Black holes : an introduction

Bibliographic Information

Black holes : an introduction

Derek Raine & Edwin Thomas

Imperial College Press, c2010

2nd ed

  • : pbk

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Note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

This introduction to the fascinating subject of black holes fills a significant gap in the literature which exists between popular, non-mathematical expositions and advanced textbooks at the research level. It is designed for advanced undergraduates and first year postgraduates as a useful stepping-stone to the advanced literature.The book provides an accessible introduction to the exact solutions of Einstein's vacuum field equations describing spherical and axisymmetric (rotating) black holes. The geometry and physical properties of these spacetimes are explored through the motion of particles and light. The use of different coordinate systems, maximal extensions and Penrose diagrams is explained. The association of the surface area of a black hole with its entropy is discussed and it is shown that with the introduction of quantum mechanics black holes cease to be black and can radiate. This result allows black holes to satisfy the laws of thermodynamics and thus be consistent with the rest of physics.In this new edition the problems in each chapter have been revised and solutions are provided. The text has been expanded to include new material on wormholes and clarify various other issues.

Table of Contents

  • Relativistic Gravity
  • Spherical Black Holes
  • Rotating Black Holes
  • Black Hole Thermodynamics
  • Wormholes and Time Travel
  • Astrophysical Black Holes
  • Answers to Problems.

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

  • NCID
    BB00270913
  • ISBN
    • 9781848163829
    • 9781848163836
  • LCCN
    2009022739
  • Country Code
    uk
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Text Language Code
    eng
  • Place of Publication
    London
  • Pages/Volumes
    xi, 198 p.
  • Size
    24 cm
  • Classification
  • Subject Headings
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