Einstein's Theory: A Rigorous Introduction for the Mathematically Untrained

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This book provides an introduction to the theory of relativity and the mathematics used in its processes. Three elements of the book make it stand apart from previously published books on the theory of relativity.

First, the book starts at a lower mathematical level than standard books with tensor calculus of sufficient maturity to make it possible to give detailed calculations of relativistic predictions of practical experiments. Self-contained introductions are given, for example vector calculus, differential calculus and integrations. Second, in-between calculations have been included, making it possible for the non-technical reader to follow step-by-step calculations. Thirdly, the conceptual development is gradual and rigorous in order to provide the inexperienced reader with a philosophically satisfying understanding of the theory.

Einstein's Theory: A Rigorous Introduction for the Mathematically Untrained aims to provide the reader with a sound conceptual understanding of both the special and general theories of relativity, and gain an insight into how the mathematics of the theory can be utilized to calculate relativistic effects.

Author(s): Øyvind Grøn, Arne Næss (auth.)
Edition: 1
Publisher: Springer-Verlag New York
Year: 2011

Language: English
Pages: 341
Tags: Classical and Quantum Gravitation, Relativity Theory;Philosophy of Science;Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology;Theoretical, Mathematical and Computational Physics

Front Matter....Pages i-xvii
Vectors....Pages 1-20
Differential calculus....Pages 21-42
Tangent vectors....Pages 43-59
Approaching general relativity: introducing curvilinear coordinate systems....Pages 61-75
The metric tensor....Pages 77-128
The Christoffel symbols....Pages 129-143
Covariant differentiation....Pages 145-158
Geodesics....Pages 159-167
Curvature....Pages 169-186
Conservation laws of classical mechanics....Pages 187-209
Einstein’s field equations....Pages 211-224
Einstein’s theory of spacetime and gravitation....Pages 225-255
Some applications of the general theory of relativity....Pages 257-287
Relativistic universe models....Pages 289-312
Back Matter....Pages 313-341