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An Illustrated Guide to Relativity
Aimed at both physics students and non-science majors, this unique book
explains Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity pictorially, usingdiagrams
rather than equations. The diagrams guide the reader, step-by-step, from the
basics of relativity to advanced topics includingthe addition of velocities,
Lorentz contraction, time dilation, twin paradox, Doppler shift, and Einstein’s
famous equation E = mc2. The distinctive figures throughout the book enable
the reader to visualize the theory in a way that cannot be fully conveyed
through equations alone.
The illustrative explanations in this book maintain the logic and rigor nec-
essary for physics students, yet are simple enough to be understood by non-
scientists. The book also contains entertainingproblems which challengethe
reader’s understandingof the materials covered.
tatsu takeuchi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics
at Virginia Tech. This book grew from the “Highlights of Contemporary
Physics” course he taught for many years. Primarily aimed at non-physics
majors, it has been highly popular among physics students as well.
An Illustrated Guide to
Relativity
TATSU TAKEUCHI
Department of Physics, Virginia Tech
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore,
São Paulo, Delhi, Dubai, Tokyo
Cambridge University Press
The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK
Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York
Information on this title: 0521763943
© T. Takeuchi 2010
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the
provision of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part
may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published in print format 2010
ISBN-13 978-0-511-90058-7 eBook (EBL)
ISBN-13 978-0-521-76394-3 Hardback
ISBN-13 97