Physics 222S, GENERAL RELATIVITY SEMINAR (Petters)
Introduction to the basic concepts and techniques of General Relativity.
This is a core course for students interested
in cosmology, string theory, gravitational lensing, theoretical astrophysics,
or related subjects.
Prerequisites:
a basic facility with multivariable calculus
and linear algebra.
Texts:
-
D. J. Rain and E.G. Thomas,
An Introduction to the Science of Cosmology
(Institute of Physics Publishing, Bristol, 2001).
-
A. O. Petters, H. Levine, and J. Wambsganss,
Singularity Theory and Gravitational Lensing
(Birkhauser, Boston, 2001).
Supplemental References:
-
E. Bertschinger,
Notes on General Relativity
-
S. Carroll,
Notes on General Relativity
-
S. Chandrasekhar,
The Mathematical Theory of Black Holes
(Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1992).
-
J. Hartle,
Gravity: An Introduction to Einstein's General Relativity
(Addison Wesley, San Francisco, 2003).
-
C. Misner, K. Thorne, and J. A. Wheeler,
Gravitation
(W. H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco, 1973).
-
B. Schutz,
A First Course in General Relativity
(Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1985).
-
S. Weinberg,
Gravitation and Cosmology
(John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1972).
Grader:
Ethan Neil
- Email:
etn3@duke.edu
COURSE OUTLINE (tentative):
3. Special Relativistic Mechanics and Electrodynamics
5. Spacetime Matter Content
7. Cosmology with Cosmological Constant
9. Schwarzschild Black Hole
Grade:
based on problem sets and project.