Synopses & Reviews
"This beautiful little book is certainly suitable for anyone who has had an introductory course in physics and even for some who have not."and#8212;Joshua N. Goldberg,
Physics Today"An imaginative and convincing new presentation of Einstein's theory of general relativity. . . . The treatment is masterful, continual emphasis being placed on careful discussion and motivation, with the aim of showing how physicists think and develop their ideas."and#8212;Choice
Synopsis
This beautiful little book is certainly suitable for anyone who has had an introductory course in physics and even for some who have not. Moreover, it contains enough substance so that a modern physicist may find that he can learn something--perhaps only that a difficult topic can be presented to a general audience. The whole succeeds so well because Geroch believes that 'physics is a human activity...' and wants to share some of its joys with others. - Joshua N. Goldberg, Physics Today.
About the Author
Robert Geroch is professor in the departments of physics and mathematics, the Enrico Fermi Institute, and the College at the University of Chicago. He is the author of Mathematical Physics.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
A. The Space-Time Viewpoint
1. Events and Space-Time: The Basic Building Blocks
2. The Aristotelian View: A "Personalized" Framework
3. The Galilean View: A Democratic Framework
4. Difficulties with the Galilean View
B. General Relativity
5. The Interval: The Fundamental Geometrical Object
6. The Physics and Geometry of the Interval
7. Einstein's Equation: The Final Theory
8. An Example: Black Holes
Conclusion
Index