Exact Space-Times in Einstein's General Relativity (Cambridge Monographs on Mathematical Physics)
Author(s): Jerry B. Griffiths (Author), Jiří Podolský (Author)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication Date: 15 Oct. 2009
Edition: Illustrated
Language: English
Print length: 548 pages
ISBN-10: 0521889278
ISBN-13: 9780521889278
Book Description
Einstein’s theory of general relativity is a theory of gravity and, as in the earlier Newtonian theory, much can be learnt about the character of gravitation and its effects by investigating particular idealised examples. This book describes the basic solutions of Einstein’s equations with a particular emphasis on what they mean, both geometrically and physically. Concepts such as big bang and big crunch-types of singularities, different kinds of horizons and gravitational waves, are described in the context of the particular space-times in which they naturally arise. These notions are initially introduced using the most simple and symmetric cases. Various important coordinate forms of each solution are presented, thus enabling the global structure of the corresponding space-time and its other properties to be analysed. The book is an invaluable resource both for graduate students and academic researchers working in gravitational physics.
Editorial Reviews
Review
Review of the hardback: ‘The relatively familiar material … covers somewhat more than a third of the book … the rest of the book’s contents … is less familiar … I feel that [the authors] have … made a good choice … the exact solutions they discuss are surely important … for a person who wants to work in the field …As a reference on a wide selection of exact solutions, with geometrical and physical detail not found previously in one place, this book is a very useful companion.’ General Relativity and Gravitation
Book Description
This book explores concepts within general relativity in the context of the particular space-times in which they arise.
About the Author
Jerry Griffiths is a Professor at Loughborough University, where he has worked since obtaining his PhD from the University of Wales on neutrino fields in general relativity. He continues to work on the generation and interpretation of exact solutions of Einstein’s equations and has published over 80 articles on these topics. Jiri Podolsky is an Associate Professor at Charles University in Prague, where he also obtained his PhD and Habilitation in theoretical physics. His research concentrates mainly on the investigation of exact radiative and black hole space-times in general relativity. He has published over 60 papers in these fields.
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