General Relativity
The theory of general relativity describes gravitation in a completely different way than classical physics does: In this theory, gravity is not described as a force but rather as the interplay between mass, time, and space.
The learning unit is developed by Department of Physics and the Norwegian Centre for Science Education at the University of Oslo, and the Science Teaching Laboratory at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
45 min1 – The principle of equivalence
General relativity describes our universe in a new and revolutionary way. Even though general relativity builds on an advanced mathematical framework, a simple thought experiment led Einstein towards a new theory of gravity.
45 min2 - Relativistic phenomena
In this module, we will study two phenomena that seem paradoxical from a classical physics point of view, but that can be observed nonetheless! Einstein’s theory can explain gravitational time dilation and gravitational frequency shift.
90 min3 - Curved spacetime
According to Einstein, gravity is not a force but a geometric phenomenon. He understood that there is a dynamic interplay between mass, time, and space. In this module, we will see how curvature of time and space leads to gravity.