N E W T O N
V E R S U S
R E L A T I V I T Y
Photo-Portrait
of
Newton
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J e a n - M i c h e l R o c a r d
Newton versus Relativity is an interesting addition to physics literature. Author Jean-Michel begins with one basic connection between the laws of relativistic and classical mechanics: unity in the behavior of gravitational electromagnetic and inertial forces and unity between Newton's laws and the conservation laws for an isolated system. He then proceeds to examine a few litigious questions: the rocket problem (within the systems with variable mass) and the inertial forces (real for some, fictitious for others). His conclusion? Even though Einstein was right, that does not mean Newton was wrong. Imaginative yet firmly based in science, Newton versus Relativity is an unusual work that will be of interest to many.
Jean-Michel Rocard received his doctorate from the Sorbonne, then did research as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, as a research fellow at the T.I. Research Laboratory. and as a senior research scientist at the Litton Industries Space Laboratory. Since 1965 he has taught physics at the Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France. He is the author of two French mechanics texbooks and numerous articles.