Table of Contents
What do I need to know before learning general relativity?
What Are The Prerequisites For General Relativity?
- A basic understanding of special relativity.
- Electromagnetism (optional, but helpful)
- Newtonian mechanics (optional, but helpful)
- A solid understanding of calculus and vectors.
- Basics of linear algebra (optional, but helpful)
- Basics of tensors and differential geometry.
What are the prerequisites for special relativity?
SR really only requires some basic geometry and algebra. It’s much more concept driven with the gedanken (thought experiments) than GR which requires some basic partial differential equations, basic differential geometry, tensor calculus and the field theory formulation of Newtonian mechanics (variation formulas, etc.)
What is the mathematics required for general relativity?
Prerequisites. A sound knowledge of multivariable calculus (at least Math 212) and linear algebra (at least Math 218). A basic knowledge of classical mechanics and electromagnetism is desirable but the course will endevour to be self-contained.
What should I study to become a general relativity physicist?
First general relativity is typically taught at a 4th year undergraduate level or sometimes even a graduate level, obviously this presumes a good undergraduate training in mathematics and physics. Personally, I’m more of the opinion that one should go and learn other physics before tackling general relativity.
What is the best book to start learning relativity?
It is not as hard as Wald but is rigorous and well explained, and the selection of topics is very interesting. Another quite direct approach to learn relativity from the beginning may be the book “A First Course in General Relativity” from Schutz.
What is so special about the book general relativity?
This book is unique in its kind, because it developes a geometrical, rigorous approach, yet progressive and easy, to General Relativity and its mathematical machinery, assuming the target reader barely knows at the beginning how to do a partial derivate and little less more.
What are the prerequisites to become a physicist?
The subject is surprisingly self-contained, perhaps mostly because physicists typically learn the physical theory and the associated mathematics simultaneously. I’d say the main prerequisite is a little “mathematical maturity” and physical intuition. Any exposure to differential geometry and abstract mathematics can only help.