Spacetime Physics and Black Hole Physics

In summary, the American Journal of Physics has announced that two books, Space Time Physics by Taylor and Wheeler and Exploring Black Holes by Taylor, Wheeler, and Bertschinger, are now available for free. These books are highly recommended for their insights and are considered lower level compared to the renowned Misner-Thorne-Wheeler book, which is considered the reference for General Relativity. However, it is advised to supplement it with newer books for topics such as Cosmology and gravitational-wave research. The chapter on Black Holes, information and the string theory revolution in the book is particularly good.
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vanhees71
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I studied from Sean Carrol book and use misner-thorne-wheeler book as a reference, how would you compare these two to them?
 
  • #3
Taylor and Wheeler are good books and very insightful, but lower level.
 
  • #4
Misner-Thorne-Wheeler is THE reference for GR though it's pretty old and thus should be supplemented with some newer book if it comes to the topics where physicists have made tremendous progress over the years, particularly Cosmology and gravitational-wave research.
 
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  • #5
Black Holes, information and the string theory revolution(ch14) is good.
 

1. What is spacetime physics?

Spacetime physics is a branch of physics that combines the concepts of space and time into a single framework. It describes how objects move and interact in the universe, taking into account the effects of gravity and the curvature of spacetime.

2. How do black holes form?

Black holes form when a massive star dies and its core collapses under its own gravity. This creates a region of spacetime with a gravitational pull so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from it.

3. Can anything escape from a black hole?

No, once an object crosses the event horizon of a black hole, it is impossible for it to escape. This is because the gravitational pull is so strong that the escape velocity exceeds the speed of light.

4. How do black holes affect spacetime?

Black holes have a significant effect on spacetime, as their immense mass and gravity cause a distortion in the fabric of spacetime. This distortion can cause objects to orbit around the black hole or even get pulled into it.

5. Can we observe black holes directly?

No, we cannot observe black holes directly as they do not emit any light. However, we can detect their presence through their effects on surrounding matter and light. Scientists use telescopes and other instruments to study these effects and gather information about black holes.

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