Course: Theory of Relativity and Astronomy

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Course title Theory of Relativity and Astronomy
Course code KEF/TRUA
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminar
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Frequency of the course jeponce a year
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course unspecified
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Richterek Lukáš, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
Introduction, space and time in non-relativistic physics, ether and basic experiments for its determination, Michelson-Morley experiment, Einstein postulates, Lorentz transformation and its consequences (length contraction, time dilatation, relativity of time and space, transformation of velocity) <li> Monkowski spacetime, event, space-time interval and true time, light cone, world line, causal structure of the spacetime, four-dimensional formalism and four-vectors, tensors in Minkowski spacetime and important operations with them, Minkowski diagram, covariance principle <li> Equations of relativistic dynamics of a particle, four-force and four-momentum, equivalence of mass and energy, basic equations of dynamics of a particle system, collisions and scattering of particles, stability of particles, bonding energy, annihilation of electron-pozitron pair, Compton scattering, tensor of angular momentum <li> Speeds over speed of light and causality principle, paradoxes, speeds under and over speed of light, paradox consequences of speeds over speed of light and tachyons, twin (time) paradox and other paradoxes, paradox of rotating disk and non-Euclidian geometry, relativistic aberration, relativistic Doppler effect, experimental verification of theory of relativity <li> Four-current and four-potential, Lorentz calibration condition, wave equations for field potentials, tensors of electromagnetic field and Maxwell equations, their transformations and field invariants, Lorentz four-force and its density, wave four-vector, tensor of energy and momentum of electromagnetic field, laws of conservation <li> Basics of general theory of relativity, principle of general covariance and principle of equivalence, introduction to tensor analysis in general metric spaces, Einstein equations of field, consequences of general theory of relativity </ol>

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training)
  • Attendace - 63 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the theory of relativity and the application of fundamental principles of relativistic physics in astrophysics and cosmology via selected particular examples. The section devoted to astronomy involves orientation in the sky and a description and explanation of the basic astronomical phenomena. Students should gain the necessary insight over this, which is at least for some secondary schools part of the curriculum.
Knowledge Define the main ideas and conceptions of the subject, describe the main approaches of the studied topics, recall the theoretical knowledge for solution of model problems.
Prerequisites
Knowledge at the level of a basic undergraduage physics course

Assessment methods and criteria
Written exam

Passing the test from exercises from the theory of relativity Passing the oral examination
Recommended literature
  • Bajer, J. (2004). Mechanika 1-3. VUP Olomouc.
  • Brázdil, R. a kol. (1988). Úvod do studia planety Země. Praha: SPN.
  • Hartle, J.B. (2003). Gravity: An introduction to Einstein's general relativity. Addison Wesley, San Francisco.
  • HORSKÝ, J.; NOVOTNÝ, J.; ŠTEFANÍK, M. (2001). Mechanika ve fyzice. Academia, Praha.
  • Horský, Z., Mikulášek, Z., Pokorný, Z. (1988). Sto astronomických omylu. Svoboda, Praha.
  • Shu, F. H. (1982). The Physical Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy. Sausalito.
  • Wolf, M. a kol. (1992). Astronomická příručka. Academia, Praha.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester