Gravity: A Very Short Introduction

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Timothy Clifton (Lecturer in Theoretical Cosmology, Queen Mary, University of London)

Gravity

A Very Short Introduction

Timothy Clifton (Lecturer in Theoretical Cosmology, Queen Mary, University of London)

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English

Oxford University Press
09 March 2017

Mathematics & Sciences; Cosmology & the universe; Gravity; Relativity physics

Series: Very Short Introductions

Gravity is one of the four fundamental interactions that exist in nature. It also has the distinction of being the oldest, weakest, and most difficult force to quantize. Understanding gravity is not only essential for understanding the motion of objects on Earth, but also the motion of all celestial objects, and even the expansion of the Universe itself. It was the study of gravity that led Einstein to his profound realisations about the nature of space and time. Gravity is not only universal, it is also essential for understanding the behaviour of the Universe, and all astrophysical bodies within it. In this Very Short Introduction Timothy Clifton looks at the development of our understanding of gravity since the early observations of Kepler and Newtonian theory. He discusses Einstein's theory of gravity, which now supplants Newton's, showing how it allows us to understand why the frequency of light changes as it passes through a gravitational field, why GPS satellites need their clocks corrected as they orbit the Earth, and why the orbits of distant neutron stars speed up. Today, almost 100 years after Einstein published his theory of gravity, we have even detected the waves of gravitational radiation that he predicted. Clifton concludes by considering the testing and application of general relativity in astrophysics and cosmology, and looks at dark energy and efforts such as string theory to combine gravity with quantum mechanics.

By: Timothy Clifton (Lecturer in Theoretical Cosmology Queen Mary University of London)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 174mm, Width: 122mm, Spine: 8mm
Weight: 110g
ISBN: 9780198729143
ISBN 10: 0198729146
Series: Very Short Introductions
Pages: 120
Publication Date: 09 March 2017
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

1: From Newton to Einstein 2: Gravity in the solar system 3: Extrasolar tests of gravity 4: Gravitational waves 5: Cosmology 6: Frontiers of gravitational physics 7: Summary References Further Reading Index

Dr Timothy Clifton studied under John Barrow in Cambridge and is now a lecturer at Queen Mary, University of London. He is a specialist in gravitational physics. He has published many research papers on the subject, as well as co-authoring a cover story on gravity in Scientific American.