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  • © 2011

Einstein's Theory

A Rigorous Introduction for the Mathematically Untrained

  • Covers both special and general theory of relativity and applications to cosmology in a logical and self-contained way
  • Provides the reader with a philosophically satisfying understanding of Einstein’s theory
  • Presents both the conceptual and working knowledge of Einstein’s theory, without the reader having to make his own calculations
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Table of contents (14 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvii
  2. Vectors

    • Øyvind Grøn, Arne Næss
    Pages 1-20
  3. Differential calculus

    • Øyvind Grøn, Arne Næss
    Pages 21-42
  4. Tangent vectors

    • Øyvind Grøn, Arne Næss
    Pages 43-59
  5. The metric tensor

    • Øyvind Grøn, Arne Næss
    Pages 77-128
  6. The Christoffel symbols

    • Øyvind Grøn, Arne Næss
    Pages 129-143
  7. Covariant differentiation

    • Øyvind Grøn, Arne Næss
    Pages 145-158
  8. Geodesics

    • Øyvind Grøn, Arne Næss
    Pages 159-167
  9. Curvature

    • Øyvind Grøn, Arne Næss
    Pages 169-186
  10. Conservation laws of classical mechanics

    • Øyvind Grøn, Arne Næss
    Pages 187-209
  11. Einstein’s field equations

    • Øyvind Grøn, Arne Næss
    Pages 211-224
  12. Einstein’s theory of spacetime and gravitation

    • Øyvind Grøn, Arne Næss
    Pages 225-255
  13. Some applications of the general theory of relativity

    • Øyvind Grøn, Arne Næss
    Pages 257-287
  14. Relativistic universe models

    • Øyvind Grøn, Arne Næss
    Pages 289-312
  15. Back Matter

    Pages 313-341

About this book

This book provides an introduction to the theory of relativity and the mathematics used in its processes. Three elements of the book make it stand apart from previously published books on the theory of relativity.

First, the book starts at a lower mathematical level than standard books with tensor calculus of sufficient maturity to make it possible to give detailed calculations of relativistic predictions of practical experiments. Self-contained introductions are given, for example vector calculus, differential calculus and integrations. Second, in-between calculations have been included, making it possible for the non-technical reader to follow step-by-step calculations. Thirdly, the conceptual development is gradual and rigorous in order to provide the inexperienced reader with a philosophically satisfying understanding of the theory.

The goal of this book is to provide the reader with a sound conceptual understanding of both the special and general theories of relativity, and gain an insight into how the mathematics of the theory can be utilized to calculate relativistic effects.

Reviews

From the reviews:

“Einstein’s Theory fits in an unusual place for introductory books on the topic. … this work reaches the mathematical, theoretical, and conceptual understanding of a graduate course, assuming just basic algebraic skills. … this is a rare book that can take the motivated reader with an elementary algebra background to a rigorous understanding of general relativity. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and general readers.” (E. Kincanon, Choice, Vol. 49 (9), May, 2012)

“This book stands apart from other introductory textbooks on general relativity in that it is aimed at non-science educated readers who nonetheless want to get a thorough understanding of this theory. … The book succeeds quite well in explaining the concepts underlying general relativity in elementary terms without sacrificing mathematical rigor. An additional bonus are the philosophical remarks obviously due to one of the authors being a philosopher himself.” (Helmut Rumpf, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1234, 2012)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Oslo University College, Oslo, Norway

    Øyvind Grøn, Arne Næss

About the authors

Øyvind Grøn, Oslo University College, Oslo, Norway, oyvind.gron@fys.uio.no

Arne Næss, Oslo University College, Oslo, Norway (deceased)

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access