Special and General Theory of Relativity for physicists and philosophers

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The book provides a clear and accessible discussion of experimental proofs of relativity, addressing paradoxes and exploring the four-dimensional space-time continuum of special relativity, as well as the curved, expanding, and closed spaces of general relativity. It includes a general relativistic approach to the twin paradox and the paradoxes of BELL, EHRENFEST, and SAGNAC, with separate treatments for the Einstein and Lorentz interpretations. The Lorentz interpretation, developed by figures like LORENTZ, POINCARÉ, and BELL, illustrates how a three-dimensional space combined with one-dimensional time aligns with Einstein's principle of relativity, offering straightforward solutions to paradoxes. KIP S. THORNE, a Nobel laureate, refers to these interpretations as paradigms, emphasizing the value of understanding both. The interpretations differ physically; for instance, in NEWTON's theory, negative gravitational potential implies negative mass, which does not exist. Neither NEWTON's theory nor the Einstein interpretation adequately explains the negative energy of particles in a field. In contrast, the Lorentz interpretation provides a clear, experimentally verifiable answer. The mathematical derivations are intentionally simple, enabling readers to form their own comprehensive judgments on the paradoxes and interpretations presented.