How better to learn the Special Theory of Relativity and the General Theory of Relativity than directly from their creator, Albert Einstein himself? In Relativity: The Special and the General Theory, Einstein describes the theories that made him famous, illuminating his case with numerous examples and a smattering of math. This book is not a casual reading, but for those who appreciate his work without diving into the arcana of theoretical physics, it will prove a stimulating read. "The present book is intended," Einstein wrote in 1916, "as far as possible, to give an exact insight into the theory of Relativity to those readers who, from a general scientific and philosophical point of view, are interested in the theory, but who are not conversant with the mathematical apparatus of theoretical physics."

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Contents

Preface—(December 1916)—5

Part-I The Special Theory of Relativity

1. Physical Meaning of Geometrical Propositions—13

2. The System of Co-ordinates—16

3. Space and Time in Classical Mechanics—19

4. The Galileian System of Co-ordinates—21

5. The Principle of Relativity (in the restricted sense)—22

6. The Theorem of the Addition of Velocities Employed in Classical Mechanics—25

7. The Apparent Incompatibility of the Law of Propagation of Light with the Principle of Relativity—26

8. On the Idea of Time in Physics—29

9. The Relativity of Simulatneity—32

10. On the Relativity of the Conception of Distance—35

11. The Lorentz Transformation—37

12. The Behaviour of Measuring-Rods and Clocks in Motion—42

13. Theorem of the Addition of Velocities. The Experiment of Fizeau—45

14. The Heuristic Value of the Theory of Relativity—48

15. General Results of the Theory—50

16. Experience and the Special Theory of Relativity—55

17. Minkowski’s Four-Dimensional Space—60

Part-II The General Theory of Relativity

18. Special and General Principle of Relativity—65

19. The Gravitational Field—69

20. The Equality of Inertial and Gravitational Mass as an argument for the General Postule of Relativity—72

21. In What Respects are the Foundations of Classical Mechanics and of the Special Theory of Relativity Unsatisfactory?—76

22. A Few Inferences from the General Principle of Relativity—78

23. Behaviour of Clocks and Measuring-Rods on a Rotating Body of Reference—82

24. Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Continuum—86

25. Gaussian Co-ordinates—89

26. The Space-Time Continuum of the Special Theory of Relativity Considered as a Euclidean Continuum—93

27. The Space-Time Continuum of the General Theory of Realtivity is Not a Euclidean Continuum—95

28. Exact Formulation of the General Principle of Relativity—98

29. The Solution of the Problem of Gravitation on the Basis of the General Principle of Relativity—101

Part-III  Considerations on the Universe as a Whole

30. Cosmological Difficulties of Newton’s Theory—107

31. The Possibility of a “Finite” and yet “Unbounded” Universe—109

32. The Structure of Space According to the General Theory of Relativity—114

Appendix

Simple Derivation of the Lorentz Transformation (Supplementary to Section 11)—116

Minkowski’s Four-Dimensional Space (“World”) (supplementary to section 17)—121

The Experimental Confirmation of the General Theory of Relativity—123

The Structure of Space According to the General Theory of Relativity (Supplementary to Section 32)—132

Endnotes—134

Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was born in Germany and became an American citizen in 1940. A world-famous theoretical physicist, he was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize for Physics and is renowned for his Theory of Relativity. In addition to his scientific work, Einstein was an influential humanist who spoke widely about politics, ethics, and social causes. After leaving Europe, Einstein taught at Princeton University. His theories were instrumental in shaping the atomic age.