Spacetime curvature is introduced via the behavior of geodesics, tidal forces, and parallel transport. The metric tensor is presented as the fundamental object encoding gravity.
: Linear field equations, gravitational lensing, and the Lense-Thirring effect .
Gravitation and Spacetime by Hans C. Ohanian and Remo Ruffini (3rd Edition, 2013) is a foundational textbook designed for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in physics. It provides a bridge from Newtonian gravity to General Relativity, often using analogies to Maxwell’s electrodynamics to make complex relativistic concepts more accessible. Overview
Rμν - 1/2Rgμν = (8πG/c^4)Tμν
The text then demonstrates why a flat-space description is ultimately insufficient, leading naturally into the requirement for curved spacetime and Riemannian geometry. Book Structure and Contents
Long before the LIGO discoveries made gravitational waves a household name, Ohanian provided a clear, linearized treatment of gravitational radiation. His discussion on black holes and Schwarzschild geometry is often cited for its clarity, making complex concepts like event horizons accessible to those with a solid background in undergraduate physics. Key Topics Covered in the Text