Description

This second edition of Tensors and Manifolds is based on courses taken by advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students in mathematics and physics, giving an introduction to the expanse of modern mathematics and its application in modern physics. It aims to fill the gap between the basic courses and the highly technical and specialized courses which both mathematics and physics students require in their advanced training, while simultaneously trying to promote, at an early stage, a better appreciation and understanding of each other's discipline. The book sets forth the basic principles of tensors and manifolds, describing how the mathematics underlies elegant geometrical models of classical mechanics, relativity and elementary particle physics. The existing material from the first edition has been reworked and extended in some sections to provide extra clarity, with additional problems. Four new chapters on Lie groups and fibre bundles have been included, leading to an exposition of gauge theory and the standard model of elementary particle physics. Mathematical rigour combined with an informal style makes this a very accessible book and will provide the reader with an enjoyable panorama of interesting mathematics and physics.

Features

• Provides concise introduction to several branches of mathematical physics.
• Focuses on fundamental concepts, but avoids excessive technical details.
• Bridges gap between basic and highly specialised courses.
• Written in an informal style.
• Assumes minimal technical background.
• Enables early appreciation of modern mathematics and its application in modern physics.

Product Details

464 pages; 46 line drawings; 6 1/4 x 9 3/8; ISBN13: 978-0-19-956482-8ISBN10: 0-19-956482-5

About the Author(s)