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This thesis introduces a new theoretical tool to explore the notion of time and temporal order in quantum mechanics: the relativistic quantum'clock'framework. It proposes novel thought experiments showing that proper time can display quantum features, e.g. when a “clock” runs different proper times in superposition. The resulting new physical effects can be tested in near-future laboratory experiments (with atoms, molecules and photons as'clocks'). The notion of time holds the key to the regime where quantum theory and general relativity overlap, which has not been directly tested yet and remains largely unexplored by the theory. The framework also applies to scenarios in which causal relations between events become non-classical and which were previously considered impossible to address without refuting quantum theory. The relativistic quantum'clock'framework offers new insights into the foundations of quantum theory and general relativity.

Chapter 1 - Time Dilation Chapter 2 - Gravitational Time Dilation Chapter 3 - Special Relativity and General Relativity Chapter 4 - Twin Paradox Chapter 5 - Proper Time

The main parts of this book consist of three long articles that have previously been published by the Galilean Electrodynamics journal during three succeeding years as special summer issues. The subject is a new theory of ether that has been developed. This version of ether is compatible with special relativity theory (SRT), and thus it cannot be considered as an absolute frame of reference. One of the virtues of this book is that many of the novel predictions can be tested in high-tech laboratories; moreover, the book includes some new and extraordinary physical concepts that make the proposed claims rational and plausible. The words on the front page, “From the effect of pressure on time dilation to the unified mass-charge equation,” are not intended as a gossipy slogan, the likes of which sometimes appear in pseudoscientific media or science-fiction books; it is a true motto with a deep and physical basis. It is up to the reader, however, to judge whether or not the book really does what it sets out to do. Unfortunately, most of the recent theories in physics, with no clear deployment against the main tenets of relativity or quantum mechanics, are inflated in a way to be comprehensively explanatory, whereas there are few or no experimental evidences that support these theories as good descriptions of nature. In the author's view, such theories baffle the minds of unsophisticated readers by deceptively pretending that a high level of knowledge is needed for the theories to be correctly understood and by confining seekers of knowledge to cages of complicated math forms. Such theories also deteriorate traditional science methodology over the course of time. Nonetheless, density theory (DT) tries to abide by the methodology of the renowned physics giants by founding profound postulates. The first chapter introduces a substantial number of Einstein's general relativity predictions, which are recalculated according to density theory (DT) to validate the theory for the reader. The second chapter uses interesting concepts, some of which present empirically bizarre results and are undisclosed as of yet; e.g., it is shown that static pressure can dilate time and increase mass; the light beam is affected in specific magnetic and electrical fields, and thus we can deduce that photons are not always electrically neutral; ether negative mass causes universal expansion, and; water can behave as a biological ether especially for deep sea creatures, as its hydrostatic pressure can affect biological longevity. In chapter three, the author tries to unify mass and electrical charge – one of the oldest and most disputatious physical problems – in the single equation of “mass + rotation = charge” for the very first time in the history of science. Additionally, an alternative to the dynamo theory is brought forth. After explaining each novel concept, the author uses some numerical examples with no complicated mathematical methods beyond common calculus. These concepts and examples make the book read as an argumentative dissident textbook that is suitable for bachelor students in science and engineering who want to nourish their desires to research beyond the realm of orthodoxy in frontier physics.

This book uses the knowledge of physics to interpret the events and facts in the Universe from a completely different perspective as philosophically. In a way, this is a philosophy for physic with a different Universe model proposal. It proposes some answers for the mechanism of motion in the perspective of Speed, momentum, relativistic mass, mass existence, inertia, time dilation, length contraction by using Waveform Time due to expansion of the Universe. In this view, you can see the mechanism of time dilation and length contraction in the quantum level under constant speed and acceleration. The book also suggests some explanations for The Time, The Dimension, the 4th and 5th dimensions, The Anti Matter, The Spin, The Bonds, The Chaotic Systems. And the Book gives some answers in the same viewpoint for the impossibility of traveling in Time and reaching Light Speed for the Mass.

This Hugo Award finalist, “justifiably regarded as a classic” (SFReviews.net), is the tale of an epic space voyage where time dilation goes horribly wrong. Aboard the spacecraft Leonora Christine, fifty crewmembers, half men and half women, have embarked on a journey of discovery like no other to a planet thirty light-years away. Since their ship is not capable of traveling faster than light, the crew will be subject to the effects of time dilation and relativity. They will age five years on board the ship before reaching their destination, but thirty-three years will pass on Earth. Experienced scientists and researchers, they have come to terms with the time conditions of their space travel. Until... the Leonora Christine passes through an uncharted nebula, which damages the engine, making it impossible to decelerate the ship on the second half of their trip. To survive, the crewmembers have no choice but to bypass their destination and continue to accelerate toward the speed of light. But how will they keep hope alive and maintain order as they hurtle deeper into space with time passing more and more rapidly, and their ultimate fate unknown? With its combination of mind-blowing hard science and compelling human drama, Tau Zero is “the ultimate hard science novel” (Mike Resnick).

Special Relativity: A Heuristic Approach provides a qualitative exposition of relativity theory on the basis of the constancy of the speed of light. Using Einstein's signal velocity as the defining idea for the notion of simultaneity and the fact that the speed of light is independent of the motion of its source, chapters delve into a qualitative exposition of the relativity of time and length, discuss the time dilation formula using the standard light clock, explore the Minkowski four-dimensional space-time distance based on how the time dilation formula is derived, and define the components of the two-dimensional space-time velocity, amongst other topics. - Provides a heuristic derivation of the Minkowski distance formula - Uses relativistic photography to see Lorentz transformation and vector algebra manipulation in action - Includes worked examples to elucidate and complement the topic being discussed - Written in a very accessible style

Time, space and entanglement are the main characters in this book. Their nature is still a great mystery in physics and we study here the possibility that these three phenomena are closely connected, showing how entanglement can be at the basis of the emergence of time and space within closed quantum systems. We revisit and extend the Page and Wootters theory that was originally introduced in order to describe the emergence of time through entanglement between subsystems in a globally static, quantum Universe. In the book, after providing a complete review of the salient aspects of the theory, we establish a connection with recent research on the foundations of statistical mechanics and we provide a new understanding of the thermalization process. Furthermore, we generalize the framework in order describe the spatial degree of freedom and we provide a model of 3+1 dimensional, quantum spacetime emerging from entanglement among different subsystems in a globally'timeless'and'positionless'Universe. Finally, via the Page and Wootters theory, the evolution of quantum clocks within a gravitational field is treated and a time dilation effect is obtained in agreement with the Schwarzschild solution.

This book reviews and contrasts contemporary and historical perceptions of time from scientific and intuitive human points of view. Ancient and modern clocks, Augustinian ideas, the deterministic Newtonian universe, biological clocks, deep time, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and relativity all contribute to the perspective. The focus is on what can be inferred from established technologies and science as opposed to futuristic speculation. Chapter 1 describes clocks, including the cesium atomic clocks establishing the current global time standard, a history of clock development, biological clocks, phylogenetic trees, radioactive dating, and astronomical methods to determine the age of the universe. Chapter 2 poses ancient questions about time not fully addressed by an understanding of the technical nature of clocks. An early summary of some of these questions as described by Augustine in the 3rd century CE is followed by a description of how Newton, 1300 years later, introduced a conception of time which provided some answers, such as the nature of an infinitesimally short present. Implications concerning the reality of events in the past, present, and future are also discussed. The Newtonian picture is contrasted with the intuitive human one and the possibilities of time travel and temporal recurrence are briefly discussed. Chapter 3 introduces the second law of thermodynamics and addresses how it is compatible with a time-reversible Newtonian description of a universe, even though it appears to define an'arrow of time.'The nature of entropy and its relation to coarse graining and emergence play a central role in the discussion. Chapter 4 discusses ways in which quantum mechanics has altered the Newtonian perspective, accounting for various interpretations of the meaning of quantum mechanics with regard to time. Chapter 5 describes basic elements of special relativity and their implications for the nature of time. Examples of time dilation and the changing order of space, such as separated events in different frames, are described. The examples are chosen to avoid evocation of currently unattainable technologies. An afterword in chapter 6 reviews questions raised by Augustine and summarizes how the development of science since then has addressed them. This book was originally developed for an interdisciplinary seminar for beginning undergraduates at the University of Minnesota. It uses a small amount of algebra, mainly in supplementary appendices, and does not assume any prior knowledge of physics, chemistry, biology, or astronomy. In contrast to many semipopular books on time, it avoids speculation either about engineering (techno-optimism) or physical theory (strings, loop quantum gravity, black hole entropy). Instead, it takes a more grounded approach and describes what is currently known (and not known) to help both students and the general reader make better sense of time.

In our world today, scientists and technologists speak one language of reality. Everyone else, whether they be prime ministers, lawyers, or primary school teachers speak an outdated Newtonian language of reality.While Newton saw time and space as rigid and absolute, Einstein showed that time is relative – it depends on height and velocity – and that space can stretch and distort. The modern Einsteinian perspective represents a significant paradigm shift compared with the Newtonian paradigm that underpins most of the school education today. Research has shown that young learners quickly access and accept Einsteinian concepts and the modern language of reality. Students enjoy learning about curved space, photons, gravitational waves, and time dilation; often, they ask for more! A consistent education within the Einsteinian paradigm requires rethinking of science education across the entire school curriculum, and this is now attracting attention around the world. This book brings together a coherent set of chapters written by leading experts in the field of Einsteinian physics education. The book begins by exploring the fundamental concepts of space, time, light, and gravity and how teachers can introduce these topics at an early age. A radical change in the curriculum requires new learning instruments and innovative instructional approaches. Throughout the book, the authors emphasise and discuss evidence-based approaches to Einsteinian concepts, including computer- based tools, geometrical methods, models and analogies, and simplified mathematical treatments.Teaching Einsteinian Physics in Schools is designed as a resource for teacher education students, primary and secondary science teachers, and for anyone interested in a scientifically accurate description of physical reality at a level appropriate for school education.

This primer proposes a journey from Newton's dynamics to Einstein's relativity. It constitutes a pedagogical, rigorous, and self-contained introduction to the concepts and mathematical formulation of gravitational physics.In particular, much attention is devoted to exploring and applying the basic tools of differential geometry, that is the language of general relativity. Real-world manifestations of relativity, such as time dilation, gravitational waves, and black holes, are also discussed in detail.This book is designed for third-year bachelor or first-year master students in theoretical physics, who are already familiar with Newton's physics, possibly had an introductory course on special relativity, and who are seeking to learn general relativity on a firm basis.

An astronaut returns to Earth after a ten-year mission and finds a society that he barely recognizes.Stanislaw Lem's Return from the Stars recounts the experiences of Hal Bregg, an astronaut who returns from an exploratory mission that lasted ten years—although because of time dilation, 127 years have passed on Earth. Bregg finds a society that he hardly recognizes, in which danger has been eradicated. Children are “betrizated” to remove all aggression and violence—a process that also removes all impulse to take risks and explore. The people of Earth view Bregg and his crew as “resuscitated Neanderthals,” and pressure them to undergo betrization. Bregg has serious difficulty in navigating the new social mores.While Lem's depiction of a risk-free society is bleak, he does not portray Bregg and his fellow astronauts as heroes. Indeed, faced with no opposition to his aggression, Bregg behaves abominably. He is faced with a choice: leave Earth again and hope to return to a different society in several hundred years, or stay on Earth and learn to be content. With Return from the Stars, Lem shows the shifting boundaries between utopia and dystopia.

A concise, non-technical exploration of quantum entanglement—the enigma Albert Einstein called ‘spooky action at a distance'—and how it contradicts our assumptions about the ultimate nature of reality.Quantum physics is notable for its brazen defiance of common sense. (Think of Schrödinger's Cat, famously both dead and alive.) An especially rigorous form of quantum contradiction occurs in experiments with entangled particles. Our common assumption is that objects have properties whether or not anyone is observing them, and the measurement of one can't affect the other. Quantum entanglement—called by Einstein “spooky action at a distance”—rejects this assumption, offering impeccable reasoning and irrefutable evidence of the opposite. Is quantum entanglement mystical, or just mystifying? In this volume in the MIT Press Essential Knowledge series, Jed Brody equips readers to decide for themselves. He explains how our commonsense assumptions impose constraints—from which entangled particles break free.Brody explores such concepts as local realism, Bell's inequality, polarization, time dilation, and special relativity. He introduces readers to imaginary physicists Alice and Bob and their photon analyses; points out that it's easier to reject falsehood than establish the truth; and reports that some physicists explain entanglement by arguing that we live in a cross-section of a higher-dimensional reality. He examines a variety of viewpoints held by physicists, including quantum decoherence, Niels Bohr's Copenhagen interpretation, genuine fortuitousness, and QBism. This relatively recent interpretation, an abbreviation of “quantum Bayesianism,” holds that there's no such thing as an absolutely accurate, objective probability “out there,” that quantum mechanical probabilities are subjective judgments, and there's no “action at a distance,” spooky or otherwise.

“Relativizing Newton” is a first step towards a simple and beautiful theory of everything. The theory, termed “Information Relativity” (IR) takes a novel approach to physics that overlooks all post-Newtonian physics. It stands on the shoulders of Newtonian dynamics, but modifies it by accounting for the time-travel of information from one reference-frame to another, a fact which somehow was ignored by Galileo Galilee and Isaac Newton, and which remained ill-treated by all post-Newtonian theories, including Einstein's relativity and quantum theories. Except for the aforementioned correction of classical physics, IR has no axiomatic presumptions, nor arbitrary free parameters. Astonishingly, accounting for the aforementioned delays in information results in a set of simple and beautiful transformations, which explain and predict a great deal of physical phenomena. Most importantly, IR's transformations reveal the mysteries of dark matter, dark energy, and gravity. They also provide a unifying platform for the physics of the too-big (astrophysics and cosmology), and the too-small (small particles dynamics and quantum mechanics). The phenomena explained and predicted successfully by IR include the “time-dilation” of decaying muons, the neutrino velocities measured by OPERA and other collaborations, particle diffraction in the double-slit experiment, Sagnac Effects, the quantization of orbits in Bohr's hydrogen atom, entanglement, quantum criticality, confinement, asymptotic freedom, solar light bending, gravitational redshift, the Pioneer anomaly, dark matter in galaxies, and the Schwarzschild's black hole.

This primer brilliantly exposes concepts related to special and general relativity for the absolute beginner. It can be used either as an introduction to the subject at a high school level or as a useful compass for undergraduates who want to move the first steps towards Einstein's theories.The book is enhanced throughout with many useful exercises and beautiful illustrations to aid understanding.The topics covered include: Lorentz transformations, length contraction and time dilation, the twin paradox (and other paradoxes), Minkowski spacetime, the Einstein equivalence principle, curvature of space and spacetime, geodesics, parallel transport, Einstein's equations of general relativity, black holes, wormholes, cosmology, gravitational waves, time machines, and much more.

777 Mathematical Conversation Starters shows that there are few degrees of separation between mathematics and topics that provoke interesting conversations. The topics presented in this unique book are accessible to mathematicians and non-mathematicians alike. They include thought-provoking conversation starters such as: the value of fame; why language matters; the anatomy of thought; how we know what we know; how the Pythagorean theorem (with very little physics) shows that Einstein was correct about time dilation and distance contraction; and how mathematics produces intuition-defying examples. The format is unique, too: topics (conversation starters) are numbered, extensively cross-referenced, and divided into small digestible units. Published for the first time in 777 Mathematical Conversation Starters are original quotes from Joshua Lederberg, Ron Graham, Jay Leno, Martin Gardner, and many others.

This book links the philosophical perception of time and Einstein's theory of special relativity to economic processes, showing that the phenomena of time dilation and length contraction seen in physics can be identified within – and adapted to – an economic framework. The author expands on Marx's model of reproduction with the additional variable of time, which is represented as a relative or functional category. In addition to allowing a more precise understanding of both static and dynamic relations between economic systems, this concept examines approaches to time proposed by Smith, Marshall and Keynes, and challenges the equilibrium and disequilibrium economic models. Rohatinski suggests that by understanding the differences in economic activity perceived across different time periods we are better able to influence that activity at micro- and macroeconomic levels.

The Hugo and Nebula Award winner that William Gibson called the “best science-fiction war novel ever written” and its sequel—plus a powerful story that links the two. This collection brings together Joe Haldeman's widely acclaimed military science fiction classic, The Forever War; a novelette featuring hero William Mandella's life partner, Marygay Potter; and the epic concluding novel to the saga. The Forever War: Conscripted into service for the United Nations Exploratory Force, Pvt. William Mandella fights for Earth light years away against an alien enemy. After surviving a harrowing two years of combat, Private Mandella and his fellow soldiers return home only to discover decades have passed due to the time dilation caused by space travel. Society has evolved into a civilization beyond the veterans'comprehension, offering them no place to go but back into the military and a never-ending cycle of interstellar conflict that occurs over months while Earth ages centuries. “A Separate War”: Marygay Potter, reassigned and separated from her lover, William Mandella, continues fighting in military engagements across the stars—all the while planning how she and Mandella can reunite despite the time and space between them. Forever Free: Human beings have become a single hive-mind. Unwilling to sacrifice his individuality, William Mandella has joined other war veterans in exile on the half-frozen world known as Middle Finger, hoping to live in peace with Marygay and their children. But Humanity needs the genes of veterans to continue their evolution, forcing Mandella and his family to escape on an odyssey that will alter their lives forever.

Early science fiction imagined a world with space travel, video calls, and worldwide access to information, things we now know as NASA's human spaceflight program, Skype, and the Internet. What next? Could we really bring back the dinosaurs, travel to a distant star, or live on Mars?In The Science of Science Fiction, readers ages 12 to 15 explore the science behind classic and modern science fiction stories, including artificial intelligence, androids, and the search for alien life. They learn how cutting edge concepts, including time dilation and genetic manipulation, influence today's fiction.The Science of Science Fiction promotes critical thinking skills through inquiry, discovery, research, analysis, and reflection of key scientific ideas and concepts made popular by many titles in science fiction. Each chapter features informative sidebars and video and website links for an in-depth look at key topics. Science-minded experiments include a simple demonstration of artificial gravity using a bucket of water and calculating the speed of light using chocolate in a microwave. This variety of resources ensures the material is accessible to students with diverse learning styles.

A manifesto for a mathematical revolution Forget everything you've been taught about math. In Burn Math Class, Jason Wilkes takes the traditional approach to how we learn math -- with its unwelcoming textbooks, unexplained rules, and authoritarian assertions-and sets it on fire. Focusing on how mathematics is created rather than on mathematical facts, Wilkes teaches the subject in a way that requires no memorization and no prior knowledge beyond addition and multiplication. From these simple foundations, Burn Math Class shows how mathematics can be (re)invented from scratch without preexisting textbooks and courses. We can discover math on our own through experimentation and failure, without appealing to any outside authority. When math is created free from arcane notations and pretentious jargon that hide the simplicity of mathematical concepts, it can be understood organically -- and it becomes fun! Following this unconventional approach, Burn Math Class leads the reader from the basics of elementary arithmetic to various'advanced'topics, such as time-dilation in special relativity, Taylor series, and calculus in infinite-dimensional spaces. Along the way, Wilkes argues that orthodox mathematics education has been teaching the subject backward: calculus belongs before many of its so-called prerequisites, and those prerequisites cannot be fully understood without calculus. Like the smartest, craziest teacher you've ever had, Wilkes guides you on an adventure in mathematical creation that will radically change the way you think about math. Revealing the beauty and simplicity of this timeless subject, Burn Math Class turns everything that seems difficult about mathematics upside down and sideways until you understand just how easy math can be.

By the year 1900, most of physics seemed to be encompassed in the two great theories of Newtonian mechanics and Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism. Unfortunately, there were inconsistencies between the two theories that seemed irreconcilable. Although many physicists struggled with the problem, it took the genius of Einstein to see that the inconsistencies were concerned not merely with mechanics and electromagnetism, but with our most elementary ideas of space and time. In the special theory of relativity, Einstein resolved these difficulties and profoundly altered our conception of the physical universe.Readers looking for a concise, well-written explanation of one of the most important theories in modern physics need search no further than this lucid undergraduate-level text. Replete with examples that make it especially suitable for self-study, the book assumes only a knowledge of algebra. Topics include classical relativity and the relativity postulate, time dilation, the twin paradox, momentum and energy, particles of zero mass, electric and magnetic fields and forces, and more.

This concise textbook offers a clear and comprehensive introduction to special relativity, one of the core components of undergraduate physics courses. It follows on naturally from the previous volumes in this series, thus developing the relativistic expansion of classical mechanics and electrodynamics. The first part of the book introduces Lorentz transformations, time dilation, length contraction and Minkowski diagrams. More complex themes are covered in the second part of the book, which describes the four-dimensional covariant formulation for classical mechanics and electrodynamics, including discussion of Maxwell's equations, the Lorentz force and the covariant Lagrangian formulation. Ideally suited to undergraduate students with some grounding in classical mechanics and electrodynamics, the book is enhanced throughout with learning features such as boxed inserts and chapter summaries, with key mathematical derivations highlighted to aid understanding. The text is supported by numerous worked examples and end of chapter problem sets. About the Theoretical Physics series Translated from the renowned and highly successful German editions, the eight volumes of this series cover the complete core curriculum of theoretical physics at undergraduate level. Each volume is self-contained and provides all the material necessary for the individual course topic. Numerous problems with detailed solutions support a deeper understanding. Wolfgang Nolting is famous for his refined didactical style and has been referred to as the'German Feynman'in reviews.

The book presents the following counterintuitive theoretical results breaking several paradigms of quantum mechanics and providing alternative interpretations of some important phenomena in atomic and molecular physics. 1) Singular solutions of the Schrödinger and Dirac equations should not have been always rejected: they can explain the experimental high-energy tail of the linear momentum distribution in the ground state of hydrogenic atoms. Application: a unique way to test intimate details of the nuclear structure by performing atomic (rather than nuclear) experiments and calculations. 2) Charge exchange is not really an inherently quantal phenomenon, but rather has classical roots. Application: continuum lowering in plasmas. 3) The most challenging problem of classical physics that led to the development of quantum mechanics — the failure to explain the stability of atoms — can be solved within a classical formalism that has its roots in Dirac's works. The underlying physics can be interpreted as a non-Einsteinian time dilation. 4) In two-electron atoms/ions, the spin-spin interaction (singular in its nature), usually considered unimportant, makes a significant contribution to the binding energy. 5) In magnetized plasmas the standard Inglis-Teller concept, concerning the number of observed lines in spectral series of hydrogen, breaks down. Application: new plasma diagnostic. 6) Extrema in transition energies of molecules/quasimiolecules can result in dips (rather than usually considered satellites) within spectral lines. Application: the experimental determination of rates of charge exchange between multicharged ions — important for magnetic fusion in Tokamaks, for population inversion in the soft x-ray and VUV ranges, for ion storage devices, and for astrophysics.

This advanced undergraduate text introduces Einstein's general theory of relativity. The topics covered include geometric formulation of special relativity, the principle of equivalence, Einstein's field equation and its spherical-symmetric solution, as well as cosmology. An emphasis is placed on physical examples and simple applications without the full tensor apparatus. It begins by examining the physics of the equivalence principle and looks at how it inspired Einstein's idea of curved spacetime as the gravitational field. At a more mathematically accessible level, it provides a metric description of a warped space, allowing the reader to study many interesting phenomena such as gravitational time dilation, GPS operation, light deflection, precession of Mercury's perihelion, and black holes. Numerous modern topics in cosmology are discussed from primordial inflation and cosmic microwave background to the dark energy that propels an accelerating universe. Building on Cheng's previous book,'Relativity, Gravitation and Cosmology: A Basic Introduction', this text has been tailored to the advanced student. It concentrates on the core elements of the subject making it suitable for a one-semester course at the undergraduate level. It can also serve as an accessible introduction of general relativity and cosmology for those readers who want to study the subject on their own. The proper tensor formulation of Einstein's field equation is presented in an appendix chapter for those wishing to glimpse further at the mathematical details.

As new discoveries complicate the scientific picture of the universe, the evolving theories about the nature of space and time and the origins and fate of the universe threaten to become overwhelming. Enter David Seargent. Continuing the author's series of books popularizing strange astronomy facts and knowledge, Weird Universe explains the bizarre, complicated terrain of modern cosmology for lay readers.From exploring some of the strange consequences of the theories of special and general relativity, to probing time dilation and the twin and mother-and-baby “paradoxes” and the theory that the universe can be mathematically considered as a hologram, all of the latest findings and conjectures are clearly described in non-technical language. The development of quantum physics and the more recent developments of string and M-theory are looked at, in addition to several hypotheses that have not won wide acceptance from the scientific community, such as modified gravity. Enter the wonderfully weird world of these theories and gain a new appreciation for the latest findings in cosmological research.

It is commonly assumed that if the Sun suddenly turned into a black hole, it would suck Earth and the rest of the planets into oblivion. Yet, as prominent author and astrophysicist Jeffrey Bennett points out, black holes don't suck. With that simple idea in mind, Bennett begins an entertaining introduction to Einstein's theories of relativity, describing the amazing phenomena readers would actually experience if they took a trip to a black hole.The theory of relativity reveals the speed of light as the cosmic speed limit, the mind-bending ideas of time dilation and curvature of spacetime, and what may be the most famous equation in history: E = mc2. Indeed, the theory of relativity shapes much of our modern understanding of the universe. It is not'just a theory'—every major prediction of relativity has been tested to exquisite precision, and its practical applications include the Global Positioning System (GPS). Amply illustrated and written in clear, accessible prose, Bennett's book proves anyone can grasp the basics of Einstein's ideas. His intuitive, nonmathematical approach gives a wide audience its first real taste of how relativity works and why it is so important to science and the way we view ourselves as human beings.

The theory of relativity has been hailed as one of the two most important scientific discoveries in the 20th century. This book presents a comprehensive introduction and analysis of the special theory of relativity and its logical and experimental foundations. It explains in detail the basic principles of the relativity theory, introduces all the important experiments and examines the logic in the reasoning of relativistic results and conclusions. The two fundamental postulates, the principle of relativity and the constancy of the speed of light, are extensively discussed in relation to historical and modern experimental findings. The interpretations of all important experimental results in the history of special relativity and the derivations of key theoretical results in special relativity are scrutinized for their logical consistency, uniqueness to special relativity, and simplicity in explanation compared with competing theories. The ten chapters of this book cover 1) the two postulates, their experimental evidence and logical foundation; 2) the Michelson-Morley experiment and all other important experiments on the speed of light and the medium of light including stellar aberration, the Fizeau experiment, Trouton experiment, Trouton-Noble experiment, Sagnac experiment, Kennedy-Thorndike experiment, Ives-Stilwell experiment, and many modern experiments; 3) the derivation of the Lorentz transformation; 4) the variables in the Lorentz transformation and the principle of relativity; 5) time dilation, its experimental evidence and the twin paradox; 6) length contraction and length paradoxes; 7) motion mass and its derivation, relativistic momentum and experimental evidence; 8) mass-energy relation, its derivation and experimental evidence; 9) time and simultaneity; 10) test theories and experimental verification of special relativity. This book is suitable for both academics and students in science and philosophy and other readers who are interested in physics and its associated philosophical issues; space-time theories; the logical foundation of scientific discoveries; the history of science; the methodology of science, especially researchers and students in physics and the philosophy of science.

Chapter 1 - Gravitational Lens Chapter 2 - Dynamical Friction and Einstein Ring Chapter 3 - Frame-Dragging Chapter 4 - Gravitational Induction and Gravitational Lensing Formalism Chapter 5 - Gravitational Microlensing Chapter 6 - Gravitational Time Dilation Chapter 7 - Gravitational Wave Chapter 8 - Gravity Assist Chapter 9 - Lunar Theory Chapter 10 - Shapiro Delay and Tidal Force Chapter 11 - Speed of Gravity Chapter 12 - Gravitational Redshift Chapter 13 - Gravitomagnetism

Chapter 1 - Time in Physics Chapter 2 - Spacetime Chapter 3 - Time Dilation Chapter 4 - Maxwell's Equations Chapter 5 - General Relativity

Chapter 1 - Time Travel Chapter 2 - Faster-Than-Light Chapter 3 - Tachyon Chapter 4 - Wormhole Chapter 5 - Alcubierre Drive Chapter 6 - Time Dilation Chapter 7 - Philosophy of Space and Time Chapter 8 - Grandfather Paradox

This Brief presents a new way of introducing relativity theory, in which perplexing relativistic effects such as time dilation and Lorentz contraction are explained prior to the discussion of Lorentz-transformation. The notion of relativistic mass is shown to contradict the spirit of relativity theory and the true significance of the mass-energy relation is contrasted with the popular view of it. The author discusses the twin paradox from the point of view of both siblings. Last but not least, the fundamentals of general relativity are described, including the recent Gravity Probe B experiment.

The book is intended to serve as lecture material for courses on relativity at undergraduate level. Although there has been much written on special relativity the present book will emphasize the real applications of relativity. In addition, it will be physically designed with the use of box summaries so as to allow easy access of practical results. The book will be composed of eight chapters. Chapter 1 will give an introduction to special relativity that is the world without gravity. Implications will be presented with emphasis on time dilation and the Doppler shift as practical considerations. In Chapter 2, the four-vector representation of events will be introduced. The bulk of this chapter will deal with flat space dynamics. This will require the generalization of Newton's first and second laws. Some important astronomical applications will be discussed in Chapter 3 and in Chapter 4 some engineering applications of special relativity such as atomic clocks will be presented. Chapter 5 will be dedicated to the thorny question of gravity. The physical motivation of the theory must be examined and the geometrical interpretation presented. Chapter 6 will present astronomical applications of relativistic gravity. These include the usual solar system tests; light bending, time delay, gravitational red-shift, precession of Keplerian orbits. Chapter 7 will be dedicated to relativistic cosmology. Many of the standard cosmological concepts will be introduced, being mathematically simple but conceptually subtle. The concluding chapter will be largely dedicated to the global positioning system as an engineering problem that requires both inertial and gravitational relativity. The large interferometers designed as gravitational wave telescopes will be discussed here.

Aimed at both physics students and non-science majors, this unique book explains Einstein's special theory of relativity pictorially, using diagrams rather than equations. The diagrams guide the reader, step-by-step, from the basics of relativity to advanced topics including the addition of velocities, Lorentz contraction, time dilation, the twin paradox, Doppler shift, and Einstein's famous equation E=mc². The distinctive figures throughout the book enable the reader to visualize the theory in a way that cannot be fully conveyed through equations alone. The illustrative explanations in this book maintain the logic and rigour necessary for physics students, yet are simple enough to be understood by non-scientists. The book also contains entertaining problems which challenge the reader's understanding of the materials covered.

This latest offering in No Starch Press's highly acclaimed EduManga series, The Manga Guide to Relativity, uses Japanese comics, clear explanations, and a charming storyline to gently introduce you to relativity. The book follows the plight of student body president Minagi, who's been sentenced to advanced physics summer school by his creepy principal. Fortunately, Minagi has the gorgeous Miss Uraga to teach him everything. The Manga Guide to Relativity begins with an overview of classical Newtonian physics before delving into Einstein's greatest discoveries. You'll learn why relativity is fundamental to understanding modern physics, how the Pythagorean theorem can explain time dilation, how to understand inertial frames of reference, how motion can affect an object's mass and length, and even how gravity can bend light. The book also explores the difference between general and special relativity, the equivalence principle, and the relationship between energy and mass, among other related topics. This EduManga title is co-published with Ohmsha, Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan, and is one in a series of translations from Ohmsha's bestselling Japanese originals.

Physical Relativity explores the nature of the distinction at the heart of Einstein's 1905 formulation of his special theory of relativity: that between kinematics and dynamics. Einstein himself became increasingly uncomfortable with this distinction, and with the limitations of what he called the'principle theory'approach inspired by the logic of thermodynamics. A handful of physicists and philosophers have over the last century likewise expressed doubts about Einstein's treatment of the relativistic behaviour of rigid bodies and clocks in motion in the kinematical part of his great paper, and suggested that the dynamical understanding of length contraction and time dilation intimated by the immediate precursors of Einstein is more fundamental. Harvey Brown both examines and extends these arguments (which support a more'constructive'approach to relativistic effects in Einstein's terminology), after giving a careful analysis of key features of the pre-history of relativity theory. He argues furthermore that the geometrization of the theory by Minkowski in 1908 brought illumination, but not a causal explanation of relativistic effects. Finally, Brown tries to show that the dynamical interpretation of special relativity defended in the book is consistent with the role this theory must play as a limiting case of Einstein's 1915 theory of gravity: the general theory of relativity. Appearing in the centennial year of Einstein's celebrated paper on special relativity, Physical Relativity is an unusual, critical examination of the way Einstein formulated his theory. It also examines in detail certain specific historical and conceptual issues that have long given rise to debate in both special and general relativity theory, such as the conventionality of simultaneity, the principle of general covariance, and the consistency or otherwise of the special theory with quantum mechanics. Harvey Brown's new interpretation of relativity theory will interest anyone working on these central topics in modern physics.

Physical Relativity explores the nature of the distinction at the heart of Einstein's 1905 formulation of his special theory of relativity: that between kinematics and dynamics. Einstein himself became increasingly uncomfortable with this distinction, and with the limitations of what he called the'principle theory'approach inspired by the logic of thermodynamics. A handful of physicists and philosophers have over the last century likewise expressed doubts about Einstein's treatment of the relativistic behaviour of rigid bodies and clocks in motion in the kinematical part of his great paper, and suggested that the dynamical understanding of length contraction and time dilation intimated by the immediate precursors of Einstein is more fundamental. Harvey Brown both examines and extends these arguments (which support a more'constructive'approach to relativistic effects in Einstein's terminology), after giving a careful analysis of key features of the pre-history of relativity theory. He argues furthermore that the geometrization of the theory by Minkowski in 1908 brought illumination, but not a causal explanation of relativistic effects. Finally, Brown tries to show that the dynamical interpretation of special relativity defended in the book is consistent with the role this theory must play as a limiting case of Einstein's 1915 theory of gravity: the general theory of relativity. Appearing in the centennial year of Einstein's celebrated paper on special relativity, Physical Relativity is an unusual, critical examination of the way Einstein formulated his theory. It also examines in detail certain specific historical and conceptual issues that have long given rise to debate in both special and general relativity theory, such as the conventionality of simultaneity, the principle of general covariance, and the consistency or otherwise of the special theory with quantum mechanics. Harvey Brown's new interpretation of relativity theory will interest anyone working on these central topics in modern physics.

Special relativity is a cornerstone of the structure of all fundamental theories, and general relativity has blossomed from Einstein's original theory into a cutting-edge applied science. Applications of Einstein's field equations describe such phenomena as supermassive black holes at the center of galaxies, the spiraling paths of binary pulsars, gravitational lensing caused by massive compact halo objects (Macho's), and the possibility of detecting gravitational waves emitted in cataclysmic cosmic events.In Introduction to Relativity, physics teacher and researcher Bill McGlinn explains the fundamental concepts of Einstein's special and general theories of relativity. He describes the basic consequences of special relativity—length contraction and time dilation—and the enigma of the twin paradox, as well as the Doppler shift of light. Relativistic dynamics is contrasted to Newtonian dynamics, followed by a discussion of relativistic tensor fields, including those of the electromagnetic field and the energy-momentum density of fluids. After a study of Einstein's early attempt at incorporating the equivalence principle into physics, McGlinn presents the general theory of relativity, discussing the three classic tests of relativity: the deflection of light by a gravitational field; the precession of perihelia; and the gravitational redshift of light. He also discusses other important applications, such as the dynamics of orbiting gyroscopes, the properties of stellar interiors, and black holes. The book ends with a chapter on cosmology, which includes discussions of kinematics and dynamics of the famed Robertson-Walker metric, Hubble's constant, cosmological constant, and cosmic microwave background radiation.For anyone seeking a brief, clear overview of modern general relativity which emphasizes physics over mathematics, McGlinn's Introduction to Relativity is indispensable.

Introducing Special Relativity provides an easy and rewarding way into special relativity for first and second year university students studying physics. The author establishes the fundamentals of relativity at the outset of this book so readers fully understand the principles and know how to them before moving on to subjects, like time dilation, that often are a source of difficulty for students. The primary topics addressed include conserved relativistic energy and momentum, applications of the Lorentz transformation, and developments in 20th-century physics. This volume also reviews some of the early experiments in the development of special relativity.

This book explores the use of waves on strings and sound waves to illustrate the behaviour of waves. It shows how Albert Einstein overturned Newtonian physics and predicted startling new effects such as time dilation and length contraction for objects travelling at close to the speed of light.

Alongside its companion volume, The Legacy and Promise of Hans Loewald, this book addresses the current lack of familiarity with the ideas and life of the eminent psychoanalytic teacher and scholar, Hans Loewald (1906–1993). It provides an account of the evolution of his ideas across different disciplinary fields.Contributors to this volume take a broad look at Loewald's impact on the fields of sociology, anthropology, and feminism, language development, as well as delving into his work's significance for the sublimatory potential of religion, music, the arts. This volume shows how Loewald's thinking about internalization can adapt to our ever-changing social and cultural environment, even offering a Loewaldian lens to understand the contemporary use of psychedelics in mental health treatment. Ultimately, this book demonstrates that, after Loewald – as would have been his wish – for those who read him, psychoanalysis as an approach to mental health can never languish in stasis.Animating this powerful, yet contained and complex man, there are contributions from his family, students, and analysands, and an introduction to the new virtual Loewald Center, making this volume essential reading for any psychoanalyst or psychotherapist working today.

This captivating biography delves into J. Robert Oppenheimer's groundbreaking work, from his early scientific achievements to leading the Manhattan Project and his complex legacy as the mind behind the atom bomb.The brilliant theoretical physicist, J. Robert Oppenheimer is now known primarily for his work on the development of the atomic bomb from 1942-45 at Los Alamos in New Mexico. Though fascinated by the processes that created the bomb, he was horrified by its impact and the devastation wrought on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.Chris McNab looks at the body of prior work that led to Oppenheimer's recruitment to the Manhattan Project as well as the development of the bomb itself. It also reflects on how his political views subsequently put him in opposition to the US government and military factions and ultimately ended his career as a nuclear physicist, despite his talents.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Pioneers series brings together entertaining biographies of leading figures within scientific world and beyond, tracing their lives, legacy and the pioneering ideas that made them world-famous.

Since ancient times, people have been trying to make sense of celestial bodies and phenomena. Early civilizations attempted to track the motions of stars, planets, and other objects, mapping their place in the sky. This laid the groundwork for the study of astronomy today, but advancements in fields such as physics, chemistry, and mathematics have led to exciting new astronomical discoveries in recent decades. This volume examines some of the discoveries that have impacted the field of astronomy—both impactful new innovations and historical findings that have changed the trajectory of research in the field. It also offers readers a better understanding of some of the methods used for making these discoveries.

This book analyzes how new technologies transformed life and thought between two periods, 1880-1920 and 1980-2020, with a focus on temporal experiences of past, present, future and the spatial experiences of form, distance, and direction.The signature contrast is between experiences of time and space transformed by the telephone in the earlier period and the Internet in the later period along with other sharp contrasts: the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 and the attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11, World War I and the Gulf Wars, gravity bombs and smart bombs, the pandemics of 1918 and 2020, assembly lines and flexible production, Farmer's Almanacs and computer-based weather predictions, cash transactions and one-click ordering, decolonization and globalization, internationalism and planetarity. The book also makes three interpretive arguments: the Epistemological Argument covers how greater knowledge introduced uncertainties; the Ethical Argument tracks how new technologies prompted ethical judgments about their value; and the Re-hierarchizing Argument tracks the erosion of spatial hierarchies most notably in religion, society, and politics with the increasing progress of secularization, social mobility, and democratization.Time and Space in the Internet Age is a thought-provoking study for academics and general readers interested in the history of technology and science.

The multi-volume set of LNCS books with volume numbers 15059 up to 15147 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 18th European Conference on Computer Vision, ECCV 2024, held in Milan, Italy, during September 29–October 4, 2024. The 2387 papers presented in these proceedings were carefully reviewed and selected from a total of 8585 submissions. The papers deal with topics such as computer vision; machine learning; deep neural networks; reinforcement learning; object recognition; image classification; image processing; object detection; semantic segmentation; human pose estimation; 3d reconstruction; stereo vision; computational photography; neural networks; image coding; image reconstruction; object recognition; motion estimation.

'Loom of Shadows'is an urban fantasy where reality is a tapestry waiting to be rewoven. Naia, a young textile artist, discovers she possesses an extraordinary ability to manipulate the very fabric of existence. Set against the backdrop of a vibrant, multicultural metropolis, this story weaves together strands of diverse mythologies, creating a rich and textured world. As Naia unravels the mysteries of her newfound power, she becomes entangled in a sinister plot that threatens to tear apart the city's intricate social fabric. The story explores profound themes of identity and heritage, while celebrating the interconnectedness of all things. Lin's lyrical prose brings this magical realm to life, painting vivid imagery that immerses readers in a world where quantum theory and folklore intertwine. Through alternating perspectives, including those of mythological creatures living secretly among humans, the narrative offers a unique and captivating glimpse into a reality where the lines between magic and science blur.

In'Feathers of Fate,'seventeen-year-old Zara's world is turned upside down when she discovers her ability to alter destiny by plucking magical feathers from thin air. Set in a vibrant, multicultural city where ancient magic intertwines with modern life, this captivating urban fantasy follows Zara's journey as she grapples with the immense power and responsibility thrust upon her. As she navigates complex relationships, including a blossoming romance with the mysterious Kai, Zara must also confront a sinister organization determined to control the fate-altering feathers. The novel seamlessly blends elements of various cultural mythologies with contemporary young adult experiences, creating a rich tapestry of storytelling. Alternating between Zara's present-day struggles and her grandmother's folktales, the narrative explores profound themes of free will, cultural identity, and the far-reaching consequences of manipulating destiny. With its diverse cast of characters and innovative magic system,'Feathers of Fate'offers a fresh, thought-provoking take on the classic hero's journey, challenging readers to consider the impact of their choices on the world around them.

This book explores the long history of military encounters with UFOs, revealing hidden incidents of dogfights, nuclear interference, and mysterious confrontations with unidentified aerial phenomena.Military bodies across the world have encountered, experimented with and even had ‘combat'with UFOs, or as the U.S. military now define them Unidentifiable Aerial Phenomenon, or UAPs. These observations and engagements have occurred since ancient times, and on all continents.Different nations and cultures have had vastly different analyzes of the UFO/UAP phenomenon, from the Roman Empire to Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union and Communist China to the Western democracies. The UFO/UAP phenomenon has not diminished and has, in fact, grown in proportion in recent years, and has now assumed the mantle of legitimacy in government circles, the media, and among the general public. What is less well-known or even concealed are the encounters that the military have had with UFOs – some of which have even proved fatal to the terrestrials concerned.There were reported dogfights with UFOs and German aircraft in the First World War and in the Second World War reports of what became known as ‘Foo Fighters'became commonplace. However, it was after the war that UFO sightings increased exponentially, amongst which was a ‘dogfight'with a Mustang P-51 and a UFO in October 1948, and two years later, for two consecutive weekends in 1952, UFOs hovered over Washington, D.C. Attempts were made by the U.S. Air Force to intercept the strange craft but were outrun by the UFOs.UFOs/UAPs may have tampered with world nuclear forces – including shutting down strategic missiles of the United States and, conversely, activating Soviet ICBMs, almost setting off an unordered (by Soviet authorities) launching of atomic warheads against the United States. UFOs may also have ‘returned fire'against American military forces during the Vietnam War, sending projectiles back at patrol boats that had been fired by those military river craft at UFOs hours or days before. United States Air Force personnel, including a Lieutenant Colonel, also encountered UFOs on the ground and in the air at Rendlesham USAF/RAF base in the UK in 1980.UFOs have played ‘cat-and-mouse'games with the latest fighter-bombers of the United States Navy since 2004, and these events have been captured on videotape, and are verified to have occurred by the pilots themselves.As readers will discover from the mass of evidence presented in this book, it is no longer a question of whether UFOs exist or not, and that not only are such phenomenon an incontrovertible fact but that the United States has crafted plans on how to resist an alien invasion. But is there any need for us humans to be concerned about the alien presence in the skies that surround our planet? Yes, be very concerned.

Funny jokes, clever science experiments, and robot hijinks await readers in the New York Times bestselling Frank Einstein chapter book series from the mad scientist team of Jon Scieszka and Brian Biggs. All 6 books are together in this collection for maximum reading fun. Frank Einstein is a kid genius who loves figuring out how the world works by creating household contraptions that are part science, part imagination, and definitely unusual. Integrating real science facts with wacky humor, a silly cast of characters, and science fiction, this uniquely engaging series is an irresistible chemical reaction for middle grade readers. With easy-to-read language and graphic illustrations on almost every page, this chapter book series is a must for reluctant readers. The Frank Einstein series encourages middle grade readers to question the way things work and to discover how they, too, can experiment with science. In a starred review, Kirkus raves, “This buoyant, tongue-in-cheek celebration of the impulse to ‘keep asking questions and finding your own answers'fires on all cylinders,'while Publishers Weekly says that the series “proves that science can be as fun as it is important and useful.” This collectible set contains all books in the Frank Einstein series: Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor (Book 1), Frank Einstein and the Electro-Finger (Book 2), Frank Einstein and the BrainTurbo (Book 3), Frank Einstein and the EvoBlaster Belt (Book 4), Frank Einstein and the Bio-Action Gizmo (Book 5), and Frank Einstein and the Space-Time Zipper (Book 6).Perfect for ages 8-12 and fans of science fiction, this series combines real scientific facts with wacky humor and engaging storytelling, making these books ideal for STEM education!

These 2 volumes consist of some 100,000 headwords in both Spanish and English, including 3,000 abbreviations. Terms are drawn from the whole range of modern applied science and technical terminology. These volumes can be purchased either separately or together in print. Each volume is compiled by an international team of subject terminologists, native English and Spanish speakers. Special attention is given to differences between UK and US terminology, and to Spanish and Latin-American variants. Over 70 subject areas are covered. Estos 2 volúmenes constan de unos 100.000 lemas tanto en español como en inglés, incluidas 3.000 abreviaturas. Los términos se extraen de toda la gama de terminología técnica y científica aplicada moderna. Estos volúmenes se pueden comprar por separado o juntos en forma impresa. Cada volumen es compilado por un equipo internacional de terminólogos temáticos, hablantes nativos de inglés y español. Se presta especial atención a las diferencias entre la terminología del Reino Unido y Estados Unidos, y a las variantes española y latinoamericana. Se cubren más de 70 áreas temáticas.

The new millennium. The Year 2000. Beyond Mayan prophecies, a more immediate danger loomed: Two-digit year date fields had been used by software programmers for decades to conserve expensive computer storage space. As a consequence, legacy systems reading “00” on January 1, 2000 would most probably interpret the date as 1900. Infrastructures critical to civilization—including heat, electricity, water and sanitation—were at risk, all complete unknowns. There was fear of an accidental nuclear arms deployment. There was fear of monetary systems being jeopardized, infrastructure collapse, internet security failures, and interruption of government-provided social programs. Banks experienced massive cash withdrawals while law firms worked overtime to develop novel litigation plans. Insurance enterprises worried. Year 2000: The Inside Story of Y2K Panic shares the untold story of the actors operating on the global stage responsible for managing computer hardware and software for Year 2000 compliance, thus keeping national infrastructures, finance, and commerce functioning. It turned out that the world did not end January 1, 2000. In fact, most people rang in the new year with the perception that nothing happened at all. This positive outcome was not a stroke of luck, nor was it because people overestimated or exaggerated Y2K risk. It was only possible because people across industries, from legal clerks to programmers to President Bill Clinton himself, worked tirelessly to offset disaster. But the Millennium did not pass completely harmlessly: it turns out that the United States, for a brief period, lost all satellite reconnaissance at 7:00 PM EST, December 31, 1999 (midnight GMT 01/01/2000). As a leading consultant and speaker on the challenges of Y2K during the lead-up to the new millennium, author Nancy P. James was directly involved in preparation for Y2K on the local and global stage. Using first-person experience, primary source documents outlining Y2K issues, anxieties, and the actions, influences, opinions, and strategies of those involved, James reveals the untold story of the behind-the-scenes scramble that made Y2K – seemingly – come and go, and offers stark lessons on how the global community can unite to face problems that challenge our world at large. James tells the contemporaneous story of those national and international Y2K actors who at the time did not know the outcome of the Year 2000 computer problem.

This book brings to life one of the most fundamental entities in the universe: the electromagnetic waves that we perceive as light. With his gift for narrative, the author explains the nature of light and the long history of its influence on human ideas, technology and culture. From early efforts to understand vision and colours, through relativity and quantum theory, visual art and laser technology to the birth of stars and attempts to photograph their end, readers will come to appreciate the central role of light not only in human history, but also in the history of the cosmos. This grand tour ends in a flourish, with an epilogue written in the first person by the protagonist itself: a true Autobiography of Light. All chapters in the book are relatively self-contained, allowing readers to dip freely in and out. What makes this captivating story so original is the effort made to point out the affinity between the study of light and achievements in the realm of culture.