An Introduction to Relativistic Gravitation

A toolkit for exploring gravitational physics at work in the universe.

Remi Hakim (Author), Andrew King (Translated by)

9780521459303, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 20 May 1999

288 pages, 100 b/w illus.
23.5 x 15.7 x 1.5 cm, 0.611 kg

'This textbook offers a thorough application of relativity theory to astrophysics and modern cosmology … the reviewer found Hakim's descriptions both useful and clear and a well-ordered progression of the material has been presented … Hakim's text must rank amongst the best of them.' A. D. Andrews, Irish Astronomical Journal

This is an introductory textbook on applications of general relativity to astrophysics and cosmology. The aim is to provide graduate students with a toolkit for understanding astronomical phenomena that involve velocities close to that of light or intense gravitational fields. The approach taken is first to give the reader a thorough grounding in special relativity, with space-time the central concept, following which general relativity presents few conceptual difficulties. Examples of relativistic gravitation in action are drawn from the astrophysical domain. The book can be read on two levels: first as an introductory fast-track course, and then as a detailed course reinforced by problems which illuminate technical examples. The book has extensive links to the literature of relativistic astrophysics and cosmology.

1. Newtonian gravitation
2. Minkowski space-time
3. Relativistic forms of physical laws
4. Gravitation and special relativity
5. Electromagnetism and relativistic hydrodynamics
6. What is curved space?
7. The principle of equivalence
8. Einstein's relativistic gravitation
Appendices.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB]