Statistics – Computation
Scientific paper
Apr 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011cqgra..28h9002l&link_type=abstract
Classical and Quantum Gravity, Volume 28, Issue 8, pp. 089002 (2011).
Statistics
Computation
Scientific paper
Joel Franklin's textbook `Advanced Mechanics and General Relativity' comprises two partially overlapping, partially complementary introductory paths into general relativity at advanced undergraduate level.
Path I starts with the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of Newtonian point particle motion, emphasising the action principle and the connection between symmetries and conservation laws. The concepts are then adapted to point particle motion in Minkowski space, introducing Lorentz transformations as symmetries of the action.
There follows a focused development of tensor calculus, parallel transport and curvature, using examples from Newtonian mechanics and special relativity, culminating in the field equations of general relativity. The Schwarzschild solution is analysed, including a detailed discussion of the tidal forces on a radially infalling observer. Basics of gravitational radiation are examined, highlighting the similarities to and differences from electromagnetic radiation. The final topics in Path I are equatorial geodesics in Kerr and the motion of a relativistic string in Minkowski space.
Path II starts by introducing scalar field theory on Minkowski space as a limit of point masses connected by springs, emphasising the action principle, conservation laws and the energy-momentum tensor. The action principle for electromagnetism is introduced, and the coupling of electromagnetism to a complex scalar field is developed in a detailed and pedagogical fashion. A free symmetric second-rank tensor field on Minkowski space is introduced, and the action principle of general relativity is recovered from coupling the second-rank tensor to its own energy-momentum tensor.
Path II then merges with Path I and, supplanted with judicious early selections from Path I, can proceed to the Schwarzschild solution.
The choice of material in each path is logical and focused. A notable example in Path I is that Lorentz transformations in Minkowki space are introduced efficiently and with a minimum of fuss, as symmetries of a geodesic action principle. Another example is a similarly efficient and hands-on introduction of Killing vectors. A consequence of this focus is that some perhaps traditional material is omitted. For example, Lorentz contraction appears briefly in the incompatibility discussion of special relativity and Newtonian gravity but is not introduced in a more systematic manner.
The style is informal and very readable, with detailed explanations, frequent summaries of what has been achieved and pointers to what is about to follow. There are plenty of examples and some 150 well-chosen exercises, and the author's website hosts relevant Maple sample scripts for tensor manipulations and variational problems. The text conveys an enthusiasm for explaining the subject, frequently reminiscent of the Feynman lectures.
The presentation emphasises explicit calculations and examples, largely avoiding technical definitions of abstract mathematical concepts. The author negotiates the challenge between readability and technical accuracy with admirable skill, striking a balance that will be much appreciated by the target audience. For example, the notion of spherical symmetry in curved spacetime is introduced informally as a generalisation of a spherically symmetric vector field in Minkowski space, and spherically symmetric vacuum and electrovacuum solutions are then carefully discussed so that a formal definition of spherical symmetry is not required. A rare instance that may border on oversimplification is the brief discussion of curvature scalars versus spacetime singularities.
Towards the end of the book, the text mentions with increasing explicitness that inserting a gauge condition or an ansatz in an action before varying may not always give the correct equations of motion. It would be useful to be more explicit about this point already earlier in the book. In particular, the text refers to the reparametrisation-invariant square root action of a relativistic point particle as being `in proper time parametrisation', while the actual calculations of course impose the proper time condition only in the equation of motion after the action has been varied.
Two presentational conventions surprised me. First, the speed of light is throughout kept explicitly as c: might advanced undergraduates appreciate being trusted with geometric units, reinstating c by dimensional analysis when desired? Second, in Minkowski space field theory, the overall coefficient in the action is chosen so that the time derivative term is negative, with the consequence that the Hamiltonian is negative (as explicitly noted in an exercise) and the definition of the energy-momentum tensor must include a minus sign to achieve the usual choice T00 > 0. This convention eliminates some minus signs in the computations with the spin two field: does this computational saving outweigh the adjustment awaiting those who continue with the topic at graduate level?
Overall, Franklin's book is an excellent addition to the literature, and its readability and explicitness will be appreciated by the target audience. Should I be teaching an introductory undergraduate class in general relativity in the near future, I would seriously consider this book for the main class text.
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