1st Edition

Principles of Cosmology and Gravitation

By Michael V Berry Copyright 1989
    192 Pages
    by CRC Press

    192 Pages
    by CRC Press

    General relativity and quantum mechanics have become the two central pillars of theoretical physics. Moreover, general relativity has important applications in astrophysics and high-energy particle physics. Covering the fundamentals of the subject, Principles of Cosmology and Gravitation describes the universe as revealed by observations and presents a theoretical framework to enable important cosmological formulae to be derived and numerical calculations performed. Avoiding elaborate formal discussions, the book presents a practical approach that focuses on the general theory of relativity. It examines different evolutionary models and the gravitational effects of massive bodies. The book also includes a large number of worked examples and problems, half with solutions.

    COSMOGRAPHY
    What the universe contains
    The cosmic distance hierarchy and the determination of galactic densities
    The red shift and the expansion of the universe

    PHYSICAL BASIS OF GENERAL RELATIVITY
    The need for relativistic ideas and a theory of gravitation

    DIFFICULTIES WITH NEWTONIAN MECHANICS
    Gravity and inertial frames and absolute space
    Inadequacy of special relativity.
    Mach's principle and gravitational waves
    Einstein's principle of equivalence

    CURVED SPACETIME AND THE PHYSICAL MATHEMATICS OF GENERAL RELATIVITY
    Particle paths and the separation between events. Geodesics. Curved spaces. Curvature and gravitation

    GENERAL RELATIVITY NEAR MASSIVE OBJECTS
    Spacetime near an isolated mass
    Around the world with clocks
    Precession of the perihelion of Mercury
    Deflection of light
    Radar echoes from planets
    Black holes

    COSMIC KINEMATICS
    Spacetime for the smoothed-out universe
    Red shifts and horizons
    Apparent luminosity
    Galactic densities and the darkness of the night sky
    Number counts

    COSMIC DYNAMICS
    Gravitation and the cosmic fluid
    Histories of model universes
    The steady state theory
    Cosmologies in which the strength of gravity varies

    IN THE BEGINNING
    Cosmic black-body radiation
    Condensation of galaxies
    Ylem

    APPENDIX A: Labeling astronomical objects
    APPENDIX B: Theorema egregium
    PROBLEMS
    SOLUTIONS TO ODD-NUMBERED PROBLEMS
    USEFUL NUMBERS
    BIBLIOGRAPHY
    INDEX

    Biography

    Berry, Michael V

    "… very successful introduction and treatment … exceptionally methodical … deserves to be read and recommended as an introduction. … I recommended this book in 1976 and I will continue to do so."
    -Space Science Reviews

    "… an ideal text for undergraduates studying cosmology …"
    -Europe and Astronomy