(March 18, 2013) Leonard Susskind discusses the inhomogeneities in the cosmic microwave background, and derives the current theory whereby these inhomogeneities are created by quantum fluctuations in the inflaton field of the early universe. These fluctuations lead to variations in energy density that ultimately result in the formation of galaxies.
Originally presented in the Stanford Continuing Studies Program.
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1. The Expanding (Newtonian) Universe
2. Matter and Radiation Dominated Universes
3. Review of Lorentz Transformations, Energy, and Momentum
4. Review of Lorentz Transformations, Energy, and Momentum
5. Tensor Algebra & Covariant Form of Maxwell's Equations
6. Tensor Algebra & Covariant Form of Maxwell's Equations
7. Geometries of Space: Flat, Spherical, Hyperbolic
8. Angular Momentum & Relativistic Hydrodynamics
9. Cosmological Thermodynamics
10. Angular Momentum & Relativistic Hydrodynamics
11. Vacuum Energy
12. Equivalence Principle & Metric Tensors
13. Dark Matter and Allocation of Energy Density
14. Newtonian Limit & Gravitational Red Shift
15. Temperature History of the Universe
16. General Relativity Time Dilation Effects in GPS Systems
17. Baryogenesis
18. General Covariance & Affine Connection
19. Cosmological Inflation
20. Covariant Derivatives, Curls and Divergences
21. Inhomogeneities and Quantum Fluctuations
22. Fermi-Walker Transport & Riemann Curvature Tensor

This is a lecture series from The Theoretical Minimum, a collection of lectures on classical and modern physics given by Stanford University professor Leonard Susskind, renowned theoretical physics and expert on string theory and modern cosmology. This course will concentrate on cosmology, the science of the origin and development of the universe. Along the way, students will take a close look at the Big Bang, the geometry of space-time, inflationary cosmology, cosmic microwave background, dark matter, dark energy, the anthropic principle, and the string theory landscape.