General Relativity

Einstein's Masterpiece: Gravity is the curvature of spacetime. Mass-energy tells spacetime how to curve, and spacetime tells mass-energy how to move.

← Back to General Relativity

Tensor Calculus Video Lectures

A complete 100-lecture series covering tensor calculus from foundations to Riemannian geometry

About This Series

This comprehensive lecture series provides the complete mathematical foundation of tensor calculus required for General Relativity. Starting from basic coordinate systems and building up through covariant derivatives, Christoffel symbols, curvature tensors, and geodesics, these lectures cover everything you need before diving into Einstein's theory.

Recommended Path: Watch Sections I-IV before starting Part I of the GR course. Sections V-VIII align with Parts I-II (Differential Geometry & Curvature).

I. Foundations & Coordinates

Videos 1-7: Why tensors, Euclidean space, tensor fields, and coordinate systems

Video 01: Why Tensor Calculus?
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Video Lecture

Why Tensor Calculus

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Video 02: Euclidean Space
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Video Lecture

Euclidean Space

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Video 03: Tensor Fields
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Video Lecture

Tensor Fields

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Video 04: Affine Coordinates
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Video Lecture

Affine Coordinates

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Video 05: Curvilinear Coordinates
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Video Lecture

Curvilinear Coordinates

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Video 06: Coordinate Transformations
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Video Lecture

Coordinate Transformations

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Video 07: Transformation Examples
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Video Lecture

Transformation Examples

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II. Basis Vectors & Transformations

Videos 8-12: Covariant basis, vector transformations, and Jacobians

Video 08: Vector Differentiation
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Video Lecture

Vector Differentiation

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Video 09: Covariant Basis
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Video Lecture

Covariant Basis

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Video 10: Covariant Basis Examples
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Video Lecture

Covariant Basis Examples

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Video 11: Vector Transformations
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Video Lecture

Vector Transformations

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Video 12: Jacobian Examples
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Video Lecture

Jacobian Examples

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III. Metric Tensor & Tensor Algebra

Videos 13-26: Kronecker delta, dot product, metric tensor, tensor definition, contraction, raising & lowering indices

Video 13: Kronecker Delta
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Video Lecture

Kronecker Delta

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Video 14: Dot Product
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Video Lecture

Dot Product

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Video 15: Covariant Metric Tensor
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Video Lecture

Covariant Metric Tensor

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Video 16: Covariant Metric Examples
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Video Lecture

Covariant Metric Examples

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Video 17: Contravariant Basis
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Video Lecture

Contravariant Basis

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Video 18: Contravariant Basis Examples
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Video Lecture

Contravariant Basis Examples

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Video 19: Tensor Definition
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Video Lecture

Tensor Definition

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Video 20: Tensor Algebra
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Video Lecture

Tensor Algebra

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Video 21: Contraction
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Video Lecture

Contraction

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Video 22: Raising & Lowering Indices
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Video Lecture

Raising and Lowering Indices

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Video 23: Tensor Equations
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Video Lecture

Tensor Equations

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Video 24: Dot Product (Tensor Formulation)
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Video Lecture

Dot Product - Tensor Formulation

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Video 25: Dot Product Examples
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Video Lecture

Dot Product Examples

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Video 26: Vector Operation Examples
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Video Lecture

Vector Operation Examples

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IV. Covariant Derivatives & Christoffel Symbols

Videos 27-42: Partial derivatives, covariant derivatives, Christoffel symbols, metrinilic property, gradient, trajectories

Video 27: Transformation of Partial Derivatives
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Video Lecture

Transformation of Partial Derivatives

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Video 28: Covariant Derivative for Contravariant Vector
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Video Lecture

Covariant Derivative for Contravariant Vector

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Video 29: Christoffel Symbol Transformation
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Video Lecture

Christoffel Symbol Transformation

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Video 30: Christoffel Symbol Evaluation
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Video Lecture

Christoffel Symbol Evaluation

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Video 31: Christoffel Symbol Examples
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Video Lecture

Christoffel Symbol Examples

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Video 32: Covariant Derivative for Covariant Vector
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Video Lecture

Covariant Derivative for Covariant Vector

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Video 33: Covariant Derivative Proof
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Video Lecture

Covariant Derivative Proof

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Video 34: Covariant Derivative Product Rule
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Video Lecture

Covariant Derivative Product Rule

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Video 35: Covariant Derivative for Higher Rank Tensors
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Video Lecture

Covariant Derivative for Higher Rank Tensors

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Video 36: Covariant Derivative Properties
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Video Lecture

Covariant Derivative Properties

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Video 37: Metrinilic Property - Part 1
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Video Lecture

Metrinilic Property Part 1

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Video 38: Metrinilic Property - Part 2
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Video Lecture

Metrinilic Property Part 2

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Video 39: Gradient
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Video Lecture

Gradient

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Video 40: Gradient Examples
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Video Lecture

Gradient Examples

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Video 41: Trajectories
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Video Lecture

Trajectories

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Video 42: Trajectory Examples
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Video Lecture

Trajectory Examples

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V. Determinants, Levi-Civita & Integration

Videos 43-56: Symmetry, determinants, relative tensors, volume element, Levi-Civita symbols, cross product, curl, integration

Video 43: Tensor Symmetry
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Video Lecture

Tensor Symmetry

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Video 44: Determinants
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Video Lecture

Determinants

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Video 45: Delta System
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Video Lecture

Delta System

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Video 46: Relative Tensors
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Video Lecture

Relative Tensors

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Video 47: Cofactors
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Video Lecture

Cofactors

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Video 48: Volume Element
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Video Lecture

Volume Element

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Video 49: Voss-Weyl Formula
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Video Lecture

Voss-Weyl Formula

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Video 50: Voss-Weyl Examples
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Video Lecture

Voss-Weyl Examples

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Video 51: Levi-Civita Symbols
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Video Lecture

Levi-Civita Symbols

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Video 52: Cross Product
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Video Lecture

Cross Product

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Video 53: Curl
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Video Lecture

Curl

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Video 54: Integration
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Video Lecture

Integration

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Video 55: Generalization to Other Dimensions
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Video Lecture

Generalization to Other Dimensions

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Video 56: Cross Product & Curl Examples
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Video Lecture

Cross Product and Curl Examples

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VI. Embedded Manifolds & Surfaces

Videos 57-73: Tangent space, shift tensor, normals, projection operators, surface Christoffel symbols, surface covariant derivatives

Video 57: Embedded Manifolds
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Video Lecture

Embedded Manifolds

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Video 58: Tangent Space
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Video Lecture

Tangent Space

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Video 59: Common Baseline
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Video Lecture

Common Baseline

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Video 60: Shift Tensor
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Video Lecture

Shift Tensor

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Video 61: Sample Metric Objects
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Video Lecture

Sample Metric Objects

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Video 62: Embedded Curve
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Video Lecture

Embedded Curve

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Video 63: The Normal
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Video Lecture

The Normal

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Video 64: Normal Examples
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Video Lecture

Normal Examples

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Video 65: Tangent Space Transformations
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Video Lecture

Tangent Space Transformations

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Video 66: Projection Operators
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Video Lecture

Projection Operators

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Video 67: Projection Operator Examples
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Video Lecture

Projection Operator Examples

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Video 68: Christoffel Symbol for Surfaces - Part 1
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Video Lecture

Christoffel Symbol for Surfaces Part 1

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Video 69: Christoffel Symbol for Surfaces - Part 2
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Video Lecture

Christoffel Symbol for Surfaces Part 2

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Video 70: Surface Christoffel Examples
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Video Lecture

Surface Christoffel Examples

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Video 71: Surface Covariant Derivative for Tangent Vectors
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Video Lecture

Surface Covariant Derivative for Tangent Vectors

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Video 72: Surface Covariant Derivative for Non-Tangent Vectors
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Video Lecture

Surface Covariant Derivative for Non-Tangent Vectors

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Video 73: Surface Covariant Derivative Properties
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Video Lecture

Surface Covariant Derivative Properties

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VII. Curvature

Videos 74-87: Weingarten's formula, Gaussian curvature, Riemann-Christoffel tensor, Theorema Egregium, Ricci & Einstein tensors

Video 74: Weingarten's Formula
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Video Lecture

Weingarten's Formula

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Video 75: Sample Curvature Tensors
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Video Lecture

Sample Curvature Tensors

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Video 76: Curvature Basics
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Video Lecture

Curvature Basics

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Video 77: Curvature Using Coordinate Systems
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Video Lecture

Curvature Using Coordinate Systems

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Video 78: Gaussian Curvature
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Video Lecture

Gaussian Curvature

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Video 79: Curvature Tensor - Part 1
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Video Lecture

Curvature Tensor Part 1

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Video 80: Curvature Tensor - Part 2
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Video Lecture

Curvature Tensor Part 2

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Video 81: Intrinsic Curvature
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Video Lecture

Intrinsic Curvature

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Video 82: Riemann-Christoffel Tensor
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Video Lecture

Riemann-Christoffel Tensor

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Video 83: Riemann Normal Coordinates
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Video Lecture

Riemann Normal Coordinates

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Video 84: Riemann Tensor Symmetries & Identities
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Video Lecture

Riemann Tensor Symmetries and Identities

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Video 85: Commutation for Higher Rank Tensors
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Video Lecture

Commutation for Higher Rank Tensors

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Video 86: Theorema Egregium
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Video Lecture

Theorema Egregium

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Video 87: Ricci & Einstein Tensors
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Video Lecture

Ricci and Einstein Tensors

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VIII. Curves, Geodesics & Riemannian Geometry

Videos 88-100: Embedded curves, Frenet formulas, geodesic curvature, geodesic curves, parallel transport, holonomy, Riemannian geometry

Video 88: Embedded Curves - Part 1
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Video Lecture

Embedded Curves Part 1

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Video 89: Curve Projections
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Video Lecture

Curve Projections

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Video 90: Embedded Curves - Part 2
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Video Lecture

Embedded Curves Part 2

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Video 91: Frenet Formulas
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Video Lecture

Frenet Formulas

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Video 92: Curves Embedded in Surfaces
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Video Lecture

Curves Embedded in Surfaces

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Video 93: Geodesic Curvature Tensor
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Video Lecture

Geodesic Curvature Tensor

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Video 94: Sample Embedded Curve
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Video Lecture

Sample Embedded Curve

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Video 95: Geodesic Curves
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Video Lecture

Geodesic Curves

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Video 96: Parallel Transport
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Video Lecture

Parallel Transport

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Video 97: Parallel Transport Example
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Video Lecture

Parallel Transport Example

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Video 98: Holonomy - Part 1
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Video Lecture

Holonomy Part 1

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Video 99: Holonomy - Part 2
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Video Lecture

Holonomy Part 2

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Video 100: Riemannian Geometry
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Video Lecture

Riemannian Geometry

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Mapping to GR Course

I-IV

Sections I-IV (Videos 1-42)

Watch before starting the GR course. Covers coordinates, basis vectors, metric tensor, covariant derivatives, and Christoffel symbols.

V

Section V (Videos 43-56)

Aligns with Part I: Differential Geometry. Determinants, volume elements, and Levi-Civita symbols used throughout GR.

VI

Section VI (Videos 57-73)

Aligns with Part I: Manifolds, tangent spaces, and surface geometry are foundational to GR.

VII

Section VII (Videos 74-87)

Aligns with Part II: Curvature of Spacetime. Riemann tensor, Ricci tensor, and Einstein tensor are the heart of GR.

VIII

Section VIII (Videos 88-100)

Geodesics, parallel transport, and holonomy are essential for understanding particle motion and curvature effects in GR.