Where can I find resources for learning Relativity as a high school student?

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    Beginning Relativity
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding resources for high school students to learn about relativity, specifically focusing on special relativity (SR) and its components. Participants share recommendations for books, online resources, and lecture series that may aid in understanding the subject.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in finding resources that explain relativity with examples and numbers.
  • Another suggests starting with spacetime diagrams and recommends the book "Spacetime Physics" by Taylor & Wheeler, noting that it is widely regarded as a good choice.
  • A different participant proposes "A Traveler's Guide to Spacetime" by Thomas A. Moore as another suitable book.
  • One participant recommends Einstein's "Relativity, the Special and the General Theory," advising to focus on the special relativity section and the appendix on the Lorentz equations.
  • A participant mentions a helpful lecture series available on YouTube, although the specific content is not detailed.
  • Several posts reiterate the initial request for resources, indicating a persistent struggle to find suitable learning materials.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for accessible resources for learning relativity, but there is no consensus on which specific resource is the best, as multiple books and materials are suggested.

Contextual Notes

Some recommendations depend on personal preferences and learning styles, and the effectiveness of the suggested resources may vary among individuals.

Who May Find This Useful

High school students interested in learning about relativity, educators seeking teaching materials, and anyone looking for introductory resources in physics.

Anthony24
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Okay I am a high school school student trying to learn the components of relativity, but i can't find anything that really explains any of it with examples and actual numbers. Does anyone know of a good place to learn this? I just feel stuck with high school education in the field of physics.
 
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You should start with a presentation of SR that emphasizes spacetime diagrams. Lots of people here say that the book by Taylor & Wheeler is the best choice. (I haven't read it myself). You should also do a search for similar threads. JesseM posted a bunch of links to online resources in one of them.
 
Spacetime Physics by Taylor and Wheeler is a good book, but another good book, A Traveler's Guide to Spacetime: An Introduction to the Special Theory of Relativity by Thomas A. Moore, might be more appropriate for you.
 
Anthony24 said:
Okay I am a high school school student trying to learn the components of relativity, but i can't find anything that really explains any of it with examples and actual numbers. Does anyone know of a good place to learn this? I just feel stuck with high school education in the field of physics.

I'd recommend that you start with Einstein's little book, "Relativity, the Special and the General Theory", by Crown Publishers. Ignore the latter part (on GR), until you've CAREFULLY read through the SR part at least twice, and maybe even three times.

Also, read (until you fully understand) the appendix on the derivation of the Lorentz equations.

Mike Fontenot
 
Anthony24 said:
Okay I am a high school school student trying to learn the components of relativity, but i can't find anything that really explains any of it with examples and actual numbers. Does anyone know of a good place to learn this? I just feel stuck with high school education in the field of physics.

This lecture series helped me immensely: http://www.youtube.com/stanford#g/c/6C8BDEEBA6BDC78D
 
Actually you can learn this to a place that no one can disturb you if you are studying this lessons components of relativity, but i can't find anything that really explains any of it with examples and actual numbers. Does anyone know of a good place to learn this? I just feel stuck with high school education in the field of physics.
 
but you must to understand about that lesson because if you are locking with one lesson it is difficult for you to understand that..
 
For me you should accomplish that lesson for you because it is very helpful because if you encountered that you can say that it is very easy..
 
Fredrik said:
You should start with a presentation of SR that emphasizes spacetime diagrams. Lots of people here say that the book by Taylor & Wheeler is the best choice. (I haven't read it myself). You should also do a search for similar threads. JesseM posted a bunch of links to online resources in one of them.
Here's the thread you're referring to:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=441257
 

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