Study Guide@lith
 

Linköping Institute of Technology

 
 
Valid for year : 2016
 
TATA75 Theory of Relativity, 6 ECTS credits.
/Relativitetsteori/

For:   MFYS   Y  


OBS!

The course is only offered every second year. It will be offered during 2016.

 

Prel. scheduled hours: 38
Rec. self-study hours: 122

  Area of Education: Science

Main field of studies: Physics, Applied Physics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics

  Advancement level (G1, G2, A): A

Aim:
The purpose of the course is to give a good understanding of the principles and consequences of the special and general theory of relativity. After a finished course the student knows how to:
  • use the relativistic introductory four formalism to solve problems within the special relativity
  • use the mathematical formalism for connections and general tensors (like the Riemann tensor) to solve problems of general relativistic nature
  • explain the physical principles that form the foundation for general relativity and derive their consequences for the field equations and equations of motion
  • derive the physical consequences of general relativity from the field equations and equations of motion, especially the classical tests of the theory, black holes and relativistic cosmology
  • derive the main exact solutions of Einsteins field equations


Prerequisites: (valid for students admitted to programmes within which the course is offered)
Mechanics, Modern Physics.
In addition to these formal prerequisites considerable 'mathematical maturity' is required. Therefore it is advantageous to have taken one or several additional courses in advanced mathematics and theoretical physics e.g., Complex analysis, Differential geometry, Functional analysis, Cosmology and/or Analytical mechanics.


Note: Admission requirements for non-programme students usually also include admission requirements for the programme and threshhold requirements for progression within the programme, or corresponding.

Organisation:
The course is presented on lectures.

Course contents:
Manifolds. Tensor algebra. Tensor analysis. Metric tensor. Geodesics. Riemann tensor. Calculus of variations. The postulates of special relativity. Lorentz-transformations. Physical consequences of special relativity. The postulates of general relativity. Einstein's field equations and equations of motion. Weak-field approximation. Schwarzschild's solution. Planetary motion and the perihelion drift of Mercury. Deviation of light. Gravitational redshift. Time dilation. Singularities. Static and rotating black holes. Relativistic cosmology.

Course literature:
R. D'Inverno, Introducing Einstein's Relativity, Clarendon

Examination:
Homework problems and oral presentation
6 ECTS
 



Course language is Swedish.
Department offering the course: MAI.
Director of Studies: Jesper Thorén
Examiner: Fredrik Andersson
Link to the course homepage at the department


Course Syllabus in Swedish

Linköping Institute of Technology

 


Contact: TFK , val@tfk.liu.se
Last updated: 10/02/2015