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| Unit name |
General Relativity and Cosmology |
| Unit code |
PHYSM1900 |
| Credit points |
10 |
| Level of study |
M/7
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. Birkinshaw |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
Relevant third year physics units.
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
School of Physics |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Science |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit gives an introduction to the General Theory of Relativity and, via differential geometry, derives the equations governing the behaviour of matter and radiation in the Universe. Cosmological models based on Einstein's field equations will be described and their observable consequences discussed. Recent developments in dark matter and dark energy are discussed. Black holes and gravitational radiation are also described and key results are derived.
Aims:
- To provide a physical understanding of the General Theory of Relativity, to demonstrate how to apply the theory to the Universe, compact objects, and gravitational radiation.
- To make students familiar with the use of curved space-time in cosmology and astrophysics, and to enable them to calculate the observable consequences of relativistic gravitation.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to
- Describe the limitations of Newtonian gravity, and use the principle of equivalence to calculate redshifts
- Make calculations using relativistic four-vectors and tensors and use metric tensors in calculations of relativistic invariants
- Describe the role of the stress-energy tensor and its properties in Special Relativity
- Derive the Freidmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) solutions of Einstein's equations and show how these lead to different histories of the Universe
- Show how the properties of geodesics in FRW metrics lead to observable redshifts, and the concepts of different distance measures
- Reproduce the derivation of Hubble's law
- Describe how to measure cosmological parameters
- Work with other metrics, such as the weak field metric and the Schwarzschild metric
- Discuss recent developments in cosmology in terms of dark matter and dark energy
- Understand the nature of gravitational radiation in the weak-field limit.
Teaching Information
Lectures and problems classes
Assessment Information
Formative assessment is provided through problems classes. The final unit mark comes from a 2 hour written examination (100%)
Reading and References
Schutz, B.F. A First Course in General Relativity
