"There are probably only 12 people in the world who can understand the theory of relativity." Einstein once said. But the book "The Nature of Space and Time: The Story of Relativity" can make the theory of relativity accessible to everyone.
This book starts from the development history of theoretical physics and tells us about Einstein and his theory of relativity.
The difficulties encountered by classical theories such as Newtonian mechanics lead to Einstein's thinking and historical process of establishing the theory of relativity. And focus on pursuing the essential problems of nature and the universe, including the problems that scientists on the front line of scientific research are thinking and solving. In addition, you can also read about the applications of the theory of relativity and the latest frontiers in astronomy and cosmology related to the theory of relativity.
Chapter 1 introduces the basic concepts of special relativity. Chapter 2 introduces the mathematical tool indispensable for general relativity: Riemannian geometry. Emphasis is placed on the importance of intrinsic geometric thought in establishing the theory of relativity. In Chapter 3, the author describes and explains several interesting paradoxes and mass-energy relations caused by special relativity. Chapter 4 introduces the basic ideas of general relativity, and Chapter 5 mainly introduces the ins and outs of the big bang theory, dark matter, dark energy and other hypotheses in cosmology, as well as the latest research status, etc.
The whole book allows readers to understand the scientific method of scientists to "understand the laws of nature and explore the secrets of nature's creation" when reading the theory of relativity. What the master left us is not just some formulas and principles? There is also their spirit of exploration into the unknown world, which will inspire people's pursuit of ideals and beauty.
Reader comments
This book is really good! It tells the story of relativity in an easy-to-understand way that ordinary people like me can easily understand. The author Zhang Tianrong is very good. She explains complex theories very interestingly and intersperses them with the exploratory spirit of many scientists, which deeply inspired me. Moreover, the content of this book is very rich, from special relativity to general relativity to cosmology, which gave me a deeper understanding of space and time. Recommended to friends who are interested in physics and the universe!
I learned a lot about physics and met many physicists.
This book is really good! It tells the story of relativity in an easy-to-understand way that ordinary people like me can easily understand. The author Zhang Tianrong is very good. She explains complex theories very interestingly and intersperses them with the exploratory spirit of many scientists, which deeply inspired me. Moreover, the content of this book is very rich, from special relativity to general relativity to cosmology, which gave me a deeper understanding of space and time. Recommended to friends who are interested in physics and the universe!
I learned a lot about physics and met many physicists.