An Introduction to Relativity

by Jayant V. Narlikar

Overview

General relativity is now an essential part of undergraduate and graduate courses in physics, astrophysics and applied mathematics. This simple, user-friendly introduction to relativity is ideal for a first course in the subject. Beginning with a comprehensive but simple review of special relativity, the book creates a framework from which to launch the ideas of general relativity. After describing the basic theory, it moves 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521735612
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/28/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	372
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Jayant V. Narlikar is Emeritus Professor at the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune, India. He is author of An Introduction to Cosmology, now in its third edition (Cambridge University Press, 2002), and has been active in teaching and researching cosmology, theoretical astrophysics, gravitation and relativity for nearly five decades.

Table of 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

Editorial Reviews

"...this is an excellent book, which researchers in relativity will treasure for its historical perspective." - Classical and Quantum Gravity

From the Publisher