Gravitation

by Charles W. Misner, Kip S. Thorne, John Archibald Wheeler, David I. Kaiser

Overview

First published in 1973, Gravitation is a landmark graduate-level textbook that presents Einstein’s general theory of relativity and offers a rigorous, full-year course on the physics of gravitation. Upon publication, Science called it “a pedagogic masterpiece,” and it has since become a classic, considered essential reading for every serious student and researcher in the field of relativity. This authoritative text has shaped the research of generations of physicists and astronomers, and the book continues to influence the way experts think about the subject.

With an emphasis on geometric interpretation, this masterful and comprehensive book introduces the theory of relativity; describes physical applications, from stars to black holes and gravitational waves; and portrays the field’s frontiers. The book also offers a unique, alternating, two-track pathway through the subject. Material focusing on basic physical ideas is designated as Track 1 and formulates an appropriate one-semester graduate-level course. The remaining Track 2 material provides a wealth of advanced topics instructors can draw on for a two-semester course, with Track 1 sections serving as prerequisites.

This must-have reference for students and scholars of relativity includes a new preface by David Kaiser, reflecting on the history of the book’s publication and reception, and a new introduction by Charles Misner and Kip Thorne, discussing exciting developments in the field since the book’s original publication.

• The book teaches students to:
• Grasp the laws of physics in flat and curved spacetime
• Predict orders of magnitude
• Calculate using the principal tools of modern geometry
• Understand Einstein's geometric framework for physics
• Explore applications, including neutron stars, Schwarzschild and Kerr black holes, gravitational collapse, gravitational waves, cosmology, and so much more

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691177793
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	10/24/2017
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	1336
Sales rank:	541,570
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 10.10(h) x 2.00(d)

About the Author

Charles W. Misner is professor emeritus of physics at the University of Maryland. Kip S. Thorne, co-winner of the 2017 Nobel Prize in physics, is the Feynman Professor Emeritus of Theoretical Physics at the California Institute of Technology. His books include Modern Classical Physics (Princeton), Black Holes and Time Warps, and The Science of Interstellar. John Archibald Wheeler (1911–2008) was professor of physics at Princeton University and later at the University of Texas, Austin. His books include Spacetime Physics and Geons, Black Holes, and Quantum Foam

Table of Contents

Gravitation has an innovative two-track organization. Within chapters, specific material designated "Track 1" covers the key physical ideas that make up the indispensable core of gravitation theory. The remaining material, designated "Track 2" covers advanced topics.

• = Chapters which include at least some Track 1 material

Part I. Spacetime Physics
• 1. Geometrodynamics in Brief

Part II. Physics in Flat Spacetime
• 2. Foundations of Special Relativity
• 3. The Electromagnetic Field
4. Electromagnetism and Differential Forms
• 5. Stress-Energy Tensor and Conservation Laws
• 6. Accelerated Observers
7. Incompatibility of Gravity and Special Relativity

Part III. The Mathematics of Curved Spacetime
• 8. Differential Geometry: An Overview
9. Differential Topology
10. Affine Geometry: Geodesics, Parallel Transport and Covariant Derivatives
11. Geodesic Deviation and Spacetime Curvature
12. Newtonian Gravity in the Language of Curved Spacetime
13. Riemannian Geometry: Metric as Foundation of All
14. Calculation of Curvature
15. Bianchi Identities and the Boundary of a Boundary

Part IV. Einstein's Geometric Theory of Gravity
• 16. Equivalence Principle and Measuremetn of the "Gravitational Field"
• 17. How Mass-Energy Generates Curvature
• 18. Weak Gravitational Fields
• 19. Mass and Angular Momentum of a Gravititing System
20. Conservation Laws for 4-Momentum and Angular Momentum
21. Variation Principle and Initial-Value Data
22. Thermodynamics, Hydrodynamics, Electrodynamics, Geometric Optics, and Kinetic Theory

Part V. Relativistic Stars
• 23. Spherical Stars
• 24. Pulsars and Neutron Stars: Quasars and Supermassive Stars
• 25. The "Pit in the Potential" as the Central New Feature of Motion in Schwarzschild Geometry
26. Stellar Pulsations

Part VI. The Universe
27. Idealized Cosmologies
• 28. Evolution of the Universe into Its Present State
29. Present State and Future Evolution of the Universe
30. Anisotropic and Inhomogeneous Cosmologies

Part VII. Gravitational Collapse and Black Holes
• 31. Schwarzschild Geometry
• 32. Gravitational Collapse
• 33. Black Holes
34. Global Techniques, Horizons, and Singularity Theorems

Part VIII. Gravitational Waves
• 35. Propagation of Gravitational Waves
• 36. Generation of Gravitational Waves
• 37. Detection of Gravitational Waves

Part IX. Experimental Tests of General Relativity
• 38. Testing the Foundations of Relativity
• 39. Other Theories of Gravity and the Post-Newtonian Approximation
• 40. Solar-System Experiment

Part X. Frontiers
41. Spinors
42. Regge Calculus
43. Superspace: Arena for the Dynamics of Geometry
44. Beyond the End of Time

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Gravitation is a classic."—David Spergel, Princeton University

"Gravitation is the encyclopedic, definitive exposition of general relativity as of 1970. Any serious researcher of general relativity will want to have this book at hand."—Andrew Hamilton, University of Colorado, Boulder

"Gravitation has been a very influential book in the field, and it gives a remarkably thorough treatment of what's relevant in general relativity today."—Frans Pretorius, Princeton University

"This book is considered the Bible for everyone in the field of gravitation."—Alberto Vecchio, University of Birmingham

Editorial Reviews

Kip S. Thorne, Co-Winner of the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics

From the Publisher