Learn Physics: Special & General Relativity Basics

[Noctisdark]

Hi PF,
Summer is almost here, and I've decided to use it to learn modern physics, but a little bit confused .
So what is the mathematical back ground needed to learn special and general relativity ? Where exactly should start ?

 

[jedishrfu]

Special Relativity expects a precalculus background ie algebra, geometry and trigonometry and an understanding of coordinate systems.

General Relativity deals with spacetime curvature and so requires knowledge of vector and tensor analysis.

 

[Noctisdark]

Thank you jedishrfu, just a little question, tensor analysis, is it a part of differential geometry ?

 

[jedishrfu]

yes, along with differential forms.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_geometry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_form