Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity
6 terms
Schwarzschild Radius
Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity
Meters or Kilometers
The physical radius defining the event horizon of a non-rotating, spherically symmetric black hole of mass M.
R_s = 2 G M / c² ≈ 2.95 km × (M / M_☉)
Singularity
Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity
Infinite Curvature / Density
A region in spacetime where gravitational curvature and density become infinite, causing classical general relativity equations to break down.
Lim (r → 0): R_μνρσ R^μνρσ → ∞
Spacetime Continuum
Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity
4D Manifold (3 Space + 1 Time)
A 4D mathematical continuum combining 3D space and 1D time into a unified pseudo-Riemannian manifold.
ds² = g_μν dx^μ dx^ν (4D Pseudo-Riemannian Manifold)
Special Relativity
Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity
Theoretical Framework
Albert Einstein's 1905 theory describing the physical behavior of space and time for observers moving in uniform non-accelerated inertial frames.
E² = (p c)² + (m₀ c²)², γ = 1 / √(1 - v²/c²)
Stellar Nucleosynthesis
Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity
Nuclear Energy & Abundances
The collective nuclear fusion reactions inside stars that synthesize heavier chemical elements from lighter primordial hydrogen and helium.
3 α → ¹²C (Triple-Alpha Process at T ~ 10⁸ K)
Supernova
Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity
10⁴⁴ Joules (Energy Output)
A catastrophic stellar explosion marking the death of a star, briefly outshining an entire galaxy and dispersing heavy elements into space.
Type Ia: M = M_Ch; Type II: Core Collapse M > 8 M_☉