PHYS481 SPECIAL RELATIVITY
| Course Code: | 2300481 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 5.0 |
| Department: | Physics |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Undergraduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Prof.Dr. ZÜBEYDE SİBEL BAYKAL |
| Offered Semester: | Fall Semesters. |
Course Objectives
Einstein's Special Relativity theory (together with the general theory) is the modern theory of space and time; it successfully replaces Newton's concepts of absolute space and absolute time with spacetime. Since the laws of physics must be compatible with the structure of spacetime, Special Relativity constitutes one of the pillars of fundamental physics. In this course, the students will learn the fundamentals of Special Relativity so that they will be able to apply it in their academic journey.
Course Content
Galilean relativity and absolute motion in space; Axiomatic formulation of special relativity; Minkowski spacetime; Lorentz transformations and physical consequences; Covariant formulations of relativistic mechanics, Optics and electrodynamics.
Course Learning Outcomes
Students who complete this course successfully;
-- will know the fundamentals of Einstein's Special Relativity and the underlying principles behind relativistic physics.
-- will be able to deal with indices in complicated tensorial equations.
-- will understand the basics of casual structure of spacetime and Minkowski diagrams.
-- will know relativistic particle mechanics in the core level.
-- will be able to derive equations of motion from a classical field theory Lagrangian.
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | Can understand, model and analyze the fundamental physical processes of nature. | ✔ | |||
| 2 | Can suggest mathematical models to problems they face and solve them by various (approximate/analytical/numerical) approaches. | ✔ | |||
| 3 | Can use basic measurement devices; can choose and apply the best measurement technique. | ✔ | |||
| 4 | Can adequately record their observations, e.g., in a lab book. | ✔ | |||
| 5 | Can design and carry out experiments. | ✔ | |||
| 6 | Can access scientific information sources. | ✔ | |||
| 7 | Can critically analyze and contribute to scientific information. | ✔ | |||
| 8 | Can present scientific information clearly. | ✔ | |||
| 9 | Can analyze systems that contain probabilistic parts; can do error analysis. | ✔ | |||
| 10 | Has the basic programming skills; can solve a simple physical problem or can simulate one with an appropriate language they choose. | ✔ | |||
| 11 | Can actively and skillfully conceptualize, apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information. | ✔ | |||
| 12 | Can produce new ideas and products by using their background in physics. | ✔ | |||
| 13 | Can systematically design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to respond to an existing problem. | ✔ | |||
| 14 | Is effective in oral and written communication skills by using both Turkish and English languages. | ✔ | |||
| 15 | Can do leadership and take initiative. | ✔ | |||
| 16 | Tries to find physics based solutions to the problems of the world that we live in. | ✔ | |||
| 17 | Obeys the ethical rules in the workplace and the society and ascertains that they are obeyed by others. | ✔ | |||
| 18 | Can use the digital communication and computation tools in the most efficient and effective way. | ✔ | |||
| 19 | Can effectively use the knowledge and skills they gained in physics, in observing, analyzing, modeling and solving other societal problems. | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution