This course will provide an introduction to classical general relativity, a generalized theory of gravity that reduces to Newtonian gravity is the weak gravity limit. The course will emphasize both analytic calculation and physical understanding.

The required prequisites for this course are the PHYS 141-143 (or possibly 121-123) series and the MATH 161-165 or 171-174 series. PHY235 taken before or concurrently is strongly recommend. AST111 or AST142 are recommeded.

Class Time: Tues and Thurs 11:05 - 12:20 EDT Meliora, Room 224

Prof:     Eric Blackman, Bausch &Lomb 417,  eric.blackman@rochester.edu

     Office Hours: Thurs 12:45-2:15pm

TA:     Muhammad Abdullah., Bausch and Lomb Room 476,   email: mijaz2@UR.Rochester.edu

     Office Hours/Problem Session: 11:00-12:30, Room: TBA

Textbooks:

The required course textbook is: "Gravity: An Introduction to Einstein's General Relativity" James B. Hartle.

Two other recomended books of interest:

"Modern General Relativity" (Mike Guidry)

"Introduction to General Relativity" (Bernard Schutz)

Syllabus

Part A: CORE MATERIAL (CHAPS. 1-9, most of the course):

1. Introduction: Gravitational Physics and Geometry as Physics

2. Space, Time and Gravity in Newtonian Gravity

3: Concepts of Special Relativity

4. Dynamics in Special Relativity

5. Gravity as Geometry

6. Characterizing Curved Spacetime

7. Geodesics

8. Geometry outside a Spherical Star

9. Tests of General Relativity in the Solar System

Part B: SELECTION OF TOPICS AMONG THOSE BELOW:

10. Astrophysical Examples of General Relativistic Dynamics

11. Gravitational Collapse and Black Holes

12. Astrophyscial Black Holes

13. Rotation in General Relativity

14. Rotating Black Holes

15. Gravitational Waves and Binary Mergers

16. Observational Cosmology

17. Cosmological Models

Coursework:

EXAM 1 (40% of grade): TAKE HOME MID-TERM EXAM. The exam will be open book and open notes but no interaction with other living people on the contents of the exam is allowed. (To be handed out OCTOBER 24 and due OCTOBER 28).

EXAM 2 (40%) a FINAL EXAM, ON (OR DUE, IF CHANGED TO TAKE HOME) DECEMBER 18th (You can use the book and notes during the final.)

approximately 7 Problem Sets (20% of grade)

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Problem Sets:

Problem sets and due dates will be distributed by email, and generally will be assigned biweekly and due on Fridays. Homework should be submitted online to the Dropbox work respository (link sent via Blackboard) by 11:59pm on the date supplied.

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Supplementary Material:

Supplement on Twin Paradox showing why there is no ambiguity in considering the problem from either twin's rest frame.

Supplement on Index Notation, Basis Vectors and Equation 5.83 of Textbook

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Links:

Astronomy picture of the day archive

Astronomy and Physics Online Journal Publication Database (ADS)