An Introduction to General Relativity [Paperback]

More emphasis is placed on an intuitive grasp of the subject and calculational facility than on rigorous exposition in this introduction to general relativity for mathematics undergraduates or graduate physicists.More emphasis is placed on an intuitive grasp of the subject and calculational facility than on rigorous exposition in this introduction to general relativity for mathematics undergraduates or graduate physicists.This long-awaited textbook offers a concise one-semester introduction to basic general relativity suitable for mathematics and physics undergraduates. Emphasis is placed on the student's development of both a solid physical grasp of the subject and a sophisticated calculational facility. The text is supplemented by numerous geometrical diagrams and by a large selection of challenging exercises and problems.Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Vectors and tensors in flat three-space; 3. Aspects of special relativistic geometry; 4. Tensor analysis on manifolds; 5. Covariant differentiation; 6. Properties of the Riemann tensor; 7. Riemannian geometry; 8. The Lie derivative; 9. Geodesics; 10. Geodesic deviation; 11. Differential forms; 12. The transition from Newtonian theory; 13. Einstein's field equations; 14. The slow motion approximation; 15. The Schwarzschild solution; 16. Gravitational red-shift and time dilation; 17. The geodesic equation for the Schwarzschild solution; 18. Classical tests; 19. The extended Schwarzschild solution; 20. Black holes and gravitational collapse; 21. Interior solutions; 22. The Kerr solution; 23. Homogeneous and isotropic three-spaces; 24. Cosmology: kinematics; 25. Cosmology: dynamics; 25. Anisotropic cosmologies; Index. ...the authors guide the novice along a careful, well-planned route that provides a pleasing balance between the demands of the mathematics and those of the physics. Mathematical Reviews ...very readable...more emphasis is placed on an intuitive grasp of the subject and a calculational facility than on a l�