Prerequisites for DIY-Learning General Relativity Physics

[Curiatron]

Hi all,

 

I am interested in learning about general relativity (GR) in a do-it-yourself fashion. To that end, I was hoping that some of you may be able to provide some advice on the following two questions:

1. Am I missing any prerequisite knowledge required before beginning an introductory study of GR? Below is a list of college level math and physics courses that I completed during my engineering undergraduate days (a while ago, but reasonably confident I can brush up on the course material).
2. A good introductory GR textbook - aside from clear explanations, something with lots of examples and worked through problems would be nice.

Thanks in advance!

 

Completed Relevant Coursework:

Classical Mechanics Physics (i.e. Newtonian stuff)

EM Mechanics Physics

Multivariate/Vector Calculus

Ordinary Differential Equations

Numerical Computation Methods

Introductory Statistics

[mathematic]

Differential geometry- you would need the basics, if nothing else, for the notation.

[studiot]

Before you start on GR you should be aware that the theory has changed and developed of the course of the last century.

 

A good history of this and the experimental work that went into these changes is to be found here.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Theory-Century-Geniuses-Relativity/dp/1408703106/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407790350&sr=1-1&keywords=perfect+theory

Edited August 11, 2014 by studiot

[ajb]

You have some calculus and differential equations. This should be enough to get started. I suggest you read the lecture notes of Carroll, they are a good place to start.

 

arXiv:gr-qc/9712019v1