General Theory of Relativity

✍ Scribed by P. A.M. Dirac

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Year: 1996
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 40
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Einstein's general theory of relativity requires a curved space for the description of the physical world. If one wishes to go beyond superficial discussions of the physical relations involved, one needs to set up precise equations for handling curved space. The well-established mathematical technique that accomplishes this is clearly described in this classic book by Nobel Laureate P.A.M. Dirac. Based on a series of lectures given by Dirac at Florida State University, and intended for the advanced undergraduate, General Theory of Relativity comprises thirty-five compact chapters that take the reader point-by-point through the necessary steps for understanding general relativity.

✦ Table of Contents

Index
......Page 2
Preface
......Page 3
Contents
......Page 4
1 Special r
elativity......Page 5
2 Oblique axes......Page 6
3 Curvilinear coordinates
......Page 7
5 Curved space
......Page 9
6 Parallel displacement
......Page 10
7 Christoffel symbols
......Page 11
8 Geodesics
......Page 12
10 Covariant differentiation
......Page 13
11 The curvature tensor
......Page 15
13. The Bianci relations
......Page 16
15. Einstein's law of
f gravitation......Page 17
16. The Newtonian approximation
......Page 18
11. The gravitational red shift
......Page 19
18. The Schwarzschild solution......Page 20
19. Block holes......Page 21
20. Tensor densities
......Page 23
21. Gauss and Stokes Theorems
......Page 24
23. The electromagnetic field
......Page 26
25. The material energy tensor
......Page 27
26. The gravitational action principle
......Page 29
27. The action for a continuous distribution of matter
......Page 31
28. The action for the electromagnetic field
......Page 32
29. The action for charged matter
......Page 33
30. The comprehensive action principle
......Page 34
31. The pseudo-energy tensor of the gravitational field
......Page 35
32. Explicit expression for the pseudo-tensor
......Page 36
33. Gravitational waves
......Page 37
34. The polarization of gravitational waves
......Page 38
35. The cosmological term
......Page 39