General Relativity and Cosmology
Module PH2043
Module version of WS 2017/8
There are historic module descriptions of this module. A module description is valid until replaced by a newer one.
Whether the module’s courses are offered during a specific semester is listed in the section Courses, Learning and Teaching Methods and Literature below.
| available module versions | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WS 2022/3 | WS 2021/2 | WS 2020/1 | WS 2019/20 | WS 2018/9 | WS 2017/8 | SS 2011 |
Basic Information
PH2043 is a semester module in English or German language at Master’s level which is offered in winter semester.
This Module is included in the following catalogues within the study programs in physics.
- Specific catalogue of special courses for nuclear, particle, and astrophysics
- Complementary catalogue of special courses for condensed matter physics
- Complementary catalogue of special courses for Biophysics
- Complementary catalogue of special courses for Applied and Engineering Physics
- Specialization Modules in Elite-Master Program Theoretical and Mathematical Physics (TMP)
If not stated otherwise for export to a non-physics program the student workload is given in the following table.
| Total workload | Contact hours | Credits (ECTS) |
|---|---|---|
| 300 h | 90 h | 10 CP |
Responsible coordinator of the module PH2043 in the version of WS 2017/8 was Björn Garbrecht.
Content, Learning Outcome and Preconditions
Content
- Introduction to differential geometry.
- The equivalence principle. Gravitation. The Einstein’s equation. Newtonian limit.
- The Schwartzschild Metric. Black holes.
- The weak field approximation. Gravitational waves.
- Cosmology: Homogeneity and isotropy, Robertson-Walker metric.
- Friedmann Equation. Hubble parameter. The expanding Universe.
Learning Outcome
After participation in the Module the student is able to:
- Understand the origin of gravity as the effect of the curvature of spacetime.
- Describe the classical experimental tests of general relativity: the deflection of light, the precession of perihelia and gravitational redshift.
- Understand the basic physics of black holes.
- Understand the basic properties of gravitational waves.
- Describe the different stages of the expanding Universe and derive the Hubble’s law.
Preconditions
No prior knowledge necessary, beyond the admission requirements for the master's degree.
Courses, Learning and Teaching Methods and Literature
Courses and Schedule
| Type | SWS | Title | Lecturer(s) | Dates | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VU | 6 | General Relativity and Cosmology | Ibarra, A. |
Mon, 12:00–14:00, PH HS3 Tue, 08:00–10:00, PH HS3 and dates in groups |
Learning and Teaching Methods
Lecture, beamer presentation, board work, exercises in individual and group work
Media
practise sheets
Literature
- Spacetime and Geometry, S.Carroll
- Cosmology, S. Weinberg.
- The Early Universe, E. Kolb, S. Turner
Module Exam
Description of exams and course work
There will be a written exam of 90 minutes duration. Therein the achievement of the competencies given in section learning outcome is tested exemplarily at least to the given cognition level using calculation problems and comprehension questions.
For example an assignment in the exam might be:
- Calculate the motion of a test particle in curved space-time
- Derive some of the most important known solutions to the Einstein field equations
- Compute the emission of gravitational waves of a given source
Participation in the exercise classes is strongly recommended since the exercises prepare for the problems of the exam and rehearse the specific competencies.
There will be a bonus (one intermediate stepping of "0,3" to the better grade) on passed module exams (4,3 is not upgraded to 4,0). The bonus is applicable to the exam period directly following the lecture period (not to the exam repetition) and subject to the condition that the student passes the mid-term of 60% of the points that can be scored in the homework problems
Exam Repetition
The exam may be repeated at the end of the semester.