Physics 412, General Relativity

Spring 2013

MWF 11:00-11:50

Room 126 RHSC

Dr. Chris Fragile

Office: 127 SCIC

Office hours: M 2:00-4:00; W 3:00-5:00

But come by any time

Phone: 953-3181

fragilep@cofc.edu

 

 [ Tentative Schedule ] [ General Info ] [ Goals and Objectives ] [ Grading Scheme ]

Tentative Schedule (Subject to change as we go.)

DATE

CHAPTER
ASSIGNMENTS/NOTES
9 Jan Ch.1 - Gravitational Physics  
11 Jan Ch. 2 - Geometry as Physics Ch. 2: 1(a), 5, 7, 10; Ch. 3: 2, 4 (due 1/18)
Solutions
14 Jan Ch. 3 - Space, Time & Gravity in Newtonian Physics  
18 Jan Ch. 4 - Principles of Special Relativity Ch. 4: 3, 4, 9 (due 1/30) Solutions
28 Jan Ch. 5 - Special Relativistic Mechanics Ch. 5: 1, 12, 19 (due 2/4) Solutions
4 Feb Ch. 7 - Description of Curved Spacetime Ch. 7: 5, 7b, 10, 14a-c (due 2/13)
Solutions
13 Feb Ch. 8 - Geodesics Ch. 8: 3a-b, 11 (due 2/22) Solutions
Project - part I (due 2/22)
20 Feb Ch. 9 - Geometry Outside a Spherical Star Ch. 9: 2, 3, 6, 8 (due 3/13) Solutions
Project - part II (due 3/15)
27 Feb   Midterm
13 Mar Ch. 10 - Solar System Tests of General Relativity  
15 Mar Ch. 12 - Gravitational Collapse & Black Holes Ch. 10: 5; Ch. 12: 3, 6, 11 (due 3/25) Solutions
25 Mar Ch. 13 - Astrophysical Black Holes  
27 Mar Ch. 17 - The Universe Observed  
1 Apr Ch. 18 - Cosmological Models Ch. 18: 4, 6, 13, 19 (due 4/12) Solutions
Project - part III (due 4/17)
12 Apr Ch. 19 - Which Universe & Why?  
17 Apr Ch. 16 - Gravitational Waves  

 

Syllabus Fine Print

Prerequisites/Corequisites: PHYS 301 and PHYS 409

Required materials: Gravity: An Introduction to Einstein's General Relativity, James B. Hartle (Addison Wesley)

Attendance: Attendance is the responsibility of the student. Assignments are expected to be turned in when they are due. Late submissions will be penalized, if they are accepted at all.

If there are any students in this class who have documented disabilities and have been approved to receive accommodations through SNAP Services, please notify me at your earliest convenience.

Goals/Objectives:

The goals for this course are to:

  1. Deepen students’ understanding of basic physical principles.
  2. Broaden students’ training in physical sciences.
  3. Develop in the students a working knowledge of general relativity.

Grades:

Your grade will be assessed based upon one midterm exam, 5-10 homework assignments, a final exam, and a course project. These will each be given equal weight.

Homework 25%
Midterm exam 25%
Project 25%
Final exam 25%