The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time

This 1973 book discusses Einstein's General Theory of Relativity and its predictions concerning black holes and singularities in space-time itself.

S. W. Hawking (Author), G. F. R. Ellis (Author)

9780521099066, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 27 February 1975

404 pages
22.7 x 15.1 x 2 cm, 0.54 kg

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Einstein's General Theory of Relativity leads to two remarkable predictions: first, that the ultimate destiny of many massive stars is to undergo gravitational collapse and to disappear from view, leaving behind a 'black hole' in space; and secondly, that there will exist singularities in space-time itself. These singularities are places where space-time begins or ends, and the presently known laws of physics break down. They will occur inside black holes, and in the past are what might be construed as the beginning of the universe. To show how these predictions arise, the authors discuss the General Theory of Relativity in the large. Starting with a precise formulation of the theory and an account of the necessary background of differential geometry, the significance of space-time curvature is discussed and the global properties of a number of exact solutions of Einstein's field equations are examined. The theory of the causal structure of a general space-time is developed, and is used to study black holes and to prove a number of theorems establishing the inevitability of singualarities under certain conditions. A discussion of the Cauchy problem for General Relativity is also included in this 1973 book.

Preface
1. The role of gravity
2. Differential geometry
3. General relativity
4. The physical significance of curvature
5. Exact solutions
6. Causal structure
7. The Cauchy problem in General Relativity
8. Space-time singularities
9. Gravitational collapse and black holes
10. The initial singularity in the universe
Appendixes
References
Notation
Index.

Subject Areas: Relativity physics [PHR]