This book introduces the general theory of relativity, includes applications to cosmology, and provides a thorough introduction to tensor calculus and curved manifolds. Also included are some advanced topics not previously covered by textbooks, including Kaluza-Klein theory, Israel's formalism and branes.

The book introduces the general theory of relativity and includes applications to cosmology. The book contains a thorough introduction to tensor calculus and curved manifolds. After the necessary mathematical tools are introduced, we give a thorough presentation of the theory of relativity. Also, some advanced topics not previously covered by textbooks; e.g. Kaluza-Klein theory, Israel's formalism and branes. Anisotropic cosmological models are also included.

The book contains a large number of new exercises and examples, each with separate headings. The reader will get an updated introduction to general relativity including the most recent developments in cosmology.

The book has over 200 pages with modern applications of the theory mostly in cosmology Several of these topics have been developed recently and are not present in other textbooks Standard model of cosmology discussed in detail as well as alternatives to the standard FRW cosmology Modern powerful techniques and tools some of which are indespensible for the modern researcher discussed Techniques then used on some alternative theories of gravity i.e. brane-worlds and other higher- dimensional theories Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext

Both authors are researchers in general relativity with particular emphasis on cosmology. They have earned the following honors: Illustrert Vitenskaps research prize (1988), The King's Gold Medal (1990), 2nd prize, Smith-Knight Rayleight-Knight prizes, Cambridge University (2003), and Research Prize of Oslo College of Engineering (2004).

Inhalt
Introduction: Newtonian Physics And Special Relativity.- Relativity Principles and Gravitation.- The Special Theory of Relativity.- The Mathematics Of The General Theory Of Relativity.- Vectors, Tensors, and Forms.- Basis Vector Fields and the Metric Tensor.- Non-inertial Reference Frames.- Differentiation, Connections, and Integration.- Curvature.- Einstein's Field Equations.- Einstein's Field Equations.- The Linear Field Approximation.- The Schwarzschild Solution and Black Holes.- Cosmology.- Homogeneous and Isotropic Universe Models.- Universe Models with Vacuum Energy.- Anisotropic and Inhomogeneous Universe Models.- Advanced Topics.- Covariant Decomposition, Singularities, and Canonical Cosmology.- Spatially Homogeneous Universe Models.- Israel's Formalism: The Metric Junction Method.- Brane-worlds.- Kaluza-Klein Theory.