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Books > Science & Mathematics > Physics > Quantum physics (quantum mechanics)
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Physical Relativity - Space-time structure from a dynamical perspective (Hardcover, New)
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Physical Relativity - Space-time structure from a dynamical perspective (Hardcover, New)
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Physical Relativity explores the nature of the distinction at the
heart of Einstein's 1905 formulation of his special theory of
relativity: that between kinematics and dynamics. Einstein himself
became increasingly uncomfortable with this distinction, and with
the limitations of what he called the 'principle theory' approach
inspired by the logic of thermodynamics. A handful of physicists
and philosophers have over the last century likewise expressed
doubts about Einstein's treatment of the relativistic behaviour of
rigid bodies and clocks in motion in the kinematical part of his
great paper, and suggested that the dynamical understanding of
length contraction and time dilation intimated by the immediate
precursors of Einstein is more fundamental. Harvey Brown both
examines and extends these arguments (which support a more
'constructive' approach to relativistic effects in Einstein's
terminology), after giving a careful analysis of key features of
the pre-history of relativity theory. He argues furthermore that
the geometrization of the theory by Minkowski in 1908 brought
illumination, but not a causal explanation of relativistic effects.
Finally, Brown tries to show that the dynamical interpretation of
special relativity defended in the book is consistent with the role
this theory must play as a limiting case of Einstein's 1915 theory
of gravity: the general theory of relativity. Appearing in the
centennial year of Einstein's celebrated paper on special
relativity, Physical Relativity is an unusual, critical examination
of the way Einstein formulated his theory. It also examines in
detail certain specific historical and conceptual issues that have
long given rise to debate in both special and general relativity
theory, such as the conventionality of simultaneity, the principle
of general covariance, and the consistency or otherwise of the
special theory with quantum mechanics. Harvey Brown' s new
interpretation of relativity theory will interest anyone working on
these central topics in modern physics.
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