Video

Course curriculum

  1. 2
    • Lorentz trasformation derivation part 1

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    • Lorentz trasformation derivation part 2

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    • Lorentz trasformation derivation part 3

    • Lorentz trasformation derivation part 4

    • Lorentz transformation derivation part 5

    • Lorentz transformation derivation part 6

    • Lorentz transformation derivation part 7

    • Lorentz invariant quantity

    • A different derivation of Lorentz transformations part 1

    • A different derivation of Lorentz transformations part 2: rotation matrices

    • A different derivation of Lorentz transformations part 3

    • A different derivation of Lorentz transformations part 4

    • A different derivation of Lorentz transformations part 5

    • Composition of velocities according to Galileo and Lorentz

  2. 4
  3. 5
  4. 7
    • Tensor transformations part 1

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    • Tensor transformations part 2

    • Higher rank tensors from lower rank tensors

    • Lower rank tensors from higher rank tensors

    • Transformation of Euclidean derivatives

    • Covariant Derivative

    • Some properties of the metric tensor

    • Christoffel symbol in terms of the metric tensor part 1

    • Christoffel symbol in terms of the metric tensor part 2

    • Covariant derivative of the metric tensor

    • Covariant derivative of a contravariant vector part 1

    • Covariant derivative of a contravariant vector part 2

    • Proof that the covariant derivative of the metric tensor is zero

  5. 8
    • Equation of a geodesic

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    • Geodesic and parallel transport

    • Riemann tensor part 1

    • Some properties of : Riemann_tensor, Ricci tensor, Ricci scalar

    • Action in General Relativity

    • Invariant 4-volume element in the action

    • Determinant of the metric tensor

    • Variation of the action of gravity part 1

    • Variation of the action of gravity part 2

    • Variation of the action of gravity part 3

    • Einstein field equations part 1

    • Einstein field equations part 2: another property of the Riemann tensor

    • Einstein field equations part 3: energy momentum tensor

    • Field equations in classical physics

    • Reducing General Relativity to Newtonian laws

    • Final form of the field equations

    • Gravitational time dilation

    • Shell theorem (used in Gravitational time dilation)

  6. 9
    • Lorentz transformations as derived by Einstein

    • The physical meaning that Einstein attributed to Lorentz transformations

    • How Einstein explained the composition of velocities in SR

    • How the Maxwell equations in vacuum transform in inertial frames

    • Relativistic Doppler effect, aberration, transformation of the energy

    • How Einstein derives his famous equation E=mc^2

    • Dynamics of an accelerated charged body

  7. 10
  8. 11
    • How Einstein derives his General Relativity theory from Hamilton's principle

  9. 12
    • Cosmological considerations in GR: additional term in the field equations

Detailed description

More info on the course

This course starts from the incompatibility between Galileo's principle and Maxwell's equations, and expands on that in order to consistently formulate Special Relativity and later on, in the second part of the course, General Relativity. The other main purpose is to stimulate students to develop the mathematical intuition required to fully grasp and appreciate the contents of these subjects. Therefore, EVERY equation in this course will be motivated. Besides, other key concepts such as: Lagrangian mechanics (i.e. the Action Principle, Lagrange equations), tensors, will be fully covered in the course. The main prerequisites to the course are Calculus and Multivariable Calculus, especially: the divergence theorem, vectors, dot and cross products, matrix multiplication, determinants. Some (basic) knowledge of Classical physics is recommended, such as: scalar potential, Newton laws, Kinetic energy, Energy conservation, Wave equation (and I mean just the mathematical form of the equation). In the first part of the course Lorentz transformations are derived in two different ways. The mathematics to be able to follow this part can be more easily digested than the mathematics required to follow the part on General Relativity. For General Relativity, it is recommended to follow along with a piece of paper and pencil and derive the equations. Please make sure that you meet the prerequisite requirements.

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