On Gravity: A Brief Tour of a Weighty Subject

Anthony Zee

Published by Princeton University Press 2018

On Gravity

A Brief Tour of a Weighty Subject

Anthony Zee

https://doi.org/10.23943/9781400890309

Overview
Contents

About this book

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.

Author / Editor information

A. Zee is professor of physics at the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His many books include Einstein Gravity in a Nutshell, Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell, and Fearful Symmetry (all Princeton).

Reviews

If you already know a bit about the topic, and are not afraid of a few equations, On Gravity will take you deeper (if you are very brave, the appendix will even explain the meaning of curved space-time).---John Gribbin, Wall Street Journal

"This engaging and enjoyable book focuses on our modern understanding of gravity through general relativity. With an entertaining narrative, Zee examines the development of these concepts and how they mesh with other discoveries in physics. On Gravity makes for compelling reading."—Pedro Ferreira, author of The Perfect Theory

"On Gravity is a delightful and engaging tour of Einstein’s great triumph—the general theory of relativity—by one of our best tour guides, A. Zee. A fun and fascinating read."—David Kaiser, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Rigorous and original, On Gravity provides an insightful presentation of the key concepts of gravity and general relativity. This book gives a different and new perspective and will surely generate interest." —Alberto Vecchio, University of Birmingham

[On Gravity] is exactly what is needed to communicate to the general public the beauty and depth of Einstein’s theory of gravity. . . . For anybody with a desire to understand what is happening at the forefront of our exploration of the universe, this is a perfect start.

[On Gravity] is concise, timely . . . [and] by the end of the book, you will be breathless, but up to date with the latest advances in the science. It’s a tour intended to take the reader a step beyond a popular treatment and give a deeper glimpse of the beautiful and uncompromising structure underlying the theory.---Tara Shears, Times Higher Education

On Gravity . . . begins its tour of Einstein’s general theory of relativity with the discovery of gravitational waves, and lands the reader deep in the mysteries of dark matter and energy.---Liz Else and Simon Ings, New Scientist

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Preface Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	ix
Timeline Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	xiii
Prologue: The song of the universe Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Part I
1. A friendly contest between the four interactions Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	9
2. Gravity is absurdly weak Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	15
3. Detection of electromagnetic waves Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	25
4. From water waves to gravity waves Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	31
Part II
5. Spooky action at a distance Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	37
6. Greatness and audacity: enter the field Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	40
7. Einstein, the exterminator of relativity Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	51
8. Einstein’s idea: spacetime becomes curved Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	57
9. How to detect something as ethereal as ripples in spacetime Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	66
Part III
10. Getting the best possible deal Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	77
11. Symmetry: Physics must not depend on the physicist Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	88
12. Yes, I want the best deal, but, what is the deal? Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	91
13. The action for Einstein gravity Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	100
14. It must be Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	102
Part IV
15. From frozen star to black hole Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	107
16. The quantum world and Hawking radiation Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	115
17. Gravitons and the nature of gravity Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	123
18. Mysterious messages from the dark side Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	131
19. A new window to the cosmos Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	140
Appendix: What does curved spacetime mean? Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	143
Postscript Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	151
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	153
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	167
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	169