This concise book introduces nonphysicists to the
core philosophical issues surrounding the nature and
structure of space and time, and is also an ideal
resource for physicists interested in the conceptual
foundations of space-time theory. Tim Maudlin's broad
historical overview examines Aristotelian and Newtonian
accounts of space and time, and traces how Galileo's
conceptions of relativity and space-time led to
Einstein's special and general theories of relativity.
Maudlin explains special relativity using a geometrical
approach, emphasizing intrinsic space-time structure
rather than coordinate systems or reference frames. He
gives readers enough detail about special relativity to
solve concrete physical problems while presenting
general relativity in a more qualitative way, with an
informative discussion of the geometrization of gravity,
the bending of light, and black holes. Additional topics
include the Twins Paradox, the physical aspects of the
Lorentz-FitzGerald contraction, the constancy of the
speed of light, time travel, the direction of time, and
more. It introduces nonphysicists to the philosophical
foundations of space-time theory.It provides a broad
historical overview, from Aristotle to Einstein. It
explains special relativity geometrically, emphasizing
the intrinsic structure of space-time. It covers the
Twins Paradox, Galilean relativity, time travel, and
more. It requires only basic algebra and no formal
knowledge of physics. |
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