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RELATIVITY
The Special and General Theory
Albert Einstein
Translated by Robert W. Lawson
Introduction by Roger Penrose
Commentary by Robert Geroch
with a Historical Essay by David C. Cassidy
The Masterpiece Science Edition
Pi Press
New York


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PI PRESS
An imprint of Pearson Education, Inc.
1185 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036
Commentary and Historical Essay � 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Introduction � by Roger Penrose 2004, 2005
Original version of Roger Penrose�s Introduction first published by The
Folio Society Ltd in 2004. Reprinted by arrangement with The Folio
Society Ltd.
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First Printing: April 2005
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CONTENTS
Introduction by Roger Penrose
ix
Note on the Text
xxvii
Relativity: The Special and General Theory 1
Preface
3
PART I
THE SPECIAL THEORY OF RELATIVITY
1. Physical Meaning of Geometrical Propositions 5
2. The System of Co-ordinates
9
3. Space and Time in Classical Mechanics 13
4. The Galileian System of Co-ordinates 16
5. The Principle of Relativity
(In the Restricted Sense)
18
6. The Theorem of the Addition of Velocities
Employed in Classical Mechanics 23
7. The Apparent Incompatibility of the
Law of Propagation of Light with the
Principle of Relativity
25
8. On the Idea of Time in Physics 29
9. The Relativity of Simultaneity 34
10. On the Relativity of the Conception
of Distance
38


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11. The Lorentz Transformation
40
12. The Behaviour of Measuring-Rods
and Clocks in Motion
47
13. Theorem of the Addition of Velocities.
The Experiment of Fizeau
51
14. The Heuristic Value of the Theory of
Relativity
56
15. General Results of the Theory 58
16. Experience and the Special Theory
of Relativity
65
17. Minkowski�s Four-Dimensional Space 72
PA RT II
THE GENERAL THEORY OF RELATIVITY
18. Special and General Principle of Relativity 77
19. The Gravitational Field
82
20. The Equality of Inertial and Gravitational
Mass as an Argument for the General
Postulate of Relativity
86
21. In What Respects Are the Foundations of
Classical Mechanics and of the Special
Theory of Relativity Unsatisfactory? 92
22. A Few Inferences from the General
Principle of Relativity
95
23. Behaviour of Clocks and Measuring-Rods
on a Rotating Body of Reference 101
24. Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Continuum 106
25. Gaussian Co-ordinates
111


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Contents
vii
26. The Space-Time Continuum of the Special
Theory of Relativity Considered as a
Euclidean Continuum
116
27. The Space-Time Continuum of the General
Theory of Relativity Is Not a Euclidean
Continuum
119
28. Exact Formulation of the General
Principle of Relativity
123
29. The Solution of the Problem of Gravitation
on the Basis of the General Principle of
Relativity
127
PART III
CONSIDERATIONS ON THE
UNIVERSE AS A WHOLE
30. Cosmological Difficulties of Newton�s
Theory
133
31. The Possibility of a �Finite� and Yet �Unbounded�
Universe
136
32. The Structure of Space According to the
General Theory of Relativity 143
APPENDIXES
1. Simple Derivation of the Lorentz
Transformation
147
2. Minkowski�s Four-Dimensional Space
(�World�)
155
3. The Experimental Confirmation of the
General Theory of Relativity 158


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