Gravity as geometry -- Geodesics -- Geodesics in the solar system -- Manifolds and tensors -- Derivatives and curvature -- The Einstein field equations -- The stress-energy tensor -- The weak field approximation -- Gravitational waves -- Black holes -- Cosmology -- The Hamiltonian formalism -- Next steps.
Summary:
This is a short textbook on general relativity and gravitation aimed at readers with a broad range of interests in physics, from cosmology to high energy physics to condensed matter. The approach is "physics first": readers move quickly to the calculation of observational predictions and only then return to mathematical foundations.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.