Description
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 field equation, as well as many modern cosmological subjects, from primordial inflation and cosmic microwave anisotropy to the dark energy that propels an accelerating universe.
The author presents the subject with an emphasis on physical examples and simple applications without the full tensor apparatus. The reader 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, and 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, cosmic microwave anisotropy to the “dark energy” that propels an 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 and cosmology on their own.
Recebi hoje. Gostei da impressão e aspecto geral. Não há uso de cores.
This book covers the essential topics with the right amount of mathematical complexity and clear explanations. Obviously, a good knowledge of calculus and trigonometry is expected.
Having spent lots of time over the years with many other intro GR books (incl. Hobson, Carroll, d’Inverno, A Most Incomprehensible Thing, Schutz, Zee), I like this one the best as an intro to the subject. At the very least it should be a go-to for a newcomer.
The main reason is that this book, more than any other I’ve seen, focuses on symmetry. Not only is this the most beautiful/useful approach to relativity, but it also preps you well for similar concepts in other areas of physics, esp. gauge theories in particle physics. Indeed, I highly recommend checking out Cheng’s other (harder to find) book “Einstein’s Physics” for a highly pedagogical treatment of gauge theory and its structural similarity to GR. I.e. both get dynamics by postulating local coordinate symmetries.
Beyond that, the notation is modern and clear, the figures are well-done and useful, and overall the explanations are as good or better than I’ve seen in other textbooks. The exposition of the geometric meaning of the Christoffel symbols is particularly illuminating. I also love the fact that Cheng gives a more basic treatment based on the metric line element before giving the full tensor apparatus toward the end of the book. To me, this is a nice way of offering the physics ‘punch-lines’ up front for those who don’t have time or need to dive into the full tensor formalism.
This IS only an intro book, though. But for that purpose, it’s the best imo.
Excellent Technical Book on Relativity, Gravity and Cosmology
I’ve been preparing a short course on general relativity over the past year after after teaching special relativity. Yes I was using all the main classic texts by Weinberg, Wald, Schutz and the much referred to Misner, Thorne, Wheeler (though I find that a slog). To answer my questions on GR I usually had to read multiple books to piece the story together. Chang is different because it guides you through and fills in so many gaps that the other don’t. It’s such a well written book and I’d thoroughly recommend it for any undergraduate or postgraduate. There is only one other book that I’ve encountered that is perhaps as good if not better. That’s Hobson, Efstathiou and Lasenby’s General Relativity. That’s outstanding. There’s also Reflections on Relativity by Kevin Brown which complements all the above. But Chengs book is a must – I will be recommending it to students.