Basic Relativity

This text goes much further than describing the fundamentals of general relativity, using a fresh approach that explains perplexing relativistic effects such as time dilation and Lorentz contraction prior to the volume's discussion of Lorentz-transformation.

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This brief represents a new way of introducing relativity theory, in which perplexing relativistic effects such as time dilation and Lorentz contraction are explained prior to the discussion of Lorentz-transformation. The notion of relativistic mass is shown to contradict the spirit of relativity theory and the true significance of the mass-energy relation is contrasted with the popular view of it. The author discusses the twin paradox from the point of view of both siblings. Last but not least, the fundamentals of general relativity are described, including the recent Gravity Probe B experiment.