Is Tensor Algebra Necessary to Understand General Relativity?

[jainabhs]

Hi
Please tell me if tensor algebra is neccesary for understanding GR.
I don't know anything about tensor algebra.

Thanks in anticipation

Abhishek Jain

 

[Daverz]

Yes. In fact you'll need tensor calculus. Many GR books introduce the necessary math. See some of the threads about GR books for pointers.

In their book Exploring Black Holes, Taylor & Wheeler work out some of the physics of black holes by starting with the Schwartzschild metric as a fait accompli, so they don't have to introduce tensor calculus. (The derivation is done in almost any book on GR and does require an understanding of tensor calculus.) I think they assume a knowledge of SR, though; their discussion of SR is pretty brief. So you may want to work through their book Spacetime Physics first.