Special relativity is one of the high points of the undergraduate mathematical physics syllabus. Nick Woodhouse writes for those approaching the subject with a background in mathematics: he aims to build on their familiarity with the foundational material and the way of thinking taught in first-year mathematics courses, but not to assume an unreasonable degree of prior knowledge of traditional areas of physical applied mathematics, particularly electromagnetic theory. His book provides mathematics students with the tools they need to understand the physical basis of special relativity and leaves them with a confident mathematical understanding of Minkowski's picture of space-time. Special Relativity is loosely based on the tried and tested course at Oxford, where extensive tutorials and problem classes support the lecture course. This is reflected in the book in the large number of examples and exercises, ranging from the rather simple through to the more involved and challenging. Theauthor has included material on acceleration and tensors, and has written the book with an emphasis on space-time diagrams. Written with the second year undergraduate in mind, the book will appeal to those studying the 'Special Relativity' option in their Mathematics or Mathematics and Physics course. However, a graduate or lecturer wanting a rapid introduction to special relativity would benefit from the concise and precise nature of the book.

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Reviews

From the reviews:

N.M.J. Woodhouse's comparatively short Special Relativity is a pleasure to read and therefore qualifies right off as a good source to use for learning about special relativity on your own. A lot of very nice material is touched on in its pages, presented in natural sequence consonant with history, and is not improperly belabored. It's also rather informal in style. One gets the sense of breezing along pretty fast while, in actuality, a lot of material is being dealt with... the selection of topics in the book is very nice indeed , and is historically sound and will therefore reward the reader with an element of culture to boot: he'll learn some history of modern physics... I wish this book had been around when I was a student.

MAA Online

...an exciting and challenging book with which to introduce a modern mathematics student in a single course to the great ideas of Maxwell's theory and special relativity.

The Australian Mathematical Society Gazette

"There are many books on special relativity for undergraduates, and this one is notable in that it is specifically addressed to mathematicians. ... this book will be found illuminating by students of mathematics ... ." (Dr. P. E. Hodgson, Contemporary Physics, Vol. 45 (5), 2004)

"This book is ... aimed squarely at the undergraduate mathematician ... . The tone, pace and level of the book are nicely judged for middle level undergraduates studying mathematics. ... There are lots of examples and nicely graded exercises throughout the text, and each chapter ends with a usefully annotated bibliography. The author's friendly style, and the fact the material has been developed from taught courses make the book ideal for self-study ... ." (Peter Macgregor, The Mathematical Gazette, Vol. 88 (512), 2004)

"Meant as a resource for advanced undergraduate students, this book approaches special relativity theory from a mathematical perspective ... . It is best used for mathematics majors ... . the text is clear, well written, and has an adequate bibliography. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates." (A. Spero, CHOICE, December, 2003)

"This presentation is very elegant ... . The book contains a large number of examples. Each chapter is followed by exercises, ranging from the rather simple to the more involved. This book is certainly a good introduction to special relativity, understandable for second-year students. But it is also interesting for readers searching for a concise and precise presentation of special relativity within the tensor formalism." (Claude Semay, Physcalia, Vol. 25 (4), 2003)

Book Information
ISBN 9781852334260
Author N.M.J. Woodhouse
Format Paperback
Page Count 196
Imprint Springer London Ltd
Publisher Springer London Ltd