Einstein Albert. Relativity: The Special and General Theory

Translated by Robert W. Lawson (Authorised translation). — Revised edition. — Methuen & Co Ltd, 1924. — 85 p.The present book is intended, as far as possible, to give an exact insight into the theory of Relativity to those readers who, from a general scientific and philosophical point of view, are interested in the theory, but who are not conversant with the mathematical apparatus of theoretical physics. The work presumes a standard of education corresponding to that of a university matriculation examination, and, despite the shortness of the book, a fair amount of patience and force of will on the part of the reader. The author has spared himself no pains in his endeavour to present the main ideas in the simplest and most intelligible form, and on the whole, in the sequence and connection in which they actually originated. In the interest of clearness, it appeared to me inevitable that I should repeat myself frequently, without paying the slightest attention to the elegance of the presentation. I adhered scrupulously to the precept of that brilliant theoretical physicist L. Boltzmann, according to whom matters of elegance ought to be left to the tailor and to the cobbler. I make no pretence of having withheld from the reader difficulties which are inherent to the subject. On the other hand, I have purposely treated the empirical physical foundations of the theory in a "step-motherly" fashion, so that readers unfamiliar with physics may not feel like the wanderer who was unable to see the forest for the trees. May the book bring some one a few happy hours of suggestive thought!December, 1916
A. EinsteinThe Special Theory of Relativity
Physical Meaning of Geometrical Propositions
The System of Co−ordinates
Space and Time in Classical Mechanics
The Galileian System of Co−ordinates
The Principle of Relativity (in the Restricted Sense)
The Theorem of the Addition of Velocities employed in Classical Mechanics
The Apparent Incompatability of the Law of Propagation of Light with the Principle of Relativity
On the Idea of Time in Physics
The Relativity of Simultaneity
On the Relativity of the Conception of Distance
The Lorentz Transformation
The Behaviour of Measuring−Rods and Clocks in Motion
Theorem of the Addition of Velocities. The Experiment of Fizeau
The Hueristic Value of the Theory of Relativity
General Results of the Theory
Expereince and the Special Theory of Relativity
Minkowski's Four−dimensial Space
The General Theory of Relativity
Special and General Principle of Relativity
The Gravitational Field
The Equality of Inertial and Gravitational Mass as an Argument for the General Postulate of
Relativity
In What Respects are the Foundations of Classical Mechanics and of the Special Theory of
Relativity Unsatisfactory?
A Few Inferences from the General Principle of Relativity
Behaviour of Clocks and Measuring−Rods on a Rotating Body of Reference
Euclidean and non−Euclidean Continuum
Gaussian Co−ordinates
The Space−Time Continuum of the Speical Theory of Relativity Considered as a Euclidean
Continuum
The Space−Time Continuum of the General Theory of Realtiivty is Not a Eculidean Continuum
Exact Formulation of the General Principle of Relativity
The Solution of the Problem of Gravitation on the Basis of the General Principle of Relativity
Considerations on the Universe as a Whole
Cosmological Difficulties of Netwon's Theory
The Possibility of a "Finite" and yet "Unbounded" Universe
The Structure of Space According to the General Theory of Relativity
Appendices:
Simple Derivation of the Lorentz Transformation (sup. ch. 11)
Minkowski's Four−Dimensional Space ("World") (sup. ch 17)
The Experimental Confirmation of the General Theory of Relativity
The Structure of Space According to the General Theory of Relativity (sup. ch 32)
Relativity and the Problem of Space