GR - longitude/latitude geodesics problem

In summary, In this conversation, the topic of a 2-sphere of radius R parametrized by spherical polar coordinates θ and φ was discussed. The standard metric in these coordinates was written down and the Christoffel components were calculated. It was shown that lines of constant longitude satisfy the geodesic equation, while the only line of constant latitude that satisfies it is the equator. The question of how a tangent vector transforms when parallel-transported around a line of latitude was also brought up. The conversation also touched on the parametrization of latitude lines and the validity of assuming constant rate of change for phi on these lines.
  • #1
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Homework Statement



Consider a 2-sphere of radius R parametrized by the 2 spherical polar coordinates θ and φ. Write down the standard metric in these coordinates.

1. Show that lines of constant longitude are geodesics, and that the only line of constant latitude is the equator.
2. How does a tangent vector transform if it is parallel-transported around a line of latitude?

Homework Equations



i don't know how to make equations in here. this is going to be difficult. i used the equation for the christoffel connection, to find the christoffel components in these coordinates. now i am trying to prove that the longitude and latitude lines satisfy the geodesic equation, which are basically (i'll try):

((d^2)x^mu)/(dlambda)^2 + (GAMMA^rho)_munu((dx^mu)/dlambda)((dx^nu)/dlambda) = 0.

that is probably incomprehensible.

The Attempt at a Solution



ok so i wrote down the std metric which is

ds^2 = (R^2)(dθ)^2 + (R^2)(sin^2(θ))(dφ)^2

then i calculated the christoffel components, using the equation, and they came out to be

(GAMMA^θ)_φφ = sinθcosθ
(GAMMA^φ)_θφ = (GAMMA^φ)_φθ = cot(θ)

and all the others are zero.

now i don't know much about lines of longitude and latitude except that for longitude are constant φ and latitude are constant θ. so i was working with that to try to show that the geodesic equations are satisfied by longitudes, but not latitudes unless θ = pi/2. now i got the geodesic equations to be:

(d^2)θ/(dlambda)^2 + sinθcosθ(dφ/dlambda)^2 = 0

and

(d^2)φ/(dlambda)^2 + 2cotθ(dθ/dlambda)(dφ/dlambda) = 0

so for longitude with phi constant, all the dφs are zero, so the second equation is automatically satisfied and the first we are left with

(d^2)θ/(dlambda)^2 = 0.

i said that this was okay because on longitudinal lines θ is changing at a constant rate so (d^2)(θ)/(dlambda)^2 is 0? knowing the equations for latitude and longitude lines in terms of θ and φ would really help.

so then it was on to latitude which is where i ran into the problem. the dθs vanish, so we're left with

sin(θ)cos(θ)(dφ/dlambda)^2 = 0

and

(d^2)φ/(dlambda)^2 = 0

well if i use the same argument as i did for longitude, φ changes at constant rate so the second derivative should vanish and i get geodesics for all latitude lines, which is just wrong. alternatively, i can't figure out why it's only θ = pi/2 that satisfies the geodesic - i mean i know that it's true but i can't figure it out mathematically. when first envisioning the solution it was great because i thought i'd have to make both sinθcosθ and cotθ vanish, which would mean θ would have to be pi/2, but cotθ vanishes already because of the dθ vanishing. so I'm wrong somewhere but i don't know where please helppppppppppp

i haven't even begun to think about the second part i just want to understand the first part first. please help please help.

oh it would also be nice to understand how to write equations in here. thanks!

wait do i really have to do it by attachment?
 
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  • #3
sin(θ)cos(θ)(dφ/dlambda)^2 = 0

What about this equation that you derived? Is that compatible with phi moving at a constant rate at constant theta?
 
  • #4
well I'm not sure that phi does change at a constant rate. i thought it did but it may not. does anyone know whether it does, in lines of constant latitude?
 
  • #5
Whether phi changes at a constant rate depends on how you parametrize it and it doesn't matter. Let me rephrase the question. Is this equation compatible with phi changing AT ALL (at constant theta and geodesic)?
 
  • #6
well i am looking at it in the sense that we are keeping constant theta, and somehow mapping out a curve on the manifold, so one variable has to run from one value to another. with constant theta, to make a line of latitude (a circle, not necessarily great circle, on the 2-sphere), we need phi to run from 0 to 2pi. or from -pi to pi, i forget which variable runs on which interval.
 
  • #7
Sure, sure. But according to your formula, can phi run at all at constant theta and still be a geodesic?
 
  • #8
oh do you mean can it satisfy the geodesic equation ? (sorry) if so then i believe it can only do so when theta equals a multiple of pi/2 (the equator). (or the poles, but those wouldn't count as lines of latitude).

and i did mean to post that i realized last night that the way i did this problem actually comes out to the right answer (above, equator), but i wasn't sure it was a valid way to do the problem. basically i am picking a parametrization for phi (or theta, when phi is constant). is it valid for me to do that? can i just assume that on a line of constant latitude phi changes at a constant rate? i need to for the equations to be satisfied, because if not then the second derivative of phi with respect to lambda doesn't vanish as needed.
 
  • #9
You can CHOOSE any parameterization for a path you want. But if you want the parameter to coincide with the affine parameter in the geodesic equations, then as you realize, you are constrained in the parametrization. As for the non-equatorial latitude lines, again, as you are seeing, no choice of parameter will make it a geodesic. Your approach is fine!
 
  • #10
BTW, if this helps, the affine parameter has a physical meaning. It's proportional to actual distance (not just coordinate distance) along the geodesic (or in GR, to proper time).
 

1. What is a geodesic?

A geodesic is the shortest path between two points on a curved surface, such as the Earth's surface.

2. How is a geodesic calculated?

A geodesic is calculated using principles of differential geometry, specifically the concept of a geodesic curve which is the path of shortest distance between two points on a curved surface.

3. What is the GR - longitude/latitude geodesics problem?

The GR - longitude/latitude geodesics problem refers to the problem of determining the shortest path between two points on the Earth's surface, taking into account the curvature of space-time according to Einstein's theory of General Relativity.

4. Why is the GR - longitude/latitude geodesics problem important?

The GR - longitude/latitude geodesics problem is important because it allows us to accurately measure distances on the curved surface of the Earth, taking into account the effects of gravity and space-time curvature.

5. Are there any practical applications of the GR - longitude/latitude geodesics problem?

Yes, there are many practical applications of the GR - longitude/latitude geodesics problem, including navigation and mapping, calculating flight paths and travel distances, and in geodesy and surveying for accurate measurements of the Earth's surface.

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