Principles of Cosmology and Gravitation [Paperback]

Michael V Berry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1989 | ISBN-10: 0852740379 | ISBN-13: 978-0852740378

General relativity and quantum mechanics have become the two central pillars of theoretical physics. Moreover, general relativity has important applications in astrophysics and high-energy particle physics. Covering the fundamentals of the subject, Principles of Cosmology and Gravitation describes the universe as revealed by observations and presents a theoretical framework to enable important cosmological formulae to be derived and numerical calculations performed. Avoiding elaborate formal discussions, the book presents a practical approach that focuses on the general theory of relativity. It examines different evolutionary models and the gravitational effects of massive bodies. The book also includes a large number of worked examples and problems, half with solutions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 179 pages
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (January 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0852740379
• ISBN-13: 978-0852740378
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,280,061 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent but dense., January 5, 2001

By 

Brian M. O'Neill (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Principles of Cosmology and Gravitation (Paperback)

This was an excellent book. We used it in my intro course for Astrophysics. This book is not a "pop-culture" overview of the expanding universe, but rather explores the mathematical and physical explanation for the structure and state of the universe. Expect to spend a fair bit of time on each page, and each paragraph. Though straight forward writing and math, the ideas and implications are mind bending.

It is quite difficult to think on the scale of the universe, but this book boils it down to the relevant observations we can make and the equations that might explain them.

This became my Cosmological Bible.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent but dense., January 5, 2001

By 

Brian M. O'Neill (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Principles of Cosmology and Gravitation (Paperback)

This was an excellent book. We used it in my intro course for Astrophysics. This book is not a "pop-culture" overview of the expanding universe, but rather explores the mathematical and physical explanation for the structure and state of the universe. Expect to spend a fair bit of time on each page, and each paragraph. Though straight forward writing and math, the ideas and implications are mind bending.

It is quite difficult to think on the scale of the universe, but this book boils it down to the relevant observations we can make and the equations that might explain them.

This became my Cosmological Bible.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The minimum general relativity everyone should know-- and can!, January 23, 2008

By 

Ryoji Watanabe - See all my reviews

This review is from: Principles of Cosmology and Gravitation (Paperback)

This book doesn't seem as well known as it should be. I think it gets lost between some famous special relativity books on the one side and standard advanced texts on the other. But it's really a uniquely tight, transparent, thoughtful piece of teaching.

The unique position of this book is it succeeds as an introduction to general relativity and cosmology that is *fully honest*-- eg, quantitative-- and at the same time understandable at the undergraduate level. The typical drill of a standard text is to first inculcate you with very general (and abstract) tensor math power tools, and then to clothe ("hide"?) the physics in that. This book, on the other hand, demonstrates the surprising amount of low hanging fruit that you can satisfyingly consume before or without all that. Put the general case aside for the moment, and look at some basic cases, straight-on. It is satisfying because those simple models apply to some systems you will probably care about. Eg, the fabric of the entire universe as a whole, for one-- that's the "cosmology" part. There is a lot of fundamental intuition that becomes transparent, and which you will probably retain because it is simple and specific.

The only minuses: I wish it were cheaper (not that the teaching isn't worth it). I also wish for an update: It would make a really interesting read to apply the basics to recent observations, like the "accelerating universe" problem (or is it just a layer of cosmological smog between us and them dim supernovas?...). However, the cosmological constant: it's there. So this book is absolutely the straightest, shortest path to bringing any curious reader up to speed on fully enjoying cosmological sightings in the news.