Variational Approach to Gravity Field Theories

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This book offers a detailed and stimulating account of the Lagrangian, or variational, approach to general relativity and beyond. The approach more usually adopted when describing general relativity is to introduce the required concepts of differential geometry and derive the field and geodesic equations from purely geometrical properties. Demonstration of the physical meaning then requires the weak field approximation of these equations to recover their Newtonian counterparts. The potential downside of this approach is that it tends to suit the mathematical mind and requires the physicist to study and work in a completely unfamiliar environment. In contrast, the approach to general relativity described in this book will be especially suited to physics students. After an introduction to field theories and the variational approach, individual sections focus on the variational approach in relation to special relativity, general relativity, and alternative theories of gravity. Throughoutthe text, solved exercises and examples are presented. The book will meet the needs of both students specializing in theoretical physics and those seeking a better understanding of particular aspects of the subject.
This book offers a detailed and stimulating account of the Lagrangian, or variational, approach to general relativity and beyond. The approach more usually adopted when describing general relativity is to introduce the required concepts of differential geometry and derive the field and geodesic equations from purely geometrical properties. Demonstration of the physical meaning then requires the weak field approximation of these equations to recover their Newtonian counterparts. The potential downside of this approach is that it tends to suit the mathematical mind and requires the physicist to study and work in a completely unfamiliar environment. In contrast, the approach to general relativity described in this book will be especially suited to physics students. After an introduction to field theories and the variational approach, individual sections focus on the variational approach in relation to special relativity, general relativity, and alternative theories of gravity. Throughoutthe text, solved exercises and examples are presented. The book will meet the needs of both students specializing in theoretical physics and those seeking a better understanding of particular aspects of the subject.
Describes an approach to general relativity particularly relevant for physics students Evidences the continuity, from the point of view of theoretical physics, of all the gravity theories as field theories Presents solved exercises and examples throughout the text Meets the needs of students specializing in theoretical physics and those seeking a better understanding of particular aspects of the subject Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Alberto Vecchiato

Themen in »Variational Approach to Gravity Field Theories«

Alternative Gravity Theories Electomagnetism in Special Relativity Lagrangian Approach Newtonian Gravity Post-Newtonian Limit of GR Textbook Variational Approach in General Relativity Textbook Variational Approach in Special Relativity Undergraduate Textbook Gravity Theories

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“The first impression is good, also because all the proposed exercises and examples are fully solved. … The author’s approach and writing is clear, straightforward, and with specific attention to the connection with the evolution of the physical principles that lie at the basis of gravitation. The book is appropriate for university students, as well as, for more specialists or practitioners of matter.” (Gabriella Bernardi, Astrocom et al., astrocometal.blogspot.de, July, 2017)

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