Relativity and Common Sense Author:Herman Bondi Radically reoriented presentation of Einsteins Special Theory and one of most valuable popular accounts available. 60 illustrations augment the presentation and aid the reader in following the line of discussion. — The fact that Einstein's Theory of Relativity has been considered something strange and revolutionary is due, according to Prof... more »essor Bondi, to several commonsense though erroneous notions about velocity, light, and time. By viewing Newtonian physics in a different manner, a much more comprehensible of Relativity could be established with little trouble. This volume proceeds to do just that, offering a radically reoriented presentation of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity that derives Relativity from Newtonian ideas, rather than in opposition to them. It is one of the most valuable popular accounts available.
The author first explains the concepts of force, momentum, rotation, sound, and light, and the relation of these to the important concept of velocity. He then shows how time is relative rather than absolute; how high speeds affect the nature of time; and how acceleration affects speed, time and mass. For the bulk of the book no knowledge of mathematics is required of the reader. Several mathematical equations are introduced in the later chapters, especially chapter 10 on the Lorentz Transformation-the subject with which most books relativity begin.« less