In comments to yesterday's post, Andrew G asked:
Speaking of writing, is there an errata list somewhere for "How to teach relativity to your dog"?
No, but there probably should be. I believe there's an error in one of Maxwell's equations (an incorrect sign, though you should've seen the first typeset version...), but given the length and complexity of the book, there are almost certainly other mistakes. So, if you've spotted an error, in physics, grammar, or anything else, leave a comment here, and I'll compile a list of things to fix if we ever get the chance.
- Log in to post comments
More like this
Last Friday, when I didn't have any time to blog, Zen Faulkes wrote an interesting wrap-up post on Science Online 2013 in which he declared he won't be back. Not because it was a bad time, but because other people would benefit from it more, and his not going frees up a spot for somebody else.
I…
Oddly enough, it turns out that writing a book with a rambunctious toddler in the house is a much slower process than writing a book pre-toddler. Imagine that.
Anyway, as I did during the writing stages of How to Teach Physics to Your Dog, I thought I would post occasional updates on the progress…
In which we review yet another good year of blogging, including the establishment of some ongoing series. And also a useful reality check.
------------
This great blog re-read project has been useful for a couple of reasons. First, it's reminded me that there have been long stretches of time when I…
Two How to Teach Relativity to Your Dog items:
First and foremost, I'll be appearing at Kepler's Books in Menlo Park, CA, this Thursday, June 14 at 7:00pm. I'll probably read a bit of the book, so if you've ever wanted to hear me do the silly dog voice live, here's your chance. Provided, of course…
I think there's a B where there should be an E in the fourth of Maxwell's equations, as well as an incorrect sign. (Not being a physicist by trade, I didn't spot the sign error, but the B vs. E mistake makes the equations not match the text description, provoking a "whut?" from my inner mathematician.)
The other error (sort of) that struck me is on p86:
The second sentence contradicts the third, and most of the preceding paragraph, all of which explain that Anson does indeed see a 3m leash and a 1.3m bridge. No-one sees a 3m leash fitting under a 1.3m bridge (Anson sees it not fitting, and the humans see the leash as 2m), but that's not what it says there.
Good Morning Professor, the last of the Maxwell's equation on page 34 of "How to teach relativity to your dog" is wrong: on the right hand side, E should appear instead of B, and with a positive sign.