Tensor mechanics

General Relativity (Fall, 2008)

Lecture Playlist

  1. Newtonian Gravity and the equivalence principle

  2. Tidal forces and curvature

  3. Essential tools: tensors and the metric

  4. Tensor mechanics

  5. Covariant differentiation and geodesics

  6. The flat space of special relativity

  7. The Riemannian curvature tensor

  8. Equations of motion in curved space

  9. Gravitation in the Newtonian approximation

  10. Energy-momentum tensor and Einstein's equations

  11. Accelerated coordinates

  12. World lines and Schwarzschild solution

October 13, 2008
Tensor indices.
Index contraction.
Inverse of the metric tensor, the Kronecker delta.
The metric tensor is symmetric.
Raising and lowering indices.
Tensors must have the same transformation properties if they are to be added.
Proper time.
Topics: 
  • Tensors
  • Proper time
References