Using algebraic computing to teach general relativity and cosmology
Pages 139-145
Dumitru N. Vulcanov, Remus - Ştefan Ş. Boată
Abstract
The article presents some new aspects and experience on the use of
computer in teaching general relativity and cosmology for undergraduate
students (and not only) with some experience in computer manipulation.
Some years ago certain results were reported [1] using old fashioned
computer algebra platforms but the growing popularity of graphical
platforms as Maple and Mathematica forced us to adapt and reconsider
our methods and programs. We will describe some simple algebraic
programming procedures (in Maple with GrTensorII package) for
obtaining and the study of some exact solutions of the Einstein equations
in order to convince a dedicated student in general relativity about the
utility of a computer algebra system.