The Principle of Relativity
With Applications to Physical Science

This 1922 book proposes an alternative theory of relativity deducing that 'our experience requires and exhibits a basis in uniformity'.

A. N. Whitehead (Author)

9781107600522, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 16 June 2011

204 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.2 cm, 0.27 kg

Alfred North Whitehead (1861–1947) was a prominent English mathematician and philosopher who co-authored the highly influential Principia Mathematica with Bertrand Russell. Originally published in 1922, this book forms the follow-up volume to The Principles of Natural Knowledge (1919) and The Concept of Nature (1920). In it, Whitehead puts forward an alternative theory of relativity, one which goes against the heterogeneity of Einstein's later theories in deducing that 'our experience requires and exhibits a basis in uniformity'. The text is divided into three parts - 'General Principles', 'Physical Applications', and 'Elementary Theory of Tensors' - and exhibits a characteristically ambitious approach in mixing various academic disciplines. This is a fascinating book that will be of value to anyone with an interest in natural science, physics, and philosophy, together with the history of science.

Part I. General Principles: 1. Prefaratory explanations
2. The relatedness of nature
3. Equality
4. Some principles of physical science
Part II. Physical Applications: 5. The equations of motion
6. On the formula of dJ2
7. Permanent gravitational fields
8. Apparent mass and the spectral shift
9. Planetary motion
10. electromagnetic equations
11. Gravitation and light waves
12. Temperature effects on gravitational forces
13. The electrostatic potential and spectral shift
14. The lib effect
15. Permanent directions of vibration and the doubling effect
16. Steady electromagnetic fields
17. The Moon's motion
Part III. Elementary Theory of Tensors: 18. Fundamental notions
19. Elementary properties
20. The process of restriction
21. Tensors of the second order
22. The Galilean tensor
23. The differentiation of tensor components
24. Some important tensors.

Subject Areas: Atmospheric physics [PHVJ]