Relativity Learning about SR (for beginners)

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on recommended books for learning Special Relativity (SR) for beginners. Key recommendations include "Spacetime Physics" by Edwin F. Taylor and John Archibald Wheeler, which is available for free on Taylor's website, and "Special Relativity for the Enthusiastic Beginner" by Morin, which offers a free first chapter online. Other notable mentions include works by Wolfgang Rindler, Richard Feynman, and Landau, although some users caution against using Feynman or Landau as introductory texts due to their complexity. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding spacetime diagrams and geometry in SR.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of physics concepts at the undergraduate level.
  • Familiarity with spacetime diagrams and their significance in relativity.
  • Knowledge of mathematical principles relevant to physics, including hyperbolic trigonometry.
  • Access to introductory physics textbooks that cover the fundamentals of Special Relativity.
NEXT STEPS
  • Download and study "Spacetime Physics" by Taylor and Wheeler from Taylor's website.
  • Explore "Special Relativity for the Enthusiastic Beginner" by Morin for a beginner-friendly approach.
  • Research the significance of spacetime diagrams in understanding Special Relativity.
  • Investigate additional resources such as "Relativity Visualized" by Epstein and "General Relativity from A to B" by Geroch.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in gaining a foundational understanding of Special Relativity, particularly those seeking accessible resources and diverse perspectives on the topic.

  • #31
Morin's Special Relativity: For the Enthusiastic Beginner is hands the best introduction to special relativity. It is a pedagogical masterpiece. Excellent visual expositions and creative problems that will make you think. I can't recommend it enough. All that is required is an understand of basic calculus and a first year physics course.
 
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  • #33
Keith_McClary said:
Free!

Relativity made Relatively Easy (Oxford website, "Copyright A. Steane, Oxford University 2010, 2011; not for redistribution.")
From the introduction:

"This book presents an extensive study of Special Relativity, aimed at an undergraduate level.It is not intended to be the first introduction to the subject for most students, although for abright student it could function as that. Therefore basic ideas such as time dilation and spacecontraction are recalled but not discussed at length. "

So, quite explicitly, not what the OP was looking for.
 
  • #34
PeroK said:
From the introduction:

"This book presents an extensive study of Special Relativity, aimed at an undergraduate level.It is not intended to be the first introduction to the subject for most students, although for abright student it could function as that. Therefore basic ideas such as time dilation and spacecontraction are recalled but not discussed at length. "

So, quite explicitly, not what the OP was looking for.

Indeed... on my list earlier that book by Steane is further down the list (in increasing difficulty).
Steane's other book in relativity, The Wonderful World of Relativity, is more appropriate for a beginner.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0198789203/?tag=pfamazon01-20
(On my list, I didn't separate these two since I haven't really looked at this beginner book in detail.)
 

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