Infinitesimal Coordinate Transformation and Lie Derivative

In summary, under an infinitesimal coordinate transformation ##x^{'\mu}=x^\mu-\xi^\mu(x)##, the variation of a vector ##U^\mu(x)## can be expressed as $$\delta U^\mu(x)=U^{'\mu}(x)-U^\mu(x)=\mathcal{L}_\xi U^\mu$$ where ##\mathcal{L}_\xi U^\mu## is the Lie derivative of ##U^\mu## wrt the vector ##\xi^\nu##. There may be a discrepancy between the expression for ##\mathcal{L}_\xi U^\mu## and the final expression on the RHS due to neglecting higher order terms in an
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Baela
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TL;DR Summary
Problem in attempt to express the variation of a vector ##U^\mu(x)## under infinitesimal coordinate transformation, as a Lie derivative ##\mathcal{L}_\xi U^\mu##
I need to prove that under an infinitesimal coordinate transformation ##x^{'\mu}=x^\mu-\xi^\mu(x)##, the variation of a vector ##U^\mu(x)## is $$\delta U^\mu(x)=U^{'\mu}(x)-U^\mu(x)=\mathcal{L}_\xi U^\mu$$ where ##\mathcal{L}_\xi U^\mu## is the Lie derivative of ##U^\mu## wrt the vector ##\xi^\nu##.

I have performed the following steps and have a question in the final result.

By general coordinate transformation rule we know that

\begin{align}
& U^{'\mu}(x')=\frac{\partial x^{'\mu}}{\partial x^\nu} U^\nu(x) \\
\Rightarrow\,\, &U^{'\mu}(x^\nu-\xi^\nu(x))=\Big[\frac{\partial x^\mu}{\partial x^\nu}-\frac{\partial \xi^\mu(x)}{\partial x^\nu}\Big]U^\nu(x)\\
\Rightarrow\,\, &U^{'\mu}(x^\nu)-\xi^\nu(x)\frac{\partial U^{'\mu}(x)}{\partial x^\nu}=\delta^\mu_\nu U^\nu(x)-\partial_\nu\xi^\mu(x)U^\nu(x)\quad \text{(Taylor expansion upto first order in}\,\, \xi^\nu\, \text{on LHS)} \\
\Rightarrow\,\, &U^{'\mu}(x)-U^\mu(x)=\xi^\nu(x)\partial_\nu U^{'\mu}(x)-\partial_\nu\xi^\mu(x)U^\nu(x)
\end{align}

The final expression on the RHS is $$\xi^\nu(x)\partial_\nu U^{'\mu}(x)-\partial_\nu\xi^\mu(x)U^\nu(x)$$ but the expression for ##\mathcal{L}_\xi U^\mu## is $$\mathcal{L}_\xi U^\mu=\xi^\nu(x)\partial_\nu U^{\mu}(x)-\partial_\nu\xi^\mu(x)U^\nu(x).$$ Why this discrepancy? What's the resolution?
 
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The difference between [itex]\xi^{\nu}\partial_\nu U^{\mu}[/itex] and [itex]\xi^{\nu}\partial_\nu U'^{\mu}[/itex] is second order in [itex]\xi[/itex]; for an infinitesimal change such higher order terms are neglected.

EDIT: Rather than expanding [itex]U'[/itex] about [itex]x[/itex], expand it about [itex]x'[/itex]. Then [tex]
\begin{split}
U'^\mu(x) &= U'^\mu(x' + \xi) \\
&= U'^\mu(x') + \xi^\nu \partial'_\nu U'^\mu(x') + O(\xi^2)\\
&= U'^\mu(x') + \xi^\nu (\partial'_\nu x^\lambda) \partial_\lambda U'^\mu(x') + O(\xi^2)\\
&= U'^\mu(x') + \xi^\nu \left(\delta_\nu^\lambda + \partial'_\nu \xi^\lambda \right) \partial_\lambda U'^\mu(x') + O(\xi^2) \\
&= U'^\mu(x') + \xi^\nu \partial_\nu U'^\mu(x') + O(\xi^2)
\end{split} [/tex] and now substitute for [itex]U'(x')[/itex] to obtain [tex]\begin{split}
U'^\mu(x) &= U^\mu(x) - U^\nu(x)\partial_\nu\xi^\mu + \xi^\nu \partial_\nu \left(
U^\mu(x) - U^\lambda(x)\partial_\lambda\xi^\mu
\right) + O(\xi^2) \\
&= U^\mu(x) - U^\nu(x)\partial_\nu\xi^\mu + \xi^\nu \partial_\nu U^\mu(x) + O(\xi^2)
\end{split}[/tex] as required.
 
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1. What is an infinitesimal coordinate transformation?

An infinitesimal coordinate transformation is a mathematical concept used in differential geometry to describe small changes in coordinates. It involves transforming a set of coordinates by a small amount, typically denoted by a parameter ε, and is used to analyze the behavior of geometric objects on curved spaces.

2. How is an infinitesimal coordinate transformation related to Lie derivatives?

Lie derivatives are a type of derivative that describes how a geometric object changes along a vector field. Infinitesimal coordinate transformations are used to define the Lie derivatives, as the change in coordinates can be used to calculate the change in the object along the vector field.

3. What is the significance of Lie derivatives in differential geometry?

Lie derivatives play a crucial role in understanding the geometry of curved spaces. They are used to define important geometric concepts such as curvature and torsion, and are also integral in the study of symmetries and conservation laws in physics.

4. Can you provide an example of an infinitesimal coordinate transformation and its corresponding Lie derivative?

One example is the transformation of polar coordinates (r, θ) to Cartesian coordinates (x, y). The infinitesimal coordinate transformation is given by x = rcos(θ + ε) and y = rsin(θ + ε), where ε is a small parameter. The corresponding Lie derivative is then calculated as the change in a function f(x,y) along the vector field defined by these transformations: Lvf = ∂f/∂x * cos(ε) + ∂f/∂y * sin(ε).

5. How are infinitesimal coordinate transformations and Lie derivatives used in practical applications?

Infinitesimal coordinate transformations and Lie derivatives are used extensively in physics, particularly in the field of general relativity. They are also used in engineering and robotics to model and analyze the behavior of objects in curved spaces. Additionally, they are used in computer graphics and animation to create realistic simulations of objects moving on curved surfaces.

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