizing new geometric concepts and highlighting the results of computer simulations. Summary boxes encapsulate some of the most important results for quick reference. Applications covered include calculations of coalescing binary black holes and binary neutron stars, rotating stars, colliding star clusters, gravitational and magnetorotational collapse, critical phenomena, the generation of gravitational waves, and other topics of current physical and astrophysical significance.

PREMIO LETTERARIO GALILEO PER LA DIVULGAZIONE SCIENTIFICA, Padova 2012
SELEZIONE GIURIA SCIENTIFICA

Il piu complesso e ambizioso esperimento scientifico di tutti i tempi e ormai entrato nel vivo, eppure i suoi scopi precisi sono in gran parte sconosciuti al pubblico. Questo libro e una guida chiara e comprensibile per apprezzare le scoperte che avranno luogo al Large Hardon Collider (LHC) del CERN, per conoscere le stupefacenti innovazioni tecnologiche che sono state necessarie per la sua costruzione e per capire le motivazioni scientifiche dell esperimento. Ma e soprattutto uno straordinario viaggio all interno del mondo della fisica delle particelle, un avventura coinvolgente in uno spazio insolito ed enigmatico, un percorso durante il quale il lettore acquistera gli strumenti per comprendere la portata della rivoluzione intellettuale che sta avvenendo. Esiste il misterioso bosone di Higgs? Lo spazio nasconde una supersimmetria o si estende in nuove dimensioni? Come possono le collisioni tra protoni che avvengono nell LHC svelare i segreti dell origine del nostro universo? Queste domande sono affrontate da un esperto del campo che, senza rinunciare al rigore scientifico, presenta una materia altamente complessa, ma affascinante, in termini semplici e con uno stile gradevole e accessibile. L autore non si limita a informare, ma riesce a trasmettere al lettore le emozioni di un fisico alle soglie di una nuova era nella comprensione del mondo in cui viviamo."

Its self-contained presentation and 'do-it-yourself' approach make this the perfect guide for graduate students and researchers wishing to access recent literature in the field of nonlinear wave equations and general relativity. It introduces all of the key tools and concepts from Lorentzian geometry (metrics, null frames, deformation tensors, etc.) and provides complete elementary proofs. The author also discusses applications to topics in nonlinear equations, including null conditions and stability of Minkowski space. No previous knowledge of geometry or relativity is required.

This text explores how Clifford algebras and spinors have been sparking a collaboration and bridging a gap between Physics and Mathematics. This collaboration has been the consequence of a growing awareness of the importance of algebraic and geometric properties in many physical phenomena, and of the discovery of common ground through various touch points: relating Clifford algebras and the arising geometry to so-called spinors, and to their three definitions (both from the mathematical and physical viewpoint). The main point of contact are the representations of Clifford algebras and the periodicity theorems. Clifford algebras also constitute a highly intuitive formalism, having an intimate relationship to quantum field theory. The text strives to seamlessly combine these various viewpoints and is devoted to a wider audience of both physicists and mathematicians. Among the existing approaches to Clifford algebras and spinors this book is unique in that it provides a didactical presentation of the topic and is accessible to both students and researchers. It emphasizes the formal character and the deep algebraic and geometric completeness, and merges them with the physical applications. The style is clear and precise, but not pedantic. The sole pre-requisites is a course in Linear Algebra which most students of Physics, Mathematics or Engineering will have covered as part of their undergraduate studies.

General relativity is now an essential part of undergraduate and graduate courses in physics, astrophysics and applied mathematics. This simple, user-friendly introduction to relativity is ideal for a first course in the subject. Beginning with a comprehensive but simple review of special relativity, the book creates a framework from which to launch the ideas of general relativity. After describing the basic theory, it moves on to describe important applications to astrophysics, black hole physics, and cosmology. Several worked examples, and numerous figures and images, help students appreciate the underlying concepts. There are also 180 exercises which test and develop students' understanding of the subject. The textbook presents all the necessary information and discussion for an elementary approach to relativity. Password-protected solutions to the exercises are available to instructors at www.cambridge.org/9780521735612.

This textbook gradually introduces the reader to several topics related to black hole physics with a didactic approach. It starts with the most basic black hole solution, the Schwarzschild metric, and discusses the basic classical properties of black hole solutions as seen by different probes. Then it reviews various theorems about black hole properties as solutions to Einstein gravity coupled to matter fields, conserved charges associated with black holes, and laws of black hole thermodynamics. Next, it elucidates semiclassical and quantum aspects of black holes, which are relevant in ongoing and future research. The book is enriched with many exercises and solutions to assist in the learning. The textbook is designed for physics graduate students who want to start their research career in the field of black holes; postdocs who recently changed their research focus towards black holes and want to get up-to-date on recent and current research topics; advanced researchers intending to teach (or learn) basic and advanced aspects of black hole physics and the associated mathematical tools. Besides general relativity, the reader needs to be familiar with standard undergraduate physics, like thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics. Moreover, familiarity with basic quantum field theory in Minkowski space is assumed. The book covers the rest of the needed background material in the main text or the appendices.

This book concentrates on presenting the theory of special relativity as the geometry of space-time. The presentation is straightforward, complete and reader-friendly, with explanatory asides, that give historical context and links with other branches of physics and mathematics. The first four chapters give a complete description of the special theory and the nature of space and time, with the minimum use of mathematics. The mathematics necessary is introduced in the following five chapters, with the final fifteen chapters devoted to a comprehensive and detailed exposition of Einstein's special relativity. Features: Concentrates on presenting the theory of special relativity as the geometry of space-time The presentation is straightforward, complete and reader-friendly, with explanatory asides, which give historical context and links with other branches of physics and mathematics