Keyboard shortcuts

Go home G then H
Browse sets G then B
Create set G then C
My library G then L
Show shortcuts ?
Go back Swipe from left edge
Library

Advanced Physics — General Relativity

Einstein's theory of gravitation and spacetime curvature

G
geodesic_george 23 terms Dec 19, 2025
Flashcards
Learn
Written
Match
Test
Blitz

Terms 23

1
Equivalence Principle
Locally, gravitational effects are indistinguishable from acceleration; foundation of GR
2
Spacetime
Four-dimensional continuum combining 3D space and time; events are 4D points
3
Metric Tensor (g_μν)
Encodes geometry of spacetime; determines distances, angles, and causal structure
4
Geodesic
Straightest possible path in curved spacetime; free-falling objects follow geodesics
5
Curvature
Intrinsic property of spacetime caused by energy-momentum; measured by Riemann tensor
6
Einstein Field Equations
G_μν + Λg_μν = (8πG/c⁴)T_μν; spacetime curvature = energy-momentum content
7
Stress-Energy Tensor (T_μν)
Encodes energy, momentum, pressure, and stress of matter; source of curvature
8
Ricci Tensor
Contraction of Riemann curvature tensor; appears directly in Einstein equations
9
Schwarzschild Metric
Exact solution for spherically symmetric vacuum; ds² = −(1−rs/r)c²dt² + (1−rs/r)⁻¹dr² + r²dΩ²
10
Schwarzschild Radius
rs = 2GM/c²; critical radius; black hole forms if object compressed within this radius
11
Event Horizon
Boundary of black hole from which nothing can escape; not locally detectable
12
Gravitational Time Dilation
Clocks run slower in stronger gravitational fields; Δt_far = Δt_near / √(1−rs/r)
13
Gravitational Redshift
Photons climbing out of gravitational well lose energy; wavelength increases
14
Perihelion Precession
Mercury's orbit precesses 43 arcsec/century more than Newtonian prediction; confirmed by GR
15
Light Deflection
Light bends near massive objects; GR predicts twice the Newtonian value; confirmed 1919
16
Gravitational Waves
Propagating ripples in spacetime curvature; travel at c; detected by LIGO in 2015
17
Kerr Metric
Exact GR solution for rotating black hole; two horizons, ergosphere, frame dragging
18
Frame Dragging (Lense-Thirring)
Rotating mass drags spacetime around it; observed in GPS corrections and Gravity Probe B
19
Penrose Diagram
Conformal diagram compressing infinite spacetime into finite map; shows causal structure
20
Hawking Radiation
Pair production at event horizon; black holes slowly evaporate via thermal radiation
21
Singularity Theorems
Penrose-Hawking: given certain conditions, singularities are inevitable in GR
22
Cosmological Constant (Λ)
Added by Einstein to allow static universe; now interpreted as dark energy density
23
Tests of General Relativity
Mercury precession, light deflection, gravitational redshift, GPS corrections, gravitational waves