Gravity from the Ground Up: an Introductory Guide to Gravity and General Relativity.GRAVITY FROM THE GROUND UP: An Introductory Guide to Gravity and General Relativity general relativity n. The geometric theory of gravitation developed by Albert Einstein, incorporating and extending the theory of special relativity to accelerated frames of reference and introducing the principle that gravitational and inertial forces BERNARD SCHUTZ Although it has the look and feel of a textbook, this volume is actually a straightforward view of astronomy through the lens of gravity. Schutz' long career has centered on this line of research, and he ably describes gravity's role in the myriad components and events of the universe, ranging from the life cycle of galaxies to the origins of chemical elements. He begins at the surface of Earth and moves outward, explaining how gravity and other physical laws determine the actions of planets, stars, galaxies, and the universe as a whole. Although the text steers clear of advanced mathematics and equations, readers should be armed with a solid background in algebra algebra, branch of mathematics concerned with operations on sets of numbers or other elements that are often represented by symbols. Algebra is a generalization of arithmetic and gains much of its power from dealing symbolically with elements and operations (such as and trigonometry trigonometry [Gr.,=measurement of triangles], a specialized area of geometry concerned with the properties of and relations among the parts of a triangle. Spherical trigonometry is concerned with the study of triangles on the surface of a sphere rather than in the . Those who want to explore the next level of inquiry are encouraged to download computer programs from a Web site launched in conjunction with the book. These programs help readers find, for instance, the length of a planet's orbit, which would otherwise require the use of advanced calculus calculus, branch of mathematics that studies continuously changing quantities. The calculus is characterized by the use of infinite processes, involving passage to a limit—the notion of tending toward, or approaching, an ultimate value. . A glossary A term used by Microsoft Word and adopted by other word processors for the list of shorthand, keyboard macros created by a particular user. See glossaries in this publication and The Computer Glossary. and an abundance of images and charts clarify the text. CUP, 2003, 462 p., b&w photos/illus., hardcover, $45.00. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion