Theory Of Relativity

Book Details

• Author: Wolfgang Pauli

• Publisher: Harper Collins India

• Language: English

• Edition: Revised Edition

• ISBN: 9780486641522

• Pages: 255

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches

About the Book

"Theory of Relativity" by Wolfgang Pauli is a significant work by one of the most influential physicists of the 20th century, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the exclusion principle (also known as the Pauli principle). Pauli was a brilliant theoretician and made groundbreaking contributions to quantum mechanics, including the positing of the neutrino's existence. In this book, originally written when Pauli was only 21, he offers a thorough review of the entire literature on relativity at that time.

The text, while originally conceived as a complete review, has now been updated with Pauli’s retrospective insights, reflecting on the later developments in relativity theory and the controversies it has generated. Pauli discusses unified field theories, their relationship with the validity of classical field concepts, and their connection to atomic features of nature. Although he was initially skeptical of classical solutions, Pauli’s alternative models were later supported by newer insights in quantum mechanics and wave theory.

Pauli's work also touches on the ongoing debate between classical physics and quantum mechanics, emphasizing Einstein's contributions to the development of modern physics. This revised edition provides a historical perspective and offers Pauli’s views on the unresolved issues in relativity theory, including the relationship between relativity and quantum mechanics. Pauli’s reflections continue to be a crucial resource for anyone interested in the intersection of physics, quantum mechanics, and the quest for a unified theory.