Learn Physics: Special & General Relativity Basics

AI Thread Summary
To effectively learn modern physics, particularly special and general relativity, a solid mathematical foundation is essential. Special relativity requires a background in precalculus, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, along with an understanding of coordinate systems. General relativity, on the other hand, involves more advanced concepts such as spacetime curvature, necessitating knowledge of vector and tensor analysis. Tensor analysis is indeed a component of differential geometry, which also includes differential forms. Resources like Wikipedia provide further insights into these mathematical concepts, aiding in the preparation for studying relativity.
Noctisdark
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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 ?
 
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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.
 
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Thank you jedishrfu, just a little question, tensor analysis, is it a part of differential geometry ?
 

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