Beschreibung:
Einstein's general theory of relativity requires a curved space for the description of the physical world. If one wishes to go beyond superficial discussions of the physical relations involved, one needs to set up precise equations for handling curved space. The well-established mathematical technique that accomplishes this is clearly described in this classic book by Nobel Laureate P.A.M. Dirac. Based on a series of lectures given by Dirac at Florida State University, and intended for the advanced undergraduate, General Theory of Relativity comprises thirty-five compact chapters that take the reader point-by-point through the necessary steps for understanding general relativity.
1 Special Relativity 1
2 Oblique Axes 3
3 Curvilinear Coordinates 5
4 Nontensors 8
5 Curved Space 9
6 Parallel Displacement 10
7 Christoffel Symbols 12
8 Geodesics 14
9 The Stationary Property of Geodesics 16
10 Covariant Differentiation 17
11 The Curvature Tensor 20
12 The Condition for Flat Space 22
13 The Bianchi Relations 23
14 The Ricci Tensor 24
15 Einstein's Law of Gravitation 25
16 The Newtonian Approximation 26
17 The Gravitational Red Shift 29
18 The Schwarzchild Solution 30
19 Black Holes 32
20 Tensor Densities 36
21 Gauss and Stokes Theorems 38
22 Harmonic Coordinates 40
23 The Electromagnetic Field 41
24 Modification of the Einstein Equations by the Presence of Matter 43
25 The Material Energy Tensor 45
26 The Gravitational Action Principle 48
27 The Action for a Continuous Distribution of Matter 50
28 The Action for the Electromagnetic Field 54
29 The Action for Charged Matter 55
30 The Comprehensive Action Principle 58
31 The Pseudo-Energy Tensor of the Gravitational Field 61
32 Explicit Expression for the Pseudo-Tensor 63
33 Gravitational Waves 64
34 The Polarization of Gravitational Waves 66
35 The Cosmological Term 68
Index 71