Introduction to Relativity : In-depth and Accessible

E=mc² is known as the most famous but least understood equation in physics. This two-volume textbook illuminates this equation and much more through clear and detailed explanations, new demonstrations, a more physical approach, and a deep analysis of the concepts and postulates of Relativity.

The first part of Volume I contains the whole Special Relativity theory with rigorous and complete demonstrations. The second part presents the main principles of General Relativity, including detailed explanations of the bending of light in the neighborhood of great masses, the gravitational time dilatation, and the principles leading to the famous equation of General Relativity: D(g) = k .T. The most important cosmological predictions are then described: the Big Bang theory, black holes, and gravitational waves. Plentiful historical information is contained throughout the book, particularly in an ending chapter depicting the scientific and epistemological revolution brought about by the theory of Relativity.

Both volumes place an emphasis on the physical aspects of Relativity to aid the reader’s understanding and contain numerous questions and problems (147 in total). Solutions are given in a highly detailed manner to provide the maximum benefit to students.

This textbook fills a gap in the literature by drawing out the physical aspects and consequences of Relativity, which are otherwise often second place to the mathematical aspects. Its concrete focus on physics allows students to gain a full understanding of the underlying concepts and cornerstones of Relativity.

Paul Bruma is a French engineer who graduated from Institut Polytechnique - Telecom, Paris. This curriculum includes a broad program in mathematics and physics, equivalent to a Master’s degree in science.

After a career with the international telecom equipment manufacturer Alcatel-Lucent (former Bell Labs), Paul Bruma resumed physics studies, which was his favorite discipline as a student. Regarding Relativity, Paul Bruma found that most text books lack explanations and are very mathematically oriented. This explains why this subject appears quite complicated to students, and many frequently zap from one book to another in search of the missing explanations in their text books. Relativity being an essential subject, Paul Bruma took up the challenge of making a book that contains all explanations and in a manner which is as accessible as possible while always being absolutely rigorous. This induced him to adopt a more physical approach than most authors.

In his previous career in the high tech industry, Paul Bruma had many opportunities to write technical documents explaining complex subjects and to train teams. In this domain, if technical specifications are not written in a clear, detailed, step by step and unambiguous manner, the implementation teams won’t work effectively and the outcome will likely differ from what was intended. In contrast, academic authors often consider that students should fill by themselves some missing steps or explanations as part of the pedagogical process. Paul Bruma believes that this method is not the best one for Relativity because it is a domain where common sense often misleads.