Authored by Oersted Medal winner Edwin Taylor and foremost relativist John Archibald Wheeler, this unique book offers a concise, directed examination of general relativity and black holes. Its goal is to provide tools that motivate students to become active participants in carrying out their own investigations about curved spacetime near Earth and black holes. Five chapters introduce basic theory and seven projects guide readers in the analysis of major applications. Appropriate Courses Undergraduate Relativity Courses.
Chapters provide the background needed to carry out exercises and projects.
Projects guide readers as they fill in steps, compute physical outcomes, and are encouraged to carry out their own investigations. To facilitate study and review, each section begins with a summary of the key idea. Marginal notes highlight other important points. Sample problems and boxed material, including interesting asides, applications, and points of view, help clarify the application strategies and results. Quotes from well-known scientists, particularly Albert Einstein, offer further insight.