On Gravity ; A Brief Tour of a Weighty Subject

Description

A brief introduction to gravity through Einstein's general theory of relativity Of the four fundamental forces of nature, gravity might be the least understood and yet the one with which we are most intimate. From the months each of us spent suspended in the womb anticipating birth to the moments when we wait for sleep to transport us to other realities, we are always aware of gravity. In On Gravity, physicist A. Zee combines profound depth with incisive accessibility to take us on an original and compelling tour of Einstein's general theory of relativity. Inspired by Einstein's audacious suggestion that spacetime could ripple, Zee begins with the stunning discovery of gravity waves. He goes on to explain how gravity can be understood in comparison to other classical field theories, presents the idea of curved spacetime and the action principle, and explores cutting-edge topics, including black holes and Hawking radiation. Zee travels as far as the theory reaches, leaving us with tantalizing hints of the utterly unknown, from the intransigence of quantum gravity to the mysteries of dark matter and energy. Concise and precise, and infused with Zee's signature warmth and freshness of style, On Gravity opens a unique pathway to comprehending relativity and gaining deep insight into gravity, spacetime, and the workings of the universe. Dedication Contents Preface Timeline Prologue: The song of the universe Part I 1 A friendly contest between the four interactions 2 Gravity is absurdly weak 3 Detection of electromagnetic waves 4 From water waves to gravity waves Part II 5 Spooky action at a distance 6 Greatness and audacity: Enter the field 7 Einstein, the exterminator of relativity 8 Einstein’s idea: Spacetime becomes curved 9 How to detect something as ethereal as ripples in spacetime Part III 10 Getting the best possible deal 11 Symmetry: Physics must not depend on the physicist 12 Yes, I want the best deal, but what is the deal? 13 The action for Einstein gravity 14 It must be Part IV 15 From frozen star to black hole 16 The quantum world and Hawking radiation 17 Gravitons and the nature of gravity 18 Mysterious messages from the dark side 19 A new window to the cosmos Appendix: What does curved spacetime mean? Postscript Notes Bibliography Index