Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521566320 ISBN 13: 9780521566322

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2000

Graduate students and researchers in astrophysics and cosmology need a solid grasp of a wide range of physical processes. This authoritative textbook helps readers develop the necessary toolkit of theory. The book is modular in design, allowing the reader to pick and chose a selection of chapters, if necessary. After reviewing the basics of dynamics, electromagnetic theory, and statistical physics, the book carefully develops a solid understanding of radiative processes, spectra, fluid mechanics, plasma physics and MHD, dynamics of gravitating systems, general relativity, nuclear physics, and other key concepts. Throughout, the reader's understanding is developed and tested with problems and helpful hints. This welcome volume provides graduate students with an indispensable introduction to and reference on all the physical processes they will need to successfully tackle cutting-edge research in astrophysics and cosmology. It can be used alone or in conjunction with two companion volumes, which cover stars and stellar systems, and galaxies and cosmology (both forthcoming).

Book Description:

Graduate students and researchers in astrophysics and cosmology need a solid understanding of a wide range of physical processes. This clear and authoritative textbook has been designed to help them to develop the necessary toolkit of theory. It can be used alone, or in conjunction with the forthcoming accompanying two volumes (covering stars and stellar systems, and galaxies and cosmology, respectively). After reviewing the basics of dynamics, electromagnetic theory, and statistical physics, the book covers radiative processes, spectra, fluid mechanics, plasma physics and MHD, dynamics of gravitating systems, general relativity, nuclear physics, and other key concepts. Problems and helpful hints are provided throughout. This welcome volume provides graduate students with an indispensable introduction to and reference on all the physical processes they will need to tackle successfully cutting-edge research in astrophysics and cosmology.

Review:

"This textbook addresses theoretical astrophysics on a level suitable for graduate students and researchers in astrophysics and cosmology. The general topics considered are: order-of-magnitude astrophysics; dynamics; special relativity, electrodynamics, and optics; basics or electromagnetic radiation; statistical mechanics; radiative processes; spectra; neutral fluids; plasma physics; gravitational dynamics; general theory of relativity; and basics of nuclear physics." International Aerospace Abstracts