FYBSC0014 Introduction to cosmology

Institute of physics in Opava
summer 2025
Extent and Intensity
3/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
doc. RNDr. Petr Slaný, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. RNDr. Petr Slaný, Ph.D.
Institute of physics in Opava
Prerequisites
The knowledge of the basics of the general theory of relativity, thermodynamics and statistical physics and the associated mathematical apparatus are welcome.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Introduce the basic models of relativistic cosmology based on the Robertson-Walker metric reflecting global isotropy of the Universe, show their connection with the observational properties of our universe and discuss in more detail the so-called standard Big Bang model, including its key problems and their solutions using the inflation hypothesis.
Learning outcomes
Formulation of basic equations of relativistic cosmology and their solutions; understanding the reasons that lead to the hypothesis of dark matter and dark energy; application of the laws of thermodynamics and statistical physics to processes in the early universe; formulation of problems of the standard Big Bang model and their possible solution using the inflation hypothesis.
Syllabus
  • Observační vlastnosti našeho vesmíru. Reliktní mikrovlnné záření, Hubbleův zákon, zrychlená expanze, temná hmota a temná energie.
  • Charakteristické vlastnosti FLRW modelů vesmíru. Hubbleův parametr, decelerační parametr, parametr hustoty; kosmologický červený posuv; modely s kosmologickou konstantou; éry záření, látky a temné energie; fotometrická a úhlová vzdálenost, m-z relace; vesmírné horizonty.
  • Raný vesmír. Model horkého velkého třesku, primordiální nukleosyntéza, rekombinace, reliktní mikrovlnné záření.
  • Inflace. Problémy standardního modelu, hypotéza inflace; energie vakua vs. kvintesence, problém kosmologické konstanty. Aproximace pomalého valení.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • B. Ryden: Introduction to Cosmology, Cambridge University Press, 2nd ed., 2016
  • J. Horský, J. Novotný, M. Štefaník: Úvod do fyzikální kosmologie. Academia, Praha 2004.
  • J. V. Narlikar: An Introduction to Cosmology, 3rd ed. Cambridge Univ. Press, 2002.
  • Liddle, A. R., Lyth, D. H. Cosmological Inflation and Large-Scale Structure. Cambridge University Press, 2000. ISBN 052166022X. info
Teaching methods
Lectures, discussions, seminar work.
Assessment methods
oral exam, seminar work
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms summer 2021, summer 2022, summer 2023, summer 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (summer 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.slu.cz/course/fu/summer2025/FYBSC0014