Relativity: The Special And The General Theory

Introduction

Einstein as a missionary of science

Einstein's booklet: Relativity: The special and the general theory

Part I. The special theory of relativity

Part II. The general theory of relativity

Part III. Considerations on the universe as a whole

Appendixes

A reading companion: thirteen commentaries

A history and survey of foreign-language editions

Appended documents.

Part I. The special theory of relativity

1. Physical meaning of geometrical propositions

2. The system of co-ordinates

3. Space and time in classical mechanics

4. The Galileian system of co-ordinates

5. The principle of relativity (in the restricted sense)

6. The theorem of the addition of velocities employed in classical mechanics

7. The apparent incompatibility of the law of propagation of light with the principle of relativity

8. On the idea of time in physics

9. 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 heuristic value of the theory of relativity

15. General results of the theory

16. Experience and the special theory of relativity

17. Minkowski's four-dimensional space

Part II. The general theory of relativity

18. Special and general principle of relativity

19. The gravitational field

20. The equality of intertial 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 principles 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 special theory of relativity considered as a Euclidean continuum

27. The space-time continuum of the general theory of relativity is not a Euclidean 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 Newton's theory

31. The possibility of a "finite" and yet "unbounded" universe

32. The structure of space according to the theory of general relativity

Appendices

1. Simple derivation of the Lorentz transformation

2. Minkowski's four-dimensional space ("world")

3. The experimental confirmation of the general theory of relativity

4. The structure of space

5. Relativity and the problem of space.