GENERAL RELATIVITY

Degree course: 
Corso di Second cycle degree in PHYSICS
Academic year when starting the degree: 
2020/2021
Year: 
1
Academic year in which the course will be held: 
2020/2021
Course type: 
Compulsory subjects, characteristic of the class
Language: 
English
Credits: 
8
Period: 
First Semester
Standard lectures hours: 
64
Detail of lecture’s hours: 
Lesson (64 hours)
Requirements: 

Linear algebra. Newtonian Physics. Classical electromagnetism. Special relativity.

Final Examination: 
Orale

Homework
Exercises at the blackboard

Assessment: 
Voto Finale

This is a course in general relativity and the theory of the gravitational field. The student is expected to familiarise with the basic notion of general relativity and to be able to autonomously derive some of its classical results of astrophysical interest such as the precession of the perielio, the deflection of the light and the gravitational collapse of a sphere of dust.

Summary of special Relativity
0.1 Relativistic Invariance of the interval
0.2 the Minkowski space-time
0.3 Lorentz transformations
0.4 Non inertial reference systems
The gravitational field
1.1 The principles of equivalence
1.2 Curvilinear coordinates
1.3 Distances and time intervals
1.4 Covariant derivation
1.5 Christoffel symbols of and the metric tensor
1.6 Motion of a particle
1.7 Constant gravitational field
Equations of the gravitational field
2.1 Riemann Tensor
2.2 Properties of the tensor
2.3 The action principle
2.4 The energy-momentum tensor
2.5 Einstein’s equations
2.6 The Newton law
Gravity of massive bodies
3.1 Central symmetry
3.2 Trajectories in the Schwarzschild field
3.2.1 Precession of the perihelion
3.2.2 Gravitational deflection of light
Black holes
4.1 Kruskal coordinates
4.2 Kerr’s solution
4.3 Gravitational collapse of a sphere of dust
Stars
5.1 TOV equation
5.2 Chandrasekar Limit
Gravitational waves
Cosmology

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•L. Landau E Lifschitz The classical theory of fields
•R Adler M Bazin M Schiffer General Relativity
•B Schutz Introduction to General Relativity

Convenzionale

Blackboard lectures

Oral examination
Exercises at the blackboard
Theoretical questions.

Professors

Borrowers