Special Relativity: From Einstein to Strings

by Patricia M. Schwarz , John H. Schwarz

• ISBN13: 9780521812603
• ISBN10: 0521812607
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-05-10
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This book provides a thorough introduction to Einstein's special theory of relativity, suitable for anyone with a minimum of one year's university physics with calculus. It is divided into fundamental and advanced topics. The first section starts by recalling the Pythagorean rule and its relation to the geometry of space, then covers every aspect of special relativity, including the history. The second section covers the impact of relativity in quantum theory, with an introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. It also goes over the group theory of the Lorentz group, a simple introduction to supersymmetry, and ends with cutting-edge topics such as general relativity, the standard model of elementary particles and its extensions, superstring theory, and a survey of important unsolved problems. Each chapter comes with a set of exercises. The book is accompanied by a CD-ROM illustrating, through interactive animation, classic problems in relativity involving motion.

Table of Contents

Preface

Part I. Fundamentals: 1. From Pythagoras to spacetime geometry

2. Light surprises everyone

3. Elements of spacetime geometry

4. Mechanics in spacetime

5. Spacetime physics of fields

6. Causality and relativity

Part II. Advanced Topics: 7. When quantum mechanics and relativity collide

8. Group theory and relativity

9. Supersymmetry and superspace

10. Looking onward

Appendix 1. Where do equations of motion come from?

Appendix 2. Basic group theory

Appendix 3. Lie groups and Lie algebras

Appendix 4. The structure of super Lie algebras

References

Index.