An Introduction to Relativity Book

Preface vii

1 The special theory of relativity 1

2 From the special to the general theory of relativity 34

3 Vectors and tensors 41

4 Covariant differentiation 59

5 Curvature of spacetime 70

6 Spacetime symmetries 85

7 Physics in curved spacetime 100

8 Einstein's equations 116

9 The Schwarzschild solution 126

10 Experimental tests of general relativity 143

11 Gravitational radiation 162

12 Relativistic astrophysics 176

13 Black holes 194

14 The expanding Universe 223

15 Friedmann models 245

16 The early Universe 275

17 Observational cosmology 306

18 Beyond relativity 334

References 353

Index 358