PHY1483H: Relativity Theory I

Basis of Einstein's Theory of General Relativity. Topics are as follows. Special relativity and tensors: Galilean relativity and 3-vectors. Special relativity and 4-vectors. Relativistic particles. Electromagnetism. Constant relativistic acceleration. Spacetime: Equivalence principle. Spacetime as a curved manifold. Tensors in curved spacetime. Rules for tensor index gymnastics. The covariant derivative: How basis vectors change: the affine connection. Covariant derivative and parallel transport. Geodesic equations. Spacetime curvature: Curvature and Riemann tensor. Riemann normal coordinates and the Bianchi identity. Information in Riemann. The physics of curvature: Geodesic deviation. Tidal forces. Taking the Newtonian limit. The power of symmetry, and Einstein's equations: Lie derivatives. Killing tensors. Maximally symmetric spacetimes. Einstein's equations. Black hole basics: Birkhoff's theorem and the Schwarzschild solution. TOV equation for a star. Geodesics of Schwarzschild. More advanced aspects of black holes: Causal structure of Schwarzschild. Reissner-Nordstrom black holes. Kerr black holes. The Penrose process. Classic experimental tests of GR: Gravitational redshift. Planetary perihelion precession. Bending of light. Radar echoes. Geodesic precession of gyros. Accretion disks. Gravitational lensing: Behaviour of light in gravitational fields. Deflection angles. Time delay. Magnification and multiple images.

0.50
St. George
In Class