Derivation of Christoffel symbol

In summary, Has anyone a derivation at hand of the Christoffel symbol by permuting of indices in a free fall system? No.
  • #1
rolandk
2
0
Has anyone a derivation at hand of the Christoffel symbol by permuting of indices in a free fall system?

Roland
 
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  • #2
If you have the equations for geodesic motion in a coordinate basis, you can "read off" the Christoffel symbols from the equation using the geodesic deviation equation, i.e if [tex]x^a(\tau)[/tex] is a geodesic, and we represent the differentaition with respect to [tex]\tau[/tex] by a dot, we can write

[tex]\ddot{x^a} + \Gamma^a{}_{bc} \dot{x^b}\dot{x^c} = 0[/tex]

MTW gives the example on pg 345 in "Gravitation"

If
[tex]\ddot{\theta} - sin(\theta) cos(\theta) (\dot{\phi})^2 = 0 [/tex]
then
[tex]\Gamma^{\theta}{}_{\phi \phi} = -sin(\theta}) cos(\theta) [/tex]

and the other Christoffel symbols are zero.

I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for, though.
 
  • #3
Section 6.4 of [1] gives exacly what u want.Isn't that

[tex] \Gamma^{\sigma}{}_{\mu\rho}=:e_{\mu}{}^{m}D_{\rho}e_{m}{}^{\sigma} [/tex]

,where the covariant derivative uses the ordinary [itex] \partial_{\rho} [/itex]and the spin-connection...?

Daniel.

---------------------------------------------
[1]Pierre Ramond "Field Theory:A Modern Primer",Addison-Wesley,2-nd ed.,1989
 
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  • #4
rolandk said:
Has anyone a derivation at hand of the Christoffel symbol by permuting of indices in a free fall system?

Roland
Yup. See - http://www.geocities.com/physics_world/ma/chris_sym.htm

This is strictly a mathematical derivation so there is no mention of free-fall. However the condition which is equivalent to it is in Eq. (3).

Please note that one does not "derive" the Christoffel symbols (of the second kind). They are "defined." Once they are defined then one demonstrates relationships between them and other mathematical objects such as the metric tensor coefficients etc. In the link above the Christoffel symbols are defined in the same way Kaplan defines them in his advanced calculus text. In my page that is given in Eq. (8). I know of at least 3 different ways to define them though.

Pete
 
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  • #5
Well,Pete,either u or Dirac[1] have it all mixed up.I'd go for you,as Dirac got a Nobel prize and I've been taught GR from his book[1].

Your formula #2 is valid for contravariant vectors ([1],eq.3.3,page 6) (a.k.a.vector,which is defined on the tangent bundle to a flat/curved [itex] \mathbb{M}_{4} [/itex])...So how about getting it all done correctly or,don't give that link anymore and exlude it from your post.

Daniel.

--------------------------------------------------
[1]P.A.M.Dirac,"General Relativity",1975.
 
  • #6
dextercioby said:
Well,Pete,either u or Dirac[1] have it all mixed up.I'd go for you,as Dirac got a Nobel prize and I've been taught GR from his book[1].

Your formula #2 is valid for contravariant vectors ([1],eq.3.3,page 6) (a.k.a.vector,which is defined on the tangent bundle to a flat/curved [itex] \mathbb{M}_{4} [/itex])...So how about getting it all done correctly or,don't give that link anymore and exlude it from your post.

Daniel.

--------------------------------------------------
[1]P.A.M.Dirac,"General Relativity",1975.
What's with the atttitude dude?? I don't delete portions of my web pages due to the comment of a readed who is a bit ignorant on the subject. As for "giving it" to you, I wasn't. I was giving it to Roland.

As I said, their are several definitions of the Christoffel symbols. Dirac uses one definition, Kaplan another, Ohanian yet another, Lovelock and Rund yet another. However, I'm looking at the text you refer to and I don't see what you're talking about. That equations is not directly related to this topic. Also what you refer to as "valid for contravariant vectors" (really the components of such a vector in a particular coordinate system) is identical in meaning to what I referred to above as the Christoffel symbols of the first kind. The other ones are the Christoffel symbols of the first kind.

So how about first learning the subject completely before you make another attempt at correcting me in such a rude manner?
 
  • #7
Alright,u didn't get it...Let's take it slowly:What's formula #2 about...?

Daniel.
 
  • #8
dextercioby said:
Alright,u didn't get it..
So why bother with me? Seems that you're unwilling to entertain the possibility that you made an error. In any case Eq. #2 in my page is the transformation properties of the components of a contravariant vector.

However I see your point in Dirac. It was confusing since he never named them. Dirac and Ramond, two authors you quote, use different definitions of the Christoffel symbols of the second kind.

However it appears that you're having a bad day since I find your comments to be irritating.

Later
 
  • #9
So why bother with me? Seems that you're unwilling to entertain the possibility that you made an error. In any case Eq. #2 in my page is the transformation properties of the components of a contravariant vector.

However I see your point in Dirac. It was confusing since he never named them. Dirac and Ramond, two authors you quote, use different definitions of the Christoffel symbols of the second kind.

However it appears that you're having a bad day since I find your comments to be irritating. A long time ago I found that discussing anything with someone posting in such a grating manner not worth posting to. Li'fe's too short and I have many other irritating things which deserve more attention.

Later
 
  • #10
You specifically use "covariant vector",and 2-ice...And now u turn it and use "contravariant" vector...What should i understand,that I'm having a bad day...?

Daniel.
 
  • #11
rolandk said:
Has anyone a derivation at hand of the Christoffel symbol by permuting of indices in a free fall system?

Roland
There is a minor point I'd like to make to add to those of mine above. There are four symbols in tensor analysis which are tightly related. In certain circumstances they are identical. In most circumstances you'll see in GR they are identical. Two of the symbols are referred to as the Christoffel symbols (of the first and second kind) and the affine connection symbols (of the first and second kind). The affine connection has a capital gamma as a kernal lettter. There is also two terms referred to as "affine geometry" and "metric geometry.

See
http://www.geocities.com/physics_world/ma/affine_vs_metric_geometry.htm

I'm not 100% sure which symbols are which since I'm not sure everyone uses the same definition of each. In any case they are the same when the manifold has both a connection and metric defined on it and the metric geodesics and the affine geodesics are the same.

Pete
 
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1. What is the Christoffel symbol?

The Christoffel symbol is a mathematical concept used in differential geometry and general relativity. It represents the connection between the curvature of a manifold and the coordinates used to describe it.

2. How is the Christoffel symbol derived?

The Christoffel symbol is derived from the metric tensor, which describes the geometry of a manifold. It involves taking partial derivatives of the metric tensor and using them to construct a set of equations that relate the curvature of the manifold to the coordinates.

3. What is the significance of the Christoffel symbol?

The Christoffel symbol is significant because it allows us to calculate the covariant derivative, which is necessary for understanding the curvature of a manifold. It also plays a key role in the Einstein field equations, which describe the relationship between matter and the curvature of spacetime in general relativity.

4. How is the Christoffel symbol used in general relativity?

In general relativity, the Christoffel symbol is used to calculate the geodesic equation, which describes the path that a freely moving object will follow in curved spacetime. It is also used in the Einstein field equations to relate the curvature of spacetime to the energy and matter present in the universe.

5. Are there any real-world applications of the Christoffel symbol?

Yes, the Christoffel symbol has many real-world applications, particularly in the fields of astrophysics and cosmology. It is used to model the behavior of gravitational waves, black holes, and other astronomical phenomena. It also has applications in engineering, such as in the design of spacecraft trajectories using gravitational assist maneuvers.

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