You are cordially invited to attend a colloquium and debate between
To be held Tuesday, March 3rd, 1998
4:30 PM
Joseph Henry Room (off of Jadwin lobby)
The discussion presented on Tuesday will be of a unique form, a double colloquium plus debate. Both Dr. Christodoulou and Dr. Wilczek will both give talks about their views on the theory of gravity, including general relativity and quantum gravity. They will then speak together regarding the limits of existing physical theories and necessity for new theories in regards to their current studies. This will be followed by a brief question and answer period.
Abstract by Professor WilczekWhat are the ultimate building blocks? I will very briefly review the principles and principals of the standard theories of strong, weak, and electromagnetic interactions. I will indicate the powerful though at present circumstantial empirical evidence that these separate theories derive from a single more encompassing theory. The synthesis probably requires supersymmetry. It will only be complete when gravity is also included. I will discuss the conceptual challenges involved in contructing a quantum theory of gravity, and why recent work has challenged us to re-examine basic assumptions about space, time, and distance. |
Abstract by Professor ChristodoulouIn my talk I shall discuss some of the basic problems posed by Einstein's equations of general relativity. These equations are thought to govern the macroscopic spacetime structure. I shall outline what we know about the formation of spacetime sigularities and discuss the possibility of breakdown of predictability at the macroscopic level. I shall end with a review of recent progress on the so called ``cosmic censorship" conjecture, the question of whether or not spacetime singularities are always hidden behind black holes.
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A short overview of General Relativity
An overview of GR focusing on particle motion near black holes
Brief outline of quantum gravity
Black Holes and Quantum Gravity
Article reviewing current state of quantum gravity theories (PostScript--print or use ghostview)
Visit us again for more information on the next colloquium to be sponsored by the UMPC, scheduled for the first week of March. If you are planning on attending and have suggestions as to which day would be most convienent, feel free to contact us at our e-mail address below.
The Undergraduate Math and Physics Colloquium organization is a group dedicated to bringing colloquia to the undergraduate math and science community that are educational, entertaining, and inspirational. By presenting cutting-edge topics by distinguished lecturers in a fashion accessible to undergraduates, we hope to enhance the Princeton experience and provide a perspective on careers in math and science.
For more information on our colloquia or lectures, or if you have any suggestions for lecturers you would wish to see, feel free to mail us at umpc@princeton.edu.
President: Tamar Friedmann, Vice President: Ed Peterlin, Treasurer: Justin Werfel
Professor Peter Meyers, "The Rare and the Merely Half Baked"
Professor John Conway, "Sphere Packing"
Professor Curtis Callan, "A String Theory Approach to Black Hole Entropy"
Professor Edward Witten, "String Theory "
Last modified on 3/1/98, 22:09.