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Somali_Physicist
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Just wanted any books / pdfs which introduce special relativistic calculus.
I don't think I'm qualified to state I'm a physicist. I am an undergrad starting 2nd year, I was interested in calculus used in special relativity. I have read up on some questions using interesting derivates whilst answering said questions related to the time invariant.Also I think I should have said general relativistic calculus as I get your point on special relativity being mostly based on constant frames of references, which are often more conceptual than mathematically challenging.However i guess when you bring in vectorial problems you begin to use calculus often. Was looking for pdfs like that. I haven't started on general relativity but would appreciate an intro to it as well (Assuming there is a lot of calc. involved.Vanadium 50 said:Calculus is calculus, and was invented centuries before Einstein. Special relativity largely uses only algebra - the transformations are algebraic, although one can set up a situation where the dynamics requires calculus: just as in Newtonian mechanics. So I don't know what you are asking. (Oh, and are you really a physicist?)
I have done a few calc units that weres required.I was thinking of going into pure maths electives as that is often more "creative" in mathematics.Mister T said:Traditionally calculus is taught in a math department starting with a three-semester sequence of Cal I, Cal II, and Call III. Differential equations follows, although usually the prerequisite is only Cal II. You can polish that off with an undergrad course or two in differential geometry.
For an undergrad course in general relativity probably all of the above would be good to have, but usually they're not all required. The best strategy would be to ask the professors who teach the undergrad courses in relativity.
By the way, these professors are almost always happy to discuss these things with potential students. They are happy when students show an interest in the courses they teach. Unless you happen to approach them on a day when they're in a bad mood.
Somali_Physicist said:Just wanted any books / pdfs which introduce special relativistic calculus.
thanks dude this is exactly the kind of stuff i was looking for.Daverz said:See here:
https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/relativity-using-bondi-k-calculus/
(Yes, I know, nothing to do with differential calculus.)
Somali_Physicist said:this is exactly the kind of stuff i was looking for.
Awesome, I have pretty much developed a concise understanding of Special Relativity since I have done quiet a few units on it.However this year it will be further explained with hints of General relativity.I stumbled on tensors and was absolutely dumb founded , every day I find out I know less and less... and damnt it feels great!bhobba said:Relativistic Calculus is just tensor calculus - but applied to Relativity
Here is a self contained account:
http://www.ita.uni-heidelberg.de/~dullemond/lectures/tensor/tensor.pdf
But you will learn it in any good book on SR and/or GR.
In order I would get - First for SR
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0198539525/?tag=pfamazon01-20
It emphasizes symmetry as the basis of SR - which IMHO is the correct approach.
For GR Dirac's little book explains the tensor calculus you need for that:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/069101146X/?tag=pfamazon01-20
Watch Dirac though - its brevity comes at a price - he just states the main result Ruv = 0 rather than motivates it - there are deeper reasons why it is so.
Also watch Tensor calculus in general - its a very brief and concise notation. Proving what look like simple things can be more difficult that you think. My vector calculus teacher at uni expressed it this way - don't pick up a book on tensor calculus for a bit of light reading - it will suck you in hours for hours.
Thanks
Bill
Relativistic calculus is a mathematical framework used to describe and analyze phenomena involving objects moving at high speeds, close to the speed of light. It combines the principles of special relativity and calculus to accurately model the behavior of these objects.
Relativistic Calculus is important because it allows scientists to accurately calculate and predict the behavior of objects moving at high speeds, which is crucial in fields such as astrophysics, particle physics, and engineering. It also provides a deeper understanding of the fundamental laws of the universe.
Relativistic Calculus has a wide range of applications, including the study of black holes, particle accelerators, and nuclear reactions. It is also used in GPS technology, as well as in the development of space travel and satellite communication systems.
Yes, there are many free resources available for learning Relativistic Calculus, including online textbooks, lecture notes, and video tutorials. Some universities also offer open courseware on this subject.
Yes, Relativistic Calculus is a complex mathematical framework and requires a solid foundation in calculus, linear algebra, and special relativity. It is recommended to have a strong understanding of these subjects before delving into Relativistic Calculus.