A Student's Guide to Special Relativity

Norman Gray is in the School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, where he has, over the last 20 years, taught courses covering both special and general relativity. Since his PhD in particle theory, he has had a varied research career, most recently concentrating on the interface between astronomy and computing. He is author of A Student's Guide to General Relativity (2019), which has been a successful addition to Cambridge University Press's growing series of Student's Guides.

• Preface. Table of Aims. 1. Introduction; 2. The axioms; 3. Length contraction and time dilation; 4. Spacetime and geometry; 5. The Lorentz transformation; 6. Vectors and kinematics; 7. Dynamics; A. An overview of general relativity; B. Relativity's contact with experimental fact; C. Maths revision; D. How to do calculations – a recipe. Bibliography. Index.

'… this is a well-written, thorough account of Special Relativity (SR) with an introduction to General Relativity (GR) … Gray has taught courses on relativity for a couple of decades, and it shows. I think that this book is a very good description of SR … It succeeds in its goal of being both comprehensive and accessible … I recommend the book to all interested in Special Relativity. Those new to it can learn it thoroughly from the ground up without being overloaded with maths. Those familiar with it might gain new insights and/or ideas for teaching the topic.' Philip Helbig, The Observatory