Ascent to the Einstein Equations

What are Einstein's field equations? Can they be understood without a physics degree?

This book provides the answer. With care and clarity, the author offers scientifically curious readers an accessible path into Einstein's theories of relativity. Only high school-level knowledge is assumed, making the material approachable for anyone with a strong interest in science. Readers explore both the physical phenomena and the mathematical techniques needed to grasp Einstein's theory of gravity on a quantitative level. Step by step, the book guides readers toward answers to fundamental questions about General Relativity:

• How does Einstein's theory of gravity differ from Newton's?
• How can gravitational attraction be described geometrically?
• How can a black hole "swallow" light?

I The Worldview of Gravitation before Einstein. - 1 Kepler s Laws. - 2 Laws of Falling. - 3 Newton s Laws. - 4 Work and Energy. - 5 Rotations. - 6 Newton s Law of Gravitation. - 7 Literature References and Further Reading for Part I. - II Vector and Tensor Calculus in the Euclidean Plane. - 8 Vector Calculus in the Euclidean Plane. - 9 Tensor Calculus in the Euclidean Plane. - 10 The Inertia Tensor. - 11 Literature References and Further Reading for Part II. - III Special Theory of Relativity. - 12 Principle of Relativity. - 13 The Geometry of Spacetime. - 14 Vector Calculus in Special Relativity Theory. - 15 Tensor Calculus in Special Relativity Theory. - 16 Energy-Momentum Tensors in Special Relativity. - 17 Literature References and Further Information on Part III. - IV Fundamentals of General Relativity. - 18 Gravitation and Spacetime Model. - 19 The Mathematical Foundations of Curved Spacetime. - 20 Motion in the Gravitational Field, Geodesic Equation. - 21 Curvature in Riemannian Space. - 22 Riemannian Space and Einstein Equations. - 23 Static Spherical Gravitational Fields. - 24 Literature References and Further Reading on Part IV. - V Application of the General Theory of Relativity to Selected Cosmological Phenomena. - 25 Gravitational Waves. - 26 Gravitational Collapse and the Interior Schwarzschild Metric. - 27 Black Holes. - 28 Literature References and Further Reading on Part V. - VI Appendix: Formulas and Tables. - 29 Functions, Formulas and Physical Laws. - 30 Units and Constants. - Bibliography. - Index.