Heinz Blatter - Böcker

Special relativity is at the foundation of any physical theory. Though, its consequences leave us with unexpected results in kinematics, dynamics and, to a lesser extent, in electrodynamics. We introduce the theory of relativity including geometry and chronology, from the view of a local observer who encounters aberration and Doppler shift. The description of motion in Minkowski spacetime requires a careful distinction between different operational concepts of measuring time and space intervals, leading e.g. to the distinction of different velocities for the same process. The consequences in Newtonian dynamics, such as the obsolete relativistic mass, or in Maxwellian electrodynamics, the emergence of magnetic fields, are discussed in the light of experimental evidence. The final chapter discusses predictions for relativistic space flight. The material in "Radical Relativity" is a careful exposition of all the concepts and phrases that change with different paradigms. It is an unusual approach to spacetime that opens up new insights and deeper understanding.

Dynamics of Ice Sheets and Glaciers presents an introduction to the dynamics and thermodynamics of flowing ice masses on Earth. Based on an outline of general continuum mechanics, the different initial-boundary-value problems for the flow of ice sheets, ice shelves, ice caps and glaciers are systematically derived. Special emphasis is put on developing hierarchies of approximations for the different systems, and suitable numerical solution techniques are discussed. A separate chapter is devoted to glacial isostasy. The book is appropriate for graduate courses in glaciology, cryospheric sciences, environmental sciences, geophysics and related fields. Standard undergraduate knowledge of mathematics (calculus, linear algebra) and physics (classical mechanics, thermodynamics) provide a sufficient background for successfully studying the text.