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Introduction to Astrophysics

Yale,, Spring 2007 , Prof. Charles Bailyn

Updated On 02 Feb, 19

Overview

Planetary Orbits - Our Solar System and the Pluto Problem - Discovering Exoplanets: Hot Jupiters - Planetary Transits - Microlensing, Astrometry and Other Methods - Direct Imaging of Exoplanets - Introduction to Black Holes - Special and General Relativity - Tests of Relativity - Special and General Relativity - Stellar Mass Black Holes - Pulsars - Supermassive Black Holes - Hubbles Law and the Big Bang - Omega and the End of the Universe - Dark Matter - Dark Energy and the Accelerating Universe and the Big Rip - Supernovae - Other Constraints: The Cosmic Microwave Background - The Multiverse and Theories of Everything

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Lecture 11: Special and General Relativity (cont.)

4.1 ( 11 )

Lecture Details

FrontiersControversies in Astrophysics (ASTR 160)

The lecture begins with a comprehensive overview of the historical conditions under which Einstein developed his theories. Of particular impact were the urgent need at the turn of the 19th century to synchronize clocks around the world; Einsteins position at a patent office; and a series of experiments that he himself carried out. In 1905 Einstein published three papers that are still considered the greatest papers in the field of physics. The lecture then moves to General Relativity and how it encompasses Newtons laws of gravity. A visual demonstration shows how space-time undergoes curvature when mass is introduced. Class ends with a question-and-answer period on a variety of topics in Special Relativity.

0000 - Chapter 1. Lessons from Einsteins Discovery of Relativity
1327 - Chapter 2. General Relativity as a Theory on Gravity
2130 - Chapter 3. Space-Time Curvature
2545 - Chapter 4. Q&A on Special Relativity

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website httpopen.yale.educourses

This course was recorded in Spring 2007.