The Origin, Nature, and Influence of Relativity: Lowell Institute Lectures, Lowell Institute--Boston, and Los Angeles Lectures, University of California-Southern Branch |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
absolute space abstraction angles appears arbitrary atomic atomic clock chemical elements classical physics classical theory clock condition continuum coordinates defined definite density differential equations direction distance earth Einstein electromagnetic empty space energy equal ether Euclid Euclidean Euclidean geometry experience fact Faraday field functions force free matter geometry Hence hypothesis instant interstellar space isometric space-time light wave light-second light-signaling magnetic mathematical matter and electricity means Michelson-Morley experiment motion moving nature nearly Newton Newtonian nucleus observed obtained particle in empty particular perfect fluid plane position possible postulate principle of relativity properties quantities ratio reference body reference particle reference space reference system rela relativistic rest right triangle rigid body rotation self-homologous particles simultaneity solar space attached space-time continuum spatial spatio-temporal special theory sphere star static straight line substance coefficient tensor theory of relativity tion tonian undisturbed body velocity of light world line
Popular passages
Page 11 - Absolute, true, and mathematical time, of itself, and from its own nature, flows equably without relation to anything external, and by another name is called duration...
Page 15 - Faraday, in his mind's eye, saw lines of force traversing all space where the mathematicians saw centres of force attracting at a distance : Faraday saw a medium where they saw nothing but distance : Faraday sought the seat of the phenomena in real actions going on in the medium, they were satisfied that they had found it in a power of action at a distance impressed on the electric fluids.
Page 12 - It is indeed a matter of great difficulty to discover, and effectually to distinguish, the true motions of particular bodies from the apparent; because the parts of that immovable space, in which those motions are performed, do by no means come under the observation of our senses.
Page 11 - Place is a part of space which a body takes up and is, according to the space, either absolute or relative.
Page 13 - Every body continues in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, unless it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed upon it.
Page 11 - Absolute space, in its own nature, without relation to anything external, remains always similar and immovable. Relative space is some movable dimension or measure of the absolute spaces; which our senses determine by its position to bodies; and which is commonly taken for immovable space...
Page 179 - III. As more complete abstractions are made, they may be expected to include their predecessors. Thus, in a sense specified previously, the special theory of relativity includes the classical theory, as the case of very small relative material velocities; and the general theory of relativity includes the special, as the case when matter is very sparsely distributed.
Page 3 - Moreover, practical urgency as well as merest curiosity led them to estimate with considerable accuracy the ratio of the distance around a circle to the distance across it.
Page 59 - The essence of this postulate can be clothed mathematically in » very pregnant manner in the mystic formula : 3 . 105 km. = -\/ — 1 sec. — Minkowski, in The Principle of Relativity, 1923, p. 88. The symmetry between space and time is so complete that one is justified in writing down the correct dimensional equation : 186,300 miles = -y/ — 1 seconds.
Page 4 - ... established, although five colors are known to be enough. Of like intriguing simplicity is the question raised a few years ago by the Japanese mathematician Kakeya as to the least area within which a line of given length can be turned around in a plane. An area only half as great as that of the circle with this length for diameter will suffice. No one has as yet been able to prove that this is the least possible area. Since all physical science depends upon the foundation of mathematical truth,...