Electromagnetic Radiation: The Key to Understanding the Universe
In this chapter, we describe electric and magnetic fields, their unification by Maxwell, electromagnetic waves, Albert Einstein’s special theory of relativity and how we get information about cosmic objects through electromagnetic waves emitted by them. T
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GRAVITATIONAL WAVES A New Window to the Universe
Gravitational Waves
Ajit Kembhavi Pushpa Khare •
Gravitational Waves A New Window to the Universe
123
Ajit Kembhavi Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics Pune, India
Pushpa Khare Retired Professor of Physics (Utkal University) Baner, Pune, India
ISBN 978-981-15-5708-8 ISBN 978-981-15-5709-5 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5709-5
(eBook)
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. The registered company address is: 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore
Foreword
Do gravitational effects travel as waves across vast cosmic distances with the speed of light? The reason for raising this question was the expected similarity between electromagnetic theory and gravitation. In the former theory, it was well established that electric and magnetic effects travel across space at the speed of light. However, that theory was formulated differently from gravitation. The electric field and the magnetic field are two inter-related entities which travel outwards whenever an electromagnetic phenomenon occurs. For example, when alternating current is passed through a loop of wire electromagnetic waves emerge in all directions from the loop. Should we expect similar waves of gravitational nature to arise, if, say, two massive objects collide? The question is very simply worded but not easy to answer! In the geometrybased picture of general relativity due to Albert Einstein, it is hard to separate the changes of geometry of the ambient space from the changes of gravity that arise from collision. Indeed, the question was not answered in Einst
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