Basic relativity. An introductory essay (Q626381)

This is an elementary exposition (with a few formulas) of the basic ideas and notions of special relativity. The book contains three main chapters. In Chapter I (``From time dilation to \(E_0 = mc^2\)''), the author discusses the Doppler-effect and he deduces from it the time dilation and the relativity of the notion of simultaneity. From time dilation, he derives Lorentz contraction, the equation of motion and the mass-energy relation. Chapter II (``The Lorentz transformations'') is devoted to the Lorentz transformations, which are introduced by analyzing the interrelation between constancy of the velocity of light and synchronization of clocks. Standard consequences of the Lorentz transformations are discussed, including the Causality Paradox and the Twins Paradox. In Chapter III (``General relativity'') the author considers the problem of the description of gravity and basic ideas of General Relativity. The following subjects are shortly discussed: the equality of the gravitational and the inertial mass, the equivalence principle, locality of inertial frames, the Gravity Probe B experiment of NASA, light deflection, perihelion precession, gravitational red shift, and the Michelson-Morley experiment. In the last chapter, some selected problems to chapter I and their solutions are given.