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Theory of Special Relativity
We now examine the modication of the structure of classical mechanics brought about by the
special theory of relativity. We do not intend to present a comprehensive discussion of the special
theory of relativity; only its essential parts are outlined in the following section. Our main interest is
to see how to incorporate the special theory of relativity into the framework of classical mechanics.
13.1 HISTORICAL ORIGIN OF SPECIAL THEORY OF RELATIVITY
Before Einstein, the concept of space and time were those described by Galileo and Newton. In
any unaccelerated frame of reference, called the inertial reference ...