Lecture Description
Einstein's Field Equations - Part 2 Topics covered: Einstein-Hilbert Action, Variational Principle, Palatini Identity. Role of the Action in Constructing the Feynman Path Integral for Quantized Gravity. Gravitational Functional Measure. Need to Maintain General Covariance. Scalar-Tensor Extensions of Gravity. Brans-Dicke Theory. Field Equation Modifications from the Massless BD Scalar. Recorded May 08, 2014.
Course Index
- Introduction
- Review of Lorentz Transformations, Energy, and Momentum
- Tensor Algebra & Covariant Form of Maxwell's Equations
- Angular Momentum & Relativistic Hydrodynamics
- Equivalence Principle & Metric Tensors
- Newtonian Limit & Gravitational Red Shift
- General Relativity Time Dilation Effects in GPS Systems.
- General Covariance & Affine Connection
- Covariant Derivatives, Curls and Divergences
- Fermi-Walker Transport & Riemann Curvature Tensor
- Derivation of the Einstein Field Equations
- Einstein-Hilbert Action & Brans-Dicke Theory
- Field Equations for a Static Isotropic Metric
- Schwarzschild Solution & Astrophysical Black Holes
- Photon Orbits in the Schwarzschild Metric
- Weak and Strong Gravitational Fields
- Generation and Detection of Gravitational Waves
- Lense-Thirring Effect & Mach's Principle
- Field Equations for a Homogeneous Isotropic Metric
- Gravitons & Quantum-Mechanical Field Fluctuations
- Presentations: Kerr Metric, Gravitational Lensing, GW Detection
- Presentations: Positive Energy Theorem & Curvature
- Presentations: Dark Matter, MOND, & Cosmological Inflation
- Presentations: Kaluza-Klein Theory & Diagrams for Quantum Gravity
Course Description
"Einstein's General Relativity and Gravitation" is a graduate-level course taught at UC Irvine as Physics 255. This course covers diverse topics in general relativity, including an introduction to Einstein’s theory of gravitation, tensor analysis, Einstein’s field equations, astronomical tests of Einstein’s theory, and gravitational waves.