Kinematics: The Lost Origins of Einstein’s Relativity

Author:   Alberto A. Martínez (University of Texas at Austin)
Publisher:   Johns Hopkins University Press
ISBN:  

9780801891359


Pages:   488
Publication Date:   07 September 2009
Recommended Age:   From 17
Format:   Hardback
Availability:   Out of stock   Availability explained
The supplier is temporarily out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you on backorder and shipped when it becomes available.

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Kinematics: The Lost Origins of Einstein’s Relativity


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Overview

The field of kinematics-the science of motion-has long been neglected and misrepresented. Despite rich traditions rooted in ancient times, modern physical kinematics never became a professional discipline. No journals or academic societies were founded to support its development and study and most physicists took the science of motion for granted. Yet some came to doubt its very principles, even denouncing its basic language-coordinate algebra-as an impediment to scientific progress. In this unique and comprehensive history of kinematics, Alberto A. Martinez rescues the forgotten roots of this field that led to Einstein's theory of special relativity. Using clear explanations and accessible language, he analyzes the development of kinematics; explains how mathematics, engineering, philosophy, and psychology pulled it in divergent directions; and discusses why modern kinematics inherited old and unresolved ambiguities. All students of physics and general science study basic kinematics. Martinez draws from an unparalleled wealth of sources to demonstrate why it is essential to the study and evolution of physics today.

Full Product Details

Author:   Alberto A. Martínez (University of Texas at Austin)
Publisher:   Johns Hopkins University Press
Imprint:   Johns Hopkins University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 3.60cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.794kg
ISBN:  

9780801891359


ISBN 10:   0801891353
Pages:   488
Publication Date:   07 September 2009
Recommended Age:   From 17
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Out of stock   Availability explained
The supplier is temporarily out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you on backorder and shipped when it becomes available.

Table of Contents

Reviews

Fascinating... Recommended. Choice The author uses clear and easy-to-understand language to describe how kinematics is essential to the modern study of physics. Scitech Book News 2010 A great deal of interesting historical material on kinematic ideas... the story of Einstein's pathway to discovery is a gem... an illuminating pleasure to read. Einstein, the smasher of earlier images of physics, would have been the first to applaud this very human account of himself and this period of his life. Perhaps this text will turn out to be inspirational reading for some future young Einstein! -- Peter J. Bussey Contemporary Physics 2011 The book is really two books in one... Martinez deserves our gratitude for digging up a rich selection of recollections. Physics in Perspective 2011 This often-overlooked branch of mechanics, which describes objects' motion, provided the foundation for special relativity. Science News Martinez draws from an unparalleled wealth of sources. -- Hans-Jurgen Schmidt Zentralblatt Math 2011


Anyone interested in the development of our current concepts of space, time, and motion will learn an enormous amount from this book. It combines broad scope and meticulous attention to detail, all recounted in a lively fashion. Reading it is not only instructive - it is a pleasure. - John Stachel, Boston University Martinez's careful reconstruction of Einstein's path to relativity is an absolute tour de force! - Scott Walter, Poincare Archives The chapters on Einstein form a compelling narrative as the author mines a rich vein of letters and later reminiscences, which make the book very accessible, and of interest to many readers. - Daniel Kennefick, Einstein Papers Project


Fascinating. Choice The author uses clear and easy-to-understand language to describe how kinematics is essential to the modern study of physics. Scitech Book News A great deal of interesting historical material on kinematic ideas... the story of Einstein's pathway to discovery is a gem... an illuminating pleasure to read. Einstein, the smasher of earlier images of physics, would have been the first to applaud this very human account of himself and this period of his life. Perhaps this text will turn out to be inspirational reading for some future young Einstein! -- Peter J. Bussey Contemporary Physics The book is really two books in one... Martinez deserves our gratitude for digging up a rich selection of recollections. Physics in Perspective This often-overlooked branch of mechanics, which describes objects' motion, provided the foundation for special relativity, a historian argues. Science News Martinez draws from an unparalleled wealth of sources. -- Hans-Jurgen Schmidt Zentralblatt Math The author has indeed succeeded in offering the reader a wealth of material, presented in an accessible way. -- Giora Hon Metascience


Author Information

Author Website:   http://www.utexas.edu/cola/depts/history/faculty/profiles/Martinez/Al/

Alberto A. Martinez is an assistant professor in the Department of History at the University of Texas, Austin, and author of Negative Math: How Mathematical Rules Can Be Positively Bent.

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Author Website:   http://www.utexas.edu/cola/depts/history/faculty/profiles/Martinez/Al/

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