Relativity, Thermodynamics, and Cosmology
This landmark study by a distinguished physicist develops three important themes: a coherent and inclusive account of Einstein’s theory of relativity; the extension of thermodynamics to special and general relativity; and the applications of relativistic mechanics and relativistic thermodynamics in the construction and interpretation of cosmological models. The first three chapters cover the special theory of relativity, in particular the kinematical, mechanical, and electrodynamic consequences of the two postulates of special relativity. Chapter IV develops the close relationships between special relativity and electromagnetic theory, while Chapter V explores less familiar consequences of the theory, including the effect of relativity in providing a natural starting-point for the energy content of thermodynamic systems. Chapter VI considers the general theory of relativity together with some of its more elementary applications. Included are the principle of covariance, the principle of equivalence, and the hypothesis of Mach, along with other topics. Chapter VII, on relativistic mechanics, is divided into two parts — general mechanical principles and solutions of the field equations. Chapter VIII discusses relativistic electrodynamics, presenting further extensions to general relativity both for the Lorentz electron theory and for the Minkowski macroscopic theory. Chapter IX deals with relativistic thermodynamics and considers the extension of thermodynamics from special to general relativity, together with its applications. Finally, in Chapter X, the author takes up the application of relativistic mechanics and relativistic thermodynamics to cosmological models.
Among the important features of this study, which set it apart from older texts on relativity, are the extensions of thermodynamics to general relativity, the material on non-static models of the universe, and the treatment of gravitational interaction of light rays and particles. Throughout, stress is on the physical nature of assumptions and conclusions and the physical significance of their interconnection, rather than mathematical generality or rigor. Several helpful appendices complete the book, including formulae for vector and tensor analysis, useful constants, and symbols for quantities. |
Contents
INTRODUCTION
|
1 |
12
|
27 |
THE DYNAMICS OF A CONTINUOUS MECHANICAL MEDIUM
|
30 |
Restatement of Results in Terms of the Absolute Stresses Pi
|
36 |
SPECIAL RELATIVITY AND MECHANICS
|
42 |
The Relations between Mass Energy and Momentum
|
48 |
SPECIAL RELATIVITY AND ELECTRODYNAMICS
|
60 |
ELECTRON THEORY
|
84 |
APPLICATIONS OF RELATIVISTIC THERMODYNAMICS
|
304 |
Chemical Equilibrium in a Gravitating Sphere of Fluid
|
311 |
On the Increased Possibility in Relativistic Thermodynamics
|
319 |
On the Possibility for Irreversible Processes without Reaching
|
326 |
The Geometry of the Einstein Universe
|
337 |
Absence of Matter and Radiation from the de Sitter Universe
|
349 |
THE APPLICATION OF RELATIVISTIC MECHANICS TO NON
|
361 |
Change in Doppler Effect with Distance
|
393 |
MACROSCOPIC THEORY
|
101 |
The Constitutive Equations for Moving Matter in Ordinary
|
108 |
THE THERMODYNAMICS OF STATIONARY SYSTEMS
|
118 |
THE THERMODYNAMICS OF MOVING SYSTEMS
|
152 |
d Heat
|
159 |
THE GENERAL THEORY OF RELATIVITY
|
165 |
ELEMENTARY APPLICATIONS OF GENERAL RELATIVITY
|
192 |
RELATIVISTIC MECHANICS
|
214 |
SOLUTIONS OF THE FIELD EQUATIONS
|
236 |
RELATIVISTIC ELECTRODYNAMICS
|
258 |
SOME APPLICATIONS OF RELATIVISTIC ELECTRODYNAMICS
|
264 |
The EnergyMomentum Tensor for Disordered Radiation
|
271 |
The Gravitational Action of a Pulse of Light
|
279 |
Discussion of the Gravitational Interaction of Light Rays
|
285 |
RELATIVISTIC THERMODYNAMICS
|
291 |
c Monotonic Universes of Type
|
399 |
On the Instability of the Einstein Static Universe
|
405 |
Ever Expanding Models Which do not Start from a Static
|
412 |
165
|
416 |
THE APPLICATION OF RELATIVISTIC THERMODYNAMICS
|
420 |
c Method of Obtaining Covariant Expressions
|
423 |
74 The Principle of Equivalence
|
435 |
CORRELATION OF PHENOMENA IN THE ACTUAL UNIVERSE
|
445 |
The Relation between Coordinate Position and Luminosity
|
462 |
The Relation between Coordinate Position and Counts
|
468 |
The Relation between Redshift and Rate of Disappearance
|
475 |
Some General Remarks Concerning Cosmological Models
|
482 |
SYMBOLS FOR QUANTITIES
|
489 |
SOME FORMULAE OF VECTOR ANALYSIS
|
491 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
acceleration accordance actual universe apply behaviour Christoffel symbols classical thermodynamics clock components consider coordinate system corresponding cosmological constant cosmological models covariant density distance Doppler effect ds ds ds² dt² electromagnetic element of fluid energy energy-momentum tensor entropy equal to zero equilibrium evident expansion expression field equations finite rate four-dimensional Furthermore Galilean given gravitational field Hence homogeneous homogeneous models integration interval irreversible line element Lorentz macroscopic mass matter measured metrical tensor momentum motion nebulae Newtonian non-static observer at rest obtain origin particle possible pressure principle of equivalence proper coordinates quantities r²sin²0 radiation radius red-shift regarded relation relativistic mechanics relativistic thermodynamics rest with respect result second law Sitter space space-time spatial special relativity special relativity form special theory substituting system of coordinates t₁ temperature theory of relativity tion transformation equations values velocity of light write μν дх