PHYS 418
Gravity Spring 2014
Division III Quantitative/Formal Reasoning
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This course is an introduction to the currently accepted theory of gravity, Einstein’s general 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. After this application, we use tensors to develop Einstein’s equation, which describes how energy density curves spacetime. With this equation in hand we study the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker geometries for an expanding universe, and finally, we linearize Einstein’s equation to develop the theory of gravitational waves.
The Class: Format: lecture, three hours per week
Limit: none
Expected: 19
Class#: 3852
Grading: yes pass/fail option, no fifth course option
Requirements/Evaluation: evaluation will be based on weekly problem sets, a midterm exam, and a final exam, all with a substantial quantitative component
Extra Info: not available for the Gaudino option
Prerequisites: PHYS 301 or PHYS 405 or PHYS 411; students with strong math backgrounds are invited to consult with the instructor about a possible waiving of the prerequisites
Distributions: Division III Quantitative/Formal Reasoning

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