NFYA04022U General Relativity and Cosmology
The purpose of this course is that the student obtains a basic
understanding of general relativity and cosmology, and becomes able
to apply this to elementary phenomena.
This course gives an introduction to Einstein's general
relativity, including a number of exact solutions. Black holes are
discussed. The second part of the course gives an introduction to
cosmology.
Skills
- When the course is finished it is expected that the student is able to explain the equivalence principle and describe the physical and mathematical meaning of geodesic motion.
- The student should understand the principle of general covariance and how this can be used to arrive at the Einstein equations.
- The student should be able to derive the Schwarzschild geometry around a static and spherically symmetric distribution of matter and describe the geodesics in this geometry along with the connection to experimental tests.
- The student should be able to show how the Schwarzschild solution gives rise to the notion of black holes and understand the Kruskal extension.
- Finally, the student should be able to explain the basic ingredients of cosmology, including the evolution of the scale factor of the universe given different energy momentum components.
Knowledge
The course introduces the student to the concept of gravity as a
property of the geometry of spacetime itself, leading to
Einstein's theory of general relativity. This includes the
Einstein equivalence principle, the concept of general covariance,
geodesic motion and the Einstein equations. As applications we will
discuss the Schwarzschild solution and its geodesics, experimental
tests, black holes and cosmology.
Competences
This course makes use of previously obtained knowledge in
Newtonian mechanics, special relativity and vector calculus
as well other related fields such as astrophysics and particle
physics. After the course, the student should have a better picture
of how general relativity fits into the latter subjects.
Furthermore, the course is a good preparation for other more
advanced courses in for example cosmology, high-energy physics and
string theory.
Spacetime and Geometry: An Introduction to General Relativity, Sean Carroll (Addison-Wesley) (further recommend are Notes (Autumn 2007, ps file) which can be found on the net at the address: http://www.nbi.dk/~polesen/)
- Category
- Hours
- Exam
- 0,5
- Lectures
- 28
- Practical exercises
- 28
- Preparation
- 149,5
- Total
- 206,0
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- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Oral examination, 25 minNo preparation time.
- Aid
- Only certain aids allowed
One "A4" piece of paper with the students notes.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
More internal examiners
Criteria for exam assesment
12 for an excellent performance displaying a high level of command
of all aspects of the relevant material, with no or only a few
minor weaknesses.
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- NFYA04022U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 1
- Schedule
- C
- Course capacity
- No restricion to number of participants
- Continuing and further education
- Study board
- Study Board of Physics, Chemistry and Nanoscience
Contracting department
- The Niels Bohr Institute
Course responsibles
- Niels Anne Jacob Obers (5-72656875764371656c316e7831676e)