Special Relativity 1: Light, Time & What's Relative
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About this ebook
Relativity and Quantum Mechanics are the two major pillars of 20th century physics, which together revolutionized our understanding of nature, utterly dismantling Newtonian physics that had been the gold standard of science for over 200 years, and introducing radically new concepts that defy human intuition. These theories may represent the greatest upheaval in the history of science.
This book is the first of several in the Everyone’s Guide Series devoted to Special Relativity.
We will discuss here: the Principle of Relativity, which you may be surprised to learn is not due to Einstein; the remarkable nature of light, which has a unique and critical role in our universe; Einstein’s motivations for the Special Theory; what is relative and what isn’t; and finally, a careful look at why time is relative, different for different observers, and why the question: “What time is it?” cannot be answered generally,
Robert Piccioni
Dr Robert Piccioni is a physicist, public speaker, educator and expert on cosmology and Einstein's theories. His "Everyone's Guide Series" e-books makes the frontiers of science accessible to all. With short books focused on specific topics, readers can easily mix and match, satisfying their individual interests. Each self-contained book tells its own story. The Series may be read in any order or combination. Robert has a B.S. in Physics from Caltech, a Ph.D. in High Energy Physics from Stanford University, was a faculty member at Harvard University and did research at the Stanford Linear Accelerator in Palo Alto, Calif. He has studied with and done research with numerous Nobel Laureates. At Caltech, one of his professors was Richard Feynman, one of the most famous physicists of the 20th century, and a good family friend. Dr. Piccioni has introduced cutting-edge science to numerous non-scientific audiences, including school children and civic groups. He was guest lecturer on a National Geographic/Lindblad cruise, and has given invited talks at Harvard, Caltech, UCLA, and Stanford University.
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Reviews for Special Relativity 1
5 ratings2 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Nicely written in simple words so as a common person to understand the concept.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5great and thought provoking intro. I had several AHA moments!
Book preview
Special Relativity 1 - Robert Piccioni
Special Relativity 1:
Light, Time
&
What’s Relative
by
Robert L. Piccioni, Ph.D.
Enjoy Exploring Your Universe
with the
Everyone's Guide Series
Published by
Real Science Publishing
3949 Freshwind Circle
Westlake Village, CA 91361, USA
Smashwords Edition
Edited by Joan Piccioni
Copyright © 2013 by Robert L. Piccioni
All rights reserved, including the right of
reproduction in whole or in part, in any form.
About the Author
Robert L. Piccioni, Ph.D.
Dr Robert Piccioni & granddaughter IsabellaRobert and granddaughter Isabella
You are never too young or too old
to wonder: Why?
Author, physicist, and science educator, Dr. Robert Piccioni explains the wonders of our universe at universities, high schools, churches, civic and business groups, adult education programs, and on cruise ships.
Robert has a B.S. from Caltech and a Ph.D. in high-energy physics from Stanford University. He has taught at Harvard University and at the Osher Institute at UCLA and CSUCI, where students voted him Teacher of the Year.
He ran eight high-tech companies and holds patents in medical devices, semiconductor technology, and smart energy.
Robert is the award-winning author of three popular science books that are all top-rated by readers young and old and by professional reviewers.
Checkout Dr. Piccioni's website:
www.guidetothecosmos.com
Printed Books, each top-rated by Amazon readers:
• Everyone's Guide to Atoms, Einstein, and the Universe
• Can Life Be Merely An Accident?
• A World Without Einstein
DVDs of his most popular presentations:
• Einstein for Everyone
• Einstein and Light
• General Relativity for Everyone
• The Micro-World of Subatomic Particles
• Dark Matter & Dark Energy
• Can Life Be Merely An Accident?
• Science and Faith
Newsletters on the latest scientific developments
ebook singles — The Everyone's Guide Series
• Einstein's Life: Persistence Overcomes Rejection
• Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity
• Einstein's Theory of General Relativity
• Quantum Mechanics
• Atoms & Telling Time with Timeless Atoms
• Particles & Waves: Opposites All In One
• Our Place in the Universe
• We are Made of