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The theory of relativity describes the laws of physics in a given space-time. However, a physical theory must provide observational predictions expressed in terms of measurements, which are the outcome of practical experiments and observations. Ideal for readers with a mathematical background and a basic knowledge of relativity, this book will help readers understand the physics behind the mathematical formalism of the theory of relativity. It explores the informative power of the theory of relativity, and highlights its uses in space physics, astrophysics and cosmology. Readers are given the tools to pick out from the mathematical formalism those quantities that have physical meaning and which can therefore be the result of a measurement. The book considers the complications that arise through the interpretation of a measurement, which is dependent on the observer who performs it. Specific examples of this are given to highlight the awkwardness of the problem.
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This page intentionally left blank CLASSICAL MEASUREMENTS IN CURVED SPACE-TIMES The theory of relativity describes the laws of physics in a given space-time. However, a physical theory must provide observational predictions expressed in terms of measurements, which are the outcome of practical experiments and observations. Ideal for researchers with a mathematical background and a basic knowledge of relativity, this book will help in the understanding of the physics behind the mathematical formalism of the theory of relativity. It explores the informative power of the theory of relativity, and shows how it can be used in space physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. Readers are given the tools to pick out from the mathematical formalism the quantities which have physical meaning, which can therefore be the result of a measurement. The book considers the complications that arise through the interpretation of a measurement which is dependent on the observer who performs it. Specific examples of this are given to highlight the awkwardness of the problem. Fernando de Felice is Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Padova, Italy. He has significant research experience in the subject of general relativity at institutions in the USA, Canada, the UK, Japan, and Brazil. He was awarded the Volterra Medal by the Accademia dei Lincei in 2005. Donato Bini is a Researcher of the Italian Research Council (CNR) at the Istituto per le Applicazioni del Calcolo “M. Picone” (IAC), Rome. His research interests include space-time splitting techniques in general relativity. CAMBRIDGE MONOGRAPHS ON MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS General Editors: P. V. Landshoff, D. R. Nelson, S. Weinberg S. J. Aarseth Gravitational N-Body Simulations: Tools and Algorithms J. Ambjørn, B. Durhuus and T. Jonsson Quantum Geometry: A Statistical Field Theory Approach A. M. Anile Relativistic Fluids and Magneto-fluids: With Applications in Astrophysics and Plasma Physics J. A. de Azc´ arraga and J. M. Izquierdo Lie Groups, Lie Algebras, Cohomology and Some Applications in Physics† O. Babelon, D. Bernard and M. Talon Introduction to Classical Integrable Systems† F. Bastianelli and P. van Nieuwenhuizen Path Integrals and Anomalies in Curved Space V. Belinski and E. Verdaguer Gravitational Solitons J. Bernstein Kinetic Theory in the Expanding Universe G. F. Bertsch and R. A. Broglia Oscillations in Finite Quantum Systems N. D. Birrell and P. C. W. Davies Quantum Fields in Curved Space† K. Bolejko, A. Krasi´ nski, C. Hellaby and M. -N. C´ el´ erier Structures in the Universe by Exact Methods: Formation, Evolution, Interactions D. M. Brink Semi-Classical Methods for Nucleus-Nucleus Scattering† M. Burgess Classical Covariant Fields E. A. Calzetta and B. -L. B. Hu Nonequilibrium Quantum Field Theory S. Carlip Quantum Gravity in 2+1 Dimensions† P. Cartier and C. DeWitt-Morette Functiona