Classical Physics: Spacetime and Fields

2009/11/02 by Nikodem J. Popławski, Popławski, Nikodem · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc) #High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th) #Mathematical Physics (math-ph) #Relativity and Gravitational Theory

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0911.0334

openalex publication_date 2009/11/02 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

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.

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