4 Relativity v2

Theoretical Physics with Mark Weitzman

12 Jul 202216:46

EducationalLearning

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TLDRMark Weitzman discusses various resources for learning about relativity, from undergraduate textbooks like Marion's and Griffith's, which include chapters on relativistic electrodynamics, to specialized books like French's standalone text on special relativity. He also covers advanced books for deeper understanding, such as Carroll's 'Spacetime and Geometry' and Weinberg's 'Gravitation and Cosmology'. The video serves as a guide for students seeking comprehensive material on both special and general relativity.

Takeaways

📚 The speaker, Mark Weitzman, discusses various physics books on relativity, ranging from undergraduate to graduate level.
🔬 Many undergraduate courses incorporate relativity within other subjects like electromagnetism, rather than as a standalone course.
📘 Books like Marion's, Griffith's, and Jackson's often include a chapter on relativistic electrodynamics towards the end of their volumes.
🌐 The script mentions 'Modern Classical Physics' which starts with Newtonian physics and includes a chapter on special relativity from a geometric viewpoint.
📖 MIT uses an older book by French for their special relativity course, which is considered a good standalone resource despite being somewhat outdated.
👨‍🏫 David Morin of Harvard has a book on special relativity with sample chapters available on his website, offering a detailed treatment of the subject.
📚 The classic book by Taylor and Wheeler on special relativity is described as idiosyncratic and polarizing among readers.
📘 Rindler's book is recommended for those interested in an old-fashioned approach to special relativity, covering various special topics not commonly found in other books.
🌌 Anthony Zee's book is highly recommended for undergraduates, as it starts with basic concepts and gradually introduces advanced topics in relativity.
📚 John Carroll's book is suggested as an excellent choice for those looking to learn or review general relativity, with a modern approach and coverage of quantum field theory in curved spacetime.
📖 The script also mentions lesser-known books like 'Principles of Relativity Physics' which covers advanced topics and interactions with quantum mechanics.
📚 The definitive book on general relativity by Wald is recommended as a comprehensive reference, covering a wide range of advanced topics including black holes and singularities.
🌌 Lastly, Feynman's unique approach to gravitation from a quantum field theory perspective is highlighted, recommending his posthumously published book.

Q & A

What is the common approach to teaching relativity in undergraduate physics courses?
-In many undergraduate physics courses, relativity is not taught as a specific course. Instead, it is often covered as part of other subjects, such as mechanics or electromagnetism, with a few lectures or a final chapter dedicated to the topic.
How is relativity typically introduced in the Berkeley Physics Course or the Feynman Lectures on Physics?
-In the Berkeley Physics Course from the early 1960s, relativity was taught in Volume 1 Mechanics. Similarly, in the Feynman Lectures on Physics, Volume 1, there are four lectures in Chapter 15 dedicated to the special theory of relativity, relativistic energy and momentum, and space-time.
What are some of the common books that include a chapter on relativistic electrodynamics?
-Books such as Marion's and Griffith's often have a final chapter on relativistic electrodynamics in their undergraduate electromagnetism sections. Jackson's book also includes two chapters on special theory relativity and dynamics of relativistic particles and electromagnetic fields.
What is unique about the treatment of special relativity in the book 'Modern Classical Physics'?
-In 'Modern Classical Physics', special relativity is introduced early with a geometric viewpoint, starting with Newtonian physics and then moving on to special relativity from a geometric perspective.
What are some standalone books on special relativity mentioned in the script?
-The script mentions an old book by French used at MIT, 'Special Relativity for the Enthusiastic Beginner' by David Morin, and the classic book by Taylor and Wheeler, which are all standalone books on special relativity.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Relativity in Undergraduate Physics Courses

Mark Weitzman discusses the common approach to teaching relativity in undergraduate physics, often as part of broader courses on mechanics or electromagnetism. He mentions specific textbooks and courses, such as the Berkeley Physics Course and the Feynman Lectures, which include a few lectures on special relativity. Weitzman also notes the presence of chapters on relativistic electrodynamics in books by Marion, Griffiths, and Jackson, highlighting the standard practice of incorporating relativity into the curriculum in a piecemeal fashion. He further explores the structure of 'Modern Classical Physics' and the inclusion of special and general relativity in various educational materials, including a mention of MIT's use of an older book by French for their special relativity course.

05:01

📘 Diverse Textbooks on Special Relativity for Undergraduates

The speaker continues by exploring various textbooks available for understanding special relativity, including the idiosyncratic 'Examination of Special Relativity' by Taylor and Wheeler, which is loved or hated for its unique approach and nomenclature. He also recommends 'Special Relativity for the Enthusiastic Beginner' by David Morin, available in sample chapters on Morin's website, and praises its detailed treatment of kinematics and dynamics within a concise 250-page format. The paragraph concludes with a mention of advanced books that delve into special relativity from a more traditional tensor calculus perspective, such as Rindler's work, which covers special and general relativity in three parts.

10:02

🎓 Advanced Undergraduate and Graduate Level Books on Relativity

Weitzman transitions into discussing books suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduates, starting with Anthony Zee's comprehensive 800-page book that begins with a gentle introduction to rotations and Newtonian gravity before tackling advanced topics like twistors and anti-de Sitter spacetime. He then recommends John Carroll's book for its modern notation and concise coverage of special and general relativity, including a chapter on quantum field theory in curved spacetime. Weitzman also mentions lesser-known books like 'Principles of Relativity Physics' from 1965, which covers differential geometries and has unique interactions with quantum mechanics, and the classic 'Gravitation' by Misner, Thorne, and Wheeler, known for its modern notation and extensive, though sometimes wordy, coverage.

15:02

📚 Recommended Reading for Deepening Understanding of Relativity

In the final paragraph, Weitzman suggests a reading list for those looking to deepen their understanding of relativity. He highly recommends Stephen Weinberg's book for its field theory perspective and unique calculations, such as gravitational radiation from a gas ball. Weitzman also mentions the definitive book on general relativity by Wald, which covers advanced topics in a challenging but comprehensive manner. He concludes with a note on Feynman's posthumously published book on gravitation, which offers a unique spin-2 approach from a quantum field theory viewpoint, and provides a personal recommendation for a reading path that includes Zee's, Carroll's, Weinberg's, and Wald's books.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Relativity

Relativity is a fundamental concept in physics that deals with the behavior of objects in motion relative to different observers. In the context of the video, it is the overarching theme, as the script discusses both special and general relativity, their principles, and their applications in physics. The video mentions various books and courses that cover this topic, indicating its importance in the field of physics.

💡Special Relativity

Special Relativity is a theory introduced by Albert Einstein that describes the behavior of objects moving at constant speeds, particularly at speeds close to the speed of light. It is a subset of the broader theory of relativity. In the script, special relativity is frequently mentioned, with various books and lectures covering the topic, such as Feynman Lectures on Physics and the book by Marion, which includes a chapter on relativistic electrodynamics.

💡General Relativity

General Relativity is Einstein's theory of gravity, which extends the principles of special relativity to include acceleration and gravity. It describes the curvature of spacetime due to mass and energy. The video script mentions several books that delve into general relativity, such as 'Gravitation' by Misner, Thorne, and Wheeler, and 'Spacetime and Geometry' by Sean Carroll, indicating the complexity and depth of this topic.

💡Electrodynamics

Electrodynamics is the study of the interactions between electric and magnetic fields and their effects on matter. In the script, electrodynamics is mentioned in the context of relativity, particularly in the discussion of books that include a chapter on relativistic electrodynamics, such as Marion's book and Griffith's book, which shows the interplay between electromagnetism and the theory of relativity.

💡Space-time

Space-time is a four-dimensional continuum that combines the three dimensions of space with the one dimension of time, as posited by the theory of relativity. The script refers to space-time in the context of special relativity, where it is discussed in the Feynman Lectures and in the treatment of relativity in various textbooks.

💡Mechanics

Mechanics is a branch of physics that deals with the motion of objects and the forces that cause them to move. The script mentions mechanics in the context of the Berkeley Physics Course, where special relativity was taught as part of volume 1 on mechanics, indicating the foundational role of mechanics in understanding the principles of motion in physics.

💡Tensor Calculus

Tensor calculus is a mathematical language used in the study of general relativity and other fields of physics where multiple dimensions are involved. The script refers to tensor calculus as a traditional method used in some books to explain special relativity, such as the book by Willard Miller Rindler, which does not use modern notation like differential forms.

💡Differential Forms

Differential forms are a mathematical tool used in advanced physics and mathematics, particularly in the study of differential geometry and general relativity. The script contrasts tensor calculus with differential forms, noting that some modern treatments of relativity prefer differential forms for their elegance and simplicity.

💡Black Holes

Black holes are regions of spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from them. The script mentions black holes in the context of general relativity, as a topic covered in books like the one by Andrew J. S. Hamilton, which includes a second edition with a more complete treatment of spinning black holes.

💡Quantum Field Theory

Quantum Field Theory is a framework that combines quantum mechanics with special relativity to describe the behavior of particles and fields at very small scales. The script refers to Quantum Field Theory in the context of a book by John Carroll, which includes a final chapter on this subject, showing the connection between relativity and quantum mechanics.

💡Equivalence Principle

The Equivalence Principle is a fundamental concept in general relativity that states that in a small enough region of spacetime, the effects of gravity are indistinguishable from those of acceleration. The script mentions Stephen Weinberg's book, which bases its treatment of general relativity on this principle, emphasizing its importance in understanding gravitational phenomena.

Highlights

Introduction to the fourth installment of a physics book series focusing on relativity.

Undergraduate courses often incorporate relativity within broader physics topics rather than as a standalone subject.

Feynman's lectures include only four chapters on special relativity, indicating its common coverage in undergraduate physics education.

Electromagnetism books typically conclude with a chapter on relativistic electrodynamics, as seen in Marion's and Griffith's texts.

Jackson's book provides a detailed treatment of special theory relativity and its dynamics in the middle chapters.

Modern classical physics books often start with Newtonian physics and introduce special relativity from a geometric viewpoint.

Zangel's book includes chapters on special relativity and Lagrangian Hamiltonian methods, indicating a standard approach in physics texts.

MIT uses a specific book by French for their special relativity course, highlighting the availability of standalone books on the subject.

David Morin's book offers a detailed treatment of kinematics and dynamics of special relativity, available for preview on his website.

Taylor and Wheeler's classic book on special relativity is known for its unique and polarizing geometric approach.

Will Gang Rindler's book provides an old-fashioned treatment of relativity without modern mathematical notation.

Anthony Zee's book is recommended for undergraduates due to its comprehensive coverage of special and general relativity, starting from basic principles.

John Carroll's book is praised as an excellent resource for graduate or advanced undergraduate study of relativity.

A lesser-known book, 'Principles of Relativity Physics,' covers special and general relativity along with differential geometries in a unique manner.

Meisner, Thorne, and Wheeler's book, often referred to as the 'telephone book,' is both overrated and underrated for its comprehensive yet verbose coverage of general relativity.

Stephen Weinberg's book on gravitation and cosmology is noted for its field theory perspective and thorough calculations.

Wald's book serves as a definitive reference for advanced topics in general relativity, despite its difficulty.

Feynman's posthumously published book on gravitation offers a unique approach from a quantum field theory perspective.

Recommendations for books on special and general relativity for different levels of study, suggesting a progression from Zee to Carroll, Weinberg, and Wald.

Transcripts

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