Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Department of Physical Sciences

PS299 RELATIVITY SPRING2016 ERAU 2 credits
Important Information:
Instructor:
Office:
Email:
Phone number (office):
Phone number (cell):
Office Hours:
Section 01 DB:

Dr. Muhammad OMER Farooq

COAS 319.10 & COAS 319.01
farooqm@erau.edu
386 226 7994
785 317 5338
MWF 11:00 AM 12:00 Noon, and TTH 10:00 AM 12:30 PM
and by appointment
Meeting time will be decided in first week.

Grade Policy:
Grades will be based on: (1) short in-class exams during the usual periodcarry a calculator with you when
you come to class; (2) homework problem sets; and, possibly (3) a short in-class presentation on an assigned
topic. No other exams.
Table 1: PS299 RELATIVITY Grade Policy1 for SPRING2016
90% points or above

A (Superior)

80% 89.99% points

B (Above Average)

70% 79.99% points

C (Average)

60% 69.99% points

D (Below Average)

Under 60% points

F 2 (Failure)

Instructor keeps the right to change the letter grade criteria if he will feel that it is required
during or at the end of the semester, at his sole discretion.
2
Sitting in the Final Exam is required to pass the course.

Points Distribution:
Table 2: PS299 Relativity Points Distribution1 for Spring2016
Assignments

Due

Weightage

Home Works

On the average once

a week inclass

50%

Exam1

February 18th , 2015

10%

Exam2

March 24th , 2015

10%

Exam3

April 21st , 2015

10%

Final Exam

May 3rd , 2015

20%

Changes may be done in the schedule, points distribution, material covered in each exam,
and number of in-semester exams solely at the discretion of the instructor, if needed. Keep
yourself up-to-date with this schedule. You can do that by attending all the lectures, since
all the announcements regarding any changes will be made inclass ,.
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Text:
James B. Hartle. Gravity: An Introduction to Einsteins General Relativity. Benjamin-Cummings Pub
Co. ISBN 13: 9780805386622 (required)
Resnick, Robert. Introduction to Special Relativity. New York, NY: Wiley, 1968. ISBN: 9780471717256.
(required)
Rindler, Wolfgang. Essential Relativity. 2nd ed. Springer-Verlag. ISBN: 9780387100906. (A more
advanced book.)
Sartori, Leo. Understanding Relativity. University of California Press, 1996. ISBN: 9780520079861.
(Another book at the level of this course, similar to Resnick, but with more space-time diagrams and less
about experiment.)

Course Web Site:

Important course resources such as homeworks, homeworks grades, exam grades, lecture problems and so
on will be posted on the course web site, accessed through Blackboard.
Prerequisites:
A good knowledge of algebra, calculus, trigonometry, geometry and a calculator is needed. Officially
the prerequisites of PS299 is MA243 (Calculus and Analytical GeometryIII) and PS250 (Physics for
EngineersIII). The course of differential equations is not required you will be able to go through this class
with out that.
Description:
This course introduces the basic ideas and equations of Einsteins Special Theory of Relativity. If you have
hoped to understand the physics of Lorentz contraction, time dilation, the twin paradox, and E = mc2 ,
youre in the right place.
Learning Outcomes:
Have a solid foundation in the basics of theoretical physics. Have hand-on experience with common mathematical, computational and experimental tools. Understanding of relativity and its connection with electromagnetism.
Course Objectives:
Have an introduction to the most exciting field of physics relativity.
Homework:
I regard homework as an educational experience, not and evaluation mechanism. Part of the grade is based
on the homework problem sets to encourage you to do them. I encourage you to work on the problems in
groups, if you are so inclined. However, for pedagogical reasons it is essential that each student write up
solutions independently.
Tentative Course Outline:

Galilean Transformation

Postulates of Special Relativity

Newtonian Relativity

Twin Paradox and other Surprises

Experimental Basis of Relativity

Relativistic Kinematics

Theoretical Basis of Relativity

Lorentz Transformation
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Relativistic Momentum and Energy

Geodesics

Transformation of Energy and Mass

The Geometry Outside a Spherical Star

~ and B
~
Transformation of E

Gravitational Collapse and Black Holes

Force between Moving charges

Gravity as Geometry

Curvature and Einstein Equation

Description of Curved Spacetime

The Source of Curvature

All Course Syllabis Must Include the Following Statements [but please read them anyway]

Statement Regarding Academic Honesty:

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has an Honor System based on personal integrity, which is presumed
to be sufficient assurance that, in academic matters, ones work is performed honestly and without unauthorized
assistance. Undergraduate and graduate students, by registration, acknowledge the jurisdiction of the Honor
System. The policies and procedures of the Honor System apply to all full and part-time students enrolled
in undergraduate and graduate courses on-campus, off-campus, and via distance learning. The details of
honor system are given on page# 170184 of the DBStudentHandbook that can be downloaded via the
following URL: http://daytonabeach.erau.edu/campus-life/dean-of-students/index.html#. A component vital
to the Honor System is the inclusion of the Honor Pledge which applies to all assignments, examinations, or other
course work undertaken by students. The Honor Pledge is implied, whether or not it is stated. A grade of XF
can result from a breach of academic honesty. The F indicates failure in the course; the X indicates the reason
is an Honor Pledge violation. For more information refer to the Academic Dishonesty policy in the EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University Undergraduate Catalog and the Undergraduate Honor System Policy on the
Dean of Students Office web page at http://daytonabeach.erau.edu/campus-life/dean-of-students/index.html#.
Statements for Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
ERAU is committed to the success of all students. It is a University policy to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities who qualify for services. If you would like to request accommodations due
to a physical, mental, or learning disability, please contact the Worldwide Campus Disability Support Service
Office at (888) 292-5727 or via email wwdss@erau.edu or worldwide.disability.support.services@erau.edu.
Statement Defining Expectations for Classroom Conduct
All student activities in the University, including this course, are governed by the Student Judicial Conduct
Code as outlined in the Student Governing Association By Laws, Article VI, Section 3, number 2. Students
who engage in behavior that disrupts the learning environment may be asked to leave the class.
Copyright
This syllabus, lectures, and other course materials copyright 2015 by MUHAMMAD OMER FAROOQ.
Selling notes to or being paid for taking notes by any person or commercial firm is prohibited without the
express written permission of the professor teaching this course.
Instructors Right
Instructor of the course reserved the right to change any thing in this tentative syllabus including topics
covered, grading scheme, homework due dates, number of homeworks, number of exams, exam length etc.