| Description |
1 online resource (xi, 338 pages) : illustrations |
| Physical Medium |
polychrome |
| Description |
text file |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (page vii) and index. |
| Contents |
Basics of geometry and relativity. Two dimensional geometry ; Inertial and gravitational masses ; Relativity -- Relativistic dynamics. Relativistic point particle ; Current and charge densities ; Maxwell's equations in the presence of sources ; Motion of a charged particle in EM field ; Energy-momentum tensor ; Angular momentum -- Principle of general covariance. Principle of equivalence ; Principle of general covariance ; Tensor densities -- Affine connection and covariant derivative. Parallel transport of a vector ; Christoffel symbol ; Covariant derivative of contravariant tensors ; Metric compatibility ; Covariant derivative of covariant and mixed tensors ; Electromagnetic analogy ; Gradient, divergence and curl -- Geodesic equation. Covariant differentiation along a curve ; Curvature from derivatives ; Parallel transport along a closed curve ; Geodesic equation ; Derivation of geodesic equation from a Lagranian -- Applications of the geodesic equation. Geodesic as representing gravitational effect ; Rotating coordinate system and the Coriolis force ; Gravitational red shift ; Twin paradox and general covariance ; Other equations in the presence of gravitation -- Curvature tensor and Einstein's equation. Curvilinear coordinates versus gravitational field ; Definition of an inertial coordinate frame ; Geodesic deviation ; Properties of the curvature tensor ; Einstein's equation ; Cosmological constant ; Initial value problem ; Einstein's equation from an action -- Schwarzschild solution. Line element ; Connection ; Solution of the Einstein equation ; Properties of the Schwarzschild solution ; Isotropic coordinates -- Tests of general relativity. Radar echo experiment ; Motion of a particle in a Schwarzschild background ; Motion of light rays in a Schwarzschild background ; Perihelion advance of Mercury -- Black holes. Singularities of the metric ; Singularities of the Schwarzschild metric ; Black holes -- Comological models and the big bang theory. Homogeneity and isotropy ; Different models of the universe ; Hubble's law ; Evolution equation ; Big bang theory and blackbody radiation. |
| Summary |
This book is a compilation of the lectures for a one-semester course on gravitation at the University of Rochester. Starting from a simple description of geometry, the topics are systematically developed to the big bang theory with a simple derivation of the cosmic background temperature. Several informative examples are worked out in detail as well. |
| Local Note |
eBooks on EBSCOhost EBSCO eBook Subscription Academic Collection - North America |
| Subject |
General relativity (Physics) -- Textbooks.
|
|
General relativity (Physics) |
| Genre/Form |
Textbooks.
|
| Subject |
Big bang theory -- Textbooks.
|
|
Big bang theory. |
| Genre/Form |
Electronic books.
|
|
Electronic books.
|
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Textbooks.
|
| Other Form: |
Print version: Das, Ashok, 1953- Lectures on gravitation. Singapore ; Hackensack, NJ : World Scientific, ©2011 9789814329378 (DLC) 2011281314 (OCoLC)659773209 |
| ISBN |
9789814329392 (electronic book) |
|
9814329398 (electronic book) |
|
9789814329378 |
|
9814329371 |
|
9789814329385 |
|
981432938X |
|
