Where Can I Find Beginner Books on Gravitational Waves?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on recommendations for beginner to intermediate level books and articles about gravitational waves, particularly in the context of preparing for a scientific paper. Participants share various resources and express their opinions on the suitability of different texts for someone new to the subject.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests recommendations for beginner/intermediate books on gravitational waves for a graduation paper.
  • Several participants provide links to specific books on Amazon, suggesting they may be useful resources.
  • One participant mentions that Misner, Thorne, and Wheeler's "Gravitation" is a good resource, noting its current out-of-print status but availability in university libraries.
  • Another participant suggests that Schutz's "A First Course in General Relativity" may be more appropriate for beginners, emphasizing the need for the reader to grow into the material.
  • There is a recommendation for Collier's book, which includes a chapter on gravitational waves, as suitable for someone transitioning from high school to general relativity.
  • Another participant agrees with the recommendation of Collier's book and mentions an additional similar book that could also be beneficial.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the value of the recommended books, but there is no consensus on which book is definitively the best for beginners, as different opinions on the suitability of various texts are expressed.

Contextual Notes

Some recommendations depend on the reader's prior knowledge and mathematical background, which may not be fully addressed in the discussion.

Nik98
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Can someone recommend me some beginner/intermediate level books about gravitational waves and some articles about their discovery.
I need to write scientific paper about them for my graduation but i don't have resources where to find about them so i would really appreciate help :)
 
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I like Misner, Thorne, and Wheeler's treatment of gravitational waves in their Gravitation. It's currently out of print, but there is a new printing being done later this year, and it is in a lot of university libraries, so it's easy to find to read if not to own right away.
 
Given the original post in this thread, and the post

Nik98 said:
I'm just a guy who loves physics and who will start studying theoretical physics in October.
I'm interested in many fields of physics and still discovering new fascinating things about this science.
If i ask stupid questions sometimes please bear with me :)

in the New Member Introductions Forum, I think that Nik98 is about to graduate from high school.
 
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Ah. MTW's Gravitation fits my normal definition of an "intermediate" textbook. In this case I suppose Schutz's A First Course in General Relativity would be better. I recommend it with the understanding that the OP will have to grow into it, referring back to it as more calculus is learned and applied over the course of the first few years of university.
 
The Bill said:
Ah. MTW's Gravitation fits my normal definition of an "intermediate" textbook. In this case I suppose Schutz's A First Course in General Relativity would be better. I recommend it with the understanding that the OP will have to grow into it, referring back to it as more calculus is learned and applied over the course of the first few years of university.
For someone who just finished the high school and wants immediately to jump into general relativity, probably the best book is Collier
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008JRJ1VK/?tag=pfamazon01-20
The second edition ends with a chapter on gravitational waves.
 
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