Aims and Fit of Module

To impart
(i) a firm grasp of the physical principles behind Special and General Relativity and their main consequences;
(ii) technical competence in the mathematical framework of the subjects - Lorentz transformation, coordinate transformations and geodesics in Riemann space;
(iii) knowledge of some of the classical tests of General Relativity - perihelion shift, gravitational deflection of light;
(iv) basic concepts of black holes and (if time) relativistic cosmology.

Learning outcomes

A. Understand why space-time forms a non-Euclidean four-dimensional manifold.
B. Perform calculations involving Lorentz transformations, energy-momentum conservation and the Christoffel symbols proficiently.
C. Understand the arguments leading to Einstein’s field equations, and how Newton’s law of gravity arises as a limiting case.
D. Explain the construction of the Schwarzschild solution and describe the trajectories of bodies within it.

Method of teaching and learning

This module will be delivered using formal lectures.