The third and fourth weeks concentrate on aspects of general relativity, Einstein's theory to explain accelarated reference frames and the warping of spacetime by energy. We cover the concepts of curved space, bending of light, time delay in a gravitational well, gravitational redshift, the geodetic effect and frame dragging. Many famous experimental tests of general relativity, past and future, are reviewed. The remainder of the semester is devoted to an introduction to quantum mechanics, a theory to describe the behavior of microscopic systems. We develop some of the basic mathematical tools of importance to every good quantum mechanic.
Course is three credits.
Weekly homework sets. Two midterm exams and one comprehensive final. Physics 283 is a prerequisite. Optional 1 credit honors section meets an additional 1 hour per week with additional weekly problems and reading assignments. Weekly homework sets due at the beginning of class.