Relativity Learning about SR (for beginners)

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The discussion centers on recommendations for the best beginner-friendly books on special relativity. "Spacetime Physics" by Taylor and Wheeler is frequently highlighted as a top choice, especially since it is now available as a free download from Taylor's website. Another popular recommendation is "Special Relativity for the Enthusiastic Beginner" by Morin, which offers accessible explanations and is available for preview online. Participants also mention works by bcrowell and Rindler, emphasizing the importance of different approaches to learning the subject. While some users advocate for more advanced texts like Landau and Feynman, many caution against them for beginners due to their complexity. The value of spacetime diagrams and geometric understanding of relativity is emphasized, with suggestions for books that incorporate these elements effectively. Overall, the conversation encourages exploring multiple resources to find the best fit for individual learning styles and backgrounds in mathematics and physics.
  • #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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