Chennai Mathematical Institute

Seminars




3.30 p.m.
Do you need to understand General Theory of Relativity to understand gravitation?

N.D. Hari Dass
Chennai Mathematical Institute.
16-03-11


Abstract

Einstein's GTR represented a complete break from previous conceptualisations of gravitation. Thus it was a revolutionary development. Despite its phenomenal success it is nevertheless important to look at approaches pioneered by Weinberg, Schwinger and refined by Feynman that can be thought of as being more 'evolutionary'. While GTR looks at gravitation in a fundamentally different way than other forces in nature, these evolutionary approaches on the other hand emphasize the many similarities. I myself made some important contributions to this alternative route to gravity. In this talk I shall give a pedagogical description of the various issues involved.