What Is Relativity?

Book Details

• Author: L.D. Landau

• Publisher: Dover

• Language: English

• Edition: Illustrated

• ISBN: 9780486428062

• Pages: 80

• Binding: Paperback

• Package Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches

About the Book

Relativity: The Special and General Theory by L.D. Landau and G.B. Rumer is a fascinating introduction to the paradoxes and complexities inherent in the theory of relativity. Aimed at readers with no technical background beyond basic arithmetic, this book takes you on an enlightening journey through the revolutionary ideas that shaped modern physics.

Landau, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, and Rumer present relativity theory in a way that is accessible and engaging, using everyday objects like trains, rulers, and clocks to explain abstract concepts. Their clear and straightforward exposition reveals the surprising and often counterintuitive nature of the special theory of relativity, where seemingly self-contradictory ideas about the nature of space and time are explored.

Through witty cartoons and clever examples, the authors break down complex ideas such as the relationship between mass and energy, the speed of light, and the laws governing inertia. Their unique approach to these difficult subjects makes the book a perfect starting point for those curious about relativity but intimidated by its mathematical demands.

With its entertaining style and deep insight into one of science’s most important theories, this book is both an educational tool and a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in the mysteries of the universe.