Introduction

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2
Dr. WANG Qinghai ()
S13-04-06
Tel: 6516-2533
qhwang@nus.edu.sg
I would like to be called: Qing-hai
I am OK with: Mr./Dr. WANG
I really hate to be called: Prof.
Introduction
Why?
Why study gravity?
Why GR?
What?
What is GR?
SR vs. GR
How?
Two ways of learning GR
Textbooks
Tentative course plan
Module structure
Pre-course survey
Notations and units
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Why study gravity?
One of the fundamental forces of nature
The ultimate dream: the theory of everything (TOE)
Properties of the gravitational interaction
Applications
Why GR?
Newtonian gravity vs. GR
Be prepared for the coming exciting new experimental results
Why PC4248?
Pre-requisite for more advanced astrophysics courses
PC4232: Cosmology
Preparing for postgraduate studies
Degree requirement
Honors with specialization in Astrophysics


4
5
2 2 2
grav 0
36
2 2 2
elec 0
4
10
4
p p
F Gm r Gm
F e r e
tc
tc

= = ~
Gravity is a universal interaction between all mass,
and between all forms of energy.
Gravity is always attractive. It is unscreened.
Gravity is a long-range interaction.
Gravity is the weakest of the four fundamental
interactions.
Gravity governs the organization (structure) and
evolution of the universe on the largest distance scales
of astrophysics and cosmology.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
GPS will fail in half an hour without taking GR effects
Gravitational redshift
Black holes
Precession of perihelia
Particle orbits
Mercury
Bending and time delay of light
Gravitational lensing
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Astrophysics and cosmology
The final destiny of stars
White dwarves
Neutron/compact stars
Pulsars
Black holes
Quasars?
Universe
Big Bang
Big Crunch?
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Newtonian gravity is not compatible with SR:



All existing data agree with GR:
Deflection of light by the sun
Mercury perihelion precession
Gravitational redshift
Radar echo delay
Gravitational lensing
Etvs torsion balance experiments
GPS
Gravity Probe A
Strong field tests
Gravity Probe B

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( ) ( )
1 2 1 2
grav
2 2
12
1 2
m m m m
F G G
r
r t r t
= =

Classic tests of GR
Modern tests of GR
The subject of this course: Einsteins special and
general relativity
It is a classical (non-quantum) theory of space, time,
and (relativistic) gravity.
Gravity is the geometry of four-dimensional curved
spacetime.
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LOGICAL WAY PHYSICAL WAY
Review of SR and
Newtonian gravity
Mathematics
Tensor analysis
Riemann geometry
Deriving Einsteins field
equation
Solving Einstein eqn.
Special case solutions
Classic/modern tests of GR
Review of SR and
Newtonian gravity
Physical relevant solutions
without derivation
Special case solutions
Classic/modern tests of GR
Minimal math
Tensor analysis
Riemann geometry
Deriving Einstein eqn.
Solving Einsteins eqn.
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Gravity: An
Introduction to
Einsteins General
Relativity

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A Short Course in
General Relativity

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Spacetime and
Geometry:
An Introduction to
General Relativity

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Newtonian Physics
Chapter 3: Review of Special Relativity
Chapter 4: Geometry and Gravity
Chapter 5: Curved Spacetime
Chapter 6: Geodesics
Chapter 7: Tensor Analysis
Chapter 8: Curvature and Einsteins
Equation
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Chapter 9: Physics Outside a Spherical Star
Chapter 10: Black Holes
Chapter 11: Gravitational Waves
Chapter 12*: Rotation
Mid-term test: Saturday, 6 Oct 2012
10am-2pm or 4pm-8pm
Final Exam: Wednesday, 05 Dec
2012, AM

* - if time permitted or by request
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Lectures
Every Tuesday and Friday 10am-12noon
Venue: this room S12-04-03
Office hours
Every Friday 2pm-4pm
Venue: my office, S13-04-06
Homework (~7; 20%)
Grading based on effort: 2, 1, or 0
Term test (1; 20%)
Closed-book, Saturday, 6 Oct 2012
At least one problem from homework
Final written exam (1; 60%)
Closed-book, 05 Dec 2012, AM
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3-vectors
Arrow over head: ,
Hat over head for unit 3-vectors: ,
Three components: ,
4-vectors
Boldface in print: x, v
Wiggly underscore in handwriting: ,
Four components: , , ,

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x v
x

i
i
v
2
v
, , , 1, 2, 3 i j k =
v
2
v
0
v
, , , , 0,1, 2, 3 o | v =
x v
EAST COAST METRIC WEST COAST METRIC







Used in GR books by
Hartle;
Carrol;
Weinberg;
Used in QFT books by
Weinberg;







Used in GR books by
Foster & Nightingale;
Used in QFT books by
Bjork & Drell;
Ryder;
Peskin & Shroeder;
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1 0 0 0
0 1 0 0
0 0 1 0
0 0 0 1
u
q

| |
|
|
=
|
|
\ .
1 0 0 0
0 1 0 0
0 0 1 0
0 0 0 1
u
q
| |
|

|
=
|

\ .
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Location of indices:
Superscripts for vector components
Subscripts for the metric
Superscripts in the denominator count as subscripts
Repeated (dummy) indices always in
superscript-subscript pairs.
Free indices must balance on both sides of an
equation.
Non-summed repeated indices must be
noted.
Fundamental constants of nature (in SI units)
Speed of light
Gravitational constant
Planck constant
Planck scales
Planck time
Planck length
Planck mass
Natural units
or

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8
-11 3 2
-34
2.998 10 m/s
G=6.673 10 m /(kg s )
=1.055 10 J s
c =


5 44
pl
3 -35
pl
-8
pl
/ 5.391 10 s
/ =1.616 10 m
/ =2.177 10 kg
t G c
l G c
m c G

pl pl pl
1 t l m = = = 1 c G = = =