6 ECTS credits
180 u studietijd
Aanbieding 1 met studiegidsnummer 4015691FNR voor alle studenten in het 1e semester met een gespecialiseerd master niveau.
Based on (parts of) the book by Robert Wald mentioned below, which is used in class.
In the first half of the course, the formalism of general relativity is built up. We will focus on developing the necessary concepts from differential geometry (such as manifolds and curvature). In this language, Einstein’s description of the gravitational force is formulated.
In the second half of the course, we pay attention to experimental tests of the theory and to important physical applications: gravitational waves, cosmology and black holes. Some attention is devoted to questions left unanswered by the theory and to modern developments in gravitational research.
Students taking the course should ideally have seen the notions below already. There will be reminders during the lecture or during the exercise sessions.
Physics: Special relativity (4-vector notation, Einstein index notation, Minkowski spacetime, motion of free particles, lightcones)
Analytical mechanics (lagrangian formulation)
Maths: Linear algebra (vector spaces, bases, linear maps, matrices, dual spaces)
Multivariable calculus (gradient, directional derivatives, multivariable integrals, change of variables formula)
Topology (open and closed sets, continuity, topological spaces)
The student can explain and derive important concepts and results in general relativity, Einstein's description of gravity.
They can apply the theory to new physics problems.
They are able to situate this theory within modern physics. For instance, they can explain that Newton’s theory of gravity can be viewed as a limit of general relativity and that the latter does not answer all questions about gravity either.
De beoordeling bestaat uit volgende opdrachtcategorieën:
Examen Mondeling bepaalt 100% van het eindcijfer
Binnen de categorie Examen Mondeling dient men volgende opdrachten af te werken:
Final grade determined using:
- Oral exam with written preparation. The exam consists of theory as well as exercises.
Deze aanbieding maakt deel uit van de volgende studieplannen:
Master of Photonics Engineering: On campus traject (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Master of Photonics Engineering: Online/Digital traject (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Master of Physics and Astronomy: Minor Research (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Master of Physics and Astronomy: Minor Economy and Business (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Master of Physics and Astronomy: Minor Education (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Educatieve master in de wetenschappen en technologie: fysica (120 ECTS, Etterbeek)