Space, Time, and Gravity: The Theory of the Big Bang and Black Holes 2nd Edition by Robert M. Wald (PDF)

Description

Writing for the general reader or student, Wald has completely revised and updated this highly regarded work to include recent developments in black hole physics and cosmology. Nature called the first edition “a very readable and accurate account of modern relativity physics for the layman within the unavoidable constraint of almost no mathematics. . . . A well written, entertaining and authoritative book.”

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: From the Back Cover Provides the general reader with an elementary but scientifically sound introduction to such fascinating topics as the theory of the big-bang origin of the universe and the nature of black holes. About the Author Robert M. Wald is professor of the Enrico Fermi Institute and the Department of Physics at the University of Chicago.

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐I bought this in paperback, and it reads in a very old-fashioned way, almost like people wrote when relativity was totally new. You can skip most of it: just say “well, it has turned out, by experiment, that the Pythagorean Theorem for the universe (apart from the effects of gravitation) is ds^2=dx^2+dy^2+dz^2-dt^2 “. How about that! Whoda thunka minus sign? Immediate consequence is a limiting velocity of 1. Which we identify as one light-year per year. End of story!

⭐Too much singing ..not enough opera

⭐I found this to be a very readable and accurate account of modern relativity physics for the layman within the unavoidable constraint of almost no background in higher mathematics

⭐Interesting book

⭐We are fortunate to have fine introductory expositions of special and general relativity, including: General relativity From A to B, by Geroch (1978) and Flat and Curved Spacetimes by Ellis and Williams (1988). Read those alongside Space, Time and Gravity (Wald’s lectures delivered 1976 are updated for a second edition 1992). Among the older expositions Peter Bergmann’s Riddle of Gravitation and Synge’s Talking About Relativity are memorable. These are essential reading for the layman. Regarding Robert Wald’s book:(1) The Metric, that is the word to remember. Read: “The intrinsic properties of spacetime are fully described by the ‘geometry of spacetime’ as embodied in the spacetime metric.” (page 23). Amusingly, I never encountered a professor who explicitly stated that in the classroom !(2) The first two chapters (up to page 29) precede discussion of general relativity (third chapter). I like what we read: “The description of Einstein’s equation is somewhat of an oversimplification, and some words of caution should be given.” (page 35). Find out why !(3) Cosmology, next. Isotropy and homogeneity, those will be the guideposts. Read: “They imply that there must exist a family of homogeneous and isotropic three-dimensional spatial ‘surfaces’ in spacetime.” (page 44). Expansion of Universe beautifully expounded on the basis of Einstein’s equations (page 48). Qualitative exposition of “Singularity Theorems” is delivered (page 55) Remarkably lucid !(4) Evolution (dynamics) of the Universe, follows. If you wish for more, read Wald with Weinberg’s First Three Minutes. Here we read of inflation: “such an inflationary era, if it occurred, might help account for why the present Universe is so homogeneous and isotropic.” (page 61).(5) Evolution of Stars. Read: “In general relativity it is harder to maintain hydrostatic equilibrium; that is, more pressure is needed to support a star than in Newtonian theory.” (page 81). Learn why this is so !(6) Next comes Gravitational Collapse. Regards the parameter ‘R’ (radius) read: ” R is still called the radius of the sphere, even though it is no longer necessarily equal to the distance of the surface of the sphere from the origin.” (page 86, discusses spherically symmetric spacetime). Black Hole and Event Horizon introduced (page 89). Cosmic Censorship ( “no naked singularities” ) given fine elaboration (pages 91 and 98). Kerr-Newman Solution (Black Hole possessing mass, angular momentum, charge) is lucidly described. Beautiful !(7) Energy, that is the word for chapter eight. Or, rather, energy extraction from Black Holes. A ten page exposition which is hard to surpass. We read “there is no notion of total energy in general relativity for two reasons…” Learn of those two reasons in this chapter.(8) Chapter Nine, an interlude of Astrophysics: “focus on effects that might be produced by the presence of a black hole in a realistic physical environment” followed by chapter ten, Quantum Particle Creation. Atomic physics to Hawking radiation, thermodynamics, and more. Reading the conclusion: “It is impossible to predict the future of physics, but it may well turn out that further understanding of the black hole will provide us with a key to further understanding of the laws of nature.” (page 139).(9) An appendix derives Lorentz transformation formulas and shows invariance of interval (observer-independence). Beautiful ! Suggestions for further reading concludes Wald’s exegesis. While Wald does interject some mathematics, what is here included is useful for the discussion. As with Geroch (more elementary) and Ellis (less elementary),Robert Wald is essential reading.Highly recommended.

⭐Robert M. Wald is more known by his (very technical) book “General Relativity”, where he explains Einstein’s theory using a somewhat (sometimes too much) hard mathematical description. The main problem with this book, “Space, Time and Gravity” seems to be, for me, also its hardness; it is a clear and well written book, but maybe with language and focus some steps too high for the general public. Let give me an example: the book has ten chapters; the three first ones give a beautiful logical description of how space and time are viewed in Physics, but the next chapter becomes a bit too complicated, having a simple description of the Singularity Theorem, which for me seems a technical matter not very appealing. The final five chapters give an interesting account of the theory of black holes, but again this account seems to lack some taste, reminding me of a breakfast made of a superb toast served without jam or butter or anything to drink… However, I would recommend this book for undergraduate students of physics. For readers with a not-so-good mathematical background I would also suggest “Flat and Curved Space-Times” by G.F.R. Ellis and R.M. Williams (unhappily out of stock). The general public probably would enjoy more the reading of Einstein’s “Relativity : The Special and the General Theory” (Paperback – May 1995) (a very recommendable book!) or the lengthy “Black Holes and Time Warps : Einstein’s Outrageous Legacy”, by Kip S. Thorne, et al. (Paperback – January 1995).

⭐Muy buena edición! Un libro muy breve pero muy bien explicado; no es un libro de texto para la materia de relatividad general a nivel licenciatura.

⭐

⭐An interesting and more-or-less understandable review of this material for a nonprofessional reader.

⭐Ouvrage de référence pour qui s’intéresse à l’astrophysique et à la cosmologie. Une synthèse remarquable par un spécialiste reconnu. Passionnant.

⭐

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