<p>Professor Bondi discusses some of the myths that have grown up around various scientific theories and ideas, particularly special relativity and Mach's principle. His critical - and often light-hearted - approach to what are usually regarded as complicated ideas leaves the reader with the feeling that perhaps much of his subject is common sense after all. Professor Bondi's aim is to provoke thought, rather than to provide all the answers. He first discusses the limits of theory-making, the significance of depth and universality and the devising of effective tests for scientific theories. The relation of Einstein's theory to classical Newtonian mechanics is then considered, the author showing that relativity can be regarded simple as an extension of Newton's ideas on dynamics to the whole of physics. After deriving the equations of special relativity by the so-called k-calculus, he disposes rapidly of the 'clock paradox' and moves on to discuss general relativity, the significance of the result of Newman and Penrose concerning gravitational waves, the sources of gravitation and inertia, Mach's principles and the Hoyle-Narlikar relativity theory.</p>

Assumption and Myth in Physical Theory

Science & Math

Bondi, H.

Physics

Cambridge University Press

Professor Herman Bondi, one of the proponents of the Steady State Theory, presented this volume as an account that would establish cosmology as a distinct branch of physics. First published in 1952, just a few years after the term 'the Big Bang' was coined, it represents an important stage in the development of cosmology. With detailed discussions of different theories including Newtonian cosmology, relativistic cosmology and kinematic relativity, it gives a remarkable insight into scientific thought at this crucial time. It will be most useful to anyone with an interest in the history of science or the progression of scientific ideas.

Cosmology (Cambridge Monographs on Physics)

Astronomy & Space Science

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Books by Bondi, H.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bondi, H.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Assumption and Myth in Physical Theory

Assumption and Myth in Physical Theory

Cosmology (Cambridge Monographs on Physics)