Special Relativity - 9781891389610

A specialist in quantum mechanics and general relativity, Helliwell (emeritus physics, Harvey Mudd College) finds that Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity is a superb place to begin a serious study of physics because, while being useful in many practical problems and the most accessible to 20th-century revolutions, it also demonstrates the strangeness and counter-intuitivity of modern physics. He suggests that textbook can serve for part of an introductory first-year course, incorporated into a second-year course on modern physics, or used as a core or supplement in a special course of special relativity or related topics at the advanced undergraduate level. High-school-level classical mechanics is reviewed in the first chapter for students whose summer vacations were too much fun; no college-level physics is assumed. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)