Relativity

The Special and General Theory

Written: 1916 (this revised edition: 1924)
Source: Relativity: The Special and General Theory © 1920 Publisher: Methuen & Co Ltd
First Published: December, 1916
Translated: Robert W. Lawson (Authorised translation) Transcription/Markup: Brian Basgen
Convertion to PDF: Sjoerd Langkemper
Offline Version: Einstein Reference Archive (marxists.org) 1999

Preface

 

Part I: The Special Theory of Relativity

01. Physical Meaning of Geometrical Propositions
02. The System of Co−ordinates
03. Space and Time in Classical Mechanics
04. The Galileian System of Co−ordinates
05. The Principle of Relativity (in the Restricted Sense)
06. The Theorem of the Addition of Velocities employed in Classical Mechanics
07. The Apparent Incompatability of the Law of Propagation of Light with the Principle of Relativity
08. On the Idea of Time in Physics
09. The Relativity of Simultaneity
10. On the Relativity of the Conception of Distance
11. The Lorentz Transformation
12. The Behaviour of Measuring−Rods and Clocks in Motion
13. Theorem of the Addition of Velocities. The Experiment of Fizeau
14. The Hueristic Value of the Theory of Relativity
15. General Results of the Theory
16. Expereince and the Special Theory of Relativity
17. Minkowski's Four−dimensial Space

Part II: The General Theory of Relativity

18. Special and General Principle of Relativity
19. The Gravitational Field
20. The Equality of Inertial and Gravitational Mass as an Argument for the General Postulate of Relativity
21. In What Respects are the Foundations of Classical Mechanics and of the Special Theory of Relativity Unsatisfactory?
22. A Few Inferences from the General Principle of Relativity
23. Behaviour of Clocks and Measuring−Rods on a Rotating Body of Reference
24. Euclidean and non−Euclidean Continuum
25. Gaussian Co−ordinates
26. The Space−Time Continuum of the Speical Theory of Relativity Considered as a Euclidean Continuum
27. The Space−Time Continuum of the General Theory of Realtiivty is Not a Eculidean Continuum
28. Exact Formulation of the General Principle of Relativity
29. The Solution of the Problem of Gravitation on the Basis of the General Principle of Relativity

Part III: Considerations on the Universe as a Whole

30. Cosmological Difficulties of Netwon's Theory
31. The Possibility of a "Finite" and yet "Unbounded" Universe
32. The Structure of Space According to the General Theory of Relativity

Appendices:

01. Simple Derivation of the Lorentz Transformation (sup. ch. 11)
02. Minkowski's Four−Dimensional Space ("World") (sup. ch 17)
03. The Experimental Confirmation of the General Theory of Relativity
04. The Structure of Space According to the General Theory of Relativity (sup. ch 32)
05. Relativity and the Problem of Space

Note: The fifth appendix was added by Einstein at the time of the fifteenth re−printing of this book; and as a result is still under copyright restrictions so cannot be added without the permission of the publisher.

Einstein Reference Archive Relativity: The Special and General Theory

Preface

(December, 1916)

The present book is intended, as far as possible, to give an exact insight into the theory of Relativity to those readers who, from a general scientific and philosophical point of view, are interested in the theory, but who are not conversant with the mathematical apparatus of theoretical physics. The work presumes a standard of education corresponding to that of a university matriculation examination, and, despite the shortness of the book, a fair amount of patience and force of will on the part of the reader. The author has spared himself no pains in his endeavour to present the main ideas in the simplest and most intelligible form, and on the whole, in the sequence and connection in which they actually originated. In the interest of clearness, it appeared to me inevitable that I should repeat myself frequently, without paying the slightest attention to the elegance of the presentation. I adhered scrupulously to the precept of that brilliant theoretical physicist L. Boltzmann, according to whom matters of elegance ought to be left to the tailor and to the cobbler. I make no pretence of having withheld from the reader difficulties which are inherent to the subject. On the other hand, I have purposely treated the empirical physical foundations of the theory in a "step−motherly" fashion, so that readers unfamiliar with physics may not feel like the wanderer who was unable to see the forest for the trees. May the book bring some one a few happy hours of suggestive thought!

December, 1916 A. EINSTEIN

 

Next: The Physical Meaning of Geometrical Propositions Part I: The Special Theory of Relativity

Part I