Relativity, Gravitation, and Cosmology: A Basic Introduction (Oxford Master Series in Physics) [Hardcover]

Ta-Pei Cheng (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198529562 | ISBN-13: 978-0198529569 | Publication Date: February 24, 2005

Einstein's general theory of relativity is introduced in this advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate level textbook. Topics include special relativity in the formalism of Minkowski's four-dimensional space-time, the principle of equivalence, Riemannian geometry and tensor analysis, Einstein's field equation and cosmology. The author presents the subject from the very beginning with an emphasis on physical examples and simple applications without the full tensor apparatus. One first learns how to describe curved spacetime. At this mathematically more accessible level, the reader can already study the many interesting phenomena such as gravitational lensing, precession of Mercury's perihelion, black holes, as well as cosmology. The full tensor formulation is presented later, when the Einstein equation is solved for a few symmetric cases. Many modern topics in cosmology are discussed in this book: from inflation and cosmic microwave anisotropy to the "dark energy" that propels as accelerating universe. Mathematical accessibility, together with the various pedagogical devices (e.g., worked-out solutions of chapter-end problems), make it practical for interested readers to use the book to study general relativity, gravitation and cosmology on their own.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book is well written and illustrated...Instructors will find it useful and libraries will want to have it on their shelves as a reference for students interested in learning these subjects on their own."--CHOICE

About the Author

Ta-Pei Cheng is Professor of Physics at the University of Missouri - St. Louis, USA.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 356 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (February 24, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198529562
• ISBN-13: 978-0198529569
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,317,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Material to begin with and test yourself., February 25, 2005

By 

Darran (Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Relativity, Gravitation, and Cosmology: A Basic Introduction (Oxford Master Series in Physics) (Hardcover)

I'm a second year astrophysics student from Ireland.
Recently I've tried to learn the Mathematics of General Relativity in detail, outside of my course and have bought numerous books in the process.

In my opinion this book and "A First Course in General Relativity by Bernard F. Schutz" are perfect complementary texts to learn the main basis of General Relativity on your own.

The author has provided an unbelievable amount of questions and not a single one of them is pointless exercise.

The book is Divided into three sections:

Part 1: Metric description of Space-Time
Very well written intro to General Relativity which delves into Black Holes and Mercury's Orbit, without the full on Field Equation and Tensors.

Part 2: Cosmology
Still keeping to the metric description of space-time, cosmology is introduced. The mathematics of concepts like the closed and open universes are explained really well.

Part 3: Full Tensor Formulism
I was able to learn Tensors from this, using Chapter 3 from Schutz's book as a companion.

The questions at the end of each chapter really test your knowledge and after reading this you will be able to manipulate the field equation for simple cases and move onto more advanced books if you wish.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a gem, July 5, 2007

By 

Zvonimir Vanjak (Zagreb, Croatia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Relativity, Gravitation, and Cosmology: A Basic Introduction (Oxford Master Series in Physics) (Hardcover)

Intermediate level, with clear presentation, lots of graphics and exercises, ideal for self-study. In one word, excellent.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book for self-study, August 8, 2010

By 

Heidi (Ohio) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Relativity, Gravitation, and Cosmology: A Basic Introduction (Oxford Master Series in Particle Physics, Astrophysics, and) (Paperback)

Learning general relativity has always been a dream of mine. This book made it possible for me to learn GR on my own. A dream come true!