Understanding General Relativity: What Does it Take?

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In summary, understanding general relativity requires a strong understanding of differential geometry. The books "Introduction to smooth manifolds" and "Riemannian manifolds: an introduction to curvature" by John M. Lee are recommended for this. For a non-mathematical understanding, "Black holes and time warps: Einstein's outrageous legacy" by Kip Thorne is a good resource.
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murad60
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Hi, everybody

I'm just wondering what it takes to understand general relativity? And can one understand the underlying math-bench and is it possible to construct intuitive meanings to the concepts of general relativity in a way that is fruitful to its understanding? anyone knows such self-contained intuition-aware reference ?
 
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To really understand it, you need to know differential geometry pretty well. You'd have to study something like, "Introduction to smooth manifolds" and "Riemannian manifolds: an introduction to curvature", both by John M. Lee.

The best non-mathematical book on GR is "Black holes and time warps: Einstein's outrageous legacy", by Kip Thorne.
 

What is General Relativity?

General Relativity is a theory of gravity developed by Albert Einstein in the early 20th century. It describes how massive objects interact with each other and how this interaction affects the fabric of space and time.

What are the key concepts of General Relativity?

The key concepts of General Relativity are the equivalence principle, which states that gravity and acceleration are indistinguishable, and the curvature of space and time caused by massive objects.

How does General Relativity differ from Newton's theory of gravity?

General Relativity differs from Newton's theory of gravity in that it takes into account the curvature of space and time, while Newton's theory assumes that space and time are static and unaffected by mass.

What are some real-world applications of General Relativity?

General Relativity has been used to explain the orbit of Mercury around the sun, the bending of light by massive objects, and the existence of black holes. It also has practical applications in GPS technology and the study of the universe.

Is it difficult to understand General Relativity?

General Relativity can be a challenging concept to understand, as it involves complex mathematical equations and abstract concepts. However, with dedication and persistence, it is possible for anyone to gain a basic understanding of this theory.

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