General Relativity & Cosmology

Paper Code: 
25MAT425(A)
Credits: 
5
Contact Hours: 
75.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 
This course will enable the students to -
1. Provide detailed knowledge of general relativity and its applications in cosmology.
2. Solve the problems and help with research in these broad areas.
 
Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning outcomes

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment

Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

25MAT

425(A)

 

 

 

General Relativity & Cosmology

 (Theory)

 

 

 

CO190: Formulate Einstein field equation for matter and empty space.

CO191: Understand the concept of clock paradox in general relativity. Derive Schwarzschild exterior metric and their isotropic forms.

CO192: Derive the differential equation for planetary orbit, analogues of kepler's law.

CO193: Calculate the Trace of Einstein tensor, Energy-momentum tensor and its expression for perfect fluid.

CO194: Apply the concepts of Einstein tensor, Energy-momentum tensor and its expression for perfect fluid.

CO195: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction.

 

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Informative videos

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self learning assignments, Effective questions,  Topic  presentation, Assigned tasks

 

 

Quiz, Class Test, Individual projects,

Open Book Test, Continuous Assessment, Semester End Examination

 

 

 

Unit I: 
Einstein’s field equation:
15.00
Mach’s principle, Newtonian approximation of equation of motion, Einstein’s field equation for matter and empty space, Reduction of Einstein’s field equation to Poisson’s equation.
 
Unit II: 
Schwarzschild Metric:
15.00

 Removal of clock paradox in General Relativity, Schwarzschild exterior metric and its isotropic form, Singularity and singularities in Schwarzschild exterior metric, Derivation of the formula GM=m c^2, Mass of sun in gravitational unit.

Unit III: 
Kepler’s laws in general relativity:
15.00
 Relativistic differential equation for the orbit of the planet, three crucial tests in general relativity and their detailed descriptions, Analogues of Kepler’s laws in general relativity.
 
Unit IV: 
Trace of Einstein tensor:
15.00

 Energy-momentum tensor and its expression for perfect fluid, Schwarzschild interior metric and boundary condition.

Unit V: 
Cosmology:
15.00
 Einstein’s field equation with cosmological term, Static cosmological models (Einstein & de-Sitter models) with physical and geometrical properties, Non-static form of de-Sitter line-element and red shift in this metric, Einstein space, Hubble’s law, Weyl’s  postulate.
 
Essential Readings: 
  • Jayant V. Narlikar, Introduction to Cosmology, Cambridge University Press, 2002.
  • Bernard F. Schutz, A First Course in General Relativity, Cambridge University Press, 2010.
  • Sushil Kumar Srivastava, General Relativity and Cosmology, Prentice hall India, 2008.
  • Raj Bali, General Relativity, JPH, 2005. 
  • David Agmon, Paul Gluck, Classical and Relativistic Mechanics,2009.
 
References: 
  • Jayant V. Narlikar, An Introduction to Relativity, Cambridge University Press, 2010.
  • Robert J. A. Lambourne, Relativity, Gravitation and Cosmology, Cambridge University Press, 2010.
  • R.C. Tolman, Relativity, Thermodynamics and Cosmology, Dover Publications Inc, 1988.
  • J.L. Synge, Relativity the General Theory, North Holland Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1971.
  • A.S. Eddention, The Mathematical Theory of Relativity, Cambridge University Press, 2010.
  • S. Aranoff, Equilibrium in Special Relativity: The Special Theory, North Holland Pub. Amsterdam, 1965.

 

Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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