The fundamentals of Einstein's theory of special relativity,
presented in the form of a series of imaginary dialogues among
scientists of three different eras. Fritzsch (Max Planck Institute
for Physics, Munich; Quarks: The Stuff of Matter, 1983) begins by
sending a fictitious modern physicist, Adrian Haller, to England,
where he meets Sir Isaac Newton, who has been returned to Earth.
Newton is curious about developments in physics since his day, and
the two men spend several chapters discussing Newton's concepts of
space, time, and light. When the conversation arrives at the
subject of Albert Einstein's contributions to science, Newton
persuades Hailer to take him for a visit to Bern, Switzerland,
where they meet the father of relativity. The three physicists then
engage in a series of dialogues on how Einstein modified Newton's
ideas of the universe, and on how modern science has both verified
and extended Einstein's own theories. While there is an unavoidable
kernel of mathematics in any discussion of physical concepts, the
derivation of Einstein's famous equation, E = mc , should be within
the grasp of anyone who passed high school algebra. The key ideas
are presented clearly, and the discussion touches on such subjects
as the source of the sun's energy, the future of nuclear and fusion
power, anti-matter, and the decay of the proton. Fritzsch's
handling of the dialogues and of the flimsy narrative framework
does not suggest that he should take up fiction as a career. But
the ideas come across clearly, even entertainingly, in spite of
what appears to be a rather pedestrian translation. Occasionally
stiff, but always readable; a good introduction to modern physics
for any reader willing to invest a little thought in the subject.
(Kirkus Reviews)
Imagine a meeting of Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and a
present-day physicist - and imagine what we might learn from their
conversation. Such an opportunity is precisely what Harald Fritzsch
offers in An Equation That Changed the World. Following the style
of Galileo's Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems, and addressed
to readers without specialized knowledge in physics and higher
mathematics, this book lets us listen in on an imaginary meeting of
the scientists who created classical physics and modern relativity.
As Newton and Einstein propound their different views of space and
time, and as the fictional professor Adrian Haller brings to the
table recent developments in modern physics, we are introduced to
the theory of relativity. We learn its source, its workings, and
the way it has revolutionized our view of the physical world.
Harald Fritzsch, writes a reviewer for the Frankfurter Allgemeine
Zeitung, "seems to be an atypical case of a scientist who has a
real interest in making the results of science known to
nonscientists". His masterly work reveals the intellectual process
of scientific discovery that leads from puzzlement to questions to
answers and resolution, and, in turn, to new questions and
consequences. Decoding Einstein's famous equation, E=mc(superscript
2), Fritzsch illuminates the concepts of space and time in
classical mechanics and special relativity. He provides lucid
accounts of an extraordinary range of phenomena - from subatomic
particles to fusion energy to antimatter - and probes fundamental
questions of cosmology. With minimal use of technical terminology
or mathematical formulas, Fritzsch not only explains relativity but
compels us to see its relevancefor the human race and the survival
of our planet.
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