Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE MAT3513

 
TITLE Tensors and Relativity

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Mathematics

 
DESCRIPTION - Differentiable manifolds;
- Maps of manifolds;
- Tangent and cotangent spaces;
- Bases;
- Tensors and tensor algebra;
- The metric tensor;
- Tensor transformation law;
- Tensor fields;
- Christoffel symbols;
- Covariant derivative;
- Parallel propagation and geodesics;
- The Riemann tensor and its symmetries;
- The Ricci tensor, curvature scalar and Weyl tensor;
- The Bianchi identities;
- Principle of equivalence;
- Gravitation as space-time curvature;
- Energy-momentum tensor;
- Perfect fluids;
- Einstein’s field equations;
- Schwarzschild black hole solution.

Suggested Reading

- Carroll S.M., Spacetime and Geometry: An Introduction to General Relativity, 1st Edition, Addison Wesley, New York, 2003.
- Schutz B.F., A first course in General Relativity, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1985.
- Camilleri C.J., Tensor Analysis, Malta University Press, Malta, 1999.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Leads to: MAT5615

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Examination (2 Hours) SEM2 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Joseph Sultana

 

 
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