A General Relativity Coursebook

A gentle introduction to general relativity, striking a balance between ease of use and precision, for all undergraduates in physics.

Ed Daw (Author)

9781009242431, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 6 April 2023

223 pages
25.1 x 17.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.54 kg

'I think this is an excellent introduction to General Relativity and its important applications to cosmology and gravitational wave astrophysics for the serious student who has not experienced the necessary mathematical formalism before and who is willing to follow the text and attempt the many examples. It is an ideal lead in to many of the more sophisticated modern textbooks which are now available.' Prof. Sir James Hough, OBE FRS FRSE

General relativity is a subject that most undergraduates in physics are particularly curious about, but it has a reputation for being very difficult. This book provides as gentle an introduction to general relativity as possible, leading you through the necessary mathematics in order to arrive at important results. Of course, you cannot avoid the mathematics of general relativity altogether, but, using this book, you can gain an appreciation of tensors and differential geometry at a pace you can keep up with. Early chapters build up to a complete derivation of Einstein's Equations, while the final chapters cover the key applications on black holes, cosmology and gravitational waves. It is designed as a coursebook with just enough material to cover in a one-semester undergraduate class, but it is also accessible to any numerate readers who wish to appreciate the power and beauty of Einstein's creation for themselves.

Preface
1. The principle of equivalence
2. Tensors
3. Matter in space-time
4. Geodesics
5. Einstein's equations
6. Schwarzschild's solution
7. Cosmology
8. Gravitational waves
9. A guide to further reading
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Atmospheric physics [PHVJ]