*** Notice: links are not maintained after the end of course!

General Relativity & Astrophysics

Fall 2021, 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,

  1. the logic behind Einstein’s general relativity,
  2. the ability to derive basic equations,
  3. fine interpretation of various phenomena in the relativistic astrophysics,
  4. the limitation of the class,
  5. 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),一教202
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)
  Matthias Blau, Lecture Notes on General Relativity [link]
  Norbert Straumann, General Relativity with Applications to Astrophysics (2004)
  陈斌,《广义相对论》(2018)
Lecturer Lijing Shao (邵立晶)
  Office KIAA-217; lshao@pku.edu.cn; 010-62758461
  【答疑时间】每周日13:30-14:30PM(建议来前电话联系,以免空跑)
Teaching Assistant Zihang Wang(王子航)
  Office KIAA-102;wzhax@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 18, 2021
3. 黎曼几何简介 HW2 HW2 ddl: Nov 1, 2021
4. Einstein 场方程    
5. 真空球对称解 HW3 HW3 ddl: Nov 29, 2021
6. 弱场近似与实验检验 HW4 HW4 ddl: Dec 13, 2021
7. 中子星与黑洞 HW5 HW5 ddl: Dec 20, 2021
8. 引力波简介    
9. 宇宙学简介*    
期末答疑 2022年1月2日 · 10:00-11:30AM 科维理所K217
期末考试(开卷) 2022年1月3日 · 18:30-20:30PM 二教527

学生对课程的总体评价