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)

9781009242448, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 6 April 2023

223 pages
24.2 x 17 x 1.3 cm, 0.38 kg

'The book fills the gap between more qualitative introductions to GR and books which leave out the needed details … Daw obviously knows the material, and spends some extra time on topics which often prove difficult for many students. The book is well written and clearly structured … Especially for those who like to learn their maths as needed as they go, this is one of the few books which fit that need.' Phillip Helbig, The Observatory

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]