Jerzy Plebanski, Andrzej Krasinski

An Introduction to General Relativity and Cosmology

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

General relativity is a cornerstone of modern physics, and is of major importance in its applications to cosmology. Plebanski and Krasinski are experts in the field and here they provide a thorough introduction to general relativity, guiding the reader through complete derivations of the most important results and covering topics not found in other textbooks. For advanced undergraduates and graduates in physics and astronomy, this textbook will enable students to develop expertise in the mathematical techniques necessary to study general relativity.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Cambridge University Press
• Seitenzahl: 558
• Erscheinungstermin: 14. August 2006
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 250mm x 175mm x 34mm
• Gewicht: 1250g
• ISBN-13: 9780521856232
• ISBN-10: 052185623X
• Artikelnr.: 20911241

Inhaltsangabe

1. How the theory of relativity came into being (a brief historical sketch); Part I. Elements of Differential Geometry: 2. A short sketch of two-dimensional differential geometries; 3. Tensors, tensor densities; 4. Covariant derivatives; 5. Parallel transport and geodesic lines; 6. Curvature of a manifold: flat manifolds; 7. Riemannian geometry; 8. Symmetries of Rieman spaces, invariance of tensors; 9. Methods to calculate the curvature quickly - Cartan forms and algebraic computer programs; 10. The spatially homogeneous Bianchi-type spacetimes; 11. The Petrov classification by the spinor method; Part II. The Gravitation Theory: 12. The Einstein equations and the sources of a gravitational field; 13. The Maxwell - and Einstein-Maxwell equations and the Kaluza-Klein theory; 14. Spherically symmetric gravitational field of isolated objects; 15. Relativistic hydrodynamics and thermodynamics; 16. Relativistic cosmology I: general geometry; 17. Relativistic cosmology II: the Robertson-Walker geometry; 18. Relativistic cosmology III: the Lematre-Tolman geometry; 19. Relativistic cosmology IV: generalisations of L-T and related geometries; 20. The Kerr solution; 21. Subjects omitted in this book; References.

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1. How the theory of relativity came into being (a brief historical sketch)
Part I. Elements of Differential Geometry: 2. A short sketch of two-dimensional differential geometries
3. Tensors, tensor densities
4. Covariant derivatives
5. Parallel transport and geodesic lines
6. Curvature of a manifold: flat manifolds
7. Riemannian geometry
8. Symmetries of Rieman spaces, invariance of tensors
9. Methods to calculate the curvature quickly - Cartan forms and algebraic computer programs
10. The spatially homogeneous Bianchi-type spacetimes
11. The Petrov classification by the spinor method
Part II. The Gravitation Theory: 12. The Einstein equations and the sources of a gravitational field
13. The Maxwell and Einstein-Maxwell equations and the Kaluza-Klein theory
14. Spherically symmetric gravitational field of isolated objects
15. Relativistic hydrodynamics and thermodynamics
16. Relativistic cosmology I: general geometry
17. Relativistic cosmology II: the Robertson-Walker geometry
18. Relativistic cosmology III: the Lemaître-Tolman geometry
19. Relativistic cosmology IV: generalisations of L-T and related geometries
20. The Kerr solution
21. Subjects omitted in this book
References.

Rezensionen

'In the time-honoured tradition of many books from CUP, An Introduction to General Relativity and Cosmology cannot really be described as an introduction at all. ... an excellent high-level textbook that includes a number of topics that are not readily to be found elsewhere. I recommend it very highly for students who have studied General Relativity already (perhaps having read a real 'introductory' book), and who would like to gain a deeper mathematical insight into the subject. ... For anyone looking for a thorough mathematical treatment of General Relativity, or for a supplement to existing books, this is highly recommended. It is not a standard text by any means, but I would be surprised if there was anyone who didn't find in it something new, interesting, and enlightening.' The Observatory