*** Notice: links are not maintained after the end of course!
General Relativity & Astrophysics
Fall 2020, Peking University
$$R_{\mu\nu} - \frac{1}{2} g_{\mu\nu} R = \frac{8\pi G}{c^4} T_{\mu\nu}$$ “Matter tells spacetime how to curve, and spacetime tells matter how to move.”
This course is designed to be elementary, suitable for those who want a first grasp of the tremendous beauty of Einstein’s general relativity. I will try to keep the mathematics minimum (e.g. the differential geometry), and the physics clearly stated (e.g. the equivalence principle). In this class, students are supposed to learn,
- the logic behind Einstein’s general relativity,
- the ability to derive basic equations,
- fine interpretation of various phenomena in the relativistic astrophysics,
- the limitation of the class,
- as well as the direction to explore if one wants to master more advanced materials.
Though the class targets graduates who work on astrophysics or theoretical physics, it is in general eligible for graduate students (as well as the advanced undergraduates) with Science & Engineering background.
General Information
| When & Where | 周一10-11节（18:40-20:30），二教302 |
| Prerequisite | Mathematics, Theoretical Mechanics, Electrodynamics |
| Textbook | 俞允强，《广义相对论引论(第二版)》（1997） |
| Reference | Bernard Schutz, A First Course in General Relativity (2009) |
| 陈斌，《广义相对论》（2018） | |
| Matthias Blau, Lecture Notes on General Relativity [link] | |
| Charles W. Misner, Kip S. Thorne, & John A. Wheeler, Gravitation (1973) | |
| Norbert Straumann, General Relativity with Applications to Astrophysics (2004) | |
| Lecturer | Lijing Shao (邵立晶) |
| Office KIAA-217; lshao@pku.edu.cn; 010-62758461 | |
| Teaching Assistant | Tai Zhou (周泰) |
| Office KIAA-103; tai.zhou@pku.edu.cn |
Contents
| Content | Homework | Note |
| 0. 课程介绍 | ||
| 1. 牛顿、麦克斯韦、爱因斯坦 | ||
| 2. 狭义相对论 | HW1 | HW1 ddl: Oct 19, 2020 |
| 3. 黎曼几何简介 | HW2 | HW2 ddl: Nov 2, 2020 |
| 4. Einstein 场方程 | ||
| 5. 真空球对称解 | HW3 | HW3 ddl: Nov 30, 2020 |
| 6. 弱场近似与实验检验 | ||
| 7. 中子星与黑洞 | HW4 | HW4 ddl: Dec 21, 2020 |
| 8. 引力波简介 | HW5 | HW5 ddl: Jan 4, 2021 |
| 9. 宇宙学简介* | ||
| 答疑 | KIAA217 & KIAA103 | 2021年1月9日14:00-16:00PM 2021年1月10日9:00-11:00AM |
| 期末考试（开卷） | 2021年1月11日，18:30PM，理教206 |