Date
5-9-2017
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
In this thesis, a brief introduction of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity is given. Included is a historical background of the theory and descriptions of spacetimes and cosmological models. From there, wave fronts of null geodesics in the Gödel metric emitted from point sources both at, and away from, the origin are examined to show the rotational and non-causal features of the Gödel spacetime. For constant time wave fronts emitted by sources away from the origin, we find blue sky metamorphoses where spatially disconnected portions of the wave front appear, connect to the main wave front, and then later break free and vanish. These blue sky metamorphoses in the constant time wave fronts highlight the non-causal properties of the Gödel metric. We also introduce a concept of physical distance along the null geodesics, in which the blue sky metamorphoses do not occur.
Department
Physics
Thesis Comittee
Thomas Kling (Thesis Director)
Ed Deveney
Jeff Williams
Copyright and Permissions
Original document was submitted as an Honors Program requirement. Copyright is held by the author.
Recommended Citation
Roebuck, Kevin. (2017). Gödel’s Universe. In BSU Honors Program Theses and Projects. Item 211. Available at: https://vc.bridgew.edu/honors_proj/211
Copyright © 2017 Kevin Roebuck