Theory of Relativity, 6 credits
Relativitetsteori, 6 hp
TATA75
Main field of study
Mathematics Applied Mathematics Applied Physics PhysicsCourse level
Second cycleCourse type
Programme courseExaminer
Fredrik AnderssonDirector of studies or equivalent
Jesper ThorénEducation components
Preliminary scheduled hours: 38 hRecommended self-study hours: 122 h
Main field of study
Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, PhysicsCourse level
Second cycleAdvancement level
A1XCourse offered for
- Master's Programme in Physics and Nanoscience
- Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering - International, M Sc in Engineering
- Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering, M Sc in Engineering
Specific information
The course is only offered every second year, even years.
Prerequisites
Mechanics, Modern Physics.In addition to these formal prerequisites considerable 'mathematical maturity' is required. Therefore it is advantageous to have taken one or several additional courses in advanced mathematics and theoretical physics e.g., Complex analysis, Differential geometry, Functional analysis, Cosmology and/or Analytical mechanics.
Intended learning outcomes
The purpose of the course is to give a good understanding of the principles and consequences of the special and general theory of relativity. After a finished course the student knows how to:
- use the relativistic introductory four formalism to solve problems within the special relativity
- use the mathematical formalism for connections and general tensors (like the Riemann tensor) to solve problems of general relativistic nature
- explain the physical principles that form the foundation for general relativity and derive their consequences for the field equations and equations of motion
- derive the physical consequences of general relativity from the field equations and equations of motion, especially the classical tests of the theory, black holes and relativistic cosmology
- derive the main exact solutions of Einsteins field equations
Course content
Manifolds. Tensor algebra. Tensor analysis. Metric tensor.
Geodesics. Riemann tensor. Calculus of variations. The postulates of special
relativity. Lorentz-transformations. Physical consequences of special relativity. The postulates of general relativity. Einstein's field equations and equations of motion. Weak-field approximation. Schwarzschild's solution. Planetary motion and the perihelion drift of Mercury. Deviation of light. Gravitational redshift. Time dilation. Singularities. Static and rotating black holes. Gravitational waves. Relativistic cosmology.
Teaching and working methods
The course is presented on lectures.
Examination
UPG1 | Homework problems and oral presentation | 6 credits | U, 3, 4, 5 |
Grades
Four-grade scale, LiU, U, 3, 4, 5Department
Matematiska institutionenDirector of Studies or equivalent
Jesper ThorénExaminer
Fredrik AnderssonCourse website and other links
http://courses.mai.liu.se/Lists/html/index-amne-tm.htmlEducation components
Preliminary scheduled hours: 38 hRecommended self-study hours: 122 h
Course literature
Books
- FR D'Inverno, Introducing Einsteins Relativity Clarendon
Code | Name | Scope | Grading scale |
---|---|---|---|
UPG1 | Homework problems and oral presentation | 6 credits | U, 3, 4, 5 |
Course syllabus
A syllabus has been established for each course. The syllabus specifies the aim and contents of the course, and the prior knowledge that a student must have in order to be able to benefit from the course.
Timetabling
Courses are timetabled after a decision has been made for this course concerning its assignment to a timetable module. A central timetable is not drawn up for courses with fewer than five participants. Most project courses do not have a central timetable.
Interrupting a course
The vice-chancellor’s decision concerning regulations for registration, deregistration and reporting results (Dnr LiU-2015-01241) states that interruptions in study are to be recorded in Ladok. Thus, all students who do not participate in a course for which they have registered must record the interruption, such that the registration on the course can be removed. Deregistration from a course is carried out using a web-based form: www.lith.liu.se/for-studenter/kurskomplettering?l=sv.
Cancelled courses
Courses with few participants (fewer than 10) may be cancelled or organised in a manner that differs from that stated in the course syllabus. The board of studies is to deliberate and decide whether a course is to be cancelled or changed from the course syllabus.
Regulations relating to examinations and examiners
Details are given in a decision in the university’s rule book: http://styrdokument.liu.se/Regelsamling/VisaBeslut/622678.
Forms of examination
Examination
Written and oral examinations are held at least three times a year: once immediately after the end of the course, once in August, and once (usually) in one of the re-examination periods. Examinations held at other times are to follow a decision of the board of studies.
Principles for examination scheduling for courses that follow the study periods:
- courses given in VT1 are examined for the first time in March, with re-examination in June and August
- courses given in VT2 are examined for the first time in May, with re-examination in August and October
- courses given in HT1 are examined for the first time in October, with re-examination in January and August
- courses given in HT2 are examined for the first time in January, with re-examination at Easter and in August.
The examination schedule is based on the structure of timetable modules, but there may be deviations from this, mainly in the case of courses that are studied and examined for several programmes and in lower grades (i.e. 1 and 2).
- Examinations for courses that the board of studies has decided are to be held in alternate years are held only three times during the year in which the course is given.
- Examinations for courses that are cancelled or rescheduled such that they are not given in one or several years are held three times during the year that immediately follows the course, with examination scheduling that corresponds to the scheduling that was in force before the course was cancelled or rescheduled.
- If teaching is no longer given for a course, three examination occurrences are held during the immediately subsequent year, while examinations are at the same time held for any replacement course that is given, or alternatively in association with other re-examination opportunities. Furthermore, an examination is held on one further occasion during the next subsequent year, unless the board of studies determines otherwise.
- If a course is given during several periods of the year (for programmes, or on different occasions for different programmes) the board or boards of studies determine together the scheduling and frequency of re-examination occasions.
Registration for examination
In order to take an examination, a student must register in advance at the Student Portal during the registration period, which opens 30 days before the date of the examination and closes 10 days before it. Candidates are informed of the location of the examination by email, four days in advance. Students who have not registered for an examination run the risk of being refused admittance to the examination, if space is not available.
Symbols used in the examination registration system:
** denotes that the examination is being given for the penultimate time.
* denotes that the examination is being given for the last time.
Code of conduct for students during examinations
Details are given in a decision in the university’s rule book: http://styrdokument.liu.se/Regelsamling/VisaBeslut/622682.
Retakes for higher grade
Students at the Institute of Technology at LiU have the right to retake written examinations and computer-based examinations in an attempt to achieve a higher grade. This is valid for all examination components with code “TEN” and "DAT". The same right may not be exercised for other examination components, unless otherwise specified in the course syllabus.
Retakes of other forms of examination
Regulations concerning retakes of other forms of examination than written examinations and computer-based examinations are given in the LiU regulations for examinations and examiners, http://styrdokument.liu.se/Regelsamling/VisaBeslut/622678.
Plagiarism
For examinations that involve the writing of reports, in cases in which it can be assumed that the student has had access to other sources (such as during project work, writing essays, etc.), the material submitted must be prepared in accordance with principles for acceptable practice when referring to sources (references or quotations for which the source is specified) when the text, images, ideas, data, etc. of other people are used. It is also to be made clear whether the author has reused his or her own text, images, ideas, data, etc. from previous examinations.
A failure to specify such sources may be regarded as attempted deception during examination.
Attempts to cheat
In the event of a suspected attempt by a student to cheat during an examination, or when study performance is to be assessed as specified in Chapter 10 of the Higher Education Ordinance, the examiner is to report this to the disciplinary board of the university. Possible consequences for the student are suspension from study and a formal warning. More information is available at https://www.student.liu.se/studenttjanster/lagar-regler-rattigheter?l=sv.
Grades
The grades that are preferably to be used are Fail (U), Pass (3), Pass not without distinction (4) and Pass with distinction (5). Courses under the auspices of the faculty board of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (Institute of Technology) are to be given special attention in this regard.
- Grades U, 3, 4, 5 are to be awarded for courses that have written examinations.
- Grades Fail (U) and Pass (G) may be awarded for courses with a large degree of practical components such as laboratory work, project work and group work.
Examination components
- Grades U, 3, 4, 5 are to be awarded for written examinations (TEN).
- Grades Fail (U) and Pass (G) are to be used for undergraduate projects and other independent work.
- Examination components for which the grades Fail (U) and Pass (G) may be awarded are laboratory work (LAB), project work (PRA), preparatory written examination (KTR), oral examination (MUN), computer-based examination (DAT), home assignment (HEM), and assignment (UPG).
- Students receive grades either Fail (U) or Pass (G) for other examination components in which the examination criteria are satisfied principally through active attendance such as other examination (ANN), tutorial group (BAS) or examination item (MOM).
The examination results for a student are reported at the relevant department.
Regulations (apply to LiU in its entirety)
The university is a government agency whose operations are regulated by legislation and ordinances, which include the Higher Education Act and the Higher Education Ordinance. In addition to legislation and ordinances, operations are subject to several policy documents. The Linköping University rule book collects currently valid decisions of a regulatory nature taken by the university board, the vice-chancellor and faculty/department boards.
LiU’s rule book for education at first-cycle and second-cycle levels is available at http://styrdokument.liu.se/Regelsamling/Innehall/Utbildning_pa_grund-_och_avancerad_niva.
Books
Note: The course matrix might contain more information in Swedish.
I | U | A | Modules | Comment | ||
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1. DISCIPLINARY KNOWLEDGE AND REASONING | ||||||
1.1 Knowledge of underlying mathematics and science (G1X level) |
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X
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UPG1
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1.2 Fundamental engineering knowledge (G1X level) |
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1.3 Further knowledge, methods, and tools in one or several subjects in engineering or natural science (G2X level) |
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1.4 Advanced knowledge, methods, and tools in one or several subjects in engineering or natural sciences (A1X level) |
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1.5 Insight into current research and development work |
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2. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES | ||||||
2.1 Analytical reasoning and problem solving |
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UPG1
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2.2 Experimentation, investigation, and knowledge discovery |
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X
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2.3 System thinking |
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2.4 Attitudes, thought, and learning |
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UPG1
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2.5 Ethics, equity, and other responsibilities |
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3. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: TEAMWORK AND COMMUNICATION | ||||||
3.1 Teamwork |
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3.2 Communications |
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UPG1
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3.3 Communication in foreign languages |
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X
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4. CONCEIVING, DESIGNING, IMPLEMENTING AND OPERATING SYSTEMS IN THE ENTERPRISE, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT | ||||||
4.1 External, societal, and environmental context |
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4.2 Enterprise and business context |
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4.3 Conceiving, system engineering and management |
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4.4 Designing |
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4.5 Implementing |
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4.6 Operating |
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5. PLANNING, EXECUTION AND PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WITH RESPECT TO SCIENTIFIC AND SOCIETAL NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS | ||||||
5.1 Societal conditions, including economic, social, and ecological aspects of sustainable development for knowledge development |
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5.2 Economic conditions for knowledge development |
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5.3 Identification of needs, structuring and planning of research or development projects |
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5.4 Execution of research or development projects |
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5.5 Presentation and evaluation of research or development projects |
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