Introduction to Einstein's General Theory of Relativity

Catalog description

Explores Einstein’s theory in which gravity is not a force, but a property built into the fabric of the universe – the curvature of four dimensional spacetime. Overview of special relativity including spacetime diagrams, four-vectors, and the relative nature of time and distance. Introduces tensor calculus, non-Euclidean geometry, geodesics and arbitrary coordinate systems. Analyzes the Schwarzschild spacetime, planetary motion and black holes. Studies Einstein’s experimentally verified predictions including topics such as perturbations in Mercury’s orbit, gravitational lensing and neutron star mergers. Special topics include gravitational waves and the large-scale evolving structure of the universe.