| Nuclear & particle physics
Nuclear & particle physics

Introduction to the general theory of relativity and cosmology

Summer semester 2019

Lecture

Course number in the course overview: 116284

  • Lecturers, organization, dates & exams

    Lecturers

    Dates & locations

    Lecture Tue., 12:15–13:45 KP/TP 404
    Thu., 14:15–15:45

    The lecture starts on 09.04.2019!

    Requirements

    Basic knowledge of the special theory of relativity.

  • Contents & literature

    Contents of the lecture

    • Brief recapitulation of special relativity
    • General theory of relativity
      • Equivalence principle
      • Pseudo-Riemannian geometry
      • Einstein field equations
    • Schwarzschild solution
      • Perihelion shift
      • Deflection of light
      • Black holes
    • Gravitational waves
    • Cosmology
      • Robertson-Walker metric
      • Friedmann-Lemaître equations and world models
      • Early universe
      • Accelerated expansion of the universe

    Literature

    Classics:

    • A. Einstein: Grundzüge der Relativitätstheorie (Springer, 2008)
    • R. Sexl, H. Urbantke: Gravitation und Kosmologie (Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, 2002)
    • L.D. Landau, E.M. Lifshitz: Lehrbuch der Theoretischen Physik II, Klassische Feldtheorie (Harri Deutsch, 1997)
    • S. Weinberg: Gravitation and Cosmology (Oxford University Press, 2008)
    • P.A.M. Dirac: General Theory of Relativity (Princeton University Press, 1996)
    • C. Misner, K. Thorne, J. Wheeler: Gravitation (W.H. Freeman, 1973)

    Newer works:

    • R. d’Inverno: Einführung in die Relativitätstheorie (Wiley-VCH, 2009)
    • L.H. Ryder: Introduction to General Relativity (Cambridge University Press, 2009)
    • E. Rebhan: Theoretische Physik – Relativitätstheorie und Kosmologie (Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, 2011)
    • T.P. Cheng: Relativity, Gravitation and Cosmology (Oxford University Press, 2009)
    • S. M. Carroll: Lecture Notes on General Relativity (arXiv: gr-qc/9712019)

    Further advice concerning complementary literature is provided in the lecture.

  • Lecture material

    If applicable, any materials and further information about the lecture is provided on the Learnweb and can be viewed and/or downloaded there. The registration for the course requires the central username and the course password which is given in the lecture.