Differentilil Geometry and Relativity Theory: An Introduction approaches relativity asa geometric theory of space and time in which gravity is a manifestation of space-timecurvature, rathe1 than a force. Uniting differential geometry and both special and generalrelativity in a single source, this easy-to-understand text opens the general theory of relativityto mathematics majors having a backgr.ound only in multivariable calculus and linearalgebra.The book offers a broad overview of the physical foundations and mathematical details ofrelativity, and presents concrete physical interpretations of numerous abstract concepts inRiemannian geometry. The work is profusely illustrated with diagrams aiding in the understandingof proofs and explanations. Appendices feature important material on vectoranalysis and hyperbolic functions.Differential Geometry and Relativity Theory: An Introduction serves as the ideal textfor high-level undergraduate couues in mathematics and physics, and includes a solutionsmanual augmenting classroom study. It is an invaluable reference for mathematicians interestedin differential and IUemannian geometry, or the special and general theories ofrelativity

On the occasion of the sixtieth birthday of Andre Lichnerowicz a number of his friends, many of whom have been his students or coworkers, decided to celebrate this event by preparing a jubilee volume of contributed articles in the two main fields of research marked by Lichnerowicz's work, namely differential geometry and mathematical physics. Limitations of space and time did not enable us to include papers from all Lichnerowicz's friends nor from all his former students. It was equally impossible to reflect in a single book the great variety of subjects tackled by Lichnerowicz. In spite of these limitations, we hope that this book reflects some of the present trends of fields in which he worked, and some of the subjects to which he contributed in his long - and not yet finished - career. This career was very much marked by the influence of his masters, Elie Cartan who introduced him to research in mathematics, mainly in geometry and its relations with mathematical physics, and Georges Darmois who developed his interest for mechanics and physics, especially the theory of relativity and electromagnetism. This par ticular combination, and his personal talent, made of him a natural scientific heir and continuator of the French mathematical physics school in the tradition of Henri Poincare. Some of his works would even be best qualified by a new field name, that of physical ma thematics: branches of pure mathematics entirely motivated by physics.

One of the most of exciting aspects is the general relativity pred- tion of black holes and the Such Big Bang. predictions gained weight the theorems through Penrose. singularity pioneered In various by te- books on theorems general relativity singularity are and then presented used to that black holes exist and that the argue universe started with a To date what has big been is bang. a critical of what lacking analysis these theorems predict-’ We of really give a proof a typical singul- theorem and this ity use theorem to illustrate problems arising through the of possibilities violations" and "causality weak "shell very crossing These singularities". add to the problems weight of view that the point theorems alone singularity are not sufficient to the existence of predict physical singularities. The mathematical theme of the book In order to both solid gain a of and intuition understanding good for any mathematical theory, one,should to realise it as model of try a a fam- iar non-mathematical theories have had concept. Physical an especially the important on of and impact development mathematics, conversely various modern theories physical rather require sophisticated mathem- ics for their formulation. both and mathematics Today, physics are so that it is often difficult complex to master the theories in both very s- in the of jects. However, case differential pseudo-Riemannian geometry or the general relativity between and mathematics relationship physics is and it is therefore especially close, to from interd- possible profit an ciplinary approach.

Differential Forms and the Geometry of General Relativity provides readers with a coherent path to understanding relativity. Requiring little more than calculus and some linear algebra, it helps readers learn just enough differential geometry to grasp the basics of general relativity. The book contains two intertwined but distinct halves. Designed for advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate students in mathematics or physics, most of the text requires little more than familiarity with calculus and linear algebra. The first half presents an introduction to general relativity that describes some of the surprising implications of relativity without introducing more formalism than necessary. This nonstandard approach uses differential forms rather than tensor calculus and minimizes the use of "index gymnastics" as much as possible. The second half of the book takes a more detailed look at the mathematics of differential forms. It covers the theory behind the mathematics used in the first half by emphasizing a conceptual understanding instead of formal proofs. The book provides a language to describe curvature, the key geometric idea in general relativity.

Cambridge University Press is committed to keeping scholarly work in print for as long as possible. A short print-run of this academic paperback has been produced using digital technology. This technology has enabled Cambridge to keep the book in print for specialists and students when traditional methods of reprinting would not have been feasible. While the new digital cover differs from the original, the text content is identical to that of previous printings.