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The Resource The geometry of Minkowski spacetime : an introduction to the mathematics of the special theory of relativity, Gregory L. Naber

The geometry of Minkowski spacetime : an introduction to the mathematics of the special theory of relativity, Gregory L. Naber

Creator
Summary
This book offers a presentation of the special theory of relativity that is mathematically rigorous and yet spells out in considerable detail the physical significance of the mathematics. It treats, in addition to the usual menu of topics one is accustomed to finding in introductions to special relativity, a wide variety of results of more contemporary origin. These include Zeeman's characterization of the causal automorphisms of Minkowski spacetime, the Penrose theorem on the apparent shape of a relativistically moving sphere, a detailed introduction to the theory of spinors, a Petrov-type classification of electromagnetic fields in both tensor and spinor form, a topology for Minkowski spacetime whose homeomorphism group is essentially the Lorentz group, and a careful discussion of Dirac's famous Scissors Problem and its relation to the notion of a two-valued representation of the Lorentz group. This second edition includes a new chapter on the de Sitter universe which is intended to serve two purposes. The first is to provide a gentle prologue to the steps one must take to move beyond special relativity and adapt to the presence of gravitational fields that cannot be considered negligible. The second is to understand some of the basic features of a model of the empty universe that differs markedly from Minkowski spacetime, but may be recommended by recent astronomical observations suggesting that the expansion of our own universe is accelerating rather than slowing down. The treatment presumes only a knowledge of linear algebra in the first three chapters, a bit of real analysis in the fourth and, in two appendices, some elementary point-set topology. The first edition of the book received the 1993 CHOICE award for Outstanding Academic Title. Reviews of first edition: " ... a valuable contribution to the pedagogical literature which will be enjoyed by all who delight in precise mathematics and physics." (American Mathematical Society, 1993) "Where many physics texts explain physical phenomena by means of mathematical models, here a rigorous and detailed mathematical development is accompanied by precise physical interpretations." (CHOICE, 1993) " ... his talent in choosing the most significant results and ordering them within the book can't be denied. The reading of the book is, really, a pleasure." (Dutch Mathematical Society, 1993)
Language
eng
Work
Publication
Edition
2nd ed.
Extent
1 online resource (xvi, 324 pages)
Isbn
9781441978370
Instance
Label
The geometry of Minkowski spacetime : an introduction to the mathematics of the special theory of relativity
Title
The geometry of Minkowski spacetime
Title remainder
an introduction to the mathematics of the special theory of relativity
Statement of responsibility
Gregory L. Naber
Creator
Subject
Language
eng
Summary
This book offers a presentation of the special theory of relativity that is mathematically rigorous and yet spells out in considerable detail the physical significance of the mathematics. It treats, in addition to the usual menu of topics one is accustomed to finding in introductions to special relativity, a wide variety of results of more contemporary origin. These include Zeeman's characterization of the causal automorphisms of Minkowski spacetime, the Penrose theorem on the apparent shape of a relativistically moving sphere, a detailed introduction to the theory of spinors, a Petrov-type classification of electromagnetic fields in both tensor and spinor form, a topology for Minkowski spacetime whose homeomorphism group is essentially the Lorentz group, and a careful discussion of Dirac's famous Scissors Problem and its relation to the notion of a two-valued representation of the Lorentz group. This second edition includes a new chapter on the de Sitter universe which is intended to serve two purposes. The first is to provide a gentle prologue to the steps one must take to move beyond special relativity and adapt to the presence of gravitational fields that cannot be considered negligible. The second is to understand some of the basic features of a model of the empty universe that differs markedly from Minkowski spacetime, but may be recommended by recent astronomical observations suggesting that the expansion of our own universe is accelerating rather than slowing down. The treatment presumes only a knowledge of linear algebra in the first three chapters, a bit of real analysis in the fourth and, in two appendices, some elementary point-set topology. The first edition of the book received the 1993 CHOICE award for Outstanding Academic Title. Reviews of first edition: " ... a valuable contribution to the pedagogical literature which will be enjoyed by all who delight in precise mathematics and physics." (American Mathematical Society, 1993) "Where many physics texts explain physical phenomena by means of mathematical models, here a rigorous and detailed mathematical development is accompanied by precise physical interpretations." (CHOICE, 1993) " ... his talent in choosing the most significant results and ordering them within the book can't be denied. The reading of the book is, really, a pleasure." (Dutch Mathematical Society, 1993)
Member of
Is part of
Cataloging source
GW5XE
http://library.link/vocab/creatorDate
1948-
http://library.link/vocab/creatorName
Naber, Gregory L.
Dewey number
530.1/1
Illustrations
illustrations
Index
index present
LC call number
QC173.6
LC item number
.N33 2012
Literary form
non fiction
Nature of contents
  • dictionaries
  • bibliography
NLM call number
Online Book
Series statement
Applied mathematical sciences,
Series volume
v. 92
http://library.link/vocab/subjectName
  • General relativity (Physics)
  • Generalized spaces
  • Mathematics
  • General relativity (Physics)
  • Generalized spaces
Label
The geometry of Minkowski spacetime : an introduction to the mathematics of the special theory of relativity, Gregory L. Naber
Instantiates
Publication
Antecedent source
unknown
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 307-309) and index
Carrier category
online resource
Carrier category code
  • cr
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Color
multicolored
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Control code
768245845
Dimensions
unknown
Edition
2nd ed.
Extent
1 online resource (xvi, 324 pages)
File format
unknown
Form of item
online
Isbn
9781441978370
Level of compression
unknown
Media category
computer
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • c
Other physical details
illustrations.
Quality assurance targets
not applicable
Reformatting quality
unknown
Sound
unknown sound
Specific material designation
remote
System control number
(OCoLC)768245845
Label
The geometry of Minkowski spacetime : an introduction to the mathematics of the special theory of relativity, Gregory L. Naber
Publication
Antecedent source
unknown
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 307-309) and index
Carrier category
online resource
Carrier category code
  • cr
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Color
multicolored
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Control code
768245845
Dimensions
unknown
Edition
2nd ed.
Extent
1 online resource (xvi, 324 pages)
File format
unknown
Form of item
online
Isbn
9781441978370
Level of compression
unknown
Media category
computer
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • c
Other physical details
illustrations.
Quality assurance targets
not applicable
Reformatting quality
unknown
Sound
unknown sound
Specific material designation
remote
System control number
(OCoLC)768245845

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