Description
An Introduction to Relativity
General relativity is now an essential part of undergraduate and graduate courses in physics, astrophysics and appliedmathematics. This simple, userfriendly introduction to relativity is ideal for a first course in the subject.
The textbook begins with a comprehensive, but simple, reviewof special relativity, creating a framework from which to launch the ideas of general relativity.After describing the basic theory, itmoves on to describe important applications to astrophysics, black-hole physics, and cosmology.
Several worked examples, and numerous figures and images, help students appreciate the underlying concepts. There are also 180 exercises, which test and develop students’ understanding of the subject.
The textbook presents all the necessary information and discussion for an elementary approach to relativity. Password-protected solutions to the exercises are available to instructors at www.cambridge.org/ 9780521735612.
Contents
Preface vii
1 The special theory of relativity 1
2 From the special to the general theory of relativity 34
3 Vectors and tensors 41
4 Covariant differentiation 59
5 Curvature of spacetime 70
6 Spacetime symmetries 85
7 Physics in curved spacetime 100
8 Einstein’s equations 116
9 The Schwarzschild solution 126
10 Experimental tests of general relativity 143
11 Gravitational radiation 162
12 Relativistic astrophysics 176
13 Black holes 194
14 The expanding Universe 223
15 Friedmann models 245
16 The early Universe 275
17 Observational cosmology 306
18 Beyond relativity 334
References 353
Index 358