COURSE DETAIL

CornellX: ASTRO2290x - Relativity and Astrophysics

Relativity and Astrophysics

Explore the powerful and intriguing connections between astronomy and Einstein’s theory of relativity.

ABOUT THIS COURSE

The study of the night sky instilled wonder in our ancestors. Modern astronomy extends the human view to previously unexplored regions of space and time. In this course, you will gain an understanding of these discoveries through a focus on relativity—Einstein's fascinating and non-intuitive description of the physical world. By studying relativity and astronomy together, you will develop physical insight and quantitative skills, and you’ll regain a profound sense of wonder for the universe we call home.

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COURSE STAFF

David F. Chernoff
David F. Chernoff
David Chernoff is a professor of astronomy at Cornell University and an expert in theoretical astrophysics. He joined the faculty in 1987 and has taught both graduate and undergraduate courses on a range of topics including stars, galaxies, stellar dynamics, compact objects, interstellar medium, cosmology, and computing. He received from Cornell the Merrill Presidential Award for educational contributions and from the National Science Foundation, a Presidential Young Investigator's Award for research.
Chernoff's current research interests encompass cosmology, quantum mechanics, statistics, and numerical methods for solving analytically intractable problems in physics. One exciting intersection of these different interests involves exploring constraints that astrophysical observations can place on the fundamental theories of physics and cosmology that have emerged over the past two decades.
Chernoff received his PhD from University of California, Berkeley in 1985.

FAQS

What topics will the course cover?

• Section One—Introduction
• Section Two—3, 2, 1 … Launching the journey into spacetime
• Section Three—Special relativity: from light to dark
• Section Four—General relativity: from flat to curved

Is there a required textbook?

No textbook is required. Notes will be posted weekly. A list of supplemental resources, including textbooks, will be provided.

What are the learning outcomes of this course?

• Explain the meaning and significance of the postulates of special and general relativity.
• Discuss significant experimental tests of both special and general relativity.
• Analyze paradoxes in special relativity.
• Apply appropriate tools for problem solving in special relativity.
• Describe astrophysical situations where the consequences of relativity qualitatively impact predictions and/or observations.
• Describe daily situations where relativity makes a difference. 

Will certificates be awarded?

Yes. If you complete the work and achieve a passing grade in a course, you can earn a certificate of mastery, which indicates that you have completed the course successfully. Certificates will be issued by edX under the name of CornellX, designating the institution from which the course originated.

PREREQUISITES:

Generally, requires math and physics at the high school level; college-level introductory classes in calculus and physics will meet all requirements. Familiarity with the following mathematical tools: distance, Pythagorean theorem, trigonometry, vectors, and derivatives. Familiarity with the following topics in physics: speed, velocity, acceleration, Newton's laws of motion, kinetic and potential energy, and Newton's description of gravity.