Special Relativity and Classical Field Theory

The third volume in Leonard Susskind’s one-of-a-kind physics series cracks open Einstein’s special relativity and field theory

In the first two books in his wildly popular The Theoretical Minimum series, world-class physicist Leonard Susskind provided a brilliant first course in classical and quantum mechanics, offering readers not an oversimplified introduction, but the real thing – everything you need to start doing physics, and nothing more. Now, thankfully, Susskind and his former student Art Friedman are back, this time to introduce readers to special relativity and classical field theory. At last, waves, forces and particles will be demystified.

Using their typical brand of relatively simple maths, enlightening sketches and the same fictional counterparts, Art and Lenny, Special Relativity and Classical Field Theory takes us on an enlightening journey through a world now governed by the laws of special relativity. Starting in their new watering hole, Hermann’s Hideaway, with a lesson on relativity, Art and Lenny walk us through the complexities of Einstein’s famous theory.

Combining rigor with humour, Susskind and Friedman guarantee that Special Relativity and Classical Field Theory will become part of the reader’s physics toolbox.

Table of Contents

Lecture 1: The Lorentz Transformation

Lecture 2: Velocities and 4-Vectors

Lecture 3: Relativistic Laws of Motion

Lecture 4: Classical Field Theory

Lecture 5: Particles and Fields

Interlude: Crazy Units

Lecture 6: The Lorentz Force Law

Lecture 7: Fundamental Principles and Gauge Invariance

Lecture 8: Maxwell’s Equations

Lecture 9: Physical Consequences of Maxwell’s Equations

Lecture 10: Maxwell From Lagrange

Lecture 11: Fields and Classical Mechanics

Appendix A: Magnetic Monopoles: Lenny Fools Art

Appendix B: Review of 9-Vector Operators

Review

“Susskind’s approach is to subject the novice to a historical mathematical boot camp to make the path seem natural, and ultimately easier… At once witty and insightful.”―Nature

“Susskind is meticulous in explaining each step of applying the equations to the physical phenomena he describes, and he excels in explaining why the math works the way it does…. If you’re intrepid enough… you’ll emerge with a much deeper appreciation for the true meaning of Einstein’s relativity, Maxwell’s equations and many other aspects of fundamental physics.”―Science News

“Susskind and Friedman follow their collaboration on Quantum Mechanics by probing the mathematical nitty-gritty of field theory and Einstein’s theory of special relativity in the third installment of the Theoretical Minimum series…. Enthusiastic discussion is seasoned with wry humor…. Well paced…. Clear and concise.”―Publishers Weekly

“Relativity and field theory are absolutely central to modern physics. Here they are explained masterfully, with insight and wit. This is physics the way it’s really done, in all its glory, nothing swept under the rug.”―Sean Carroll, author of The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself

“A true masterpiece that will stand the test of time. I only wish this book was around when I was learning classical physics. Special Relativity and Classical Field Theory was joyful to read, filled with insights and secrets that will prepare you for research.”―Stephon Alexander, cosmologist at Brown University and author of The Jazz of Physics

About the Author

Leonard Susskind is the Felix Bloch Professor in Theoretical Physics at Stanford University. He is the author of Quantum Mechanics (with Art Friedman) and The Theoretical Minimum (with George Hrabovsky), among other books. He lives in Palo Alto, California.

Art Friedman is a data consultant and the author of Quantum Mechanics (with Leonard Susskind). A lifelong student of physics, he lives in Murphys, California.