Dr. Olga Galbova, Professor
Course content:
1. Historical overview of the theory of relativity. Absolute Motion Detection Experiments.
2. Einstein's postulates. Explanation of the negative results of the ether detection experiments.
3. Lorentz transformations.
4. Relativity of simultaneity, dilation of time, contraction of length.
5. Einstein's "Gedanks" experiments and real experiments.
6. Paradoxes in the Special Theory of Relativity and their explanation.
7. Relativistic velocity addition.
8. Aberration of light and Doppler electromagnetic effect.
9. Geometric representation of space-time.
10. Minkowski diagram and application in specific tasks.
11. Principle of causality. Tachyon hypothesis and motion at superluminal speeds.
12. Riemannian spaces. Minkovski's space.
13. Quadrivectors of velocity, acceleration, momentum and energy.
14. Dynamic law of relativistic mechanics.
15. Relativistic dynamics of collision processes.
16. Basics of the General Theory of Relativity. The Equivalence Principle and Consequences - Gravitational Redshift and Gravitational Time Delay.