Relativity and Spacetime

Catalog description

This course is an introduction to the physics and philosophy of special and general relativity. In the first part of the course, we will develop the physics underlying special relativity and consider conceptual questions including the following: Does Special Relativity prohibit faster-than-light travel? Does it allow a traveling astronaut to age less and return home in the distant future? What is the significance of Einstein’s famous equation "E = mc2"? In the second part, we will develop the physics underlying general relativity and consider conceptual issues surrounding such current applications as time machines, wormholes and "warp-drive" spacetimes. | Prerequisites: EXPOS-UA 1 or EXPOS-UA 4 . Notes: Satisfies a HuSS elective.