PHYS 418(S) Gravity (Q)
This course is an introduction to the currently accepted theory of gravity, Einstein's general theory of relativity. We begin with a review of special relativity, emphasizing geometrical aspects of Minkowski spacetime. Working from the equivalence principle, we then motivate gravity as spacetime curvature, and study in detail the Schwarzschild geometry around a spherically symmetric mass, and the Friedmann-Robertson Walker geometries for an expanding universe. After these applications, we use tensors to develop Einstein's equation, which describes how energy density curves spacetime, and finally, starting from a linearized version of this equation, we develop the theory of gravitational waves.
Format: lecture, three hours per week. Evaluation will be based on weekly problem sets, a midterm exam, and a final exam, all with a substantial quantitative component.
Prerequisites: Physics 301 or Physics 405 or Physics 411 (students with strong math backgrounds are invited to consult with the instructor about a possible waiving of the prerequisites.) No enrollment limit (expected: 19).
Hour: TUCKER-SMITH