Book Description

The scalar-tensor theory of gravitation moved into the limelight in recent years due to developments in string theory, M-theory and "brane world" constructions. This book introduces the subject at a level suitable for both graduate students and researchers. It explores scalar fields, placing them in context with a discussion of Brans-Dicke theory, covering the cosmological constant problem, higher dimensional space-time, branes and conformal transformations. ... Read more

Book Description

As the 21st century begins, gravitational wave astronomy is poised to open a new observational window on the universe. Ground-based kilometer-scale interferometers, such as LIGO, VIRGO, and GEO600, will observe high frequency gravitational radiation, while the space-based LISA detector will probe the low frequency regime. Taken together, these gravitational wave detectors will provide an unprecedented look at astrophysical systems that have previously been viewed almost exclusively through electromagnetic ... Read more

Book Description

This volume contains a series of topical lectures in general relativity, cosmology, astrophysics, and field theory, with contributions from theorists and experimentalists. ... Read more

Book Description

The relativistic theory of gravity presented in this work is constructed as a field theory of the gravitational field within the framework of special relativity theory. The starting point is the hypothesis that a universal characteristic of matter-the energy-momentum tensor-serves as the source of gravity. The gravitational field is considered to be a universal physical field with spins 2 and 0, owing to the action of which the effective Riemannian space arises. This permits finding a gauge group and unambiguously constructing the Lagrangian density of the gravitational field. The set of equations of this theory is generally covariant and form-invariant with respect to the Lorentz group.Here the introduction of the graviton mass into the theory is necessarily required. The graviton mass substantially influences the Universe evolution and alters the nature of the gravitational collapse. In the work a further development is presented of the ideas of H. Poincar, H. Minkowski, A. Einstein, D. Hilbert, N. Rosen, V.A. Fock, S. Gupta, W. Thirring and S. Weinberg in the theory of relativity and gravity. ... Read more

Book Description

An up-to-date description of progress and current problems with the gravitational constant, both in terms of generalized gravitational theories and experiments either in the laboratory, using Casimir force measurements, or in space at solar system distances and in cosmological observations.Contributions cover different aspects of the state and prediction of unified theories of the physical interactions including gravitation as a cardinal link, the role of experimental gravitation and observational cosmology in discriminating between them, the problem of the precise measurement and stability of fundamental physical constants in space and time, and the gravitational constant in particular.Recent advances discussed include unified and scalar-tensor theories, theories in diverse dimensions and their observational windows, gravitational experiments in space, rotational and torsional effects in gravity, basic problems in cosmology, early universe as an arena for testing unified models, and big bang nucleosynthesis. ... Read more

Book Description

Here is a self-contained exposition of the theory of gravitational solitons and provides a comprehensive review of exact soliton solutions to Einstein's equations. The text begins with a detailed discussion of the extension of the Inverse Scattering Method to the theory of gravitation, starting with pure gravity and then extending it to the coupling of gravity with the electromagnetic field. There follows a systematic review of the gravitational soliton solutions based on their symmetries. These solutions include some of the most interesting in gravitational physics such as those describing inhomogeneous cosmological models, cylindrical waves, the collision of exact gravity waves, and the Schwarzschild and Kerr black holes. ... Read more

Book Description

Properties of systems with long range interactions are still poorly understood despite being of importance in most areas of physics. The present volume introduces and reviews the effort of constructing a coherent thermodynamic treatment of such systems by combining tools from statistical mechanics with concepts and methods from dynamical systems. Analogies and differences between various systems are examined by considering a large range of applications, with emphasis on Bose--Einstein condensates. Written as a set of tutorial reviews, the book will be useful for both the experienced researcher as well as the nonexpert scientist or postgraduate student. ... Read more

Book Description

Physics of Fluids in Microgravity provides a clear view of the latest research and progress in the different fields of fluid research in space at the beginning of the International Space Station Era. The topics presented include bubbles and drops dynamics, Marangoni flows, diffusion and thermodiffusion, solidification and crystal growth. The results obtained so far are, in some cases, to be confirmed by extensive research activities on the International Space Station, where basic and applied microgravity experimentation will take place in the years to come. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

For space manufacturing
If manufacturing in space is ever to be practical, we are going to need serious and extensive research in how fluids (liquids and gases) behave under conditions of microgravity. Which is why this book is important.

It details the boundaries of our knowledge in this field. And it comes at an important time. When the International Space Station looks like becoming established in a few years time. One of the justifications for the station was to expand vastly our knowledge of how indeed fluids will behave.

The book's discussion seems comprehensive. Undoubtedly, the editor must hope that it rapidly becomes outdated! ... Read more

Book Description

The first realistic unified field theory in history. The problem with unified field theories has always been resolving the difference between the strong electrical forces of the atom and the gravitational force. Physicists have been searching for mythical particles that are believed to produce gravitational forces, but none has ever been found. Dr. Vlasak has proposed a completely new approach. He asserts that, since the gravitational force is so much lower than the electrical force, gravity is a consequence of the nonlinear electrical forces of the atom.

Based on his first two books, "The Secret of Gravity and Other Mysteries of the Universe" and "The Electric Atom," he adds a new radiation theory. He has solved the mystery of the barrier at the center of the atom and asserts that an "ether" is indeed present in the universe and presents compelling evidence to support the theory. The analysis is based on viewing the hydrogen atom as an electronic circuit, similar to the method of Planck, and using force variables, as was Newton's approach. All of these theories are shown to be physically realistic and testable.

These are new and different ideas that portray the universe as an immense sea of electricity. ... Read more