Buch, Englisch, 240 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 371 g
Space-Time Structure from a Dynamical Perspective
Buch, Englisch, 240 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 371 g
ISBN: 978-0-19-923292-5
Verlag: OUP UK
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.
Physical Relativity is an original, 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.
Autoren/Hrsg.
Fachgebiete
- Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Wissenschaftstheorie, Wissenschaftsphilosophie
- Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften Interdisziplinär Zeitmessung: Physikalische und Technische Aspekte
- Naturwissenschaften Physik Quantenphysik Relativität, Gravitation
- Naturwissenschaften Physik Physik Allgemein Geschichte der Physik
- Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Wissenschaften: Theorie, Epistemologie, Methodik
