What Is Relativity? - An Intuitive Introduction to Einstein's Ideas and Why They Matter

Jeffrey Bennett

Summary

A renowned astrophysicist’s approachable introduction to Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity and its application in our daily lives. It is commonly assumed that if the Sun suddenly turned into a black hole, it would suck Earth and the rest of the planets into oblivion. Yet, as prominent author and astrophysicist Jeffrey Bennett points out, black holes don't suck. With that simple idea in mind, Bennett begins an entertaining introduction to Einstein's theories of relativity, describing the amazing phenomena readers would actually experience if they took a trip to a black hole. The theory of relativity reveals the speed of light as the cosmic speed limit, the mind-bending ideas of time dilation and curvature of spacetime, and what may be the most famous equation in history: E = mc2. Indeed, the theory of relativity shapes much of our modern understanding of the universe. It is not “just a theory”―every major prediction of relativity has been tested to exquisite precision, and its practical applications include the Global Positioning System (GPS). Amply illustrated and written in clear, accessible prose, Bennett's book proves anyone can grasp the basics of Einstein's ideas. His intuitive, nonmathematical approach gives a wide audience its first real taste of how relativity works and why it is so important to science and the way we view ourselves as human beings. “Well-written and uniquely readable . . . Bennett carefully avoids bombastic statements and “spectacularization” of the subject.” —Alberto Nicolis, Columbia University “I have read lots of introductions to relativity, but none is as clear and compelling as this one.” —Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer, SETI Institute

Available since: 03/04/2014.

Print length: 204 pages.

Science & Technology

Other books that might interest you

The Doc and the Duchess - The...

Alexander W. Clowes

An “informative and enlightening” biography of a scientist who helped bring insulin to the world, and went on to become a prominent philanthropist (The Franklin Daily Journal).

George Henry Alexander Clowes was a pivotal figure in the development of the insulin program at the Eli Lilly Company. Through his leadership, scientists and clinicians at Lilly and the University of Toronto created a unique international team to develop and purify insulin and take the production of this life-saving agent to an industrial scale.

This biography, written by his grandson, presents his scientific achievements, and also takes note of his social and philanthropic contributions, which he shared with his wife, Edith. It tells the story of Clowes from his childhood in late Victorian England to his death at Woods Hole on Cape Cod in 1958. Educated in England and Germany, Clowes came to America to join a startup laboratory in Buffalo, where he conducted basic research on cancer and applied research on other disease-related problems. Assuming the position of head of research at Lilly, Clowes was at the center of one of the great discoveries that changed the course of medical history and offered new life to millions of individuals with diabetes and other metabolic disorders. Clowes was also instrumental in the development of other commercial pharmaceutical advances. Devoted to a number of philanthropic causes, Clowes and Edith contributed greatly to the cultural life of his adopted country, a contribution that continues to this day.

Show book

Left to Our Own Devices -...

Margaret E. Morris

We have been warned about the psychological perils of technology: distraction, difficulty empathizing, and loss of the ability (or desire) to carry on a conversation. But our devices and data are woven into our lives. We can't simply reject them. Instead, Margaret Morris argues, we need to adapt technology creatively to our needs and values.In Left to Our Own Devices, Morris offers examples of individuals applying technologies in unexpected ways — uses that go beyond those intended by developers and designers. Morris examines these kinds of personalized life hacks, chronicling the ways that people have adapted technology to strengthen social connection, enhance well-being, and affirm identity. She describes how a couple used smart lights to work through conflict; how a woman persuaded herself to eat healthier foods when her photographs of salads garnered "likes" on social media; and how a trans woman celebrated her transition with selfies.These and the many other “off-label” adaptations described by Morris cast technology not just as a temptation that we struggle to resist but as a potential ally as we try to take care of ourselves and others. The stories Morris tells invite us to be more intentional and creative when left to our own devices.

Show book

Under the Collar: Frank...

Ade wusi, Lee Hernandez

Diving straight to the core of the analytical memoir, Under the Collar: Frank Conversations about Healing that Harms, Simply Speaking is an audiobook abridgement. 
The narrated articles turn those problematic interactions, goofs and outright carelessness worsening healthcare into blunt snippets of cause-and-effect. 
Simply Speaking still follows the lone hospitalist voicing the dirty truths among medical providers. Openly narrated, the experiences and analyses follow real conversations the writer shared with colleagues and friends. 
Based on over 15 years of actual clinical experiences as an Internist and Pediatrician, Under the Collar is a five-part conversation between a hospitalist and fellow practitioners, beginning with other hospitalists then moving onto other specialists, emergency physicians, nurses and administrators. 
The issues are medical, but the insults are universal.

Show book

Sports Nutrition: Medical School...

AudioLearn Medical Content Team

AudioLearn’s Medical School Crash Courses presents Sports NutritionWritten by experts and authorities in the field and professionally narrated for easy listening, this crash course is a valuable tool both during school and when preparing for the USMLE, or if you’re simply interested in the subject of Sports Nutrition.The audio is focused and high-yield, covering the most important topics you might expect to learn in a typical Medical school Sports Nutrition course. Included are both capsule and detailed explanations of critical issues and topics you must know to master Sports Nutrition.The material is accurate, up to date and broken down into bite-sized sections.There are quizzes and key takeaways following each topic to review questions commonly tested and drive home key points.In this course, we'll cover the following topics:Protein in ExerciseFats in ExerciseCarbohydrates in ExerciseVitamins in ExerciseMinerals in ExerciseWater in ExerciseBasic Nutritional GuidelinesCellular Energy Use in ExerciseExercise and Calorie ConsumptionDietary Supplements for AthletesDoping in AthleticsWeight Management in AthleticsIndividualized Sports Nutrition Plans (for different type of athletes)To get the most out of this course, we recommend that you listen to the entire audio once while taking notes, then go back and listen to areas you had difficulties with.AudioLearn's Medical School Crash Courses support your studies, help with USMLE preparation and provide a comprehensive audio review of the topic matter for anyone interested in what medical students are taught in a typical medical school Sports Nutrition course.

Show book

Survival of the Sickest - A...

Dr. Sharon Moalem, Jonathan Prince

How did a deadly genetic disease help our ancestors survive the bubonic plagues of Europe? Was diabetes evolution's response to the last Ice Age? Will a visit to the tanning salon help bring down your cholesterol? Why do we age? Why are some people immune to HIV? Can your genes be turned on—or off? 
Survival of the Sickest reveals the answers to these and many other questions as it unravels the amazing connections between evolution, disease, and human health today. 
Joining the ranks of modern myth busters, Dr. Sharon Moalem turns our current understanding of illness on its head and challenges us to fundamentally change the way we think about our bodies, our health, and our relationship to just about every other living thing on earth, from plants and animals to insects and bacteria. 
Survival of the Sickest is filled with fascinating insights and cutting-edge research, presented in a way that is both accessible and utterly absorbing. This is a book about the interconnectedness of all life on earth—and, especially, what that means for us. 
Read it. You're already living it. 
Read by Eric Conger

Show book

Redefining Aging - A Caregiver's...

Ann Kaiser Stearns

The bestselling author of Living Through Personal Crisis delivers “a comprehensive guide to the challenges of elder care for family members” (Jesse F. Ballenger, coeditor of Treating Dementia). Caring for an elderly family member can be overwhelming. But fulfilling life experiences are still possible for both caregivers and their loved ones, despite the stress and fatigue of caregiving. In this comprehensive book, bestselling author Ann Kaiser Stearns explores the practical and personal challenges of both caregiving and successful aging. She couples findings from the latest research with powerful insights and problem-solving tips to help caregivers achieve the best life possible for those they care for—and for themselves as they age. Topics include: Improving the quality of life for the one giving and the one receiving careDistinguishing normal aging from early warning signsUnderstanding caregiver sadness, resentment, guilt, and griefUsing strategies and skills to minimize an impaired elder’s distress and emotional outbursts and the caregiver’s own anxieties about growing oldFinding resources to aid in the care of the loved one and protect the caregiver from stress overloadMoving forward after the death of a loved one to have a meaningful life of one’s ownOvercoming ageist stereotypes and deciding what kind of “old person” one will beMaking life easier for those who someday will care for usRedefining Aging will help readers think differently about caregiving and their own aging.“Ann Kaiser Stearns offers a wide-ranging and thoughtful discussion of lessons learned about the joys and challenges of caregiving for a chronically ill loved one.” —Peter V. Rabins, MD, MPH, coauthor of The 36-Hour Day

Show book