Skip to main content

Module

MAS8813 : Relativity & Variational Methods & Lagrangian Dynamics (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Ian Moss
  • Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

To introduce the concept of spacetime, the theory of special relativity and some preliminary ideas from general relativity. To present basic ideas and techniques of variational calculus, including relevant applications.

Starting from situations such as GPS navigation, where the velocity of light plays an important role, we explore ideas on the fundamental nature of space and time which form the basis of the theory of relativity.

The calculus of variations answers questions like: What is the shortest route between two places on the Earth's surface? How do you maximise growth in an economy? It has wide applications to real-world problems. Most importantly, the ideas of variational calculus provide the basis for a reformulation of dynamics which underpins modern theoretical physics.

Outline Of Syllabus

Lorentz transformations: length contraction and time dilation; spacetime; 4-vectors and line elements.
Definitions of energy and momentum, E=mc^2.
Relativistic dynamics.
Introduction to General Relativity: curved space and geodesics.

Basics: finding extrema of functions; Lagrange multipliers.
Euler-Lagrange equations: theory and applications.
Variational problems in many dimensions and multiple variables.
Dynamics: kinetic and potential energy; Hamilton’s principle; generalised coordinates; dynamics of solid bodies; Hamiltonian dynamics.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture91:009:00Synchronous On-Line Material
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion301:0030:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture91:009:00Present in Person
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials361:0036:00Non-Synchronous Activities
Structured Guided LearningStructured non-synchronous discussion181:0018:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery41:004:00Office Hour or Discussion Board Activity
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study941:0094:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Non-synchronous online materials are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on assessed work. Present-in-person and synchronous online sessions are used to help develop the students’ abilities at applying the theory to solving problems and to identify and resolve specific queries raised by students, and to allow students to receive individual feedback on marked work. In addition, office hours/discussion board activity will provide an opportunity for more direct contact between individual students and the lecturer: a typical student might spend a total of one or two hours over the course of the module, either individually or as part of a group.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1202A80Alternative assessment - class test
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written exercise1M10written exercises
Written exercise2M10written exercises
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

A substantial formal examination is appropriate for the assessment of the material in this module. The course assessments will allow the students to develop their problem solving techniques, to practise the methods learnt in the module, to assess their progress and to receive feedback; these assessments have a secondary formative purpose as well as their primary summative purpose.

Reading Lists

Timetable