An Introduction to Relativity

by Jayant V. Narlikar

General relativity is now an essential part of undergraduate and graduate courses in physics, astrophysics and applied mathematics. This simple, user-friendly introduction to relativity is ideal for a first course in the subject. Beginning with a comprehensive but simple review of special relativity, the book creates a framework from which to launch the ideas of general relativity. After describing the basic theory, it moves on to describe important applications to astrophysics, black hole physics, and cosmology. Several worked examples, and numerous figures and images, help students appreciate the underlying concepts. There are also 180 exercises which test and develop students' understanding of the subject. The textbook presents all the necessary information and discussion for an elementary approach to relativity. Password-protected solutions to the exercises are available to instructors at www.cambridge.org/9780521735612.

372 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Jayant Vishnu Narlikar was an Indian astrophysicist and emeritus professor at the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA). His research was on alternative cosmology. Narlikar was also an author who wrote textbooks on cosmology, popular science books, and science fiction novels and short stories.

Reviews

[Thomas Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's about /general/ relativity. Assumes you're familiar with systems of nonlinear partial differential equations in curvilinear coordinates. If so, with effort, you can follow him. He does define his notation.

For an intro to special relativity, see Spacetime Physics by Taylor and Wheeler.

[Kousik Maity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just awesome and helped me very much