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Space and Time in Special Relativity

N. David Mermin

A classic of elementary relativistic pedagogy! This straightforward book introduces readers to the conceptually tricky subject of relativity in understandable terms. The writing is crisp and clearly written by someone who is aware of the conceptual difficulties that nonscientists have in coming to grips with relativity.

$30.95 list, 240 pages

10-digit ISBN: 0-88133-420-0

13-digit ISBN: 978-0-88133-420-3

© 1968

Table of Contents

1. The Principle of Relativity
2. The Principle of the Constancy of the Velocity of Light
3. How to Approach the Problem
4. Length of a Moving Stick (I)
5. Moving Clocks (I)
6. Length of a Moving Stick (II)
7. Moving Clocks (II)
8. Objections and Reflections
9. Why He Says My Meter Stick Shrinks Although I Know that His Shrinks
10. Why He Says My Clocks Go Slowly Although I Know that His Go Slowly
11. A Relativistic Tragicomedy
12. How Much Is Physics, and How Much Simple Arithmetic?
13. The Lorentz Transformation
14. A Simple Way to Go Faster than Light that Does Not Work
15. Why Nothing Can Go Faster than Light
16. The Clock “Paradox”
17. Minkowski Diagrams: The Geometry of Space-Time
18. Energy and Momentum
19. Why?