General Relativity
General Relativity
General relativity
o Introduction
o History
Mathematical formulation
o Tests
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Fundamental concepts
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Phenomena
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Equations
Formalisms
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Solutions
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Theorems
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Scientists
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Slow motion computer simulation of the black hole binary system GW150914 as seen by a nearby observer,
during 0.33 s of its final inspiral, merge, and ringdown. The star field behind the black holes is being heavily
distorted and appears to rotate and move, due to extreme gravitational lensing, as spacetime itself is distorted
and dragged around by the rotating black holes.[1]
Contents
1History
2From classical mechanics to general relativity
o 2.1Geometry of Newtonian gravity
o 2.2Relativistic generalization
o 2.3Einstein's equations
o 2.4Total force in general relativity
o 2.5Alternatives to general relativity
3Definition and basic applications
o 3.1Definition and basic properties
o 3.2Model-building
4Consequences of Einstein's theory
o 4.1Gravitational time dilation and frequency shift
o 4.2Light deflection and gravitational time delay
o 4.3Gravitational waves
o 4.4Orbital effects and the relativity of direction
5Astrophysical applications
o 5.1Gravitational lensing
o 5.2Gravitational-wave astronomy
o 5.3Black holes and other compact objects
o 5.4Cosmology
o 5.5Time travel
6Advanced concepts
o 6.1Asymptotic symmetries
o 6.2Causal structure and global geometry
o 6.3Horizons
o 6.4Singularities
o 6.5Evolution equations
o 6.6Global and quasi-local quantities
7Relationship with quantum theory
o 7.1Quantum field theory in curved spacetime
o 7.2Quantum gravity
8Current status
9See also
10References
11Bibliography
12Further reading
o 12.1Popular books
o 12.2Beginning undergraduate textbooks
o 12.3Advanced undergraduate textbooks
o 12.4Graduate textbooks
o 12.5Specialists' books
o 12.6Journal articles
13External links
History[edit]
Main articles: History of general relativity and Classical theories of gravitation
Soon after publishing the special theory of relativity in 1905, Einstein started thinking
about how to incorporate gravity into his new relativistic framework. In 1907, beginning
with a simple thought experiment involving an observer in free fall, he embarked on
what would be an eight-year search for a relativistic theory of gravity. After numerous
detours and false starts, his work culminated in the presentation to the Prussian
Academy of Science in November 1915 of what are now known as the Einstein field
equations, which form the core of Einstein's general theory of relativity. [3] These
equations specify how the geometry of space and time is influenced by