Lec # | Topics | Key Dates |
---|---|---|
1 |
I. Introduction and Relativity Pre-Einstein I.1 Introduction: Intuition and Familiarity in Physical Law I.2 Relativity before Einstein
Inertial Frames I.3 Light and Electromagnetism
Particle and Wave Interpretations of Light |
|
2 |
I.3 Light and Electromagnetism (cont.)
Maxwell's Theory of Electromagnetism, Light as an Electromagnetic Phenomenon, and the Triumph of the Wave Theory of Light I.4 Search for the Aether
Properties of the Aether |
|
3 |
I.4 Search for the Aether (cont.) Aether Drag, Stellar Aberration, and the Collapse of the Aether Theory II. Einstein's Principle of Relativity and a new Concept of Spacetime II.1 The Principles of Relativity
Einstein's Postulates II.2 Inertial Frames, Clocks and Meter Sticks reconsidered
Setting up Measurements in Inertial Frames II.3 The Lorentz Transformation
The Need for a Transformation between Inertial Frames |
|
4 |
II.3 The Lorentz Transformation (cont.) Space Time Diagrams I II.4 Some Immediate Consequences
Relativity of Simultaneity |
|
5 |
II.4 Some Immediate Consequences (cont.) Lorentz Transformations of Events II.5 The Algebra of Lorentz Transformations
Beta, Gamma, and the Rapidity |
|
6 |
III. The Great Kinematic Consequences of Relativity III.1 Length Contraction and Time Dilation
Simple Derivations III.2 Intervals, Causality, etc.
Invariance of the Interval under Lorentz Transformation |
Problem set 1 due |
7 |
III.2 Intervals, Causality, etc. (cont.)
Causality: the Future, the Past, and Elsewhere IV. Velocity Addition and other Differential Transformations IV.1 The differential form of the Lorentz Transformation IV.2 Addition of Velocities
Parallel and Perpendicular IV.3 Transformation of Angles
Static Angles: Transforming Geometry |
|
8 |
IV.3 Transformation of Angles (cont.) Stellar Aberration a la Special Relativity IV.4 The Relativistic Doppler Effect
Frequencies IV.5 The Visual Appearance of Rapidly Moving Objects V. Kinematics and "Paradoxes" V.1 The Polevaulter Paradox and the Failure of Rigidity Naive Analysis |
|
9 |
V.1 The Polevaulter Paradox and the Failure of Rigidity (cont.)
Resolution: Careful Tracking of "Events" V.2 The Seaplane and the Hole in the Ice
The View from the Ice V.3 Acceleration in Special Relativity Lorentz Transformation of Acceleration |
|
10 |
V.3 Acceleration in Special Relativity (cont.)
The Proper Acceleration V.4 The Iceboat Paradox
The View from the Ice |
Problem set 2 due |
11 |
V.5 The Twin Paradox
The Simple Form VI. Relativistic Momentum and Energy I: Basics VI.1 Constructing Relativistic Energy and Momentum Derivation from a Physical Construction |
Midterm exam |
12 |
VI.1 Constructing Relativistic Energy and Momentum (cont.)
Derivation from a Physical Construction |
|
13 |
VI.1 Constructing Relativistic Energy and Momentum (cont.)
Massless Particles VI.2 Relativistic Decays and Collisions A → 2B in the A Rest Frame |
|
14 |
VI.2 Relativistic Decays and Collisions (cont.)
Photon Emission and Absorption Review of Midterm Exam |
Problem set 3 due |
15 |
VII. Relativistic Momentum and Energy II: Four Vectors and Transformation Properties VII.1 Transformation Properties under Lorentz Transformations
Invariants and Things that Change VII.2 The Four Velocity -- another Four-vector VII.3 The Lorentz Transformation of Energy and Momentum
The Energy-momentum Four-vector |
|
16 |
VII.4 The Invariant Scalar Product
The Invariant Interval as an Operation on Four-vectors |
|
17 |
Review of Special Relativity for Final Exam Einstein Notation and Relativity in Metric Space |
Problem set 4 due |
18 |
VIII. General Relativity: Einstein's Theory of Gravity VIII.1 The Incompleteness of Special Relativity
Non-inertial Frames VIII.2 The Equivalence of Inertial and Gravitational Mass
Newton's Law of Gravity VIII.3 The Principle of Equivalence
Einstein's Elevator and other Inertial Frames |
|
19 |
VIII.4 Consequences of the Equivalence Principle
The Gravitational Redshift VIII.5 Considerations on a Spinning Disk
Gravitational Dilation Course Evaluations |
Final exam |