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CELESTIAL MECHANICS AND RELATIVITY

Module code: EP307
Credits: 5
Semester: 2
Department: EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS
International:
Coordinator: Dr Marcin Lukasz Gradziel (EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS)

	Overview
	This module covers various topics in celestial and relativistic mechanics. General relativity is covered at an introductory level. Module content: Classical & Celestial Mechanics: harmonic motion (simple, damped, forced), longitudinal and transverse waves, the wave equation. Rigid body motion. Newtonian gravitation, celestial mechanics, Kepler's Laws.Special Relativity: Frames of reference, Galilean transformations, the Michelson-Morley experiment, Lorentz transformations, length contraction, time dilatation, equivalence of mass and energy, conservation laws. General Relativity: Introduction to general relativity, principle of equivalence, gravitational red shift and time dilation, Schwarzschild metric, black holes. Newtonian cosmology & general relativity, expansion of the Universe. This module specifically addresses the following topics of the Core of Physics, as defined by Institute of Physics: - Calculus to the level of multiple integrals; solution of linear ordinary and differential equations - Newton’s laws, conservation laws including rotation - Newtonian gravitation, Kepler’s laws - Lorentz transformations and energy momentum relationship - Mechanical properties of matter to include elasticity and thermal expansion - Free, damped, forced and coupled oscillations to include resonance and normal modes - Waves in linear media to the level of group velocity - Doppler effect

Overview

This module covers various topics in celestial and relativistic mechanics. General relativity is covered at an introductory level.

Module content: Classical & Celestial Mechanics: harmonic motion (simple, damped, forced), longitudinal and transverse waves, the wave equation. Rigid body motion. Newtonian gravitation, celestial mechanics, Kepler's Laws.Special Relativity: Frames of reference, Galilean transformations, the Michelson-Morley experiment, Lorentz transformations, length contraction, time dilatation, equivalence of mass and energy, conservation laws.
General Relativity: Introduction to general relativity, principle of equivalence, gravitational red shift and time dilation, Schwarzschild metric, black holes. Newtonian cosmology & general relativity, expansion of the Universe.

This module specifically addresses the following topics of the Core of Physics, as defined by Institute of Physics:

- Calculus to the level of multiple integrals; solution of linear ordinary and differential equations

- Newton’s laws, conservation laws including rotation

- Newtonian gravitation, Kepler’s laws

- Lorentz transformations and energy momentum relationship

- Mechanical properties of matter to include elasticity and thermal expansion

- Free, damped, forced and coupled oscillations to include resonance and normal modes

- Waves in linear media to the level of group velocity

- Doppler effect

	Learning Outcomes
	On successful completion of the module, students should be able to: Discuss the application of the laws of classical mechanics to wave motion and rigid body motion. Explain and derive the laws of mechanics relevant to motion of celestial bodies including Kepler's Laws. Describe the fundamental experiments and key ideas that led to the development of the theory of Special Relativity. Apply the formalism of Special Relativity to simple problems involving transformations between frames of reference. Perform simple calculations involving curved spacetime and the Schwarzschild metric. Describe how black holes are formed and their effect on matter in their vicinity. Carry out relevant laboratory experiments to demonstrate and test physical principles and report the results.

Learning Outcomes

Teaching & Learning methods

Assessment

	Autumn Supplementals/Resits
	Are supplemental/resit registrations permitted? Yes Continuous Assessment mark carries over to the Autumn examination. University scheduled written examination (Autumn): 120 minutes, On-campus

Timetable

Courses / Module

CELESTIAL MECHANICS AND RELATIVITY

Semester 1

Semester 2