Minkowski Space: The Spacetime of Special Relativity (De Gruyter Studies in Mathematical Physics Book 40)

In Minkowski-Space the space-time of special relativity is discussed on the basis of fundamental results of space-time theory. This idea has the consequence that the Minkowski-space can be characterized by 5 axioms, which determine its geometrical and kinematical structure completely. In this sense Minkowski-Space is a prolegomenon for the formulation of other branches of special relativity, like mechanics, electrodynamics, thermodynamics etc. But these applications are not subjects of this book. **Contents** Basic properties of special relativity Further properties of Lorentz matrices Further properties of Lorentz transformations Decomposition of Lorentz matrices and Lorentz transformations Further structures on M^s^ Tangent vectors in M^s^ Orientation Kinematics on M^s^ Some basic notions of relativistic theories

In Minkowski-Space the space-time of special relativity is discussed on the basis of fundamental results of space-time theory. This idea has the consequence that the Minkowski-space can be characterized by 5 axioms, which determine its geometrical and kinematical structure completely. In this sense Minkowski-Space is a prolegomenon for the formulation of other branches of special relativity, like mechanics, electrodynamics, thermodynamics etc. But these applications are not subjects of this book.

Contents

Basic properties of special relativity
Further properties of Lorentz matrices
Further properties of Lorentz transformations
Decomposition of Lorentz matrices and Lorentz transformations
Further structures on Ms
Tangent vectors in Ms
Orientation
Kinematics on Ms
Some basic notions of relativistic theories

In Minkowski-Space the space-time of special relativity is discussed on the basis of fundamental results of space-time theory. This idea has the consequence that the Minkowski-space can be characterized by 5 axioms, which determine its geometrical and kinematical structure completely. In this sense Minkowski-Space is a prolegomenon for the formulation of other branches of special relativity, like mechanics, electrodynamics, thermodynamics etc. But these applications are not subjects of this book. Contents Basic properties of special relativity Further properties of Lorentz matrices Further properties of Lorentz transformations Decomposition of Lorentz matrices and Lorentz transformations Further structures on M s Tangent vectors in M s Orientation Kinematics on M s Some basic notions of relativistic theories Intro -- Contents -- Introduction -- 2. Further properties of Lorentz matrices -- 3. Further properties of Lorentz transformations -- 4. Decomposition of Lorentz matrices and Lorentz transformations -- 5. Further structures on M5 -- 6 Tangent vectors in M5 -- 7. Orientation -- 8. Kinematics on M5 -- 9. Some basic notions of relativistic theories -- Epilogue -- Bibliography -- Index Contents Introduction 2. Further properties of Lorentz matrices 3. Further properties of Lorentz transformations 4. Decomposition of Lorentz matrices and Lorentz transformations 5. Further structures on M 5 6 Tangent vectors in M 5 7. Orientation 8. Kinematics on M 5 9. Some basic notions of relativistic theories Epilogue Bibliography Index Minkowski Space discusses the space-time, so the mathematical foundations of the theory of special relativity. Further, it delivers all algebraic and geometric tools required by physicists to understand the principles of special relativity and its space-time.