PHYS415-20S2 (C) Semester Two 2020

General Relativity

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 13 July 2020
End Date: Sunday, 8 November 2020
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Friday, 24 July 2020
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 25 September 2020

Description

This course introduces the foundations of general relativity - Einstein's theory of gravitational interactions - with applications. We begin with a physical motivation for general relativity in terms of the equivalence principle and tidal forces. We then develop the mathematical framework of differential geometry needed for working in curved space-time. Equipped with the machinery of connections, covariant derivatives, and the Riemann curvature tensor we will investigate the geodesic equations and Einstein's equations, which describe the dynamic relationship between matter and geometry. Applications will include the determination of orbits near stars and black holes, and the bending of light.

Prerequisites

Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

David Wiltshire

Additional Course Outline Information

Academic integrity

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,054.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Physical & Chemical Sciences .

All PHYS415 Occurrences

  • PHYS415-20S2 (C) Semester Two 2020
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