last updated: 7.50 AM, Dec 13, 2021
| what |
From the Aharonov-Bohm effect in quantum mechanics to the curved spacetime of General Relativity, differential geometry is everywhere in physics. In this course we will explore the basics of differential geometry from a hands-on physicist's perspective and develop the necessary tools to understand the main ideas of spacetime and General Relativity.
Keywords: Vectors, matrices, tensors, and coordinates; why you need a covariant derivative; what is a metric; geometry of 2D surfaces; differentiable manifolds; what is curvature; why are differential forms so useful; selected applications (participants can decide what will be covered): spacetime as a differentiable manifold, Maxwell's equations as differential forms, curvature in General Relativity, gauge theories |
| when | lecture: Friday, 11am, Small 122 office hours: Monday, 10-11am, Small 235 |
| contact | Jens Boos (jboos@wm.edu) |
| URL | http://www.spintwo.net/Courses/PHYS-581-Differential-Geometry-for-Physicists/ |
Due: Wednesday, Dec 15, 12pm. Please either submit via email or leave it in the mailbox of the instructor.