Modern Physics: General Theory of Relativity (Fall 2012)

Stanford Continuing Studies
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Modern Physics: General Theory of Relativity (Fall 2012)

The Fall 2012 quarter of the Modern Physics series concentrates on Einstein’s theory of gravity and geometry: the General Theory of Relativity. Beginning with the basic ideas of Riemannian and curved space, and Minkowski’s “space-time,” we learn about Einstein’s discovery of how gravity is really the curvature of space-time. We also cover the theory of black holes and their strangely paradoxical properties. The final weeks of the course develop the essential ideas of Big Bang cosmology.

Episodes

  1. 11/12/2012

    10. General Theory of Relativity Lecture 10 (December 3, 2012)

    Leonard Susskind demonstrates that Einstein's field equations become wave equations in the approximation of weak gravitational fields. The solutions for these equations create the theory of gravity waves. (December 3, 2012)

  2. 03/12/2012

    9. General Theory of Relativity Lecture 9 (November 26, 2012)

    Leonard Susskind derives the Einstein field equations of general relativity and demonstrates how they equate spacetime curvature as expressed by the Einstein tensor, with the energy and momentum within that spacetime as expressed by the stress–energy tensor. (November 26, 2012)

  3. 19/11/2012

    8. General Theory of Relativity Lecture 8 (November 12, 2012)

    Leonard Susskind develops the coordinate transformations used to create Penrose diagrams, and then uses them to describe the physics of black hole creation. (November 12, 2012)

  4. 13/11/2012

    7. General Theory of Relativity Lecture 7 (November 5, 2012)

    Leonard Susskind continues the discussion of black holes in depth using coordinate transformations and diagrams to develop an intuitive understanding of black hole physics. (November 5, 2012)

  5. 06/11/2012

    6. General Theory of Relativity Lecture 6 (October 29, 2012)

    Leonard Susskind presents the physics of black holes including the event horizon, the photon sphere, and the singularity. (October 29, 2012)

  6. 30/10/2012

    5. General Theory of Relativity Lecture 5 (October 22, 2012)

    Leonard Susskind derives the spacetime metric for a gravitational field, and introduces the relativistic mathematics that describe a black hole. (October 22, 2012)

  7. 26/10/2012

    4. General Theory of Relativity Lecture 4 (October 15, 2012)

    Leonard Susskind moves the course into discussions of gravity and basic gravitational fields. (October 15, 2012)

  8. 17/10/2012

    3. General Theory of Relativity Lecture 3 (October 8, 2012)

    Leonard Susskind continues his discussion of Riemannian geometry and uses it as a foundation for general relativity. (October 8, 2012)

  9. 17/10/2012

    2. General Theory of Relativity Lecture 2 (October 1, 2012)

    Leonard Susskind introduces some of the building blocks of general relativity including proper notation and tensor analysis. (October 1, 2012)

  10. 17/10/2012

    1. General Theory of Relativity Lecture 1 (September 24, 2012)

    Leonard Susskind gives a broad introduction to general relativity, touching upon the equivalence principle. (September 24, 2012)

  • 10 Episodes

About

The Fall 2012 quarter of the Modern Physics series concentrates on Einstein’s theory of gravity and geometry: the General Theory of Relativity. Beginning with the basic ideas of Riemannian and curved space, and Minkowski’s “space-time,” we learn about Einstein’s discovery of how gravity is really the curvature of space-time. We also cover the theory of black holes and their strangely paradoxical properties. The final weeks of the course develop the essential ideas of Big Bang cosmology.

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