Introduction to General Relativity

Student-friendly, well illustrated textbook for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students in physics and mathematics.

Lewis Ryder (Author)

9781108798372, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 16 January 2020

457 pages
24.5 x 18.7 x 2.3 cm, 0.85 kg

'On the whole, the selection of the material and the general structure of the book is quite traditional. The two notable exceptions are the careful exposition of gravitomagnetism and the informative discussion of the gauge approach to gravity; both topics are not usually included in textbooks on general relativity … I enjoyed … reading this book [a lot]. Written with great care and accuracy in a lively and beautiful style … [it] will be undoubtedly appreciated by students, researchers and lecturers.' General Relativity and Gravitation

A student-friendly style, over 100 illustrations, and numerous exercises are brought together in this textbook for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students in physics and mathematics. Lewis Ryder develops the theory of general relativity in detail. Covering the core topics of black holes, gravitational radiation, and cosmology, he provides an overview of general relativity and its modern ramifications. The book contains chapters on gravitational radiation, cosmology, and connections between general relativity and the fundamental physics of the microworld. It explains the geometry of curved spaces and contains key solutions of Einstein's equations - the Schwarzschild and Kerr solutions. Mathematical calculations are worked out in detail, so students can develop an intuitive understanding of the subject, as well as learn how to perform calculations. The book also includes topics concerned with the relation between general relativity and other areas of fundamental physics. Selected solutions for instructors are available under Resources.

Preface
Notation
Important formulae and physical constants
1. Introduction
2. Special relativity, non-inertial effects and electromagnetism
3. Differential geometry I: vectors, forms and absolute differentiation
4. Differential geometry II: geodesics and curvature
5. Einstein field equations, the Schwarzschild solution and experimental test of general relativity
6. Gravitomagnetic effects: gyroscopes and clocks
7. Gravitational collapse and black holes
8. Action principles, conservation laws and the Cauchy problem
9. Gravitational radiation
10. Cosmology
11. Gravitation and field theory
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB], Relativity physics [PHR], Gravity [PHDV], Cosmology & the universe [PGK]