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FutureLearn

Gravity! The Big Bang, Black Holes and Gravitational Waves

Paris Diderot University via FutureLearn

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Overview

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What is gravity? This fundamental force is the common theme between concepts as intriguing as the Big Bang, black holes, dark energy, space-time, gravitational waves and the expansion of the Universe.

If these concepts pique your interest, this free online course is for you. It doesn’t require any background in physics or mathematics, just a simple curiosity about the Universe and our place in it.

Discover why the discovery of gravitational waves in 2016 is a real scientific revolution

The theory of gravity, Einstein’s theory of relativity, was published in 1915. This course presents in a simple way the main ideas behind this theory, before explaining why “gravity is the engine of the Universe.”

We will also explore the 2016 discovery of gravitational waves – a phenomenon that Einstein predicted exactly 100 years ago. By the end of the course, we’ll find out:

  • why, the further you look, the more distant the past is;
  • how we can tell what happened just after the Big Bang;
  • what the dark components of the Universe are;
  • what happens when you cross the horizon of a black hole;
  • why the discovery of gravitational waves is opening an extraordinary exploration of our Universe and our space-time.

Learn with gravity experts including a Nobel Prize-winning physicist

Over six weeks, you’ll learn with Pierre Binétruy, the Director of the Paris Centre for Cosmological Physics at Paris Diderot University, as well as the cosmologist, George Smoot, who will explain the discovery that earned him the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2006.

This course doesn’t require any background in physics or mathematics, just a simple curiosity about the Universe.

Taught by

Pierre Binétruy

Reviews

4.7 rating, based on 10 Class Central reviews

Start your review of Gravity! The Big Bang, Black Holes and Gravitational Waves

  • Profile image for Morgan Korchia
    Morgan Korchia
  • Profile image for Sheri Havens
    Sheri Havens
    I never thought that I would understand or enjoy physics. This class changed my mind. I highly recommend the course. It is a medium level course. I learned to disregard my preconceived notions, which made the learning process much easier. Best not to second guess yourself on quizzes and you will do just fine.
  • Anonymous
    The explanations for complex theories and concepts are explained in a clear and succinct way. I am very much enjoying this course
  • Peter Adamko
    Excellent course. I enjoyed this course much more than I thought I would. I found the Quizzes very helpful as well.
  • Lina
  • Erasmia Birmpila
  • Profile image for Sheri Havens
    Sheri Havens

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