English

Classical Physics: Spacetime and Fields

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2024-01-15 v3 High Energy Physics - Theory Mathematical Physics math.MP

Abstract

We present a self-contained introduction to the classical theory of spacetime and fields. This exposition is based on the most general principles: the principle of general covariance (relativity) and the principle of least action. The order of the exposition is: 1. Spacetime (principle of general covariance and tensors, affine connection, curvature, metric, space and time, tetrad and spin connection, Lorentz group, spinors); 2. Fields (principle of least action, gravitational field, matter, symmetries and conservation laws, particle limit of field, gravitational field equations, spinor fields, electromagnetic field). In this order, a particle is a special case of a field existing in spacetime, and classical mechanics can be derived from field theory.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.0911.0334,
  title  = {Classical Physics: Spacetime and Fields},
  author = {Nikodem Popławski},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0911.0334},
  year   = {2024}
}

Comments

151 pages, 3 figures

R2 v1 2026-06-21T14:06:20.752Z