An Intuitive Approach to Special and General Relativity

Abstract

The k-calculus was advanced by Hermann Bondi as a means of explaining special relativity using only simple algebra (Bondi H.: Relativity and Common Sense, London, Heinemann, 1964). As used by Bondi, k is Doppler shift. This paper extends the k-calculus to include gravitational red shift and to develop techniques for an introductory treatment of general relativity in which the emphasis is on mathematical deduction from physical measurement procedure. Using ideas of geometric optics, geodesic motion is understood from the refraction of the wave function due curvature. The k-calculus gives a very simple derivation of Schwarzschild, showing that the geometry is equivalent to the existence of a fundamental minimum time, proportional to rest mass, between the interactions of elementary particles. The Newtonian approximation is seen from direct application of red shift to the wave function. Finally differential geometry is introduced, showing that the k-calculus gives an equivalent treatment of general relativity up to and including the general form of Einstein's field equation.