Department of Physics, University of
Utah
Course Number: Physics 7720 (3)
Course Title: General Relativity
- REPRESENTATIVE TEXTBOOK
- General Relativity, General Relativity (University of Chicago Press, Chicago
1984)
- Gravitation, G. W. Misner, K. S. Thorne, and J. A. Wheeler (Freeman,
San Francisco, 1970)
- The Classical Theory of Fields, L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz (Butterworth--
Heinemann, Oxford 1998)
- COURSE DESCRIPTION
- General relativity is simultaneously a study of the geometric structure of physical spacetime
and of the gravitational field. Its main applications are in relativistic astrophysics, cosmology, and
in attempts to unify theories of fundamental interactions. The course serves as an introduction to
general relativity for graduate students interested in these disciplines.
- PRE-REQUISITE
- A good knowledge of special relativity and electromagnetic field theory is required, either
from previously taken courses or from an independent reading.
- OTHER COMMENTS
- Optional topics included depend on whether the course is taught for one or two semesters,
and on students interests.
- MANDATORY TOPICS
- Topic 1:
- Differential Geometry and Riemannian Spacetime (2 weeks)
- Topic 2:
- Particle Mechanics and Field Theory in a Curved Space (1 week)
- Topic 3:
- Einstein's Law of Gravitation (1 week)
- Topic 4:
- Linearized Gravity: Newtonian Limit and Weak Gravitational Waves (1 week)
- Topic 5:
- Relativistic Cosmology (2 weeks)
- Topic 6:
- Schwarzschild Solution and Non-Rotating Black Holes (2 weeks)
- OPTIONAL TOPICS
- Topic 1:
- Exact Solutions of Einstein Equations
- Topic 2:
- Relativistic Hydrodynamics and Relativistic Stars
- Topic 3:
- Gravitational Waves and the Petrov--Penrose Classification
- Topic 4:
- Topology and Singularities
- Topic 5:
- Action Principles, the Initial Value Problem, and the Evolution Problem
- Topic 6:
- Quantum Fields in Curved Spacetime, Hawking Radiation and Black Hole
Thermodynamics
- Topic 7:
- Quantum Gravity
- Topic 8:
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- Links to exisiting web page for this course:
- Currently does not exit.
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Prepared by Karel V. Kuchar (3/1/99)