Relativistic Point Dynamics

Contents

Preface

Preliminary Remarks on the Importance of Epistemological, Historical and Bibliographical Studies

Physics and Philosophy

The Point of View Adopted; Advice to the Reader on how best to use the Book

Notation

Part one the Dynamics of Particles with Constant Proper Mass

I. Fundamental Equations

II. Transformation of the Main Quantities; Four-vectors

III. Relativistic Decomposition of Force

IV. Fields of Force Derivable from Scalar Potentials

V. Fields of Force Derivable from a Scalar Potential and a Vector Potential

VI. Variational Methods: Equations of Motion

VII. Variational Methods: Equations for Fields

VIII. Transfer of the Equations Obtained by Variational Methods into the Minkowski Continuum

IX. Analysis of the Concepts of Force and Mass

X. The Interaction Between Two Electric Charges. The Relativistic Reconstruction of Electromagnetism

Part two the Dynamics of Particles of Variable Proper Mass

XL Reconsideration of the Equivalence of Mass and Energy; Various Aspects

XII. Fundamental Postulates and General Theorems

XIII. The Action that Modifies the Proper Mass does not Affect the Velocity

XIV. Relativistic Rockets

Part Three Collision Theory

XV. Elastic Collisions Between Two Corpuscles

XVI. The Compton Effect

XVII. Inelastic Collisions (Nuclear Reactions)

Appendix I Supplementary Material

Appendix II Quantum Definition of Mass and Force

Appendix III Complementary References to § [172]

Appendix IV Complementary References to § [220]

Appendix V Errata to Relativistic Kinematics

Appendix VI Complementary references to §§ [40], [186] and [187]

Author Index