Course memo Autumn 2025-51390
Version 1 – 10/20/2025, 10:54:45 AM
Autumn 2025-51390 (Start date 27 Oct 2025, English)
English
SCI/Physics
Headings denoted with an asterisk ( * ) is retrieved from the course syllabus version undefined
Repetition of tensor notation. The meaning of relativity. Einstein's postulates. Geometry of Minkowski space and Lorentz transformations. Comparisons with Euclidean geometry. Length contraction and time dilation. Experimental tests of special relativity. The twin paradox and proper time. Relativistic optics. Relativistic mechanics (especially kinematic problems). Electrodynamics (with focus on relativistic invariance). Hamiltonian and Lagrangian formalisms in relativity.
After passing the course, the student should be able to:
The course content will be covered in lecture format over eleven (11) lectures. These will cover the course material from a mainly a theoretical perspective. The lectures are not compulsory.
The course also includes eleven (11) TA sessions where a teaching assistant (TA) will solve problems on the covered material.
If the on-campus teaching of the course is suspended at any point of the course duration, the contingency plan is to move the lectures and TA sessions online. They will then be given through Zoom and the Zoom room will be announced in Canvas. The teaching may also move online if teachers are ill, but well enough to teach via Zoom.
The course is largely based on:
Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:
No information inserted
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
The section below is not retrieved from the course syllabus:
Each problem on the exam will be graded on a scale from A to F, with A being the highest grade and E being the lowest passing grade. In order to pass the exam, a passing grade must be obtained on all problems. If this is satisfied, then the student will receive the highest grade such that at least three (3) problems have been given that grade or higher and no problem has a grade more than two grades below.
Examples: A grade combination of AABCC would result in a final grade B. A grade combination of AABDE would result in a final grade C.
Students may use their quiz results to raise the grade of up to two (2) problems in the written exam by one step. At most one (1) F can be raised in this manner. Each quiz corresponds to the problem with the same number on the exam, i.e., in order to raise the grade of problem 1 on the exam, quiz 1 must be completed with a passing result.
The course will offer five quizzes that will each contain five (5) problems. The quizzes are not mandatory, but will give some partial credit for the exam. The quizzes will be conducted via Canvas at particular set hours (see Canvas) and
will only be available during that scheduled time. In order to pass a quiz, a score of at least 3.5 out of 5 must be reached on that quiz.
| Grade | Criteria |
| A | The student has presented solutions to all parts of the problem. The solutions are clearly motivated and correct. Minor obvious typos can be accepted. |
| B | The student has solved all or most of the problem correctly. Minor issues with missing motivation and computational errors can be accepted as long as they do not lead to physical inconsistencies. Faulty arguments and inconsistent results can be accepted only if the remainder of the solution is essentially flawless. |
| C | The student’s solutions treat most of the problem and is largely correct but may contain computational errors and lack motivation of a few steps. Faulty arguments and inconsistent results can be accepted to a minor degree. |
| D | The student has demonstrated a basic understanding for all parts of the problem as well as the underlying concepts. The student has made significant progress towards a solution of a large part of the problem. Faulty arguments and inconsistent results can be accepted to a more extended degree as long as the basic idea is correct. |
| E | The student’s homework demonstrates a basic understanding of the major issues and concepts treated in the problem. The student has attempted to make proper progress towards a solution to the problem. |
| F | None of the above apply. This includes unreadable solutions, blank solutions, and solutions containing what is basically just a repetition of the problem formulation. |
Students receiving a passing mark on four problems or a passing mark on three problems and additionally passing mark on both quizzes corresponding to the failed problems will be given the grade Fx. Upon receiving an Fx, the student will be given an opportunity to raise one failed problem grade to an E through an oral exam. Students receiving an Fx will be contacted via Canvas. Should this apply to you and you are not in Canvas, please contact the examiner directly. The quizzes are scheduled, but are online based and taken individually by each student.
The offering is the first offering of the course SH2373. The course is a development of the previous course SI2371 with the main difference being the inclusion of additional learning outcomes.
27 Oct 2025
English
