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1 - How the theory of relativity came into being (a brief historical sketch)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 May 2024

Jerzy Plebanski  and
Andrzej Krasinski
Jerzy Plebanski
Affiliation:
National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico
Andrzej Krasinski
Affiliation:
Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center, Polish Academy of Sciences
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Summary

The logical and observational problems of Newton’s theory of gravitation that led Einstein to think about general relativity are briefly presented. In particular, this was the anomalous orbital motion of Mercury and the failed attempts to explain it within Newton’s theory. The local equivalence of inertial and gravitational forces is demonstrated.

Keywords

Newton’s gravitationMercury orbital anomaly
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Chapter
Information
An Introduction to General Relativity and Cosmology , pp. 1 - 6
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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