Special relativity is the foundation of many fields in sleek physics: particle physics, quantum box thought, high-energy astrophysics, and so on. This concept is gifted right here by way of adopting a 4-dimensional perspective from the beginning. an excellent function of the ebook is that it doesn’t limit itself to inertial frames yet considers sped up and rotating observers. it truly is hence attainable to regard actual results comparable to the Thomas precession or the Sagnac impression in an easy but targeted demeanour. within the ultimate chapters, extra complex issues like tensorial fields in spacetime, external calculus and relativistic hydrodynamics are addressed. within the final, short bankruptcy the writer offers a preview of gravity and exhibits the place it turns into incompatible with Minkowsky spacetime.
Well illustrated and enriched via many ancient notes, this publication additionally offers many functions of precise relativity, starting from particle physics (accelerators, particle collisions, quark-gluon plasma) to astrophysics (relativistic jets, energetic galactic nuclei), and together with sensible purposes (Sagnac gyrometers, synchrotron radiation, GPS). moreover, the ebook presents a few mathematical advancements, resembling the unique research of the Lorentz team and its Lie algebra.
The booklet is appropriate for college kids within the 3rd 12 months of a physics measure or on a masters direction, in addition to researchers and any reader drawn to relativity.
Thanks to the geometric technique followed, this publication also needs to be necessary for the examine of common relativity.

“A sleek presentation of distinctive relativity needs to recommend its crucial constructions, sooner than illustrating them utilizing concrete functions to express dynamical difficulties. Such is the problem (so effectively met!) of the attractive e-book through Éric Gourgoulhon.” (excerpt from the Foreword via Thibault Damour)